Closing an Interview with Confidence
“They that hope in the Lord will renew their strength, they will soar on eagles’ wings; They will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint” (Isaiah 40:31).
Editor’s Note: This is the last article in a series on interviewing successfully. Please see the second article on how to beat interview day jitters.
Anna has been in the interview room for about an hour and feels confident and energized. The interview has been progressing positively, and she is proud of the way she has answered questions clearly and succinctly. As the interview winds down, the hiring manager asks her if she has any questions for her. Thankfully, Anna has prepared specific questions and is not caught off guard. After asking her questions, she delivers a strong closing statement and wraps up the interview with a smile on her face.
Anna used the following tips to conclude her interview with confidence and poise. Try them for your next interview.
1. Prepare Questions for Your Interviewer
Before your interview, take time to prepare three to five questions for your interviewer. Coming prepared with questions shows that you care about the position and are taking the process seriously. Either print the questions beforehand or have them written down in the notebook you bring with you for the interview. These questions can be about the position, the company, the team, or about your interviewer. Below are sample questions you could ask:
How would you describe your managerial style? (If interviewing with the hiring manager.)
What are the company’s current goals, and how would someone in this position work to support those goals?
What are some of the challenges someone in this role might face?
Click here for more sample questions to choose from.
Remember that the interview goes two ways and that another purpose of these questions is to aid you in discerning if this position is truly the best fit for you.
2. Ask If There is Anything They Would Like Clarified
Interviews can be stressful, and it is possible that you may not have answered a question as well as you would have liked. As the interview ends, instead of wasting mental energy regretting your response to a previous question, humbly ask your interviewer the following:
“Is there a question I may not have answered clearly that you would like further information about?”
Asking this question gives you a chance for a “do over” and will give you a little insight into an area where your interviewer might have been looking for a different answer.
3. Deliver a Strong Closing Statement
At the conclusion of the interview, your interviewer may ask you if you have any final questions. If you do not, this is a good time to deliver a brief closing statement.
A closing statement makes clear that you are interested in the position and why you are a great candidate.
For example: “Thank you so much for interviewing me today. I really appreciated learning more about the position, and I believe my extensive experience working in similar roles would be an asset for your organization. I am very much interested in this position and would love the opportunity to be part of such an innovative team.”
4. Ask for Next Steps
After giving your closing statement, be sure to ask for next steps in the hiring process. Also ask your interviewer when you can expect to hear back about a final decision and when they hope to fill the position.
Thank them again for their time, and ask for their business card so you can send a thank you email after your interview.
As you exit, take a deep breath and give God thanks for His presence with you throughout the interview. If any anxious thoughts come to mind, ask for the grace to surrender the outcome to the Lord, and be proud of all of the preparation you did leading up to the interview. Now, celebrate!
Valentina Imhoff, MBA, is a career coach helping women encounter God through their work. She has lived and worked in six countries and has over 10 years of experience in a variety of industries. She facilitates Called & Gifted workshops to help others discern their charisms. Her greatest loves are her husband, son, and trying new recipes in the kitchen. Connect with Valentina at fiatcareercoaching.com, or tune into her podcast on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.