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Interviews are one of the most important and most dreaded parts of the job application process and they require a lot of preparation. You need to research the company, find out about your interviewer, prepare an opening statement and think of answers to potential interview questions.
But there’s one thing people often forget when they’re preparing for interviews – the closing statement. Thinking ahead about how you’ll handle the interview is certainly important, but remember not to focus only on the introduction. For many potential job candidates, a powerful closing statement can make just as big of an impression as a great opening. In fact, closing statement can even be the most important part of the interview. They give you a chance to address any concerns the interviewer might have and they allow you to make a lasting impression.
Read on to find out how you can make the most of a closing statement in your next interview.
Making the Most of the Last of Your Interview
Preparing for the beginning of your interview may be nerve wracking, but it’s also fairly simple. You know your own value as an employee, and you can prepare a list of points that you’d like to make to a potential employer, but preparing for the end of your interview might not be so simple. After all, you can’t tell how the interview will go, so you can’t be sure what you’ll need to address in a closing statement.
Even if you’re not psychic, you can still prepare to make the most out of the end of your interview by thinking through what you want to reiterate to your interviewer. Make a list of three to five winning qualities that you want to communicate and emphasize to your interviewer. Be sure that you talk about these qualities at both the beginning and the end of your interview. Reiterating your own qualities is one of the easiest ways to leverage the final portion of the interview process.
Five Tips for Closing Statement Success
In addition to making your unique skills and advantages known, your closing statement can also be an opportunity to reflect on the interview. It’s essential to show the interviewer that you are an engaged, responsive employee who can think on your feet and make meaningful contributions to any situation that might arise. Remember – you don’t know exactly what will happen in your interview, so it’s important to plan a general closing statement and leave room for any other necessary information.
Use these five simple tips as a guide as you prepare for a winning closing statement:
- Reiterate your interest in the job. It’s essential that you clearly restate your interest in the job. Include any new information you learned about the position over the course of the interview – it’s a great way to show that you’re interested in every aspect of the position, not just what was outlined in the job listing.
- Reframe your qualifications. Take any new information you learned about the demands of the position and use it to reframe your qualifications. Be specific about how your talents meet the demands of the position. Be creative, and think about how your unique skills and experiences specifically relate to the position or the company.
- Show that you were listening. Sure, you want it to be obvious that you prepared for your interview – but you don’t want to come off as a know-it-all. Show that you’re willing to listen, learn and grow by mentioning new information that you’ve learned during your interview. You might say that you were surprised to hear about a certain aspect of the job or company, but are excited by the challenges it presents.
- Address any potential concerns. If your interviewer expresses any concerns about your qualifications or experience, don’t shy away from responding. Instead, address them directly, and respectfully reiterate why you think you’re a good fit for the job, as well as why you truly want it.
- Speak specifically to your interviewer’s message. During your interview, jot down a few of the key components of your interviewer’s message about the company – whether it’s their mission, their culture, or their goals for growth. Talk directly about how you would fit in or meet a given need.
After the closing statement
In addition to nailing your closing statement, be sure to follow up with your interviewer after the fact. It’s a good idea to send a thank you note or email after the interview. Reiterate that you’re excited about the prospect of working with the company and grateful for the chance to interview – but be sure that you don’t pester or harass the interviewer. One follow-up email or phone call a week is sufficient to express your interest in the position without becoming annoying.
What do you think? Are closing statements important to the interview process? What are your tips for making a great – and lasting – impression?
Abby Perkins is Managing Editor at Talent Tribune, a SoftwareProviders.com blog dedicated to all things HR.
