Job interviews are all about getting to the next step. In a super-tight employment market you need to close the sale by asking finishing questions that push you closer to the offer.
The job interview is your opportunity to shine in front of the hiring decision makers. It takes time and energy to get to this point and you don’t want to waste all the research and preparation you have invested to be successful here.
Close The Sale
After jumping through all the interrogative questioning, don’t make the mistake of failing to ask for the next step. You must close the sales meeting that is your interview.
This changes the interviewers point of focus to the next step, gives you direct feedback on where they see you going next, gives you the opportunity to respond, and makes you stand-out head and shoulders above the competition.
Peggy McKee of PHC Consulting is a professional career expert and interview coach. She strongly advocates asking closing questions.
Here are some examples: Thank you for your time today Mrs. Hiring Manager, I appreciate the opportunity to communicate why I will be a great fit for your organization. Can you see me being successful in this role? What is the next step in the selection process? Can you move me forward to the next step? Can we schedule a time for another interview? And so on. This is more tactical than simply asking for the job and more likely to advance you in the selection process.
Don’t make the lemming mistake of thinking you will get to the next step based on your interview performance alone. Hiring managers are people too, and they respond to the agreeable pressure that is a simple closing question.
This is great advice and something that most people fail to do. It is hard to think about so many non-selling events are actually all about selling something. You’re selling yourself for the job. I love the idea of having to close the sale. Great post!
As uncomfortable as it may be for most people there is a lot of upside to asking for the next step.
When I interview I have at least 10 job related questions and 3 variations of a closing question ready to fire off. You’re absolutely right about hiring managers. Heck, Usually hiring managers are impressed when someone is prepared and asks for the job.
Awesome. You are better prepared than most, and I’m sure this has been successful for you.
It has been very successful for me and my wife. Preparation is key. Using my negotiation and interview tactics got me a very high salary at the age of 27
Taking control of the interview is important! You should direct the interview to show your strengths. You are right, you need to wrap it up and ask for the sale.
Yes, every organization needs leaders at every level and by simply asking assertive questions demonstrates this.
I am a very proactive person myself and I like this approach. It saves you from hanging and wondering. Why not ask? I have done this myself and it has never hurt my chances at getting the job.
Great post Hunter.
Glad you have had positive reults from being proactive. Thanks Miss T.
This is a great idea. At the come of it, the interviewee has to try and make the job of the interviewer easier. The framing yourself as a way to help the company [and not so much as some random guy looking for work] is really a best approach to the situation. By stressing the reality that you are willing to help people out by taking the initiative to move the interview process to the next step [there by not overstepping your bounds by directly asking for the position] is a great way to prove your worth to the company.
Glad you are in agreement and I like the way you phrase it here. Thanks Ron.
It’s vital to be prepared for job interviews, with the right answers to questions and the right questions to ask them. However, it’s also important to remember that you’re marketing yourself – you’re the product. As such, you have to close the sale in an appropriate way. Good post.
True, it must be a two way conversation or else they will notknow what you are like to work with and vice versa. I like to call this agreeable pressure, and it takes experience to execute in just the right way. The candidate needs to listen to the tone of the interview and insert just the right amount of assertiveness when appropriate.
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So true! I always asked what the next step was and locked in a firm date for a decision or follow up. I read the Sales Bible right before I closed the deal on my first job. You have to go in with the thought that you are selling your skills.
Great attitude LaTisha. I’ll have to find that book and see what it has to offer.
There really is an art to interviewing and with the level of competition nowadays practice and preparation is so important. It’s always a good idea to have questions to ask at the end of the interview and remember to smile! -Sydney
Yes, there’s a lot to remember for the novice candidate. I suppose it’s like playing golf for the first time, thinking of all the advice and tips that need to be integrated into an effective swing. Don’t forget to smile – great advice.
When selling a product, it’s a great tactic to “assume the sale.” When selling yourself, it could be risky to assume that you’re moving on. But you’re right when you say it’s good to inquire – and find out what lies before you.
It’s a fine line between assertiveness and arrogance. I have made the mistake of being to passive and too aggressive in interviews. It takes experience to judge the situation know what you can do.
I agree 100%. The right amount of assertiveness is important; however it is very important to remember not to cross the line of arrogant and pushy. As a managing partner of a large business I have heard both; persons that can deliver the probing questions well and those that seem to aggressive. Just be careful of the delivery. Great article.
Thanks Shawn I really appreciate your perspective. I completely agree with your sentiment.
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