Facing the Promotional Interview – Part 13
Written by John on March 31st, 2009
CLOSING THE INTERVIEW
INTRODUCTION
For the past several articles, we have looked at preparing an opening for a promotional interview, so for this article let’s shift gears and look at how you can close a promotional (or any ) interview.
Once time constraints have expired and/or the interview board has asked the appropriate questions and has a general idea of your interview performance, it is time for the shortest and easiest portion of an interview-the conclusion. This is normally accomplished by the interview board chairperson concluding with a final question such as “do you have anything else you want to say or add.” At this point, most candidates (99%) will quickly thank the interview board members for their time while thinking “if you are done, so am I. Have a nice day and I’m outta here,” and then make a hasty exit. The closing portion of an interview is necessary due to the following considerations:
- The interview board is being polite and giving you an opportunity to review any forgotten or important items not covered during the interview.
- Interview boards must give a candidate an opportunity to have “said it all.” This minimizes the possibility of a candidate filing a protest after an interview based on the candidates perception that there was insufficient opportunity to have “said it all.”
When a candidate realizes the interview is concluding, the first thought that comes to mind is “Is it over already?” Remember, time flies when you are having fun! However, when the interview board reaches this portion of an interview, you are suddenly faced with an important decision. Do you thank the interview board for their time and make a hasty exit, or, do you give the board one last pearl that is designed to raise your score from 70 to 95? When an interview board reaches this portion of an interview, they are:
- Finished and not ready to listen to another ten minutes of your strong points.
- Familiar with your qualifications and abilities.
- Fulfilling a requirement that dictates they must give a candidate a chance to have said it all.
- Out of time.
- All of the above.
However, as there are various methods you can employ to close your interview, let’s review your available options:
MISSED POINTS
You may pick up any missed points or important items you did not have a chance to elaborate on, but his is an extremely rare occurrence. However, if you have missed any IMPORTANT points or items of consideration, utilize this opportunity to correct that deficiency. However, keep it short, positive, and ensure that what you have to say is vitally important. Let me restate that last concept one more time. If you are absolutely and positively sure you missed a vital point, use the shortest time possible to state it. If you are talking more than several minutes, your grade is rapidly going downhill. Remember, the board has just indicated they are done, and the sooner you “hit the bricks”, the better!
NO STATEMENT
When an interview is concluded, some candidates will quickly conclude the interview by setting an Olympic record for the 50-yard dash while leaving the interview room. Another common closing is to quickly thank the board for their time and the opportunity to share your qualifications, then leave. A common response would be similar to the following:
“In closing, I would like to thank each board member for your time and the opportunity to discuss my qualifications for the position of Engineer, Captain, etc”. Although this response is used by many candidates, it can present a potential consideration. If one of your last answers was incorrect or not one of your better responses, this fact will still be fresh in the minds of the board members after you have left and they are determining your final grade. This has the potential to affect your grade from a negative perspective.
In our next article, we will look at the last which has the potential to minimize this possibility and enhance your final grade.
