CLOSING THE INTERVIEW

In the last article, we considered closing the interview by looking at covering any missed points (in the interview) and making no statement. Lastly and most importantly, lets consider an option that is based on the principle of “you have nothing to lose and everything to gain,” IF, your final response is able to adhere to an extremely specific criteria. That criteria is spelled SHORT and RELEVANT! It is possible to give the interview board a short, positive, upbeat statement and challenge without exhausting your welcome. This viewpoint can be used to close an interview and can accomplish the following:

• Leave the interview board with a fresh positive image of you when they are determining your final grade.
• Give the interview board a positive statement based on your demonstrated performance.
• Leave the interview board with a positive challenge relating to your future job performance.

Remember, the interview board has indicated they are finished with the interview, and they are not ready to continue for another five minutes. So, although you can leave the board with a positive challenge, it is imperative that you keep it short and sweet! This is not the time to implement the concept of “more is better!”

Let’s consider a short, positive, closing statement that meets the aforementioned criteria. Additionally, assume the following:

• Your prior performance has been rated as excellent by your supervisors.
• You are confident and enthusiastic about your qualifications and abilities.
• You look each interview board member in the eye while delivering this statement.

“Members of the board, since I have been a member of this department, my standards and level of performance have been consistently rated as excellent by my supervisors. This board can expect and depend on me to carry these same high standards and demonstrated performance into the position of Lieutenant with effective results. Thank you for your time and the opportunity to discuss my qualifications.”

This closing has accomplished the following:

• It will take about 12 to 15 seconds to complete.
• It is positive and upbeat.
• You have briefly referred to your excellent level of demonstrated performance. The phrase “demonstrated performance” means your previous performance evaluations have demonstrated your ability to perform at an excellent level. That is a justified fact! Additionally, not only is this a positive indicator of your capabilities, but if the interview board does not have access to or knowledge of your prior performance evaluations, they now know you have performed at an excellent level in your previous positions. That also is a justified fact (and if you use this concept, it had better be true).
• You have given the board a promise (expect) and challenge (depend) for effective results. The words expect and depend are interesting words as used in the context of the previous statement. If you have performed at an excellent level in your previous positions, it is reasonable to conclude that you will perform at the same level in the position you are interviewing for (expect). Additionally, and in concert with the word expect, you also challenged the interview board with the fact (depend) they can expect you to perform at the same high level as your previous positions. After you leave the interview room, I guarantee the interview board members will briefly consider your promise for them to expect and depend on you to perform at a high level in your new position!

In the next article, we will conclude closing the interview.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, May 6th, 2009 at 10:10 am and is filed under FD Training. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.