How To End An Interview (With Examples)

Ending an interview correctly is important because final impressions can have just as big of an impact as first when job hunting. The end of your interview can be your secret weapon in clearing up any doubts and reminding the hiring manager that you’re the best person for the job.

In this article, we will go over how to end an interview, provide examples of ways to end an interview, why closing statements are important.

Key Takeaways:

• Closing an interview with a closing statement is important because it allows you to answer any questions, express interest in the position, and sell yourself one last time.

• At the end of the interview, you should figure out the next steps in the hiring process so you know what to expect.

• It’s important to be polite during this process and keep a positive outlook on things.

How to end an interview

Asking questions, reiterating your interest in the job, and reminding the hiring manager are things you should do at the end of an interview. Below is a more detailed list of how to end the interview.

1. Ask questions. Your interviewer will likely ask if you have any questions as the interview starts winding down. Even if they don’t, walking out of the room without asking any questions is a huge mistake.

   For starters, you must understand the role thoroughly for your own decision-making process. More than that, though, you want to show the interviewer you’ve been paying attention.

   A great way to do that is to ask some thoughtful and pointed questions about the company, the industry, or your department’s role in the bigger picture.

2. Reiterate your interest in the job. The end of an interview is a great opportunity to remind hiring managers that you’re excited about the job opportunity. Confirm your interest in the position by telling the hiring manager that the interview has made you even more eager for the possibility of working with their company.

   You can discuss what attracts you to the company culture, how your values align with the company’s mission, or how the job excites your passion and curiosity for the field. Anything that can make you seem like an excellent cultural fit can go a long way in hiring decisions.

3. Remind them that you’re qualified. You’ll want to leave your interviewer with a fresh image of you as a capable and excited candidate. Remind them that you have the specific qualifications and skills needed to get the job done to leave them with the impression that you’re a perfect match.

   Try to be specific about what value you could provide the employer based on your past experiences. It’s good to talk up your accomplishments throughout the interview, but if you have an extra-impressive achievement under your belt, consider closing with it.

4. Ask if they need any convincing to ease their doubts. It’s hard to tell how well you’re doing in an interview when the hiring manager has a poker face made of stone. If you get the feeling that your interviewer just isn’t convinced that you’re the best person for the job, go ahead and ask what you can do to convince them otherwise.

   Think of your greatest professional strengths and assets and be ready to discuss them at length. Tell your interviewer any additional information about your skills and experience that didn’t come up during your conversation, and combine it with an overall statement about your overall candidacy.

5. Ask for the job without really asking for it. This part of ending the interview requires some finesse. If the interview is coming to a close and you’ve realized that you really do want the job, a bold move to make that will make you stand out to the interviewer would be to ask for the job, but in a super sneaky way.

   Instead of just straight up asking, “Can I have the job pretty please with a cherry on top?” you’re going to have to be tactful and professional. You could slyly mention that you’re excited to look over the job offer.

   If you’re feeling bold and you want to be a little more straightforward, you could just ask straight up, “Based on this conversation, do you feel that I would be a good fit for this position?” Even if they don’t hire you on the spot, they’ll appreciate your confidence.

6. Figure out the next steps. Before you leave the interview, make sure to ask about the next steps in the hiring process so you know what to expect going forward. Ask your interviewer if they have a certain time frame in which they’ll get back to you with a decision, or if there are any other layers of interviews you should prepare for.

   Once you’ll know what to expect after your initial interview, you can start to prepare how you’re going to follow up with the employer.

7. Be polite. You don’t need a fancy closing to your interview. You can simply end with some good manners by thanking your interviewer for their time, consideration, and fleshing out the job’s responsibilities more fully for you.

   Showing that you’re professional and considerate can highlight your soft skills and round out an already impressive interview performance nicely.

8. Show that you’re ready to go. Another powerful tactic that’s similar to asking for the job is simply showing how prepared you are for your first day. Give a positive outlook for the future and detail how this is the beginning of a mutually beneficial professional relationship.

   If you can give a specific plan of action for your first 30/60/90 days on the job, you’ll help the hiring manager or recruiter see you in that position. That’s a good step towards receiving a job offer.

9. Follow up after the interview. One of the cardinal rules of interviewing: always follow up and send a thank-you letter. This is one of the most important aspects of interviewing, and it’s a sure way to make either a good final impression or a bad one.

   Sending a follow-up letter shows that you’re considerate and professional, while not sending one sends the message that you couldn’t give a rat’s ass about the job opportunity.

   Within 24 hours after the interview, send an email thanking the interviewer for their time and for the opportunity to learn more about the company and the position. Use your thank-you letter as a chance to follow up and reiterate your excitement for the position.

   Your effort won’t go unnoticed, and you’ll be remembered as the person who was thoughtful enough to reach out — especially if no one else does.

Examples of how to end an interview

1. Asking questions example

   “How is performance measured for this role and what are your expectations in the first 90 days?”
   “What departments will I be working more closely with to generate the results we discussed?”
   “What professional development opportunities are available for this position?”

2. Reiterate your interest in the job example

   “I’ve really appreciated the opportunity to learn more about this position, and after hearing so much about your company, I can say without a doubt that I’m very excited about the possibility of working with your company.”

3. Remind your interviewers that you’re qualified example

   “From my perspective, it seems that the position would be a great fit for my experience and skill set. I’m really looking forward to the opportunity to put my experience with organizing fundraisers to improve employee involvement and help your company meet your philanthropy goals.”

4. Ease interviewer’s possible doubts example

   “I have discussed my experience working hands-on in the field performing operations and maintenance on utility-scale solar projects, but I would like to add that I have extensive OSHA safety training that has equipped me with the knowledge to perform my duties safely and efficiently.”

5. Asking for the job example

   “I just want to tell you that I’m very interested in taking on this role with your company, and I’m looking forward to hearing back from you with an offer, or an invitation for the next step in the interviewing process.”

6. Figure out the next steps example

   “Do you know when I can expect to hear back about the next steps in the hiring process?”

7. Be polite example

   “Thank you for taking the time to discuss the role further with me today. I enjoyed learning more about what ABC Inc. does differently and your unique vision of attaining true sustainability. I’m ecstatic at the prospect of being a part of this team. If there’s anything else you need to know about my candidacy, please don’t hesitate to contact me.”

8. Show that you’re ready to go example

   “I look forward to using my experience in warehouse management to help solve your warehouse’s issue with frequent delays. By instituting the practices I brought to my last role, I believe I can get turnaround time on shipments down by 15% in my first few months. I think this will free up energy to work on optimizing the workspace for safety, simplifying the documentation system, and ultimately help for getting products on the shelf more efficiently.”

Why are closing statements important?

Closing statements are important because they will answer any questions the interviewer might have and it’s a way to express interest in working for the company. Below is a more detailed list of why closing statements are important:

• To answer any questions the interviewer might have. This is a great time to answer any questions that the interviewer might have for you. They can learn more about you and your previous work history.

• To express interest in working for the company. This is the time to express your enthusiasm for the position and the company. You will want to explain your reasons for why this position is right for you and why they should hire you.

• To sell your skills and qualifications. During the closing statement, you should give a few examples of how your skills and qualifications are right for this position. You want to let them know that you will positively benefit the company.

Ending an interview FAQ

1. What should the interviewer do at the end of the interview?

   Interviewers should be asking you if you have anything more to add or if you have any questions. Interviewers should also explain the next steps in the process which may include whether there will be further interviewers or when they will be making their decision.

2. How can you end an interview on a positive note?

   You can end an interview on a positive note by asking questions and restating your interest in the position. The questions you ask will show the interviewer how interested you are in the position and the company. Make sure you ask thoughtful and pointed questions relating to the job and the company.

3. What should you do at the end of an interview?

   You should ask questions and thank the interviewer at the end of an interview. It’s also important to restate your interest in the position and remind them that you are qualified. You can also ask about the next steps. Be sure you are polite during this process.

Final thoughts

Finding a job is hard work. When you’ve put countless hours into preparing for an interview, it’s easy to get blindsided by the excitement of seeing the finish line.

It’s important to not rush through the end of an interview and to use it as your final sales pitch instead. Taking advantage of this final moment is a great way to clear up any concerns and to make yourself stand out from other candidates.

Now that you know what to do, it’s time to get ready for that interview. Make sure you do everything necessary to make a good first and last impression, and you’re sure to land the job.

References

1. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – Employment Interviewing: Seizing the Opportunity and the Job

2. UC Berkeley – Closing the Interview

Author

Maddie Lloyd

Maddie Lloyd was a writer for the Zippia Advice blog focused on researching tips for interview, resume, and cover letter preparation. She's currently a graduate student at North Carolina State University's department of English concentrating in Film and Media Studies.