While the way employees are recruited, selection criteria for individual positions and the role of HR in the hiring process has all changed over the years, the majority of employers still continue to use common practices to select their number one candidate.
Whether the job is as a research assistant, lab technician or public relations content developer, doing an interview right and sealing the deal requires about the same tactics for all jobs – foreseeing the interviewer’s expectations and playing to it. Arguably, the most important part of the interview is the closing. It is what the interviewer will remember most when recalling all the interviewees later, and yet it is the one step that is often overlooked. The following steps will make for an interview closing that will put you at the top of your interviewer’s mind. You may use all of them, or a few using your best judgment regarding the situation.
Exchange cards
This is the most basic step, and you will probably receive one without having to ask for it at the very beginning of the interview. If it is your first job, the interviewer will not be expecting you to present one, but if you are a seasoned employee you should have a few cards ready prior to an interview. In case you are not presented a card at the beginning of the interview, wait till the interview is over and then ask for it before saying thank you and making your way out.
Make plans to follow up
Before leaving, make sure you plant a seed, that is, make an excuse for a follow up. You may do this by simply telling your interviewer how exciting you find the work that the company does and how you can see yourself working for a company such as this, adding that you’ll be in touch with them. This way when you do a follow up call or email, it will not be an out of the blue cold call, but one that is expected.
Show gratitude
The faster you do a follow up after the interview, the higher the chances of your interviewer remembering you. However, doing a follow up on the same day as the interview makes you seem not only desperate but obstinate.
Instead of doing a full-fledged follow up, it is better to email them a simple thank you note right after the interview. It might not make a big difference but it is one more way to inserting yourself in the employer’s mind.
Call back at the first hour
On your way out of the office following your interview, find out from the front desk what the company’s hours of operations are and how early the person who interviewed you comes to work. While the front desk executive may be reluctant to divulge such information about individual employees, if you are tactful and friendly and explain why you need to know what you need to know, it should not be a problem.
Using this information, when you make a follow up call, make sure it is right after your interviewer gets to work. Generally people make more positive decisions in the morning before the day begins to settle in, and it also proves that you are an early bird and will be a punctual employee.