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  • 02-11-2011 2:19am
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,260 ✭✭✭


    Hi All,

    Everyone been there near the end of an interview, when the intervewer asks the question:

    Do you have any questions for us?

    What do you say?

    No. ?

    I certainly hope not......this response is the worst you can give...

    Here is my recommendation for the best closing question that you can ask (IMHO).

    "Thank you for your time today, I hope that I have answered your questions clearly and that you now know enough about me to consider me for this role."
    "To conclude, do you have any reservations about my ability to complete the work required by the position on offer or indeed my suitability for the role?
    "If so I would like to hear your feedback and have the chance to address your concerns before the end of our interview.



    This leaver your interviewer with two primary responses:

    Positive: "No, I have no reservations about your ability to do the job"

    What a great thought to leave your interviewer with!

    Negative: "Yes, I have reservations about........"

    What a great opportunity to address the reservation that may have cost you the job.


    I would love to hear other suggestions for great replies to that closing interview question....


Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,492 ✭✭✭neckedit


    I host a fair few interviews and to be honest, if that was said to me at the end of the Interview,I would not be as impressed as you think.
    You have had the whole interview to impress me and convince me you are the person I need for this position, Candidates don't sell themselves enough or if they do its by using over complicated English and a load of buzz words they feel the Employer will buy into.
    talk clearly and passionately, in most case you are talking about YOU!! Sell your self Leave me in no doubt that you are a serious contender for this Job.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 338 ✭✭Keith in cork


    Op,

    I am new to this forum. What is your "level of expertise"?

    I see you are trying to be helpful, but as above, Its actually not as helpful a response as you think IMO.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,260 ✭✭✭Irish_Elect_Eng


    LOL... Expertise...

    I am a (hiring) Engineering Manager in a muti-national company.
    I have received training in interviewing and hiring the right people.
    In the last 10 years I have been promoted 5 times,having done an average of 4 interviews per position. 100% success rate :-)

    But I am no recruitment "Expert". :-) I will leave that claim to others.

    I am not claiming to have come up with this closing tactic, I learned this through research, you can read this method or similar in many books or websites.

    Similar closing questions would be:
    • "Did I answer all your questions fully?"
    • "Is there any reason why we can't set up the next interview now?"
    • "Is there any reason why I would not be an asset in the job I am interviewing for?"
    • "As you can see, I believe I have the qualities you are looking for in this position. Are there any issues or concerns that would make you think otherwise?"

    However, as part of your closing exchanges with your interviewer there are some point that you should hit every time
    1. Leave your interviewer with the right picture of you? - Summarize the Positive.
    2. Ask if there is anything else you can provide.?" - Confirm Understanding
    3. State your interest in the position. - Fix it in their mint that you really want this.
    4. Ask about the next step in the process. - Look Forward, act as if you have done a successful interview.
    5. Find out how to contact the interviewer. - Don't be a hostage to the companie's receptionist :-)

    I want to emphasis the importance of that part of the interview and I would be interested in what other think and what questions or methods they have found useful at the end of an interview.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,260 ✭✭✭Irish_Elect_Eng


    neckedit wrote: »
    I host a fair few interviews and to be honest, if that was said to me at the end of the Interview,I would not be as impressed as you think.
    You have had the whole interview to impress me and convince me you are the person I need for this position, Candidates don't sell themselves enough or if they do its by using over complicated English and a load of buzz words they feel the Employer will buy into.
    talk clearly and passionately, in most case you are talking about YOU!! Sell your self Leave me in no doubt that you are a serious contender for this Job.

    It may very well be the case that this method would not impress you. Fair Enough.

    But candidates and interviewers are a varied bunch and interviews come in all shapes and sizes, so there are different ways of closing on different types of interviews.

    Unfortunately, Not every candidate id a great sales person, even when they are selling themselves, I come across this a lot in hiring engineers. However that does not meant that they are not the person for the job, give that often engineering is more about the technical rather than the soft skills. On the other hand a project manager or sales guy better be able to sell themselves or I will not believe that they can sell my product or service.

    As an interviewer what good closing questions have you heard, what closing methods have engaged, impressed you?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 282 ✭✭Nelson Muntz


    LOL... Expertise...

    I am a (hiring) Engineering Manager in a muti-national company.
    I have received training in interviewing and hiring the right people.
    In the last 10 years I have been promoted 5 times,having done an average of 4 interviews per position. 100% success rate :-)

    But I am no recruitment "Expert". :-) I will leave that claim to others.

    I am not claiming to have come up with this closing tactic, I learned this through research, you can read this method or similar in many books or websites.

    Similar closing questions would be:
    • "Did I answer all your questions fully?"
    • "Is there any reason why we can't set up the next interview now?"
    • "Is there any reason why I would not be an asset in the job I am interviewing for?"
    • "As you can see, I believe I have the qualities you are looking for in this position. Are there any issues or concerns that would make you think otherwise?"

    However, as part of your closing exchanges with your interviewer there are some point that you should hit every time
    1. Leave your interviewer with the right picture of you? - Summarize the Positive.
    2. Ask if there is anything else you can provide.?" - Confirm Understanding
    3. State your interest in the position. - Fix it in their mint that you really want this.
    4. Ask about the next step in the process. - Look Forward, act as if you have done a successful interview.
    5. Find out how to contact the interviewer. - Don't be a hostage to the companie's receptionist :-)

    I want to emphasis the importance of that part of the interview and I would be interested in what other think and what questions or methods they have found useful at the end of an interview.

    I think a lot of what you have there comes across as very pushy tbh. It is all well & good showing enthusiasm for the role but asking the interviewer for their direct number or email address would put people off. So would trying to arrange your next interview when they probably have other people to see.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,874 ✭✭✭padma


    I always ended with, I don't have any further questions as you've outlined the role perfectly to me, though if I am to add anything to this interview it would be my enthusiasm and belief that I would be an asset to your company and look forward to hearing from you hopefully in the near future.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,349 ✭✭✭✭starlit


    I've always been asked that for interviews. I tend to have a list of questions ready just a few, shows enthusiasm and ambition when its directly about the company and the role but wouldn't ask anything regarding salary or holidays more about the contract and responsibilities and work culture really.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 19,986 ✭✭✭✭mikemac


    I've always tried to ask at least one relevant question, often two

    Like for a financial services job in the IFSC I asked about plans for relocation and their overall company structure.
    The IFSC was setup with tax breaks and the ten year exemption was ending that year
    So something relevant to the company and to the overall industry, shows you're clued in and reading the papers.

    Nothing controversial like a banking scandal lol or nothing like holidays but at least they'll see you're on the ball and have an interest in the industry


    You say you've been promoted multiple times but tbh I don't think that has much at all to do with the interview.
    For internal promotions they know you and your work record and if you're invited for the interview you already have a shot at it. Often it's decided whom the promotion is going to before the interview.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,260 ✭✭✭Irish_Elect_Eng


    mikemac wrote: »
    I've always tried to ask at least one relevant question, often two

    Like for a financial services job in the IFSC I asked about plans for relocation and their overall company structure.
    The IFSC was setup with tax breaks and the ten year exemption was ending that year
    So something relevant to the company and to the overall industry, shows you're clued in and reading the papers.

    That is great advice and example, if you can get it across to the interviewer that you are well prepared and informed about the company and industry you are ahead of most candidates at the average interview.
    mikemac wrote: »
    You say you've been promoted multiple times but tbh I don't think that has much at all to do with the interview.
    For internal promotions they know you and your work record and if you're invited for the interview you already have a shot at it. Often it's decided whom the promotion is going to before the interview.

    True enough, I was the strongest candidate as I got the promotions, but I have never got a promotion without competitive interviews including external candidates, that is just how our company policy operates.

    Like politicians, being the incumbent is not always a benefit as the hiring manager knows all your faults as well as your skills. External candidates get an easy ride on the interview questions as internal candidates cannot exaggerate or BS the interviewer. But it is obviously easier on the internal candidate in terms of connecting with the interviewer through common goals and knowledge of the company.


  • Posts: 50,630 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    I have always just said

    "Any questions that I had have been answered throughout the interview"

    Works well and I haven't failed in getting offered a position following an interview yet :)


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,278 ✭✭✭x43r0


    I'd agree with mikemac.

    Some of the questions mentioned above sound too rehearsed/formulaic/robotic


    I like to change the direction of the interview when given the opportunity to ask questions.

    "I know this may be a little off topic but I was wondering if you could explain how you came about creating [company's wonderful product/service]? As in where did the idea originate and how did you develop it from there?"


    Something like that shows a keen interest in the company's product/service offering while complimenting the interviewer indirectly


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 610 ✭✭✭nialo


    Usually i would try ask questions which refer back to something they said at the start off the interview and get them to expand on the company itself. shows attention to details and give an opportunity to learn more about the person interviewing you. Im in software developement so id usually have a question or too about practices in the company too. basically to get a better feel for the place. most off an interview will be about me but going into a new place i want a good feel for it too.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,260 ✭✭✭Irish_Elect_Eng


    nialo wrote: »
    Im in software developement so id usually have a question or too about practices in the company too. basically to get a better feel for the place. most off an interview will be about me but going into a new place i want a good feel for it too.

    You make a good point, the interview process works both ways. It reflects well on a candidate when they want to find out enough about the company and role to determine if they will be a good fit, both from a skill and character point of view.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,260 ✭✭✭Irish_Elect_Eng


    x43r0 wrote: »
    I'd agree with mikemac.

    Some of the questions mentioned above sound too rehearsed/formulaic/robotic

    Yes, of course they are generic, they would need to be modified to fit with the situation, type of interview, type of interviewer and the preceding conversations....

    Come on, I am sure that people have their best lines out there :-)

    Are there particular closures that you use in certain circumstances ?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,011 ✭✭✭LimeFruitGum


    Oooh I like this post. :)


    I blurted out once in an interview, "So what's the talent like around here then?" (Job would have meant moving to the Wesht of Ireland)

    Brain kicked in; I was absolutely mortified and couldn't stop apologising. Luckily, the interviewer saw the funny side and offered me the job 10 mins later. I don't think that would work nowadays! :)


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