| Many job applicants think the only thing left to do after | | | | letter to the Hiring Manager and anyone else who may |
| an interview is to send a thank you letter. While | | | | have interviewed you. This shows you understand |
| sending an interview thank you letter is important, don't | | | | basic business etiquette and have good attention to |
| get complacent and think that is all you have to do at | | | | detail. |
| the end of your interview. | | | | The Best Question of All to Ask the Hiring Manager |
| First and last impressions are the strongest, so you | | | | Early in my career, a very experienced Hiring Manager |
| want to end the interview gracefully and do the proper | | | | shared with me the best question ever to ask at the |
| follow-up. As a hiring manager, here are three things I | | | | end of your interview. Here it is: "I'm convinced this is |
| want you to eep in mind. | | | | the job I want. What do I need to do to convince you |
| | | | that I'm the best person for the job?" |
| 1. At the end of the interview, I will almost always ask | | | | This is a great question. It shows your interest in the |
| you if you have anything else to say. Most candidates | | | | job and it flatters the Hiring Manager's selling skills (yes, |
| stumble a bit with this one and end awkwardly. The | | | | if you're a good candidate I'll want to sell you on the |
| best way to end the interview is to thank me for my | | | | job). It also gives you one last chance to sell yourself |
| time, summarize your qualifications and reiterate your | | | | by addressing any specific suggestions I may have |
| interest in the position. | | | | about how to "convince" me you're the best candidate. |
| 2. After the interview, do a personal debriefing. Write | | | | If you feel the interview went well, try using this |
| down the names and titles of everyone you met, your | | | | question. I asked this question myself once when I was |
| opinion of how you thought the interview went, | | | | interviewing and, to my surprise, the Hiring Manager |
| questions you were asked that you found difficult, and | | | | replied, "Well, I'm pretty well convinced already." I was |
| any other information you learned about the company | | | | offered the job the next day. |
| and the job. Even if you don't get this job, it will help | | | | You're selling yourself at the interview, so you have to |
| you on future interviews. | | | | be certain you ask for the sale! |
| 3. Follow up the interview with an interview thank you | | | | Good luck at your next interview. |