Finish Confident: How to Close the Interview

Most candidates spend 90% of their preparation time on the "opening act"—perfecting their "Tell me about yourself" pitch. However, the final five minutes of an interview are often where the decision is solidified. This is your chance to leave a lasting impression of professionalism, confidence, and genuine interest.

Just as preparing for questions like 'Tell me about yourself' and 'Why are you leaving?' is crucial, it’s equally important not to overlook how you’ll 𝗘𝗡𝗗 your interview.

The way you close sets the final tone and can leave a lasting impression on your interviewer, enhancing both your memorability and engagement.

Do you love a good acronym as much as I do?

𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗟 the deal!


𝗦: 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

Gratitude is more than just saying "thank you." It’s about acknowledging the value of the interviewer's time and the information they shared.

What to say: "Thank you so much for the time you spent with me today. I truly enjoyed learning more about the team's goals and the exciting direction the department is headed."

𝗘: 𝗘𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 – Ask any clarifying questions to ensure you understand the role, the culture, and special company challenges or initiatives.

What to ask: "Based on our conversation about Acme supplier, is there anything about them that makes you hesitant to enter this market?”

𝗔: 𝗔𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗺 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁 – Reiterate your desire for the role and why you're a strong fit. Companies want to hire engaged and eager candidates.

What to say: "After hearing more about the [Project Name] today, I am even more confident that my background in [Specific Skill] would allow me to hit the ground running and add immediate value."

𝗟: 𝗟𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗔𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱 – Ask about the next steps in the hiring process.

What to ask: "I’m very interested in moving forward. Could you share what the next steps in the hiring process look like and when you might be making a final decision?"

We tend to rush through the final moments of an interview, relieved 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘯𝘦.

SEAL reminds us to slow down and ensure we cover important points to end strong.