What does it mean to finish strong? Think about what you’ve learned about primacy and recency – that after an encounter, we usually remember something that happened at the beginning and something that happened at the end. We’ve covered how to rock the beginning elsewhere. Finishing strong is about rocking the end, and it involves three things: recognizing that the interview is ending, communicating your interest in a way that’s sincere and specific, and following up.
How to Know the End is Near
Sometimes it’s clear that the conversation has come to an end. In that case, stand up, offer a firm handshake to each interviewer while looking them in the eye, and express your continued interest as described below. But sometimes, interviewers will test your ability to read social cues by communicating that the interview is over without actually saying so. How?
The most common method is by asking whether you have any more questions for them. Now, because you have prepared well for this interview, you have plenty of questions, which you have hopefully been asking throughout the interview. So when this question comes well into the interview, it is likely a signal that your time is up, which can make finding the correct response a bit tricky. Here’s my advice: Answer along the lines of, “you’ve answered so many of my questions already, I really appreciate it. If I think of something else, can I let you know – can I send you an email?” This accomplishes a lot for you. First, it shows that you have a continuing curiosity about the place. Second, it shows you have read the social cue of, “We’re done here.” And third, it opens the door for follow-up.
Communicating Your Interest
As the interview ends, it’s important to reiterate your interest in a way that’s sincere and specific. You’ve spent the interview offering specific reasons for wanting to join *this* organization. Finish strong by reiterating at least one of them. It doesn’t have to be complicated – quick and casual can be enough. It only takes a sentence to say, “I’ve so enjoyed this talk, and I think the chance to work on antitrust cases would just be a fabulous opportunity.” Alternatively, come back around to a personal connection that came up during the interview: “See you on Opening Day!” Make eye contact, offer a firm handshake, and thank each interviewer for their time as described above, and you should be in good shape.
Following Up
Following up after an interview is critically important, but often overlooked. It includes, at a minimum, sending a thank-you note to each interviewer who took time to meet with you. But, depending on the context, you should also consider a follow-up call or email some time thereafter. Having some follow-up is not only professional and acceptable, but it shows that you actually care.
As soon as possible after the interview, jot down a few notes about what happened for use in writing your thank-you note and other follow-up communications. Make sure you include the interviewer’s name and any information you have about next steps in the process. This will help you gauge when the time is right to follow up.
It’s always appropriate to follow-up with a quick email or telephone call five or six business days after the interview. If you call, be impeccably polite and professional, because it’s the right thing to do and because every person you speak to can influence your chances for an offer. (We’ll come back to this in a bit.) If you email, use it as a free chance to either shore up what went well in the interview or redirect anything that went wrong. In the case of the latter, please run it by a career counselor before sending it out.
Back to that bit about manners: whether in person, on the telephone, or via email, you *must* be professional, polite, and just plain nice – to everyone. Bear in mind that everyone you encounter matters to the person you’re trying to impress. The assistants and receptionists have likely been at the firm forever, and the hiring partner may depend heavily on their judgment about you. Their job is to make a choice, and they’re looking for reasons to narrow the field. Being a jerk to someone’s assistant is a no-brainer. You’re sending a signal that you think you’re more important than that person, that you’re not a team player, and that you don’t respect the environment of that office. Don’t do it. Ever.
My final point, and one I cannot stress enough, is this: when in doubt, check with us first. Whether it’s a question about etiquette, procedure, or some good old-fashioned proof-reading, the Career Services Office is here to help!
