Don't Let the End of the Job Interview End of Your Chances

The job interview begins when you walk in the door of the building and ends when you drive off the premises.

That means holding the door for others when you walk in (you may be holding the door for the hiring manager and not know it), and not ending the "formal" portion of the interview poorly. Here are a few ways to end on a high note:

What not to say. At the end of most job interviews, the hiring manager will ask "Do you have any questions for me?" If you've conducted the interview right, then you've asked questions right along. And, if you've done your research before the job interview, then you came loaded with a few intelligent questions relative to the company's goods and/or services and/or processes. But let's suppose, for a moment, that the hiring manager has answered all of the questions you had. The worst way to answer the "do you have any questions" question is by saying, "No, but I'll email or call you if I do." This response will put your resume - and your chances - in the slush pile.

What not to ask. I'll often ask my workshop participants what the last question they should ask before leaving the interview. Invariably, at least one will say, "When do I start?" While it makes some laugh, the joke has grown stale with me. And if it makes me roll my eyes, do you think employers will have a different reaction? There are better ways to get the same information - and in a more professional manner. Among my favorite: "What are the next steps in the process?"

Sing a few notes. Before the job interview ramps up to speed, ask the interviewer if s/he minds if you take notes. I've never run into an interviewer who objects (though I'm sure they're out there). During the interview, take notes on what the hiring manager says so you can ask questions of clarification as you're going along (and to have something to ask at the end of the interview). Another good way to use your notebook is during panel interviews. Write the interviewers' names at the top of the page relative to where they're sitting. This way you can use all of their names when answering questions. That helps build rapport and shows you to be a professional.