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CLOSING THE JOB INTERVIEW 181

Take twenty-four hours to process the interview, comparing the com-
pany’s expectations and your comfort with the position’s fit; this the
norm and good practice.

, Mistake 2. Apologizing for your performance. The last words you im-
part should not be negative. Being apologetic will make you seem as
though you lack confidence. No one wants to hire an individual who
does not have pride in his or her abilities. When you apologize for your
performance, you may hint at a personality characteristic that may not
have been in the interviewer’s mind.

However, this is not to suggest that, if there is an issue you want to
bring up that will clarify a misunderstanding that occurred during the in-
terview, that you should not do it. The way you approach the matter is
what’s important. For example, toward the end of the interview, the in-
terviewer usually asks a question such as, “Would you like to add any-
thing else?” If you did not answer a earlier question fully, simply state,
“Upon reflection, when I answered the question ______, I should have
added ______.” That response is much better than what candidates usu-
ally say, which is “I do not know what I was thinking. When I answered
______, I forgot to mention ______.” The difference between the two
responses is significant. The first is a normal part of conversation; the sec-
ond sheds a negative light on your “forgetfulness.”

, Mistake 3. Broaching the subject of salary. Interviewers are the ones
who should raise the matter of compensation. When interviewers do not
ask for salary requirements, it is an indication that the timing is not right.
Pressing the topic before its time will cause interviewers to question your
interest in the position. Or, the interviewer may low-ball your qualifi-
cations because he did not have enough information about your experi-
ence to offer an acceptable salary. Be patient. Take the interviewer’s lead.

The Closing Statement

At the end of the interview, you have the opportunity to make a closing
statement. Those are the last words you will utter before you leave the
office, so make them count. Since there is no definitive way to close an
interview, below are some options for you to consider.

American Management Association
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