Closing the Interview
Interviewing Skills | Office of Career Services

During this stage of the interview, the employer should give you an opportunity to ask any questions that you may have about the job, company or industry. Proceed by asking for clarification about any of the information previously exchanged and questions, which came about during your research phase of the interview process. You will likely want to have several questions prepared ahead of time (see Questions You May Want To Ask Potential Employers for sample questions).

At the end of the interview, it is very important to ask the interviewer for the job. Although it may be safe for the interviewer to assume you are interested in the job at the beginning of the interview, after the interview has taken place, the interviewer needs to know whether you are interested in the position. If you are not, there is no need to say anything regarding this. However, if you are interested, let him or her know. Also, it is imperative to find out what the remainder of the process is. You may simply say that you are very interested in the opportunity and the organization, and would like to know what the next step is – where do we go from here?

Before leaving the interview, ask for a business card from each interviewer, which will assist you in addressing thank you letters.

Portfolios

More and more employers want to see samples of your work during the interview process. Presenting a professional portfolio is an excellent way to provide an interviewer with a firsthand look at the quality of your work.

Present a sample of your work as an answer to a specific question. Highlight your strengths. "I have developed excellent desktop publishing, writing, and design skills. Here is a brochure that I designed, wrote and edited for my marketing class". Or, you can use your portfolio to close the interview. "I do not have any further questions for you but I have brought some samples of my work that illustrate my qualifications for this position." Make sure you briefly describe each piece and why you have included it in your portfolio. Many interviewers will request that you leave these materials with them. If you are not prepared to part with your entire portfolio, you may wish to provide photocopies or duplicates of the work contained in your portfolio.