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I'm assuming the answer is yes...but I found it to be a unorthodox situation:

I was interviewing for a summer internship position with 4 people a company (not including the hiring manager) for 30 minutes each. Another candidate (a classmate of mine from my Masters program) was interviewing with the same people, in a staggered rotation around their offices with me.

After we finished meeting with these people, the hiring manager (an alumnus of my Masters program) brought us in [b]together[/b] to finish the day with an interview with her. I was intending on closing here, but I was thrown off by having the other candidate in the room.

I'm fairly good friends with this particular classmate, so I didn't really want to embarass her by closing in front of her. Additionally I didn't want her to reiterate my close as her own, eliminating my MT advantage =)

I'm planning on closing in my follow up thank-you notes, phone calls, emails, etc.

Would you close in that situation? I feel that I probably will if it ever happens again...which I doubt.

pmoriarty's picture
Training Badge

I would have tried to find a way to get the manager alone for a minute at the end of the interview. If that wasn't possible, I'd have skipped the close in that situation. It seems awkward and a little too "in your face" to do it right in front of the candidate you're competing with for the job.

TomW's picture
Training Badge

I think I still would have done it. The other candidate would be stunned initially. Even if she duplicated your move, it would have looked like an intentional copy.

asteriskrntt1's picture

Hi Hans

What was your purpose for interviewing? To make your classmate like you more or to get the internship to advance your career?

It may sound ruthless but it really isn't. Billions of people have competed against others for jobs throughout history and the world seems to keep going.

Next time, CLOSE with confidence

*RNTT

HMac's picture

You're also assuming that your classmate wants the job as much as you do. What if she wants it less? Or not at all?

Your objective is to ensure the hiring manager knows that YOU want an offer - regardless of any other candidates' desires about the job.

Closing in a follow-up letter is a very poor imitation of looking 'em in the eye and saying with enthusiasm: "I want an offer, and here's why..."

jhack's picture

You should close in your thank you note.

And you should have closed in the interview. The closing shows that you want it, and that you have the boldness of character to say so. If your competitors don't have the moxie, you look all the better.

John

arc1's picture

Can understand why others would say to close in that situation, but I think you did the right thing personally.

To me it's about having the class to know when a technique is appropriate vs. boorish.

jhack's picture

[quote]...to know when a technique is appropriate vs. boorish[/quote]
...is not simply a matter of "class" but of context. Appropriate in New York or California might not be be appropriate in Bangalore or Perth. Appropriate in an M&A law firm might not be appropriate at a toy manufacturer or a non-profit.

John

HMac's picture

...that's a fair observation, John - although I don't think it's ever out of context to express your enthusiasm.

This may be about modulating it a bit depending on the circumstances (though I think of Mark's commentary that in thousands of interviews he's NEVER ONCE seem too much enthusiasm and energy on the part of the candidiate...).

Earlier comments refer to the close as a "technique" - and while, yes, it IS a technique (isn't almost everything?), I don't think it comes off as one if it's used to put voice to genuinely-felt interest, enthusiasm and desire.

jhack's picture

Great point Hugh, it's about [i]how[/i] you express your desire for an offer, not whether you do.

John

hans111384's picture

I have closed via thank-you-note and phone call since the interview.

They say it will probably be another 2 weeks till they render a decision, so they'll be getting an email and another phone call =)

Next time I will close in that situation, or ask for a minute alone with the hiring manager.