It is always a good practice to ask the candidate at the end of the interview if they have any questions. A candidate who has researched your organization and thought about the job and what further opportunities this may bring will likely have questions burning inside them! An insightful question from the candidate indicates they have given thought to how the job may suit them.
This is your final opportunity to observe the candidate:
- Do they show enthusiasm?
- Are they excited at the opportunity or faintly bored?
- How do you rate their questions?
Some candidates may find the interview very tiring and will just want to get away as quickly as possible. A candidate who is still showing the right attitude and is fired up, eager to know more, and shows signs of wanting to work with you will stand out from the crowd.
Answer the questions as best you can but without making any comment whatsoever regarding their likelihood of getting a job offer. You cannot know this until all candidates have been interviewed, the scores have been computed, and the panel has adjudicated the scores.
Candidates often ask "what happens next", and this will be the standard process you apply in your organization that HR will usually manage.
After answering any questions, thank the candidate and have them escorted back to reception. You can now make sure your score sheet is complete, move around, and get a drink for yourself. You deserve it!
We have covered a lot in this chapter, and you hopefully feel like you have had a simulated interview experience.
There remains the checklist and summary to complete this chapter.