In the earlier interview stages, hiring managers are looking for qualifying factors. Determinants like education and work experience are what get you in the door and start the conversation. But you probably won’t be the only candidate with the right qualifications. You may get to the final interview and be one of several applicants still in the running. So now, the hiring manager will be looking for disqualifying factors so they can narrow down their choice.
Your job at the final interview is to show that you have the skills, but also to avoid anything that could knock you out of the running. You need to prove that you’re competent, professional, and likable—in short, that you’ll be a joy to work with. Here’s how.
Come Prepared
The final interview could see you cycling through a range of interviews with several different people. Don’t go in blind. A day or two before your final interview, ask for a list of interviewers and a basic schedule. This way, you can do your due diligence and ask department-specific questions. For example, if you’re applying for a non-marketing position but you’ll be interviewing with the marketing manager, you can ask how your two roles would intersect and how the person in your role could best make the marketing manager’s job easier.
You should also bring a notebook and pen, as well as some additional copies of your resume, just in case your interviewer isn’t as well-prepared as you are.
Ask Questions
At the final interview, you’re interviewing them as much as they’re interviewing you. This is your chance to get a feel for what it’s like to work for this company.
Questions about work-life balance, company goals, and the onboarding process are all appropriate here. You could ask about your predecessor in the role and the average tenure of each employee. Just like you should never bad-mouth your former company, the employer should never bad-mouth their former staff members.
You can also bring the questions back around to yourself. Ask if there is anything in your qualifications that gives them any concern. This gives you a chance to explain any gaps and “explain away” your weaknesses. Which leads us to…
Know Your Weaknesses
No one likes talking about their own flaws. But if you’re lacking in any of the desired qualifications for the position, they’re likely to come up at this point. Look back at the job posting and do a self-assessment. How can you prove to the hiring team that you’re serious about improving yourself and being the best possible asset to the team?
A concierge job, for example, may list membership in Les Clefs d’Or, the national association of hotel concierges, in their “preferred qualifications.” If you’re not a member, you can tell the hiring team that you’ve started the application process and hope to be admitted soon. Or if the posting requests that the applicant be bilingual, you can share that you’ve started an online language course to bridge that gap.
Of course, it has to be true!
Try to Lighten Up
The people you‘ll meet with probably already know your qualifications and that you have what it takes to do the job. At this point, you’re being assessed for culture fit by people you’ll work with on a daily basis.
A final interview is serious business, but it doesn’t have to be somber. Everyone wants to work with people that they like. So bring a friendly demeanor and your sense of humor along with you. Be friendly and try to build rapport with the people you’re talking to. Regardless of your qualifications, you’ll have better chances if people like you.
Eat and Rest Beforehand
Final interviews can run long. You could be passed from interviewer to interviewer, and it may take several hours. (Of course, you’ll have an idea what to expect since you’ll ask for a basic schedule in advance!)
You’ll want to arrive well-rested, fed, and hydrated. You can’t perform at your best when you’re tired and hungry. And you don’t want to be interrupted by a grumbling belly while you’re making the case for how professional you are.
Be Prepared to Discuss Salary and Benefits
The hiring team may need a few days to discuss candidates before making their final decision. But it is also possible to get a job offer during the final interview. You should come prepared with the salary and benefits package that you think is reasonable, based on your experience and the market.
You don’t want to accept the first offer, only to find out that the industry standard is 10% higher for your position. Do your research so you are in a strong negotiating position.