Job Interview in English: How to end your answer perfectly
Job Interview in English? You’re probably preparing interview vocabulary and practicing your answers in front of the mirror. Fantastic! But are you preparing for ALL PARTS of your job interview in English? What about…how to end your answer perfectly?
It’s self-sabotaging to give a perfect interview answer, but a weak conclusion. Read this article, and you’ll see how to finish each answer impressively in your next job interview in English.
Include an ending to your story
Often, interviewers ask you to explain a past experience. Think of this like a story, with a beginning, a middle, and an end. “And they all lived happily ever after” is maybe a bit dramatic, but you should definitely conclude with a sentence that expresses how you were personally responsible for a positive outcome. For example, when explaining a time when you overcame a challenge at work, end your answer with:
And thanks to my actions, the clients still received the project on time.
A beautiful ending to a beautiful story – and you’re the hero!
“So, to answer your original question, I want to keep growing professionally in an environment like this. “
Throw it back to the interviewer
Flipping the question back to the interviewer is a great trick when you’ve said everything you want to say. For example:
I hope that answers your question. Please let me know if I can clarify anything.
Or even better, ask the interviewer a specific question related to what you’ve just been discussing:
With this in mind, can I ask you about…?
This has the double advantage of showing your enthusiasm and interest in the position, and presents an opportunity for you to engage conversationally with the interviewer.
Return to the question
Imagine the interviewer asks, “Why do you want to work here?”. You give a long list of reasons, but can’t find a way to stop talking. Don’t panic! Pause, breathe, and summarise everything in a final, brief sentence.
So, to answer your original question, I want to keep growing professionally in an environment like this.
Other alternatives are:
Going back to your original question…
Coming back to your original question…
Whichever expression you use, you’ll tidy up your answer with a punchy conclusion in your job interview in English.
Refer to the job
We know that from the moment you write your job application to the day of the final interview, you should link everything you say to the position or company. This is particularly effective in the conclusion of your interview answer. For example:
Because of this, I think I am a perfect match for this position.
Or:
That is why I believe I am a great fit for this company.
These expressions highlight your value as an employee, and best of all you end your answer on a very assured, positive note.
Structure is key
To be impressive in a job interview in English, your answers must flow – just like a story. That’s why I recommend planning a template to follow when answering the most common interview questions. A coherent answer from the beginning to the end will help you sound confident and intelligent. This is especially significant if English is your additional language – so be sure to map out your perfect answers for your next job interview in English.
Susie Shields
I train people to use English in a professional context. In my one-to-one sessions, online course and social media platforms, you’ll master tools to flourish in your English-speaking workplace. From job interviews to work meetings to presentations and more, you’ll prepare for professional challenges and speak with success.
