Closing Conversations
Author:
Alycia Damp, PhD IRHRYour earlier interviews were about determining whether a candidate is the right fit for you. This interview is designed to help you close your top candidate(s) by focusing on whether this opportunity is a right fit for them. The template covers key discussion points that will uncover your candidate's underlying motivations for joining you and your company.
Focus area:
Question
1
I'm interested in learning how you're thinking about this opportunity. Tell me something I don't know about why you're here today, how do you envision your career legacy? How do you want to put a dent in the universe?
What does this question reveal?
Underlying motivations and career aspirations
Explore tips
- Explains how they view their purpose and where they will have impact
- Defines what impact means to them
- Connects their aspirations with your value proposition for the role/company
- Conveys passion and enthusiasm in their response
Question
2
What’s most important to you as you consider your next opportunity and make a decision about what to pursue next?
What does this question reveal?
Underlying motivations and career aspirations
Explore tips
- Highlights priorities (transform skills, work with great team, social impact)
- Connects their priorities with your value proposition for the role/company
- Priorities are consistent with their career desires/aspirations
- Conveys authenticity and thoughtfulness in their response
Question
3
How will this job create stretch and growth? How does it represent a learning experience for you?
What does this question reveal?
Underlying motivations and career aspirations
Explore tips
Question
4
What other opportunities are you considering?
What does this question reveal?
Perceptions of fit and propensity to accept an offer
Explore tips
- Is honest and shares other opportunities they're considering
- Shares strengths/weaknesses about different opportunities
- May exhibit excitement about other opportunities (probe further)
- Explains what gets them excited about yours versus others
Question
5
With everything you've learned so far, how are you feeling about the opportunity to work specifically for my company and my team?
What does this question reveal?
Perceptions of fit and propensity to accept an offer
Explore tips
- Leans into the conversation by connecting their response to the opportunity
- Reiterates other points that were discussed about the opportunity
- Communicates how the opportunity aligns for them
- Highlights which factors they're excited about
Question
6
Whether this is the right opportunity for you is really important. I want to understand your compensation expectations. It has to bring you value but also shouldn't be your deciding factor. Are we ready to move forward?
What does this question reveal?
Perceptions of salary fit and propensity to accept an offer
Explore tips
- Communicates their level of comfort around the salary
- Speaks to compensation aspects beyond salary (e.g., equity, vacation)
- Identifies any concerns they have around salary and total compensation
Question
7
What is one thing you wish I had asked you in our conversation today?
What does this question reveal?
Self-awareness of unique strengths and value-add
Explore tips
- Gives a response that is relevant to the role in question
- Justifies their suggestion by explaining their value-add
- Exhibits strengths that were not previously covered
