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The Conclusion

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Once the purpose of the interview has been achieved, the interaction should come to a comfortable and satisfying close. This closing phase of the interview is especially important because it is likely to determine the impression the interviewee retains of the interview as a whole.

There are important norms involved when individuals take leave of each other (Knapp, Hart, Friedrich, & Shulman, 1973), so in closing the interview, the interviewer needs to employ both verbal and nonverbal strategies to serve three important functions (Von Raffler-Engel, 1983):

To conclude, or signal the end of the interview
To summarize, or review the substantive conclusions produced by the interview
To support, or express satisfaction with the interaction and project what will happen next

Table A.3 illustrates closing strategies that may help you conclude, summarize, and support. As these sample statements indicate, bringing the interview to a close is largely the responsibility of the interviewer. In the next section, look at how this and other responsibilities and roles are filled in a variety of interviewing situations.

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Table A.3 Closing Strategies
Behavior	Definition	Example
Declare the completion of the purpose or task.	The word well probably signals a close more than any other phrase; people automatically assume the end is near and prepare to take their leave.	“Well, I think we’ve covered a lot of territory today.”
Signal that time for the meeting is up.	This is most effective when a time limit has been announced or agreed on in the opening of the interview. Be tactful; avoid being too abrupt or giving the impression that you’re moving the interviewee along an assembly line.	“We have just a few minutes left, so . . .”
Explain the reason for the closing.	Be sure the reasons are real; if an interviewee thinks you’re giving phony excuses, future interactions will be strained.	“Unfortunately, I’ve got another meeting in twenty minutes, so we’ll have to start wrapping things up.”
Express appreciation or satisfaction.	This is a common closing because interviewershave usually received something from the interview (information, help, a sale, a story, a new employee).	“Thank you for your interest in our cause.”
Plan for the next meeting.	This reveals what will happen next (date, time, place, topic, content, purpose) or arranges for the next interview.	“I think we should follow up on this next week; my assistant will call you to arrange a time.”
Summarize the interview.	This common closing for informational, appraisal, counseling, and sales interviews may repeat important information, stages, or agreements or verify accuracy or agreement.	“We’ve come to three major agreements here today.” (List them briefly.)

Source: Labels from Stewart & Cash (2006).