Appendix A: Competent Interviewing

The Conclusion

Once the purpose of the interview has been achieved, the interaction should come to a comfortable and satisfying close. This phase of the interview is especially important because it often determines 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.4 illustrates closing strategies to 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, we’ll look at how this and other responsibilities fall to the interviewer and interviewee.

Table :

TABLE A.4 CLOSING STRATEGIES

Source: Labels from Stewart & Cash (2011).

Behavior	Definition	Example
Declare the completion of the purpose or task.	The word well signals a close; 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 was announced in the opening of the interview. Avoid abruptness so the interviewee doesn’t feel pushed 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 fifteen minutes, so we’ll have to start wrapping things up.”
Express appreciation or satisfaction.	This is a common closing because interviewers have usually received something from the interview (information, help, a sale, a story, employment).	“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 may repeat important information, solidify agreements, or verify accuracy.	“We’ve come to three major agreements here today.” (List them briefly.)