Did You Close the Hiring Manager!

Can you imagine hiring a sales person who can't "close" the hiring manager? Recently we had a top sales candidate, with a strong record of accomplishment, who failed miserably at closing the hiring manager when wrapping up the interview. That quickly deep-sixed any chances this candidate had of moving forward. Hiring Manager: "How can I hire a sales guy who can't even close ME?" "Closing the deal" is important in any job interview. When the interviewer has wrapped up his questions, ask a few of your own. Make sure they are appropriate and don't go too far. It IS appropriate to ask about the make up of the team you'd be joining. It is NOT appropriate to ask about the personalities of those team members. Wrap up your interview by letting the hiring manager know you are excited about the opportunity and the chance to work for such a highly regarded company. Ask if you've answered all the hiring manager's questions. Ask what the next step will be. That's how you CLOSE THE DEAL.