How to "ask for the job" in the interview?

Question

One piece of advice I hear a lot is that, at the end of a job interview, you should actually ask for the job. It shows your enthusiasm, it helps the interviewer remember you later, and so on.

But, as one who's kind of an introvert, I can't think of a good way to actually say it.

Do you say "May I please have this job?" Or "Could you please hire me?" They both sound kind of needy.

Or am I taking "ask" too literally? Should one say "I'd really like to work here." Or "I'd really appreciate it if you chose me."

Also, do ask at the end when I'm shaking hands with the interviewer? Or earlier when he says "Do you have any questions?"? (It's not really the type of question he's asking for.)

UPDATE: The interview went well. I took the advice about expressing enthusiasm instead of literally asking for the job. Wish me luck.

Answer 1

We have a saying where I live, "If you have to have an answer right now, the answer is no" and if I'm hiring someone, that would apply. In fact, I personally would find a question like that to be annoying and would probably take you out of consideration unless you're genuinely better than everyone else. But all other things being equal, that's a strike against you in my book.

I understand what you're wanting to do and I get it. It's a classic sales technique and you're selling yourself, right? Well, the problem is that not everyone wants to be sold to and people like me would recognize that you're trying to close and be turned off. It feels like a "tactic" and not a genuine effort on your part.

Additionally, even if they're inclined to hire you, it's almost unheard of these days to get an offer in an interview. I've had interviews where I knew I was going to get the job because they went that well. Even in those cases, I didn't find out for at least a half hour after the interview.

To be perfectly frank, I would consider being offered a job at an interview (unless it's like the 3rd one) to be at least some sort of warning flag of desperation.

I would stay away from the sales tactics and the hard sell and focus on letting them see your passion for the work and how excited the prospect of working with them makes you. They'll see it and if they like your abilities, they'll probably respond well to it.

Answer 2

No, don't do this. Someone has been giving you bad advice.

Here's what Alison Green (an actual hiring manager) has to say:

By asking for the job in that manner, you (a) come across as a little naive about hiring, (b) come across as not especially thoughtful about whether this is really the right job for you, if you don’t even want to go home and think about it, and (c) put your interviewer on the spot in a way that’s likely to be awkward for both of you.

She expands on each of these points in her answer, but here's my summary:

(a) This is not how hiring works! They have other candidates, and they're not going to make a decision on the spot. Even if they had no other candidates, they'd still want to mull you over and call your references. If you do this, you're making yourself look like you just don't understand the professional world.

(b) You are interviewing them as much as they're interviewing you, and you should go home and think it over before you even decide you want the job. Maybe you'll realize their management style will irritate you, maybe the benefits suck, maybe you'll get a better offer.

(c) This technique is supposed to "work" by making it socially uncomfortable and difficult for them to reject you. That's rude, and not a good look. They'll wonder whether you're likely to act like this if they hired you--will you stand up at the end of meetings and say, "So, when do we start implementing my proposal?" when they haven't decided whether they like yours or Bob's or Anne's better? No manager wants to deal with an employee like that. (Sales can be an exception to this rule of thumb, though.)

But if you’re concerned that you won’t appear sufficiently interested, then say something at the end of the interview like, “I’m really interested in the position, and I’m looking forward to talking further with you.”

Also, write a good follow-up note, touching on things you discussed in the interview and why you'd be a good fit, and reiterating your interest.

Answer 3

You know the interview is wrapping up when they say "do you have any questions for me?" or perhaps "well, I think we've covered everything, do you agree?" or some other ending signal. At that point, once you've asked everything you want to ask, and are being asked to agree the interview is complete, if you really truly want this job, go ahead and tell the interviewer so, with one of these:

• Yes, I've certainly learned that this job sounds perfect for me. I hope I've shown you I'm perfect for it.
• Thankyou, yes, I'm really looking forward to joining the team!
• I've enjoyed discussing this opportunity and I know I want very much to be the successful candidate.

If you want to try "When can I start?" you need to do it with a twinkle that makes it clear you are not actually expecting a date. If you can't do that, then quickly adding "just kidding, but I really do want this position" is appropriate.

Answer 4

I've conducted interviews where the candidate has asked "did I get the job?" at the end of the interview. This is a bit awkward for the person conducting the interview, and could be taken as impatient. The answer is always the same: "We have to discuss your skills and some of the other candidates. You should hear back either way within 2 business days."

In lieu of this, I've found the following to be rather effective and serve the same purposes:

"Do you have any concerns about my background or skills that you feel would keep me from being successful in this position?"

Here's why this is a better question to ask:

• It's possible the interviewer made an assumption about something on your resume, and this may probe them to directly ask.
• The interviewer may actually express any concerns they have regarding your experience, and you have the opportunity to directly address them! eg: "We really are looking for someone with experience in the foobar industry, and while you have great experience, it's mostly in the wizbang market."
• It shows that you are serious about taking the job and are eager to start.

Answer 5

Oh boy.

This is a tough one, and you have to have a good read of your interviewer(s) to be able to frame this question in a way that will have the intended effect. Let's start off at the post-interview section, which is where this question would typically be asked.

First of all, I strongly recommend having at least 1 or 2 questions to ask at the end of the interview. If there are multiple interviewers, try to sprinkle the questions around. This can give you an idea of which interviewers like to talk, and about what. Try to keep your questions related to your position and how you'd be working with your interviewers.

How closely would I be working alongside/under you?

What kind of proprietary technologies do you use?

This combines the presumptive approach often used in sales ("Do you want this in black or blue?" instead of "Do you want to buy this?") and actually demonstrates in interest in something beyond the girth of their compensation package. Modify these to fit the position/company/interviewer as you see fit.

Secondly, give yourself a backdoor back into your questions that you asked previously with the following:

Are there any questions you asked where I didn't get around to answering them directly and fully?

It's an interview. We all get nervous, we ramble, and we inadvertently frame questions incorrectly and answer something they didn't ask. Sometimes, it doesn't really matter and they get the information they wanted - albeit in a roundabout fashion. But sometimes, they asked what 2+2 was, and we go off on a tangent about all the cool things we've done using addition but never got around to saying "4."

Finally, after having used the interview up to this point to get a read on your interviewer(s), decide on how formal your next statement needs to be. On a sliding scale of super-casual to super-formal, I have used the following:

How'd I do? Told you I was a super genius.

I had a great time meeting with you (all) today. I have a really great idea of the kinds of things I'll be doing here, and I'm excited to put my skills to work for you.

Thank you so much for your time in offering me an interview. I'd like to clearly state my enthusiasm and interest in becoming part of your team.

The second one is probably the safest bet, because it walks the line between show (emotional enthusiasm, may be construed as unprofessionalism) and tell (flat affect, may be construed as insincere in a smaller environment. Regardless of which you choose, make sure you clearly state your interest and try to nail down when you can expect to hear from them.

Good luck!

Answer 6

Also, do ask at the end when I'm shaking hands with the interviewer? Or earlier when he says "Do you have any questions?

At the end of the interview and at a natural comfortable point ( while shaking hands is a good spot but there may be others ), if you think it went well, I would have no problem asking for the job in this way:

"When can I start?"

Note: It all depends on the context and flow of the conversation whether you should proceed with asking the question or not. If you have a good repore with the interviewer I see no issue with this, if the interviewer is extremely formal you may wish to re-consider.

Maintaining eye contact

Although the standard advice is to maintain good eye contact throughout the interview, don’t take this to mean that you should stare fixedly at the interviewer. Maintain eye contact in a natural and friendly manner, which means that there are brief breaks and reconnections. For instance, it would seem natural to look away briefly if you have to pause to think about your answer. Then reconnect strongly as you begin to speak.

If you proceed, keep the wording of this critical question short and sweet, while asking it be sure to maintain eye contact. Eye contact is critical as it help demonstrate your confidence in your ability to handle the job. Most folks are nervous during the interview process and "asking for it" is not easy to do. The shorter the question is, the less likelihood of you screwing it up.

Update: By asking this question, you are not expecting to get an offer on the spot. What you're looking for is a positive response from the interviewer. It does not guarantee anything, but if you feel compelled to ask, the approach I laid out is a decent one. My answer is not a blanket "Go for it" statement.

Answer 7

Unlike the others, it's a good idea. I'm a retired technology consultant, have interviewed many times and it works. I just say (after a pregnant pause), "I'm interested in this job. (Short pause). I would like you to consider me. I can help you." Sometimes I've added "it would be good for both of us". Don't say it needy.

Answer 8

It depends on the position, how many of them are available, and how you genuinely feel you are hands-down above the rest based on your CV, and how the interview went.

@Chris E says:

I personally would find a question like that to be annoying and would probably take you out of consideration unless you're genuinely better than everyone else.

Well, what if the candidate IS better than everyone else?? Then you the employer would only be shooting yourself in the foot by not hiring the best for your company.

@Neo makes a good comment:

"If you don't ask, you may never get it."

Another way to put it is, "you miss 100% of the shots you don't take."

The phrasing is key here, and requires finesse. Not a hatchet-job, "Are you ready to hire me today?" But more along the lines of, "Well what do you think? Do you feel I'd be a top-tier candidate for this position?" or "After everything we've discussed, I feel even more confident I'd be a great fit here, I hope you feel the same way!"

Their answer and the way they answer, should tell you everything. I've once asked similar and been told, "Yeah you know what? I'd actually like to introduce you to the Director. Are you free to come by tomorrow?"

But definitely as @sleddog says, having some pre-loaded questions about the position is critically important. It shows you understand the nuances of the job and seek clarity to further elaborate how you are the best-fit candidate. Definitely write a few down, so the interview is framed more like a consultation where you are able to best solve the organization's pressing needs.