Photo by Bozhin Karaivanov on Unsplash
You've almost made it through the interview when an interviewer asks, "Is there anything else we should know about you?"
You were this close; they got you with this common interview question. Just like making a good first impression is crucial, so is making a lasting final impression.
That's why having some tricks up your sleeve at the end of any interview is essential. These "tricks" include fun facts about yourself, interesting stories about your career, or meaningful insights into the organization and company where you hope to land that job.
Being prepared for the end of the interview ensures that you have plenty of "good material" left for questions at the end of the interview. Never find yourself stumped by closing questions like "Do you have any questions for me?" or "What else?"
Here are a few things to share to create a memorable response and leave a lasting impression. It's time to brag.
Why Employers Ask to Know More About You
They Want to Learn a Little More About Your Professional Accomplishments
By the time you've reached the interview stage of a job search, your resume and cover letter likely have already interested the hiring manager or recruiter. The interview exists so that they can learn more about you—and so that you can learn more about the role, the company, and the organization.
When, at the end of an interview, a hiring manager or recruiter asks if there is anything else they should know, focus on communicating compelling stories about your work style, skills, aspirations, and overall knowledge.
If you want to talk a little bit more about something you feel was glossed over, this is your chance!
They Want to Learn More About You, The Human Being
Sometimes, the interviewer frames this question so that you can shed a little light on your personal life—aside from all of your professional accomplishments and achievements. This is a way to end the interview casually, with rapport about hobbies and maybe some common interests.
This could be an excellent place to share a fun fact about yourself or provide glimpses into your personal life. What do you do with your free time? Is there a unique trick you can do? If an interviewer makes it clear that they want to learn about something other than relevant work experience, have some fun answering this question.
9 Ways to Answer "Is There Anything Else We Should Know About You?"
Just like you made an unforgettable first impression, close this interview by leaving a positive and lasting impression. Think of this as your closing statement or your cliffhanger. How do you want to end this interview?
1. Share Your Passion for the Role (Again, With Context)
You applied for the job because it sounded interesting. You excitedly accepted the interview offer. Now, as the interview ends, you have another opportunity to express your excitement for the role.
This time, you can refer to specific talking points from the interview and new information you learned. Use this prompt to re-express your enthusiasm for the role with specific examples.
"I'm passionate about [specific aspect relevant to the job or industry]. I especially loved learning that the organization is focused on growth over the next year. I believe my expertise is in growth strategies, and I cannot wait to bring that to the team."
2. Highlight Any Relevant Skills or Experience You Didn't Discuss
Is there a particularly impressive part of your resume you didn't discuss during the interview? Well, here is your chance! The job interview is your chance to shine. If an interviewer didn't touch on the proudest parts of your resume, don't hesitate to bring them up at the end of the interview—especially if they closely relate to the position.
"Besides what we've discussed, I have extensive knowledge of experiential marketing. Since you mentioned that the organization is working to build its experiential marketing team, I would love to tell you a little more about my experience, if time permits!"
3. Mention Your Commitment to Growth
Use this time in your interview to show your commitment to the role and the organization. Especially for job seekers in their early careers, this is a great way to show a hiring manager that you're looking forward to working within the organization for a more extended time. Of course, provide context when possible.
- What skills would you be looking to learn and grow?
- What team members or leaders do you look forward to working with?
- What ambitions do you have that can be realized within this organization?
"I'm always seeking opportunities for growth and development. I'm excited about the possibility of expanding my skills in [mention an area relevant to the job] and contributing even more to the team."
4. Discuss Your Values Compatibility
If you aren't centering your job search on your core career values, you should. I have made many mistakes in my past job searches. My biggest career mistakes happened when I headed out to find a job with "specific salary number" or "quitting my last job" as my center purpose.
Identify your core values and use them to guide your job search. They will help you know what to look for and, even more importantly, what to avoid. When you find a job position and an organization aligning with your core values, everything becomes clear. When this happens, take this opportunity to speak on your core values and offer specific ways that the organization mirrors them.
"I've done some research on your company culture, and I'm confident that my values align well with [mention a specific aspect of the company culture]. I'm eager to contribute to and thrive in this environment."
5. Offer Additional Insights from Previous Roles
If you want to speak about your past roles a little more, this is your chance. After going through the interview, you've learned more about the potential role. use this time to relate your experiences to the job directly.
"From my previous roles, I've learned [mention a valuable lesson or insight]. I'm excited about the prospect of applying this knowledge to new challenges and opportunities here."
6. Take Another Stab at Answering a Question
The interview isn't over until it's over—and even then, you still have that post-interview thank-you note to write.
What I mean is this: don't let any interview mistakes or regrets leave the room with you. If you flubbed a difficult interview question towards the beginning of the interview, perhaps due to nervous energy, ask to circle back and answer it again.
An interviewer should be impressed to see that you have been thinking about how to answer an interview question instead of providing a half-baked, nervous answer or simply saying, "I don't know."
If there's a question you'd like to revisit, now is your moment!
7. Share What Excited You Most to Learn
Just like an interviewer is learning about you, you are also learning more about the organization and the job. We're constantly reminding interviewees that the job interview is for them, too! We get so nervous and in our heads that we can forget our own agency in this nerve-racking process!
At the end of the interview, you might find that there is much more to the job than you initially thought, and it's really exciting! Tell the interviewer about any new skills you're excited to learn and how you can see yourself transforming in this role.
8. Imagine Yourself in the Role
One particular behavior stands out when discussing some of the best signs that you'll get the job after an interview. When an interviewer speaks of you actively, as if you've already landed the job, it's usually a good clue you landed the gig!
Reverse engineer this positive sign. Use the end of the interview to "picture" yourself in the role using active language. Show how you picture yourself as a valuable asset. There's a delicate balance here. You don't want to come across too cocky or presumptuous. Try something like this:
"I'd be so excited to join this team and bring my skills to your marketing efforts. I especially loved meeting the team members, and I can envision how we'd all work together to build a bulletproof social campaign."
9. Express Gratitude and Enthusiasm
If you covered everything in the interview and you can't think of a single detail or story to add, gratitude always works. Thank the interviewer for their time, consideration, and thoughtful questions.
"I want to thank you for considering me for this opportunity. I'm genuinely enthusiastic about the possibility of joining your team and contributing to its success. I'm ready to hit the ground running and make a positive impact."
