- Never say 'no': 'No, you answered everything' can sound like low interest or poor preparation.
- Ask about the work and how decisions are made: Good questions show real interest, and they help you judge whether the culture fits.
- Close with the doubt question and next steps: Give the interviewer a chance to raise any worry about your UN background, then ask about the timeline.
Never say 'no.' Here's how to end an interview well, with good questions about the role and the team, and one strong question that lets you answer doubts before you leave the room.
Why 'No Questions' Is a Missed Chance
Ending with 'No, I think you covered everything' leaves a weak last impression. It can sound like low interest, even when it isn't. So prepare two or three closing questions. They show your interest and your confidence.
Questions About the Role
Save salary, leave and benefits for when you receive an offer. Until then, ask about the work:
- 'What would success look like in this role in the first 90 days?'
- 'What's the most important problem the team needs this person to solve right away?'
- 'How do you measure and review performance in your division?'
Questions About Culture and Decision Speed
Coming from the UN system, you'll want to know how fast an organization decides things, and how much freedom people have:
- 'How are decisions usually made here? Do project leads decide, or do decisions go up to senior levels?'
- 'How does the team handle disagreements between departments, or changing priorities with tight deadlines?'
The Best Closing Question
Before you finish, ask this: 'Is there anything about my background, or my move from the UN, that makes you wonder if I'm the right fit for this role?' It takes courage. But it lets you answer any hidden worry before the decision is made. (It's better to hear a doubt now than to wonder about it for two weeks.)
Ask About Next Steps
End politely and clearly: 'Thank you for a good conversation. What are the next steps, and when may I follow up?'
Choose four questions from this article, including the closing question. Write them in your interview notebook, and say the closing question out loud until you can ask it calmly and naturally.