Survey reveals crucial job interview question

“Is there anything that you want to say before you leave?”

It is the question most likely to be asked at the end of a job interview, according to a Job Korea survey. An expert from the job-search website said the question is the interview’s most important.

“By asking the question, employers are actually asking interviewees to show how desperate they are to get hired and how much they are interested in the job description,” the expert was quoted as saying. “Although employers were satisfied with the competence the interviewees showed, the employers wouldn’t hire the interviewees if they did not show enough passion to have the job.”

The survey found that 78 percent of 250 respondents who had a job interview this year were asked the question. Among respondents with job experience, 31 percent asked for further details of the job description while some asked about the workplace environment.

Most with no work experience (41 percent) spoke more about themselves, emphasizing their abilities, while only a few asked about the workplace.

The expert said if applicants were asked the question they should not refer to previous questions to supply missed information because that would make them appear “timid.” Instead, they should show enthusiasm for the company because the question is their last chance to impress.