Ask for the job
As a classically trained salesperson, I was taught to ask for the business. There are plenty of cliches, "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take", "You don't get what you don't ask for", and "The answer is always no until you ask the question". TBH, they are all true. If I was on a call I made sure to say the words out loud, "If an opportunity came up would you feel comfortable calling me with it?". I needed to know and I needed them to say it. As anyone who has ever worked with me they've heard me say 100 times, 'There's what you think and what you know. It doesn't matter what you think, you have to know.'
I learned very early on in my staffing career that the same is true in getting a job. I would often ask candidates, even ones interviewing with me, 'How did the interview go?'. Generally, the response was about what they thought, and how they felt or hoped. That's great, but hope is not a strategy. How do you know? How could you know? The answer is always the same, you could ask.
I realize this is easy for me to say. I'm old, I'm practiced and I genuinely enjoy asking uncomfortable questions. Thankfully, most people aren't like me. But there are still ways you can "close" an interview and have it be in your voice.
Something like, 'Do you have any concerns about me in this role?' if not then, great, what is our next step. Similarly, 'Can you see me in this role and adding value to the team'. A direct but softer and very positive question. Even more direct, 'What do you think of me for this position?' or, 'How do I compare to other candidates?' Assuming it is positive then ask an action question. 'That's great, I am really excited about this opportunity and feel I could be a positive addition to the team. What is the next step?'
People appreciate people who are confident, direct (not blunt), and know what they want and why. They'll know you are serious and want the job, possibly more so than others. Plus, you simply need to know. We should all be positive, but false hope can be a killer.
So go get that job. It's yours, they just may not know it yet. And as always, if you need help with the wording or just want to practice, reach out to me or your favorite recruiter and ask for their help.
