As an interviewer, I occasionally conduct interviews that become painful as time goes on because the candidate is doing so poorly. I have the impression that, in these cases, the candidate internally knows they are not getting the job, and would just like to end things as soon as possible (as would I).
In the past, I have handled phone interviews of this type by ending a little early and giving a standard closing. However, I have empathy for the candidates and would feel better if I could say something nice without being dishonest. They’re not getting the job, but I may still respect them and honestly wish them well. I’m not really sure how I could tactfully express thoughts like this, though.
My question is mainly about phone-based interviews, but I’m interested in answers that also apply to in-person interviews. To be clear, this question is how, specifically, to be nice at the end of a bad interview, so I’m looking for something more specific than simply ask how to end a bad interview. (Hence I don’t consider this a duplicate of questions asking how to end a bad interview.)
Handling a phone or in-person interview where it becomes painfully clear that the candidate is unlikely to get the job is a delicate situation. As an interviewer, you want to be respectful and empathetic, while also being honest, concise, and preserving the candidate’s dignity. It’s commendable to wRead more
Handling a phone or in-person interview where it becomes painfully clear that the candidate is unlikely to get the job is a delicate situation. As an interviewer, you want to be respectful and empathetic, while also being honest, concise, and preserving the candidate’s dignity. It’s commendable to want to strike this balance, especially since candidates often internally realize their performance isn’t strong, and everyone wants to wrap up rather than drag things out unnecessarily.
One practical, specific approach is to acknowledge the candidate’s effort sincerely without making empty compliments about their qualifications. For example, toward the end of the interview, you might say something like:
“Thanks for taking the time to speak with me today-I really appreciate your interest and preparation.”
This expresses respect and gratitude for their time and effort without any judgment on their performance.
If you feel comfortable, you can also gently set the tone for closure by saying something like:
“At this point, I don’t think there’s a strong alignment with what we need for this role, but I do appreciate you considering this opportunity. I wish you the best in your job search and future endeavors.”
This statement is honest, clear, and still kind. You acknowledge there are fit concerns-something the candidate often senses-and close with a genuine best wish. It’s better than either silence or vague “we’ll be in touch” promises that feel disingenuous.
If the candidate asks for feedback after such a closing, it’s okay to offer a brief, gentle insight-perhaps focusing on skill gaps or areas for growth rather than personal shortcomings (e.g., “We were looking for more experience with [specific skill], which is especially important for this role.”). But if providing feedback is uncomfortable or not part of your process, you can politely decline without being rude, for instance, “Thank you for asking-I’m not able to provide detailed feedback, but I encourage you to keep honing your skills and experiences.”
In in-person interviews, the same principles apply, but body language and tone make an even bigger difference. A warm smile and a handshake (or respectful goodbye) reinforce your genuine good wishes. If you want, you can end with a neutral but positive statement like, “It was valuable to learn about your background. I’m confident you’ll find the right fit soon.” This leaves the candidate feeling respected and hopeful without false promises.
Ultimately, the key is to be clear, concise, and respectful-expressing appreciation for the candidate’s time and wishing them well, while avoiding platitudes that feel untrue. This approach conveys empathy without sacrificing honesty and ensures that both interviewer and candidate leave the conversation with dignity intact.
See lessI’ve also ended interviews as a candidate on the phone myself. They asked a question that I didn’t’ have the answer to and I told them that I didn’t know. The next 2 questions were in that same direction, with them knowing that I’d already said I wasn’t particularly fluent in that area but they keptRead more
I’ve also ended interviews as a candidate on the phone myself. They asked a question that I didn’t’ have the answer to and I told them that I didn’t know. The next 2 questions were in that same direction, with them knowing that I’d already said I wasn’t particularly fluent in that area but they kept on. At that point I said, “Let’s just stop here. We both know that I’m not doing well answering your questions and to be honest, that you’re restating the same topic after being told that already I don’t know probably means we wouldn’t be a good fit.” Too many people forget that it’s a two-way street and they seems shocked that anyone would actually end their interview.
See lessWell, you probably are ending things politely so I’m leaving that part out. What I have experienced and have tried to apply since it happened to me as an applicant is offering advice. Interviews are a great experience not only for getting a job but for finding your weaknesses and knowledge gaps. IfRead more
Well, you probably are ending things politely so I’m leaving that part out. What I have experienced and have tried to apply since it happened to me as an applicant is offering advice. Interviews are a great experience not only for getting a job but for finding your weaknesses and knowledge gaps.
If you are not willing to move on with the interview you can openly say it, but sugar coating that hit with some advice is a nice thing to do.
See lessYou then have the option to elaborate if you feel so inclined and/or if the now-former candidate asks either with the literal truth or something generic like “I just don’t think it’s a good fit.” I actually had someone do that to me in a face-to-face and that’s how they worded it. It was supposed toRead more
You then have the option to elaborate if you feel so inclined and/or if the now-former candidate asks either with the literal truth or something generic like “I just don’t think it’s a good fit.”
I actually had someone do that to me in a face-to-face and that’s how they worded it. It was supposed to be 3 steps in the interview and after 20 minutes they decided I wasn’t suited for them*. I was actually grateful that they chose not to waste my time going through the motions.
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