4 X THIS IS HOW YOU END A CONVERSATION

I always have it during job interviews with potential interns. With a bad one, I actually know it as soon as I register the first glance, with a good one, I usually figure it out after about twelve minutes. But then there’s still a steaming cup of tea in front of the nervous nose that (when applying with us, usually girls) hasn’t taken a sip yet. Hence the question (and the answer): How do you end a conversation?

1. Think ahead

Indicate in advance how much time you have for a conversation. If people think they are going to meet with you for an hour, the pace is much slower than when you want ‘a quick chat’. Say beforehand that you have half an hour, or maybe even just fifteen minutes. Then the other person will take that into account and it’s much more legitimate to wrap up the conversation. Even if there’s still a full mug of Earl Grey waiting.

2. That tea then

Experience has taught me that making tea is generally a time-consuming task. Make sure there’s already a pot of tea so you only have to pour and don’t have to wait three precious minutes by your kettle. Pushing a Nespresso through the funnel usually goes a lot faster. Then it’s important to use nice small cups. A large latte cup or tea mug quickly requires thirty minutes to drink empty. And you don’t always have that time. When the small cup is empty, it’s often a logical moment to leave.

3. Any plans after this?

Ask if the person has a busy schedule today when you want to end the conversation. Then you can smoothly suggest that it might be better to leave now due to traffic/preparation/unexpected matters that require your time. This way you seem particularly accommodating, but actually, you want to usher that person out to get through your to-do list.

4. The blunt axe

Then you have the case where the above doesn’t help and your conversation candidate is comfortably in her talking chair. Like recently with us an internship applicant who exclaimed: ”Wow, what a cool, white office. Nice. If I had a company, I would set it up like this too. Nice. And, what is Amayzine actually?” In such a case, I would skip subtle hints and polish the blunt axe a bit. “I’m going to shake your hand and thank you for this conversation.”

And there’s the gap of the door. Next.