Recruiters/interviewers of the Lounge: a question about interview questions.

Admittedly, I heard this on the radio. I'm "vetting" it here because I've never heard this before (and I think it's...questionable). Allegedly, ending a job interview by (politely) telling the interviewer that you would like to be hired for the job you have just been interviewed for makes you more likely to be hired for said position.

So, to those who conduct the interviewing process professionally: would an interview subject who ended an interview by asking to be hired for the position be more likely to be hired for it?

I see the interview as a two way process. I'm not just looking for good people to hire, they should also be looking for a job they want. And its hard for people to know if they really want the job before they interview.

I expect interviewees to ask questions about the position, to get an idea if this is really what they are looking for. If its not, thats fine. But if they do like the position, I appreciate it if they say so, and that person will definitely stick out.

Okay. I swear to god, I have never heard this about job interviews before. Good to know.

so you spend a lot of time sorting through resumes to dig out people who look like they might fit what is needed. But during the interview, you find out that they were looking for a job in database development, when you need hardware management, or something like that.

I said something like. "I have been excited about this interview for some time because I feel that I fit well within your organization and believe my skills and knowledge provide me with the tools to suceed here." something like that.

Maybe it was over doing it, but it was authentic. I do feel this way.

The interview seemed to go really well to that point. I got a "we want to consider you for future openings" letter.

And, see, this is what I kinda assumed most interviewers reactions would be to that approach.

and for a simple statement that amounted to a complement and a sign of my enthusiasm for the company. I actually purposefully chose to say something of this nature because they are consulting firm and their hr consulting practices advocate looking for signs of enthusiasm and excitement when choosing candidates.

Either way, you bet I'll deliver a different "in closing" line next time.

An indication that you're enthusiastic about the job and would be amenable to an offer - Yes
A demand that you be told whether or not they intend to hire you - No

I consider myself to be a reasonably assertive person who knows what constitutes an appropriate level of forthrightness during a job interview and while functioning in a workplace. However, I cannot imagine myself actually asking that I be hired for a job during the interview, let alone asking whether the perspective employer intends to hire me. It seems rude.

I've conducted interviews for my company, and if someone told me that they'd like to be hired, that would show enthusiasm and interest, and I'd look to that as a positive.

If someone asked me if they could be hired, as if I'm supposed to make a decision right then that I really planned on thinking about, then depending on the tone and context it would come off as at best desperate or insecure (why do they need to know now), and at worst manipulative (they shouldn't rush me into something like they are some kind of sleazy salesperson trying to cheat me!). If it was an insecure kind of thing, it would make me doubt their abilities somewhat, and if it was a manipulative thing I would almost certainly not hire them.

Jeez, who knew.