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Pet store owners who can’t close the sale say, “Why don’t you take the puppy home for the weekend before you decide?” They know that you’ll fall in love with the puppy and won’t return it.
That is the essence of the puppy close, use it when nothing else works. Give the employer a chance to see what you are capable of in the hope that they will be so satisfied with your performance they will want to hire you and make up on the compensation once the trial period is over.
You might offer to work without pay for a short period of time, on a temporary position or project or if you have recently graduated or are accepting an internship.
IMPORTANT: This close applies to entry level positions or internships just to get you started and in the door. Never offer to work for free.
Example:
If nothing else works, you may offer: “Let me work for you on that project for a week without pay. That way you can better assess my leadership skills and my fit with your corporate culture. Once you are convinced and satisfied with what I can do for you, you can compensate me going forward and I could accept a signing bonus for the first week worked.”
Not many employers will take you up on that offer, but it will convince them that you are sincere and are eager to go to work.