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Best Second Interview Tips
Second interview tips and techniques for success. You have stood out from the other competitors for the job and have got the call back for the second interview.
At this point potential employers will be focusing on:
- Do you have the skills and abilities to do this job better than the other second interview candidates?
- Do you fit in well with the company culture and type of people we employ?
The purpose of the second job interview is to decide who to offer the job to rather than a candidate's broad suitability.
Take these essential steps before your second interview to tip the balance in your favor.
7 Steps to Take Before Your Second Interview
1. Review your first interview performance
Think about any questions that you found difficult or you felt you could have answered better. Plan how to improve on these areas in the second interview.
2. Review the job posting
Get an in-depth look at the candidate and job requirements. Relate your skills, competencies and experiences in a way that clearly meets the requirements Prepare for second interview questions.
3. Update your knowledge of the company
Read their website page, Facebook page, LinkedIn Page. Check Google News for the latest news about the company. Speak to current employees to get valuable inside information. Build on the information you gathered first time around about.
4. Research the interviewers
Before the second interview you may be sent the agenda for the interview and a list of who you'll be talking to. Conduct research on each of your interviewers:
- how long they have been with the company
- what job titles they have held
- previous employment history and any other useful details
Second interview tips include using this information to try and engage them on a personal level and establish a rapport with them. Interviewers are always impressed when a candidate has taken the time to research their background.
If you do not receive this information you can ask for a specific agenda including names and titles of those people you will be meeting.
5. Second interview dress
Find out if there will be a company tour. Be prepared for this by dressing appropriately for a company tour or site visit including the right shoes to comfortably walk around.
6. Contact your references
Ask if they have been approached yet by the company. If they were contacted, what questions were they asked? This will give you insight into the concerns of the company. Prepare to address these areas during the second interview.
7. Review your resume
Candidates often ask if they should take their resume to a second interview. The answer is yes and prepare more copies of your resume for all the new people you will be meeting.
Go through your resume so you know exactly what the interviewers have in
front of them. Prepare for any difficult interview questions.
Top second interview tips include...
- Respond politely and professionally to the invitation to come back for a second interview. Second Interview Acceptance Email Sample
- When you get the call back for the second interview always ask if there is anything specific you should prepare for. That way you won't be taken by surprise.
- Prepare 5 - 10 smart questions to ask during your meeting. These should be different to those you asked in the initial interview.
Use this list to help you:
Second interview questions to ask the employer
- What is the biggest challenge facing someone starting in this job?
- How would you describe the interactional style of this team/group/department?
- What are the performance expectations for the first six months in this job?
- What are the current special projects in this department?
- How do you see this role developing?
- I have read the company’s plans for growth on the website. Can you provide some more information around this?
- Where does the company see itself in the next few years?
- What are the qualities of people that are successful here?
- What are the long term possibilities for this job?
- What sort of training or coaching is initially provided?
- How will my performance be measured?
Think about good questions to ask while you are going through the interview itself. Take some notes while your interviewers are talking so you can remember what you want to ask.
If you are meeting a number of people or are in a panel interview make sure you address your question to the right person.
Second interview tips from a hiring manager...
- Make a positive impression on as many people as possible at the company including the receptionist and potential co-workers. Be polite and show an interest in everyone you meet.
- Establish rapport with your interviewers. This will give you the advantage over the other candidates. Try to engage the interviewer on a personal level. One simple way to do this is to ask the person about his or her career with the company.
- Get the business card of each person that you meet with or write down their names and job titles. This will be useful if you are asked who else you've met with. It is also necessary for addressing your follow up letters
- An important tip is to send a thank you for the second interview to each person who interviewed you. You can adapt this sample second interview thank you for your own use.
What are the questions asked in a second interview?
What to do after your second interview
Follow up after a second interview is essential to keeping you on track for the job. Don't neglect to send a thank you note after the second interview. You can use this excellent sample Thank You for Second Interview to help you.