Round One Of The Job Interview Is In The Books Now Its Time For Round Two Follow These Tips To Help You Prepare And Come Out Swinging
Round two is often where the real vetting happens.
Congratulations, you did ityou survived the screening interview and got a callback. While the first round of a job interview is all about going over your qualifications and resume, round two is often where the real vetting happens.
During a second interview, you will need to emphasize your added value to the organization, enthusiasm for the position, and demonstrate that you are a good fit, says Lynn Berger, a New York Citybased career counselor and coach.
To get you ready for round two, Monster mapped out some of the most common questions and situations youll face so you can get prepped and be ready to dazzle your interviewers.
How To Succeed At Your Second Interview
Hanne was a senior content manager at Indeed.
If youve been invited in for a second interviewcongratulations! While each employer is different, this typically means you were chosen for the final stages in the hiring process with a smaller set of candidates they are seriously considering. The company is interested in you and your experience, so its helpful to understand what employers expect from your second interview so you can put your best foot forward.
In this guide, well talk about what you can expect on your second interview, how you can and what steps you can take to succeed.
Then Bring A Notebook Salary Expectations And Your Input For The Role
Come with a notebook. You wont want to read directly from your notes during an interview, but having some brief key points sketched out can help you remember all the things youd like to say. Research salary trends ahead of time so you know a reasonable range.
What to bring to the second interview :
- You can jot down notes during the interview. This might be especially useful if part of the interview includes a tour or informal discussion with future coworkers. When you reconvene with the primary interviewer, youll be able to refer to your notes for questions or points for further discussion.
- Bring a clear idea of your salary expectations.
- Bring more knowledge about the company, the department and/or the role youll be working in. This will help you offer more concrete ideas on how you plan to bring value to the company. Ask questions to help get your bearings in the organization of the company.
Also Check: Cfo Interview
Be Prepared For A Lunch Or Dinner Interview
When youre scheduled for a full day of interviewing, lunch and/or dinner may be included on the agenda. Dining with a prospective employee allows the company to review your communication and interpersonal skills, as well as your table manners. This is still part of your interview, so it’s important to dine carefully. The last thing you want to do is spill your drink or slop food all over the table. Order appropriately and brush up on your dining skills, and your table manners.
Learn From Your First Interview
Take time to reflect on how well you answered each question in the first interview. Make sure you give consistent answers that match your first interview to demonstrate your trustworthiness and integrity. You can utilise your second interview to revisit any questions you did not feel you responded to well the first time.
You can use your first interview notes or feedback to develop a strategy for your second interview. Use the information shared during your first interview as a starting point to build your own ideas for their challenges.
Recommended Reading: Interview Questions To Ask A Cfo
Your Availability And Salary Expectations
During a second job interview, the hiring manager will often ask about your notice period and salary expectations. Have this information ready and be prepared to discuss your salary expectations for this position. If you are unsure how to negotiate your salary, research current typical salaries in our Hays Salary Guide and check out our advice on how to discuss salary expectations in a job interview.
Remember Youre Always Being Scrutinised
Its common during second interviews in NZ for candidates to have a tour and meet their prospective team mates. Sometimes this could even involve having lunch with them.
While you want these people to think youre fun to be around, remember your interviewer will ask them for their impressions of you later on. So dont totally let loose.
There’s a chance you’ll meet the rest of the team during a second interview
Recommended Reading: Interview Attire Women
Prepare To Meet New People
Bear in mind that it tends to be more senior members of staff that conduct second interviews. Research them and their expertise ahead of time any information you can glean may provide vital context during your interview.
There may be more than one person on your interview panel. Try to make eye contact with and acknowledge everyone you are speaking to, not just the person asking you the most questions. Members of your future team will be looking to see that you will assimilate well.
Its probable that youll meet completely different people on your second interview, but even if thats not the case, dont assume your interviewers will remember everything said during you first interview. Dont be afraid to rehash your key points to provide context but make sure you have something new to say as well.
How To Nail A Second Interview
If youre reading this article then youre already nailing it so far! Youve applied for a job and impressed the employer so much in the first interview that theyve invited you back for a second interview.
By this point, the company is seriously interested in hiring you, otherwise, they wouldnt have invited you back. After the second interview, theyll make a final decision based on how it goes. Of course, this depends on the company some of them might have several interviews for one position, some will have just one, but the standard in most companies is 2 to 3 interviews.
The second interview is also your chance to clarify anything that youre not sure about like the job conditions . So make sure you prepare plenty of questions in advance.
This guide will help you to prepare for your second interview and it will give you some tips on how to handle the nerves and boost your performance during the interview.
Don’t Miss: Interview Attire Womens
Is There Anything You Want To Revisit From Your Previous Interview
In the first interview, we touched on the types of clients you typically serve. However, afterward, I did some research and found a few companies that fell out of your typical client list. How did those relationships develop and how do these accounts differ from your regular account?
You should always have an answer to this question. It helps interviewers understand your communication skills and your ability to remember key details. This is why it is pivotal to spend time reflecting on your first interview. Ask clarifying questions informed by your own research and information provided in the first interview. Do not spend time re-answering questions asked in the first interview. It looks unprofessional.
How To Prepare For The Second Round Of Questioning
DO: Reflect on the first round of questioning
Put some time into reviewing the first interview. Which types of questions did they ask? What didnt they ask? Which areas do you feel you would like to speak about in greater detail? Be just as prepared for the second interview as the first.
DONT: Reiterate everything you said in the first interview
The second interview is your opportunity to go more in-depth. You can expect some follow-up and review, but be prepared to answer questions in greater detail. Be prepared to provide specific examples and be ready to be asked more direct questions about your skills and experience. Expect some behavioural questioning.
DO: Determine if the company is a good fit for you
This is your opportunity to determine if you want to work for the employer. So, prepare a list of additional questions you would like to ask.
DONT: Let your guard down or assume you have the job
You are not likely the only candidate who is getting a second interview. Dont celebrate too early and assume you have the job in the bag.
DO: Be ready to meet the team
Depending on the company, you could have your second interview with a different person, be asked questions by a panel, or even be introduced to the team. Be ready to make a good impression on multiple people.
Read Also: Prepare For System Design Interview
Dont Forget Your Body Language
Your answers to your second interview questions are important, as is your stance while listening and responding. It is even more important to be aware of your body language at this stage. Your body language will be scrutinised, especially when asked to do a presentation or report. Use your body language to express your best professional self and genuine personality.
What Are The Next Steps
At the end of your second interview, the interviewer should confirm the next steps. If not, you can politely ask. Remember to thank them for their time, then send a follow-up email to either the interviewer or your recruiter to pass on to reiterate that you enjoyed meeting with them and are still interested in the position.
Remember to give immediate feedback to your recruiter, who will be waiting to find out how the interview went. This should include any areas you felt you may have fallen down on or any nagging doubts about a specific answer or point you feel you should have emphasised more. Your recruiter can then cover this for you in their post-interview call with the employer.
There is, of course, the possibility that you will be offered the job at the end of the second interview. If this occurs, and you are unsure, be confident enough to ask for time to consider the offer. It is normal practice, however, to receive a job offer at some point after the interview.
Read Also: Questions To Ask Cfo During Interview
Common Second Job Interview Questions
Its likely youll be asked some of the same questions again in your second stage interview. If this happens, do not:
- Tell them youve already answered it.
- Give a shortened version of your best answer.
In other words, treat every question like its new and keep the energy high throughout the interview.
Prepare answers for:
1. Questions about your past roles:
- What was your biggest challenge in your last role?
- What was your biggest achievement in your last role?
- Tell me about a time you showed good decision making skills.
- Tell me about a process you improved in your last role.
2. Questions about the role youre applying for:
- What can we expect from you in the first 90 days in the role?
- Why are you the best candidate for this role?
- What do you think youll find most challenging about this role?
3. Questions about your ambitions
- Where do you see yourself in five years time?
- How would this role help you progress towards your goals?
4. Practical questions
How Do You Handle Conflicts At Work
Be ready for questions about conflict and disagreements in your second round job interview.
They may ask you to describe how you handle conflicts in general, or they may ask a behavioral question, like, Tell me about a time you disagreed with a coworker. How did you handle it?
Your goal here is to show that youre able to stay calm and think logically, and never take things personally or get emotional during a work disagreement.
Show that you keep the companys needs in mind and that youre willing to listen to the other person, compromise, and do whats best for the company.
If a hiring manager hears this, theyre going to feel a lot more comfortable hiring you!
As a side note, the second round interview is where youll hear most behavioral interview questions in general. .
So prepare for behavioral questions like these, too:
- Tell me about a time you were under a lot of pressure at work. How did you handle it?
Also Check: Design Interview Preparation
Questions You Can Ask The Interviewer
During your second interview, youll likely be free to ask more questions than you did during your first interview. Thats good, because youll probably think of more probing questions as you learn more about the company, employees and the job itself.
Be sure to ask thoughtful, open-ended questions . These are examples to help get you started:
- What do you like most about working for the organization?
- What is your management style?
- How do you measure the responsibilities and performance of those you supervise?
- How would you describe your ideal employee?
- Whats the greatest challenge that I would likely face in this job in the first year?
And finally, here are four additional tips to help you prepare for a second interview:
Best of luck with your second interview!
Your Interest In The Job And Organisation
In a second interview, your interviewer wants to ensure you are still interested in the opportunity now that you know more about it. Your level of enthusiasm often directly correlates with how well you would perform if offered the role, so make sure you show the interviewer that you really want the job by being enthusiastic. Explain what you enjoyed learning about the organisation during your first interview and why youre so interested in this role specifically.
Dont forget about your non-verbal communication be aware of your body language, smile and make eye contact throughout your interview to express your interest.
Read Also: Interview Questions For A Cfo
Questions An Employer Might Ask During A Second Interview
Every interviewer is different and their questions may vary depending on which position they are hiring for, so there is no sure way of knowing which exact questions they will ask you.
1. Whats your ideal work environment?
2. Which management style do you find to be the most effective for you?
3. What do you know about this company?
4. What has been the most difficult decision youve had to make in a previous role?
5. Can you tell me about a recent obstacle you overcame?
6. What work accomplishment are you the proudest of and why?
7. Why are you the best candidate for this job?
8. How would you describe your best relationships at work? How about the worst?
9. What are your strengths, and what areas do you need improvement?
10. What are your short and long-term goals, and how does this position fit into them?
11. If you got this job, what are some of the first things you would do in this role?
12. What sorts of challenges do you hope to tackle in this position?
13. Can you share a particular example of a time when a projects priorities changed suddenly and you had to adapt?
14. Have you ever worked on a project that didnt turn out as planned?
15. What attributes do you think youd bring to the team?
16. Whats your typical role when youre in a teamwork setting?
17. How do you manage your time when youre assigned multiple projects with the same deadline?
18. How do you make decisions?
19. What are your salary expectations for this role?
Tips To Succeed In A Second Interview
The second interview is also an opportunity for another supervisor or manager to evaluate you as well as an opportunity to probe for more detailed information. Its also the time in which the company is measuring you against your competition. So you need to be very sharp and very enthusiastic. Here are some tipstohelp you in your second interview.
Round one is over. Now, on to round two! Interviews that have multiple sessions can feel like running through a gauntlet. Acing those interviews can even appear insurmountable too. So what does one do to ensure ones chances of securing that job? If preparation is key for the first interview, then, it goes without saying that it stands as the same for the second.
Recommended Reading: Top 10 Behavioral Questions
What Challenges Are You Lacking In Your Current Job
“While I liked my last position, I wanted to work for a company with a bigger client base. I am excited to work at a company that has world-renowned clients in the industry all over the world.”
Underneath the surface, interviewers are asking one thing: Why are you leaving your current job? Remain diplomatic when answering this question. In other words, dont mention terrible coworkers or incompetent bosses. Those types of comments reflect poorly on you rather than your previous team. Instead, focus on your future and opportunities.
How To Approach A Second Interview
A second interview gives you another chance to show an employer why they should choose you so make sure you’re prepared
Instead of being frustrated at having another hurdle to clear it’s important to be positive and focus on the fact that you’ve clearly impressed the employer to get this far and you’re very close to securing the job.
Graduate recruiters who receive large numbers of applications most often use second interviews and the competition for each position is fierce.
Recommended Reading: Preparing For System Design Interview
How Should You Prepare
Preparation is key for any interview you undertake but for a second stage, it is absolutely paramount. You will need to show that you have a strong understanding of the business, their operational goals and how the department you hope to be working with fits into it. Research as much as you can about the business as well as the people you are going to be meeting. If you can show that you understand the business, the people working there and show how you will fit in and add value you will go a long way to showing them that you are the person for the job.
