Why Did You Want This Position
“I want to work here because I admire your firms work and adaptability. I spent time looking through your current client list and found clients across multiple industries. I also looked at the social media accounts you managed and I was impressed with your ability to create a distinct voice for each client. I am about the prospect of learning the creative process that determines a clients voice and brand aesthetic.
This question gauges your true interest in the company and company fit. Obviously, salary and benefits make up a good percentage of why youre applying for any position. Those details are not what employers are looking for. You should not state that as the reason you want to work at a company. They want to see the passion for the work you will be doing and the company you will work for, especially when the job becomes more difficult. Are you excited about the clients the company serves? Are you excited about the functions of the job? Does the company align with your values or passions? Ensure that your answer is company-specific. Use information about the company youre applying for to support your answer.
Changing Your Salary Expectations
Mike Astringer, founder and principal consultant at Human Capital Consultants, noted that HR professionals interview candidates based partly on their initial compensation expectations.
“We know that they fit into our overall compensation range,” he said. “All too often, a candidate will interview for a job, become overconfident then dramatically increase their compensation expectations.”
Astringer said he makes an offer to a candidate based on those initial salary expectations. Candidates should avoid greatly increasing their expectations at the final hour, he said.
“It makes the candidate look bad, it makes me look bad, and it wastes everyone’s time,” Astringer added.
Is A Second Interview A Good Sign Will I Get The Job
First of all, getting a second interview is always a good sign. Obviously not all candidates get a second interview so clearly the company is showing interest in you. Having said that, it depends on what exact stage of the interview process youre in and what kind of position youre interviewing for. For example, getting a second in person interview is more impactful than getting an in person interview after a phone interview Whether youll get the job after the second interview really depends on the position and company youre interviewing with. For important roles in large companies you could have a series of interviews.
Don’t Miss: Preparing For System Design Interview
Tips For A Successful Second Interview
Here are some tips for your successful second interview:
Maintain your energy and enthusiasm throughout the visit, which could last two to six hours. A series of meetings or interviews with individuals and small groups may take place. Each person will evaluate you independently, looking at both your motivation to work there and your qualifications. Even if you are tired or bored of answering the same questions, try to make a new, energetic impression in each session.
To demonstrate your fit, be prepared to answer variations of the same questions you may have answered in the initial interview. Because your first interviewer is unlikely to have passed this information on to other colleagues, be prepared to explain why youre interested in the position and how you possess the knowledge, skills, and personal qualities that will enable you to succeed.
When discussing your qualifications, be specific. Make sure you have specific examples of how you used your strengths to overcome obstacles and achieve success in previous courses, volunteer work, jobs/internships, projects, and campus activities.
Remember that you are constantly being evaluated, Remember that you are constantly being evaluated, even when no one is asking you probing questions. You will frequently have the opportunity to meet with new hires, possibly over lunch. Dont let your guard down because these people will be asked for their impressions later on.
Analyze Your First Interview
Take some time to contemplate what went well, what you wish you would have done differently and any information you didnt get a chance to convey. It’s important that you communicate why youre the best candidate for the role, with specific examples and proven results since youre likely one of just a few remaining candidates.
Don’t Miss: Best Interview Clothes For A Woman
Other Second Round Interview Tips To Keep In Mind
The steps above will help you develop a strategic itinerary to get the most out of your second round interview. To make sure the process runs smoothly, here are a few additional second round interview tips:
- Make the interviewer comfortable greet them warmly and inform them of every step
- If the interview is on video, dont begin right away make sure to include small talk at the beginning
- Follow all laws and regulations in your questions, only asking job-related questions
- Create an evaluation form that standardizes the rating for each candidate
The Invitation For A Second Interview
Lets start by going back in time and the phone call that started this allthe call for a second interview.
Dont just stutter and stammer through it. Take the time to make even this brief interaction work for you in the best possible way.
As you set up the interview, ask a few questions starting with getting a list of the name and role of the individual .
This is also a great time to really make sure that you know EXACTLY what job you are going in for.
Even if you think you already know, take the time to ask againits far better to ask twice than find out too late that youre wrong.
If youre going in for a position with a large department , get the exact title of the position you are now interviewing for. Not only will it help clear up any confusion on either end, itll give you a laser tight focus to your prep!
But I didnt get a phone callI got an email!
Even better!
Take the time drafting your response and make sure you hit the tasks we outlined above in your reply. Dont feel self-conscious about these stepsyour goal is to be as prepared as possible and a good hiring manager will recognize this.
Recommended Reading: Mailscoop Io
What Exactly Is A Second Interview
First off, lets start with what a second interview really is.
Yes, its what it sounds likea second chance for the hiring manager to take a good look at you and decide if youre a good fitbut its also so much more than just that!
HANG ON! Before we get into this too deeply, we have to issue this brief disclaimer:
Job Interview Questions and Answers 101.
Okay, back to our regularly scheduled programming!
So what does a second interview mean?
Well, we can tell you it ISNT a guarantee of employment. This isnt the time to get cocky and let everything youve worked so hard on slide.
Not by a long shot.
It IS, however, another opportunity for you to really show them that youre the best person for the jobyou are the perfect candidate!
The first interview was the warm up.
Odds are in your first interview you met with someone from human resources or a hiring manager and was probably more of a broad screening to weed out the last of the unsuitable candidates.
The second is the big leagues which means your second interview will probably be conducted by someone a little higher upor even a LOT higher up.
You can almost guarantee that this interview will be much more in depth and very well might include introductions to other key members within the business including superiors, senior managers, and even possibly fellow teammates.
A second interview is a bit more seriousthink of it as a second dateon steroids.
No pressure!
How Do I Conduct A Second Interview
When planning a second interview, set a specific itinerary and follow it accordingly. The specific steps of your second interview will vary depending on the position and other circumstances. For example, if you are conducting the second interview virtually you wont be able to give the candidate a tour of the facility.
In general, a second round interview will include the following steps:
You May Like: What To Wear For An Interview Women
Can You Provide An Example Of A Time You Worked With A Coworker You Didnt Get Along With
In my last position, my boss partnered my coworker Sarah and I together to work on a project. We often disagreed on how much time and detail we need to devote to aspects of the project. I realized Sarah had a different approach than I did so I allocated time for us to sit down with one another and get to the heart of our differences. Once I understood our strengths and weaknesses, we were able to more efficiently allocate our time. We collaborated and assigned tasks based on our strengths.
How you answer this question helps employers identify signs of a bad coworker. Its likely you wont like every single person you work with. Employers want to know that you can still be professional and respectful even when youre working with someone you dont like. Much like the previous question, be diplomatic in your response. Focus on the positives and dont take too much time explaining the flaws of a previous coworker. Provide examples of effective conflict resolution. Use examples such as honest open communication, acknowledging your own flaws, and finding compromises. Ensure your answer has a positive response and highlights your empathy and willingness to work through difficult situations.
What Is A Second Interview For
There are a lot of reasons why hiring companies choose to do a second round of interviews. For starters, they obviously see something in you and want to learn more.
Employers have limited time to learn as much as possible about a candidate and then compare them to others. A second interview allows employers to continue the conversation. Some of the reasons they hold a second interview are to:
- Introduce you to other people within the organization
- See if you are a good fit from a company culture perspective
- Dig deeper into some of the topics you previously explored
- Differentiate you from another top candidate
- Conduct skills and knowledge testing
Also Check: Questions To Ask Cfo During Interview
What Happens At The Second Job Interview
Employers are requiring a second job interview more and more frequently. This is an opportunity for you to present yourself in more depth and ask your nagging questions. Here are our five tips to make the most of this second meeting.
Be glad
Being called to a second interview is excellent news, and it means that you made a very good first impression. Smile!
Get ready for a four-way conversation
To assess your application better from different perspectives, the recruiter will generally be accompanied by two or three colleagues at the second interview. The immediate superior could participate, for example. This allows the team to check if you really fit their needs the perspectives of the different managers may vary as well as to observe your interactions with several people. Your social qualities will be particularly scrutinized. The interview can sometimes even take place in a friendly environment, such as a restaurant.
Be prepared to go deeper
While the first interview is generally more superficial, the second can be used to ask more technical questions, submit you to specific situations or have you go through a battery of tests. To prepare yourself better for all this, try to find out in advance what form the interview will take. Questions from the first interview may also be asked again, and they will need to be answered in more detail. Therefore, it is advisable to take notes at the end of the first interview and review them before going to the second interview.
Why Should We Hire You
“I have years of experience in the event planning industry. I would be eager to pass down my knowledge and experience to a young team of event planners. I believe my many leadership development opportunities have prepared me to lead this team in a supportive and collaborative manner.”
Interviewers are asking you to sell yourself here. Have two or three things in mind that set you apart from the rest. Perhaps you have extensive experience in the expected work. Conversely, maybe you are a novice in your field but are a hard worker who doesnt mind putting in the extra work to make a difference. This question is likely the only time in the interview where you get to direct the conversation and point to your specific strengths. Use this question wisely. Employers are asking you to prove your worth. Do it intentionally.
Things you can highlight: experience, abilities, unusual skill set, or talents that could be useful for the job, passions, personal qualities.
Also Check: Best System Design Interview Prep
Case Study #: Avoid Ruminating By Continuing To Look For Other Jobs
Per Ohstrom says that he usually feels a little bit nervous after that final round of interviews, but that he does his best to remain calm and stay focused on other things.
He tells himself that he did his best. I remind myself that I showed the interviewers how my background and experience are a good fit for the job, he says. Once it is out of my hands, there is nothing more I can do about it.
Last year, Per interviewed to be the vice president of marketing at a Midwest-based B2B manufacturing company. After several rounds of interviews, Per was told that the job was between him and one other candidate. Per was excited about the opportunity, and he liked the people he interviewed with.
The job was in my wheelhouse, and the company was well poised for growth, he says. I had a good feeling about getting an offer, he says.
After his last interview, he wrote a thank-you email to the hiring manager reiterating his interest in the position.
Per says he avoided thinking about the job while he waited because he was in active job-search mode and too busy to ruminate. I kept exploring other opportunities as if nothing had happened, he says. I kept sending CVs to recruiters, and I also went out for other interviews. It was an excellent way to keep myself occupied.
A week later, Per found out that, unfortunately, the job offer went to the other candidate. I felt a pang of disappointment, he says. But I reminded myself not to take it personally.
The Tone Of The Conversation Changes To Casual
Interviews are supposed to be all business, and interviewers usually stick to a standard set of questions. When the conversation shifts away from your qualifications and becomes more casual, its a good indication that theyre impressed. Casual conversation hints that they are convinced you can perform the essential functions of the job, and they have guided the conversation in a direction that allows them to learn more about you.
Recommended Reading: Questions To Ask Cfo In Interview
You’ll Answer More In
First interviews often consist primarily of general “getting to know you” questions. The interviewer probably asked you about yourself and about your education, skills and work history. At the second interview, the employer will delve much more deeply into your qualifications. Be prepared for comments such as “Tell me about a time when you faced conflict at work and how you handled it.” Called behavioral questions, these comments call for examples from previous jobs illustrating how you used specific skills or reacted in certain circumstances. The interviewer may also bring up his concerns about your application — if you lack a required skill or if you have gaps on your resume, for example.
Talk About The Future
A second interview is all about looking ahead and sealing the deal. When you’re being interviewed, use forward-looking statements which show that you are on-board and that you want the job.
My husband and son came with me on this trip — we wanted to check out a few neighborhoods and get a feel for the place.
Everyone here has been incredible throughout this process. You’ve got a terrific team.
Is there anything else I can tell you about myself – or any reservations or concerns you have that we should discuss?
Be open and honest. If you feel there were points you didn’t get to emphasize in your first interview, highlight them the second time around. If you have questions or concerns yourself, bring them up as well. It will demonstrate you’re giving careful thought to the role.
You May Like: Interview Questions For A Cfo
Being Rude To The Receptionist Or Support Staff
It is vital that you are kind to everyone in the office when you go in for an interview. You never know who has a say in whether you get the job.
According to the Recruiter Nation report, the worst thing an interviewee can do is be rude to the receptionist or support staff. In fact, 86% of recruiters reported that if a potential employee was rude to the receptionist, they would take the candidate out of the running for the job.
Be courteous, professional and polite to everyone you interact with during the entire process, and make sure to thank people for their time as you leave.
Learn About Your Interviewers
The agenda for the day will typically have the names of the individuals interviewing you. This allows you to do a bit of research on your interviewers, which might help you when planning your conversations. You might be interviewed by the hiring manager, members from the team youll be joining or upper management including executives or founders.
You May Like: Questions To Ask The Cfo In An 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.