It is a wonderful feeling when you hear a hiring manager ask you to come back for a second interview, making you one step closer to hearing the words, “You’re hired.” The second job interview is linked to the word “more” — more research, more preparation, and more time.
Second job interviews are a way for hiring managers to see how well you will fit within the company and the staff. If you have an upcoming second interview, here are a few tips to help with your preparations:
Full-day interview
Plan to be at your interview for the whole day. During your second interview, you will meet managers, senior-level staff members, and prospective co-workers. You may have a series of interviews with multiple staff members, a tour of the office, and may be taken out for lunch and/or dinner. Before your interview, you should be provided with an agenda of the interview. If you have not received one, call the person you who set up your interview and ask if it is possible to get an itinerary.
More groundwork
The second interview requires more preparation. Expect to do more research on the company. Learn more about the company by using tools like Google, Google News, and BusinessWeek to get more information. In addition, make sure you are up-to-date with industry news by reading publications for your industry.
Interview questions
The questions from the first interview were to see whether you right for the position. Questions during the second interview are more about personality to see if you are a great fit for the company and how well you will work with your prospective co-workers. There may even be a chance they will ask you questions from the first interview again. Practice all possible interview questions and know how to answer them.
Job offer?
After some second interviews, hiring managers will offer you the job. If after the interview you are offered the job, ask if you can have a few days to think over the job offer. This will give you the chance to think over the company and staff (remember you are interviewing them as well) and whether this position is right for you.
Remember to dress professionally. If you meet multiple professionals during your interview, get their business cards and right an individual thank you letter to each of them. Bring multiple copies of your resume and have a stack of your business cards. For more information on second interviews, read Quintessential Careers’ article, Do’s and Don’ts for Second (and Subsequent) Job Interviews and Florida State University’s The Second Interview: A Preparation Guide.
What tip(s) do you have to be successful for a second job interview?
