01/09/2009
What happens at a Second Interview?
Congratulations. You've made it past the first step in the selection process and you’re now ready for the second interview.
The first interview is a type of screening process, the purpose to allow the employer to identify individuals for the company's list of potential candidates to hire. Most of the first interview was to determine if you could do the job.
The second interview is all about your enthusiasm for the job and how well you will fit into the company’s corporate culture.
A second interview will be more in-depth, consisting of more difficult and gruelling questions than the first.
All the rules for first interviews still apply but it’s important to find out even more about the company and the job for which you’re applying.
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. It's 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 tips to help you in your second interview.
Offer new information
If you talked about your experiences and accomplishments the first time, now talk briefly about your ideas. You want the interviewer to know more about you, just as you want to learn more about the company.
Give new examples of what you have accomplished
This can be especially effective if you've done additional research. For example, in the initial interview you talked about your results as a manager in your present job; now talk about your results in previous jobs.
Let your research show.
Prior to your second interview, you should learn as much as possible about the company, its operations, procedures, and basic management philosophy. This lets the interviewer see that you are serious about the job without going on about how much you think you would like it. The interviewers are also looking for increased knowledge of the company and the position for which you’re interviewing.
IQ, aptitude and personality tests
In some companies group discussions and group exercises are not uncommon, and are often used by the Civil Service, the armed forces and some of the larger business companies. In a panel interview, you may be invited to meet a panel of three or four people at the same time.
Ask Questions
At the end of the session there should be an opportunity to ask questions about job requirements and salary. Remember this is as much about whether you want to work for them as vice versa.
Bear in mind that the company must be genuinely interested in you to call you for a second interview. Undoubtedly, you made a good impression in your first interview; now is your chance to reinforce that impression.
