4 F-Words to Help You Prepare for a Second Interview
June 18, 2008 (10:10AM) by Brianna Raymond, CPRW
Congratulations, you've landed the second interview! All that hard work and research really paid off. Do a little dance and Twitter your excitement - but don't get too comfortable just yet. You've still got some work cut out to land the offer. Keep your eye on the prize and prepare a solid strategy with the help of these four F-words!
- FIRM UP YOUR MEMORY
Getting called in for a second interview means you're one step closer to a job offer. Now take the opportunity between interviews to firm up your memory. Review the names of those you interviewed with during the first round, as well as their positions and contributions to the organization. Be prepared to recite these names during the second interview if you're facing a new set of interviewers who aren't completely up to speed.
- FOCUS, FOCUS, FOCUS
Even though the employer has shown interest and wants to get to know you better, you haven't closed the sale yet. Maintain your focus. You need to treat the second interview as seriously as you would the first. Dress up (in a different outfit than the first, please!), be professional, and don't let your guard down, even if the interviewers seem more relaxed.
- FORMULATE QUESTIONS
Chances are you received a wealth of information in the first interview and asked important questions during the "do you have any questions for us" phase. So were there any questions you would have liked to ask the first time around, but you didn't get a chance? Or maybe something came to mind on the drive home? Interviewers will understand that a second interview may not elicit as many questions as the first, and that's okay. Just be prepared with a few in case they ask again.
- FOLLOW THROUGH
You've made it this far. If the interest is mutual, the employer should explain any benefits you'd receive and inform you of the next stage of the hiring process. But if they end the interview without a call to action, go ahead and ask what the next step would be. This could be the last step, or only the second of four. Also, it's not uncommon to leave without an offer. The employees you just met with will probably have to sit down with the first-round interviewers to discuss your qualifications and how you might fit in before the company decides to extend you an offer.
What were your experiences with a second interview? Did it end with an offer or leave you disappointed?
Thanks for the providing good information - this is really helpful information about Resumes.
Great ,to the point help and advice.It is great to hear from the interviewers perspective.
I dont stress to much any more when it comes to interviews. . .god know I've been through enough. But I do have a question. . .Negotiating pay???? Never realy thought about it until a few months ago while living in Cali. . .I was asked, pretty much what I had hoped for for pay. I knew what the expected pay was for the position, but wanted a little more. So I meat in the middle. . .when he said, "so, if I give you $$$, are you mine". I said, "heck ya, if you give me $$$ I'll sign the papers now." I ended up making out with more than I really anticipated.
One thing I have learned through my experience. . . .confidence, confidence, confidence is key.
I've had 3 interviews with the same company within 2 years, no job granted . The people who interviewed me said I'm everything they want and need and my skills are perfect.
This last time was like talking to my family. these guys told me my interview skills and my dress attire are great, they even told me if I don't get this job to keep trying.
I would do anything to get into this company. Maybe i'm a bad hire and when HR gets to me they deny the whole thing. You see I don't know.
Please help. Posted by: Concerned about my career path | January 12, 2009 at 1:22 PM | Quote This Comment
@Concerned about my career path: Have all three of these interviews been for the same position? I hate to say it, but it sounds to me like you're wasting your time. Striking out three times, regardless of how much they praise your interview skills, tells me that a) they're just not sure about what they're looking for in a new hire, or b) they do know what they're looking for but they're not telling you what skill or trait you're missing.
If you interview for the position again, and if they reject you again (though I hope they won't!), you should consider following up and asking them why you didn't get the job.
Good luck and keep searching for your next opportunity!
Thank you for the great advice Bri! I have an interview tomorrow and feel much more prepared and confident!
Hi Sarah! I'm glad I could help :) Good luck to you.
Miss Sarah: I applied for a job one year ago. I jumped thru all of their hoops. Now I know that I am on a list that could take up to 3 yrs to deplete . No one could be added to the list ahead of me. I don't think it will take that long but if it did I would have to reapply Go thru all the hoops all over again.. This is common practice for Canada Post and City Transit operator. Perhaps your people have the same practice. Chin up !!! Go get um!!
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