BY Thorin Klosowski
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You nailed your first job interview and they've asked you
to come for another. It's a great feeling, but at the same time, it also means
you have to go through that whole process again. Here's how to nail that second
interview and bring something new to the table.
The second job interview is typically all about getting to
know you on both a personal and professional level. When you're interviewed,
your prospective employer wants to know if you can handle the details of the
job, and if you're going to fit in with the company in general. That's really
it. The second interview might be more relaxed and conversational or more
hectic with a full panel of people talking to you. Either way, your preparation
and composure are the same.
Review Your Performance on the First Interview
You did well on your first job interview. Otherwise they wouldn't
be asking you back for a second. This likely means you have the behavioral
aspect nailed, but the second interview is all about getting to know you
better. Before you head into the job interview, think back to the first
interview and the key points your potential employer made. Take another look at
the job description and start coming up with responses to the same sorts of
questions you already had. Basically, you already had an inside look at the
job, the people, and the workplace. Use it to your advantage.
You also had a chance to scope out the overall "feel"
of the office on your first trip. Use that to decide what to wear for the
second. You still want to look nice, but use your new inside knowledge to
decide what "nice" really means.
Prepare Yourself for Deeper Questions
The second interview is all about digging into real details about
a job. This means you'll likely meet with your immediate supervisor if you
haven't already. It also means you're asked deeper questions about your work
history, personality, and how you'll handle the job. Your potential employer
might quiz you on your technical skills, go in-depth into your work history, or
even want you to dig into the reasons why you think you'd fit in at the
company. The only way you can really prepare for this is research. As Forbes
points out, it's all about preparation:
Have as clear a sense as possible of the department's
purpose and challenges. Your main goal in this meeting will be to show how you,
with your particular skills and background, will help the department succeed.
You can only do that if you know what the department's needs are. Of course
visit the company's Web site, but that's just a start. Read company press releases,
related news stories and other general industry news to find out about the
whole sector. Learn about any competitors and their strengths and weaknesses.
You can get away with a little ignorance about the job in
the first interview, but it's not going to fly in the second. Since you
reviewed your performance on the first interview, you can also look back at the
more detailed job description and start coming up with specific examples where
you can apply your work history to this job. Don't be surprised if you get some
of the same common job interview questions, but prepare for them with more
specific answers.
When you're applying for a technical or creative position
you're also often asked to showcase your skills on the spot. This is in
addition to any portfolio or samples you might have already brought in. It
probably won't be anything too complicated, but make sure you're prepared for
the demands of the job.
Get Ready to Meet Some Future Coworkers
It's not uncommon for the second interview to include a
few other people in your potential department or to end with a short tour. The
main reason for this is to make sure you're going to fit in. You can't really
prepare for this, but be ready for it. As Southeastern Louisiana
University point out,
it's both for the employer's benefit and yours:
A major reason for the second interview is so the employer
can see how well you fit in with the company culture. Realize that the
interviewers at your second interview want to learn how well you will get along
with other team members with whom you'll be interacting every day. Deploy your
very best interpersonal communication skills. But - remember that it's OK not to
fit. If you aren't a good fit with the employer, you probably wouldn't be happy
working there anyway. And remember, that this interview is also your
opportunity to determine whether the company is a good fit for you.
The second interview is partially about making sure both
parties will be happy. When you're getting that tour or meeting coworkers make
note of their behavior, dress, and even their workspaces. You should have an
idea whether you'll fit in by the time you shake hands and walk out the door.
Now's the Time to Really Ask Questions
You probably asked a few questions in your first interview, but
asking questions is just as important in the second interview. If you didn't
ask them in the first interview, Fortune's common questions you should ask is a
good place to start. Talking with Forbes, career coach Debra Wheatman offers up
one set of questions you should always ask on the second interview:
It's a marriage. Always ask hiring managers what they like
about the company, what they think are the firm's short-, medium- and long-term
goals and how it has delivered on them. That will give you a sense of how
organized they are.
Basically, make sure you really want to work where you're
interviewing at, and ask any questions that will help make you feel confident
in your choice.
Yes, You Should Send Another Thank You Email
Chances are you interviewed with different people in your
second round. This means you should send out another round of thank you notes
when the interview is over. Before you leave the interview, grab a business
card for the person (or people) that interviewed and follow up the same way you
did in the first interview.
Of course, you also want to prepare yourself in the same way
you would for the first interview. Get a good night's sleep and eat well ahead
of time. Be nice, keep your answers concise, and don't shy away from small
talk. If you need some help remembering everything, fill out a one sheet to get
all your points in one place.
