If you have an important second interview but don’t know how it will differ from the first, here are some easy steps to get you started.
The jobs market has become incredibly competitive, with a single job often attracting hundreds, if not thousands of interested applicants. So, when you do get that first interview and it goes well, it can begin to feel as though you have a real shot, but then comes the next round.
It’s only natural to be nervous about a second interview, if anything it can feel like now the stakes are higher and mistakes, even small ones, have the potential to detail your chances. What is even left to cover the second time around? So, if you have a second interview coming up, here is how to put your best foot forward.
But why?
A first job interview can vary in length, from the extremely brief to an hour or more, but typically the interviewer will cover all of the important topics, such as educational background, current skillset and future ambitions. So why then would a recruiter, manager or employer require a second round of interviews?
One reason may be that the interview may not feel like they had enough time to fully assess your suitability for the role the first time around. They may use another interview to delve further into your work history, how you have amassed your skills, an example of those same skills and where you see your career going.
Alternatively, sometimes an interview structure is designed with a format in mind, this could mean an initial recruiter interview, followed by a panel then perhaps a sit down with the employer. Every company is different and therefore how it recruits will also be unique, so if you find that the group is receptive to questions why not enquire about the hiring process, what it entails and what you can expect?
Need to know
I can not stress enough how important it is to be prepared and not to walk in blind. People often wrongly assume that asking questions makes them look like they don’t know what they are doing, but confirming a setup and ensuring you know exactly what is coming your way, gives you the absolute best chance to make a positive impression.
Once you have been offered the second interview, make sure you thank your point of contact and that you ask who will be conducting the interview, what will be the format, will there be a skills test and if I am successful what comes next?
A second interview is a really positive sign that you are on your way to getting the job but it in no way guarantees it, so make sure that you have an edge on your competition by treating this next round the same way you did the first, through preparation.
What is left to say?
This is not based in science however, awkward silences in a moment as important as a job interview always seem impossibly longer and more uncomfortable than they do in other scenarios. Not to mention it is one of the moments you remember strongly post-interview. So if you are afraid that you have run out of conversation ahead of another interview, how can you prepare?
Your history is your history and at a certain point it stands to reason that you will have run out of things to say, that doesn’t mean that you can’t re-purpose material you have already used. For example, if you said volunteering gave you x, y and z hard skills, why not flip the script and this time talk about how it also allowed you to work on your soft skills.
You could use your previous educational or employment history to highlight the hard work you have done, but also the areas that, if you had more time you would have loved to have been more involved in, as you have foundational skills in x, y and z. Avoid reusing the same stories in the same way as it is a sure sign that you have over-rehearsed.
It’s going to be tougher
It is likely that the experience will be tougher as the interviewer is going to want you to elaborate upon previously made points and essentially restate your case in a way that adds value to what you have said in the past. Not an easy task. A good rule of thumb is to recall what was asked before, as you can to an extent rule out those queries and focus on other commonly asked questions.
If you notice that aspects of your CV that are relevant to the role were not touched upon there is a decent chance that a second interview might cover this area, or at the very least, you should aim to work in that information yourself, as it will inspire new questions and show your aptitude.
When it comes down to it, a second interview is just another opportunity to showcase your strengths and there are just a few simple rules you need to make note of. Be punctual, presentable, professional and prepared. In no way are you expected to be perfect, so take a deep breath and let that pressure go. You’ve got this far and all your hard work will take you further.
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