Second interview tips and techniques for success. You have stood out from the other competitors for the job and have got the call back for the second interview.

At this point potential employers will be focusing on:

• Do you  have the skills and abilities to do this job better than the other second interview candidates?
• Do you fit in well with the company culture and type of people we employ?

The purpose of the second job interview is to decide who to offer the job to rather than a candidate’s broad suitability.

Take these essential steps before your second interview to tip the balance in your favor.

7 Steps to Take Before Your Second Interview

1. Review your first interview performance

Think
about any questions that you found difficult or you felt you could have
answered better. Plan how to improve on these areas in the second
interview.

2. Review the job posting

Get an in-depth look at the candidate and job requirements. Relate your
skills, competencies and experiences in a way that clearly meets the
requirements Prepare for second interview questions.

3. Update your knowledge of the company

Read
their website page, Facebook page, LinkedIn Page. Check Google News for
the latest news about the company. Speak to current employees to get
valuable inside information. Build on the information you gathered first
time around about.

4. Research the interviewers

Before
the second interview you may be sent the agenda for the interview and a
list of who you’ll be talking to. Conduct research on each of your
interviewers:

• how long they have been with the company
• what job titles
  they have held
• previous employment history and any other useful
  details

Second interview tips include using this information to try and engage them on a personal level and
establish a rapport with them. Interviewers are always impressed when a candidate has taken the time to research their background.

If
you do not receive this information you can ask for a specific agenda
including names and titles of those people you will be meeting.

5. Second interview dress

Find
out if there will be a company tour. Be prepared for this by dressing
appropriately for a company tour or site visit including the right shoes
to comfortably walk around.

6. Contact your references

Ask
if they have been approached yet by the company. If they were
contacted, what questions were they asked? This will give you insight
into the concerns of the company. Prepare to address these areas during
the second interview.

7. Review your resume

Candidates often ask if they should take their resume to a second interview. The answer is yes and prepare
more copies of your resume for all the new people you will be meeting.

Go through your resume so you know exactly what the interviewers have in
front of them. Prepare for any difficult interview questions.

Top second interview tips include…

• When you get the call back for the second interview always ask if there is anything specific you should prepare for. That way you won’t be taken by surprise.
• Prepare 5 – 10 smart questions to ask during your meeting. These should be different to those you asked in the initial interview.

Use this list to help you:

Second interview questions to ask the employer

• What is the biggest challenge facing someone starting in this job?
• How would you describe the interactional style of this team/group/department?
• What are the performance expectations for the first six months in this job?
• What are the current special projects in this department?
• How do you see this role developing?
• I have read the company’s plans for growth on the website. Can you provide some more information around this?
• Where does the company see itself in the next few years?
• What are the qualities of people that are successful here?
• What are the long term possibilities for this job?
• What sort of training or coaching  is initially provided?
• How will my performance be measured?

Think
about good questions to ask while you are going through the interview
itself. Take some notes while your interviewers are talking so you can
remember what you want to ask.

If you are meeting a number of people or are in a panel interview make sure you address your question to the right person.

Second interview tips from a hiring manager…

• Make
  a positive impression on as many people as possible at the company
  including the receptionist and potential co-workers. Be polite and show
  an interest in everyone you meet.

• Establish rapport
  with your interviewers. This will give you the advantage over the other
  candidates. Try to engage the interviewer on a personal level. One simple way to
  do this is to ask the person about his or her career with the company.

• Get the business card of each person that you meet with or write down
  their names and job titles. This will be useful if you are asked who
  else you’ve met with. It is also necessary for addressing your follow up
  letters

• An important tip is to send a thank you for the second interview to each person who interviewed you. You can adapt this sample second interview thank you for your own use.

What are the questions asked in a second interview?

Second Interview Questions

What to do after your second interview

Follow up after a second interview is essential to keeping you on track for the job.  Don’t neglect to send a thank you note after the second interview. You can use this excellent sample  Thank You for Second Interview  to help you.

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