Nailing A Second Round Interview

Congratulations on making it to the second round interview, all your hard work researching and prepping for interview number one has paid off! Unfortunately, there is still some work to be done and the interviewers will expect you to be prepared, so putting in that extra effort could make all the difference.

If you have never done a second round interview before, it can be tough to know what to expect, as all second round interviews are not the same. Some interviews may be with a group of colleagues you will be working with if you get the job, often they are with senior management and presentations are becoming increasingly popular as part of the second round interview.

Now all this may sound daunting, but if you put in the preparation you will increase your chances of getting the job. Below are some tips to follow for second round interviews.

Remember What Was Discussed in Interview Number One

When you come out of your first interview, it is a good idea to write down what questions you were asked, along with the answers given. This gives you a good basis if you are called back for a second interview. Often interviewers will ask more in depth questions in the second interview based on answers given in the first. They may also repeat any questions that you struggled with first time around.

Be Prepared

Second round interviews are always going to be more challenging, the interviewers may ask difficult questions to see how well you cope under pressure. Try to keep answers clear and concise. Although you may be nervous avoid rambling, keep answers to under two minutes. Practice any possible answers you may use out loud, this will help ensure that what you are saying makes sense and will help you become more confident.

Have Questions Ready

Think about what questions you want to ask; were there any you wanted to ask in the first round interview but didn’t? Don’t be afraid to ask questions about the company, the department team and what would be expected of you in the role. This will give you a better insight into what it may be like to work for this company. Before you leave the interview, make sure to ask when a decision will be made about the position.

Will You Fit into the Company Culture?

One of the main things that your potential employers will be looking at, is how you would fit into the company culture. Ensure you remain positive and enthusiastic through the interview no matter how hard the questions are or what way you think the interview is going. Let your personality shine through as this can be one of the deciding factors as to whether you get the job or not.

Remember this interview is as much about the employers seeing if you will be a good fit for the company as it is seeing if this will be a job you love. So make sure to leave the interview on a positive note and show a keen interest in the company, good luck!