You’re right to be proud of yourself for making it past the first round of interviews for that new job you’re trying to land. That means the company has determined you’re a valid candidate, and you’ve most likely got a real shot at getting the job.
So get ready for round two. The first round is all about screening out the obviously unworthy candidates. The second round is about pitting the worthy candidates against each other in order to come up with the one they’re going to hire. Time to roll up your sleeves and get serious, so here are some pointers for acing that second round. But don’t get cocky: the job isn’t yours yet.
1. Do Your Research – You should have learned the important stuff about the company before your first interview, but now it’s time to dig a little deeper into the company’s history and the challenges facing them. And remember, this time you’ll be talking to people who have much more riding on who gets hired: hiring managers and direct supervisors. You should be able to get their names beforehand from your contact that set up the interview, so look them up individually and see if you can find some commonalities you share with each of them.
2. Study the First Interview – Inevitably, after the first interview, your sense of what is expected of the person who gets the job will have filled out a little. Use this as you go into the second interview, where you may end up being asked some of the same questions by a different interviewer. Whoever you’re talking to will be expecting you to be a bit more knowledgeable about the company and the role after that first interview, so give yourself some solid ground to stand on.
3. Prepare Some Questions of Your Own – This second interview isn’t just about you trying to get hired. You’re also trying to get a sense of how good a fit you’ll be at the company. So ask questions about the company culture, ongoing programs, and new developments. You’ll get points for not seeming desperate and for the self-respect you exhibit by asking questions meant to determine if the company is a good place for you to land.
What Not To Say During a Job Interview
4. Highlight Your Achievements with Concrete Examples – The first-round interview will include more general questions about your past work experience, without the need for too much detail. For the all-important second session, you’re going to want to be explicit about how you excelled in the various roles you’ve held. It’ll sound a little bit like a listing of your greatest hits, but hearing how your expertise has averted past work crises is just the kind of thing the interviewer wants to hear.
5. Dress to Impress – Never mind if your contact tells you to dress casually. If there ever was a legitimate excuse for overdressing, a second-round job interview is it. Even if the company has a business casual policy, they’ll be impressed if you go above and beyond for your time with them.
6. Remember You’re Being Studied – So if you’re introduced to any other employees, of if you’re asked to go along on a lunch or dinner, it’s a safe bet that every move you make will be scrutinized. So don’t tell any stories that paint you in an unflattering or irresponsible light, and be courteous to everyone you meet – they’ll probably be asked later regarding their opinion of you.
7. Send a Follow-up Communication – Make sure you’ve got the names (and preferably business cards) of any of the people who interviewed you during the second-round interviews. Send each a follow-up e-mail, but don’t use a form letter. Try to personalize each one with a reference to some of the personal interaction you had with each individual. That way they’re more likely to remember you (and your courtesy) when the time comes to make the hiring decision.
