You received the call! They urge you to return for a second job interview. This is such great news, it's making you smile continually. Now what must be done? First of all you prepare yourself for this interview just as well as you did before the first one. This interview could be the perfect chance to make a strong impression, but to an altogether different panel of interviewers. The panel will likely be different from the previous time around because you're now being seriously considered to fill the post.
Know The Agenda
First of all you should contact the human resources department and question about the planned agenda for the second interview. When you know what the agenda will be ahead of time you will have a clear grasp of the interview process and have plenty of time to prepare. By now, you have undoubtedly figured out that preparation is crucial when interviewing for a new job. Leave nothing to chance, do your homework.
When you call regarding the agenda, ask very detailed questions about when, where, what, and how the interview will progress. For example, many organizations demand every applicant they're considering to spend an entire day with them and will ask the applicant to analyze the company at the end of the day. They might also invite you to spend some time with colleagues in other departments so the interviewer can evaluate if you'll fit in with the team or not. You might even have the chance to meet the chairman of the company, allowing him or her to establish their own opinion of you. Regardless of what the agenda is, you should be prepared to participate when you arrive at the interview, ready to participate. If you take the initiative to question about the agenda before to the interview, you won't be caught off guard. This is one area where it's wise to leave nothing to chance.
Do Plenty Of Research
You probably did some study about the firm and the position before going for your first interview, but now that you're heading for the second job interview you need to delve a little further. If any substantial changes have taken place at the organization since your first interview, you'd better make sure you know about them. While preparing for this essential interview, gather as much knowledge as you can on the company's inner workings so you can reply appropriately to any question you might be asked. You might also come across some more facts that will be important in convincing the panel that you are truly the greatest candidate for the job.
Study Your First Interview Questions
Take some time to reflect on your initial interview and examine the areas where you might have done a little better. The upcoming interview will offer you with the best opportunity to redeem yourself. There's a good probability that some of the exact same questions are asked at the next interview, but phrased just a little bit differently.
For this reason, it's crucial for you to read the list of interview questions you used to prepare yourself initially. Work on the answers you offered and add some polish to them so they'll really stand out. During an interview you want to make yourself stick out among all the other applicants. By preparing yourself like this, you will be much more composed and relaxed as you walk into what might be a career defining interview.
There may have been a few topics you hoped you would have covered during the initial interview, but they slipped your memory. During your forthcoming appointment you will have an opportunity to explain anything you ignored during the original interview. Take a few minutes to glance over your notes in order to revive your memory. Don't be scared to prepare notes to take to the interview with you. This will make you look interested, prepared, and well organized.
Ask the Right Questions
When you go for a second interview, you will be expected to ask questions of your own. You probably should have asked certain questions during the initial interview, but you might not have done so. During this second interview you should absolutely ask some thoughtfully planned questions during the second round. Even if you're quite sure you've gotten the job, asking the proper questions will make you look interested in the role as well as informed and intelligent. You should treat every element of the interview with care because you haven't really landed the job yet. If you don't fulfill the expectations of the interviewers, are sloppy, or just not up to the challenge, they can easily alter their thoughts about hiring you.
Follow The Path Of The Usual Protocol
It should go without saying that you should follow the same protocol for a second interview as you would for any other job interview. Here are a few things to remember ahead to this key interview:
Pay care to your grooming and dress accordingly.
Call a day or two before your appointment to confirm the time and date of the interview.
Arrive at least thirty minutes before your planned appointment.
Take anything unexpected as well as traffic and travel time into account when determining when to leave for the interview. It is far better for an interviewer to be late than for you to keep the interviewer waiting. There's a pretty decent chance you'll ruin your chances of landing the job all together if you show up late for an interview, whether it's your first or second one.
Follow this approach and you will master your second job interview and get you one step closer to securing the job you really want.
