A second interview is your chance to grow the seed of interest in the employer’s mind and demonstrate further why you’re an ideal fit for the role.
So, you’ve scored a second interview? Congratulations! This means you’ve made a strong impression with the employer in your first interview, and they would now like to find out more about you and how well you match the role.
The interview process can vary from business to business or role seniority, the second interview is generally one of the final stages of the interview process and is a key time for you to win over your potential employer. While it can sometimes feel like jumping through hoops, now is the time to give it everything you’ve got.
Below, we’ll look at what to expect in a second interview and some of the best ways you can prepare for a second interview.
What to expect in a second interview
The second interview is your chance to solidify your standing as a strong candidate and address any doubts the employer may have. While the first interview will have covered your experience, skills, and interest in the role, now is the time to further demonstrate how your skill set matches the job description and how you stand out compared to the other candidates.
Some of the things you should expect include:
- Prepare to meet even more senior leaders within the organisation and be prepared to re-demonstrate to them why you’re a great match for the role.
- You’ll most likely meet some of the members of the team you would be working in. Remember that it’s as much about cultural fit as it’s about your skills so try to be open, personable and ask them questions too.
- You may be performing a skill-based task. If this is the case, you will most likely have been informed of this by the Hiring Manager or your Leonid Talent Acquisition Manager. If you can, be sure to prepare as much as you can in advance of this in order to get the best outcome.
How to prepare for the second interview
As with many tasks in life, practice makes perfect, and the second interview leaves no room for complacency. Be sure to thoroughly prepare for your second interview so that you can approach it feeling calm and confident. Here are a few tips for preparing below:
1. Know who you’re speaking too
Have you been told you’ll be meeting members of the Senior Leadership Team? Or perhaps you know you’ll be meeting your potential team mates today. Either way, it’s always a good idea to do some background research on the people you are meeting. We don't mean stalk them or draw up a map of their every move... but having an idea of who you're talking to is always polite. Visit their LinkedIn profiles and try to pick out any common interests, inspiring posts or articles or great achievements. Knowing a little about the people you’re speaking to will help them connect with you and open further conversations.
2. Ask for an agenda
Is your interview in person? If so, asking for an agenda for the day can be beneficial in helping you find your feet and will leave you looking a little less flustered when you first arrive. From knowing who you are going to meet and at what time, to where to park and what the dress code is.
Make yourself familiar with the itinerary for the day to help with any pre-interview nerves you have and to ensure no minor mishaps happen on the day - like parking in the Directors parking space (It happens…).
3. Ensure you’re aware of the latest industry news
The second interview is a competitive stage of the process as you’re going head-to-head with a smaller pool of candidates who are all of interest. This means the conversation is going to be taken up a notch so be sure to brush up on your industry knowledge beforehand.
Make sure you have several examples of your experience to hand, as well as being clued up on the latest controversy’s, debates, or key milestones for your industry. It can help to bring examples of your work, case studies or presentations that help to solidify your knowledge and interest in the subject.
4. Prepare questions
Preparing questions for your interviewer are an essential part of the interview preparation process and should be well thought out. Now is your time to find out everything you need to know about the organisation, your role, and the people you’ll be working with.
The questions you ask will also be a reflection on how interested you are in the role and the way you will approach it, so think strategically here.
5. Prepare to do most of the talking
This day is all about you so be prepared to be the one doing most of the talking. If you’re not naturally extroverted, the thought of leading most of the conversations may be daunting but remember that interviews are a two-way process and no one knows you and your abilities better than you.
It’s also ok to take pauses when speaking and ask for time to think an answer over if you need to. One technique to use if you’re thrown off by a question is to repeat the question back to buy yourself some time while thinking.
If you’re asked something you don’t know the answer to, a good way to reply is to say ‘In my experience’ as this not only gives you credibility but doesn’t hold you to any facts that you’re not sure of.
And you’re ready!
After your interview, your dedicated Leonid Talent Acquisition manager will follow up with the client on your behalf to get some feedback and establish timelines for a decision or further steps in the interview process.
But for now, it’s time to feel confident in the fact you’ve landed a second interview and take time to prepare thoroughly using the advice above.
Need anything else?
Whether you want to confirm any details with us or simply need a bit of a pep talk, we’re here for you! Simply get in touch with your Talent Acquisition Manager and they’ll be happy to help.