6 Tips to Ace Your Second Interview

By Victor Wachira

Congratulations for passing your first interview! Now the next challenge is the second interview. Most candidates think it will be as simple, however this is a different one compared to previous interview, considering it is more of a faceoff between the candidates who made it past the first interview .

1.  Have a plan

The purpose of the second interview is to show your best, to sell your achievements and knowledge and to elaborate on the projects that you worked on in the past. When you interview, you have to jump in and go for it. You need to give enough confidence in your abilities and skills to move forward with an offer. don’t let the interviewer do all the talking.

2. Market Yourself

While a first interview may involve more generalized questions, the second interview will likely be more intense, especially for technical positions. mostly, a hiring manager may use a consultant or senior staff to assist in the technical part of the interview, someone who is knowledgeable at getting to the core of a candidate’s skills.

This is when you need to market your skills Come prepared with lots of stories of your own past job accomplishments. Don’t be shy, and when asked, elaborate on those past projects that relate to the position at hand.

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3. Research about the company

The best way to convince your interviewer that you know the company well is to be able to articulate what makes it special compared to competitors. The good news? Companies will often tell you the answer to this question right on their websites.

One way companies share how they stand out is through their mission or values, which are typically prominently displayed in the “About Us” section. Read closely to learn what might be different about this organization than others.

4. People Skills

The second interview is a key time for the employer to determine if you are a fit for the company culture. Recognize that the interviewers during this round want to learn how well you will get along with other team members with whom you’ll be interacting on a daily basis. Now is the time to use your very best interpersonal communication skills.

If you are a good fit, show it; but if you aren’t, you probably wouldn’t be happy working there, anyway. Always keep in mind that this interview is also your opportunity to determine whether the company is a good fit for you. Think about whether you would accept if the employer extended an offer to you.

5. Variety of interviewers

Don’t be surprised if some of the people you meet with during this round aren’t very proficient interviewers. Typically, managers trained in interviewing conduct the first round of interviewers, so the variety of people who might talk with you during the second interview process may include those lacking skills and training in how to conduct an interview. Go with the flow and don’t let anyone trip you up with seemingly unrelated questions.

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6. Ask lots of questions

Be prepared with lots of questions to ask as you will likely have more opportunity during the second interview to ask questions and you will be expected to make more refined inquiries than you did during the first interview. If you don’t receive an offer on spot, ask about the next step in the process. How soon will a decision be made, and how will they let you know?

7. Don’t forget to say thank you!

Make sure you follow up after your second interview with all of the people with whom you interviewed by sending them a quick thank-you email or letter. Express your continued interest in the company in general and the job in particular.

Remember, regardless of whether you’ll be offered a job or not, a second interview means you’re that much closer to an offer and that much closer to securing your dream job.