Here’s Everything You Need to Know About the Second Job Interview
You scored a second job interview. Congrats! But if you thought the stress and pressure you felt during the first round was intense, just wait. Knowing you’re just a single interview away from scoring that offer jostles even the most experienced job hunter.
As it turns out, you’re in luck. We’re here to apply some serious bug spray to those nervous butterflies rustling around your stomach.
Not sure how to prepare for the particular hurdles you’ll face? Unclear on the approaches you should take to dispel the nerves? Want to improve your performance and ultimate chances for getting the job? Interested?
Read on for essential tips you need to help you hit a home run during your second job interview.
Revisit Your Successes
In preparing for your second job interview, what is your first step? Revisiting the stellar performance that got you the call back in the first place.
Nothing says “I got this” to a self-doubting brain quite like knowing you’ve already climbed the interview hill once. Revel in a few moments of success. You did, after all, earn it. This confidence will come in handy as it shows through in your easy, approachable manner during the callback.
Revisit Your Notes
Chances are you’ve been meeting many companies or individuals during your job search. So the individual experiences can all start blending together. Reviewing your notes helps you recall specific details for this employer.
Just as important, you might uncover a topic that can be worked into your next conversation. This, of course, demonstrates your ability to retain information and attention to detail skills.
Don’t Rest on Your Laurels
Done congratulating yourself? Good. Now it’s time to get back to the work of prepping for your interview. It is, after all, the last hoop you’ll have to jump through before landing that job of your dreams. No pressure or anything.
Sure, you did a fair bit of research for your first interview. But there is still useful information to be discovered about your new potential employer. Your first pass probably involved perusing the company website. For your second interview, look into news announcements, Wikipedia pages, blogs, forums and more. Know your interviewers by name? Gather information about their background, education or specialties. Uncover a commonality or two. After all, having this information can help you ask more insightful follow-up questions. It also guides you in what qualifications or background details you should stress or downplay in the next round.
Know What You’re Worth
The first interview is often a chance for both you and the interviewer to get to know each other. The second round is where you’ll get down to brass tacks. Specifically, we’re talking salary and your expectations for the position.
So heading into the second interview, have a few key salary figures in your arsenal.
First, check out the average salary range for your desired position. There are a host of online forums, blogs and salary statistics sites out there to help. But we’re partial to SimplyHired’s expert salary finder.
The last two salary numbers you should know are your upper and lower range. Those numbers, of course, are based on the compensation you’ll need in order to accept the position and the fair market value of the role. Sure, it may seem like any job is better than no job. But a company providing significantly lower than the average compensation for the role may be a red flag.
These numbers aren’t just for you, though. Be prepared to provide them, if requested. A quality employer will appreciate your preparedness.
Keep Those Questions Coming
You came up with a few humdingers in the question department for your first interview, right? So don’t stop now.
This is your second time in the hot seat. So be sure your questions are more specific to the company, team and specific position. Just as important, avoid asking anything that you should already know. Examples include anything already mentioned on the company’s website or in the job listing.
Still need a few ideas for second job interview questions? We’ve got a few of our favorites below:
- What is the next step in the hiring process? – Always a go to and shows that you’re motivated and have good follow through skills.
- Do you have a projected start date for the position? – Another great question to show that you’re really, really interested in the job and already prepping for the eventuality of an offer.
- Is there anything additional you think I should know about the position? – This may seem like a bit of a cop out. But asking for the interviewer’s perspective can throw the ball back into their court. It also indicates that you’re truly interested in their opinions.
Remember, You’ve Got This
To modify a popular saying, confidence is the most attractive suit you can put on to your second job interview. Of all of the hundreds of applicants and fewer qualified first interviewees, you were called back for a second look. This means the employer or company already thinks you’re qualified for the job, now it’s time to seal the deal.
If the opportunity presents itself, open a dialog about how you’d tackle a specific issue in the position. Show you’re knowledgeable in the subject, you’ll come across as a team player. You’ll also show both expertise and investment in the company and role. Each of these qualities help your potential employer picture you in the position.
Take a deep breath. Do your research. Get your questions ready. Then you’ll be prepared to conquer your second job interview.
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