How to Come Out First In the Second Interview 

Making a favourable first impression on a prospective employer may get you a second interview. But, what do you do for an encore?

Clearly, you had to do something right the first time around to be invited back. So, if you gave concise answers to the interviewers’ questions; explained how you could apply your skills to the position; were well mannered and well dressed.
In second Interviews, “your prospective peers and superiors—are primarily interested in whether you can do the job and work well with them,” says Michelle Thomas of Michael Associates Consultants. “To prove that you can, focus on your internship and work-related experiences and offer examples of your competence and compatibility.”
“When candidates are called for a second interview, it’s definitely more skills-based than the first,” says Thomas. The company are looking for candidates who can explain how their abilities and experiences and what qualifies them to do the job. They are also trying to determine if the candidate would be a ‘good fit’ with the company.” 

Successful Interview Insights
 Experience, Experience, Experience - relate, enlighten and explain all relevant experience. It is evidence of ability; Think about it in these terms – you’re in the “Dock” – your testimony (answers in interview) is on a par with evidence given in a court of law.




Of course, to get an offer, you’ll need to sail successfully through the interview process. Thomas offers several simple directives:
 First and second interviews can be quite different. 
Interviewers meeting you for the second time have different expectations and they're more comfortable with you. They expect that you'll be more informed about their company and express targeted enthusiasm for the position. 

The questions of 2nd time interviewers are focused on the company, industry trends, market drivers and competition.
During your second visit, you'll also meet new interviewers for the first time. These interviewers are really first time interviewers and conduct the interview just like a first time meeting. The difference is they've heard good things about you and expect you're a strong candidate. But they will still have to be convinced. With 1st time interviewers, conduct yourself as if this is your first interview because this is your first interview with these evaluators.


Your Questions for 1st and 2nd Interviews

1. During the first interview, interviewer questioning focused on the position and your qualifications. 

2. Second interviews include meeting higher-level people in the company. Higher-level interviewers are comfortable interviewing and asking unorthodox questions. 

3. As you progress through the hiring process you will encounter different types of interviews. You may be asked to deliver a presentation. Panel interviews (multiple interviewers simultaneously), problem solving/simulation interviews, personality tests, mealtime interviews are common on 2nd interviews.


Show Me the Money
Finally; on 2nd and 3rd interviews you will be questioned about your salary expectations and possible start date. 
On the spot offers?
Is there any likelihood of being offered a job at the end of the second interview?
Yes, so be prepared.
If the feedback is consistently positive and individual circumstances allow, companies often offer the candidate the job at the end of the interview. If not most firms, make hiring decisions within a few days of candidates’ second interviews.

Written by  Michelle Thomas, Director of Training at Michael Associates, Communications Consultants. Individual Job Interview training is practically based in 3-hour sessions. For further information Telephone (01)    6708461 or email: michcom@iol.ie  or www.michaelassociates.net