How to Prepare for Your Second Interview

Congratulations! You’ve survived the first round and have been invited back for a second interview.

Recruiters will use this to ramp up the pressure and examine your job suitability in even more detail.

So, what is the best way of preparing for this important meeting?

Remember you’re a serious contender

It’s daunting to go through the interview process again but take confidence from the fact that you’re under genuine consideration.

They liked you! You’ve ticked enough boxes to make it through both the initial applications and the first round of interviews. So, a large part of the battle is already won.

Review your first-round performance

Have a good, hard and honest look at your performance during the first interview.

Which parts were the hardest? Were there any tricky moments for which you were unprepared? Did you lack knowledge of any particular aspects of the job?

Now is your chance to retrace your steps and plug those gaps in awareness or knowledge, giving yourself a stronger foundation to work from.

Use your new knowledge of the company

When you embarked on your first interview, you had probably never set foot inside the company building.

Now you’ve experienced it from the inside, jot down some of your impressions about what people wore, how they behaved and how the place felt.

Tailor your dress and demeanour for the second interview, bringing you closer to the prevailing company culture.

If you meet other members of the team, higher ranked managers or even a panel this time around, don’t be fazed. Be as friendly and relaxed as possible, while remaining focused and professional. If the initial recruiter liked you, they probably will too!

Drill down into the job description

Go through the job description with a fine-tooth comb and be prepared to answer more detailed questions about the demands of the role, along with the specific qualities and benefits you can bring to it.

Aim to show how your particular set of skills, your qualifications and the experience you have gained from your previous jobs can enhance the role and help the department grow.

Research the industry as well as the company

Present yourself as a knowledgeable person who is curious about the wider industry, and the company’s place within it. As well as reading the company website, browse as much industry news as possible, discovering more about the company’s position and standing within the sector.

Frame questions

You can ask a range of questions, some related to the specific role and department with others about the company’s wider goals. Frame questions around how your performance will be measured, the level of job support offered, further training options available and a possible career path.

So, stay calm, arm yourself with knowledge and be yourself. And if that ultimately isn’t enough, remember there are other opportunities waiting around the corner!

If you are actively looking for a new role, please visit our website to view our latest opportunities.