June 08, 2015 | 5 min read
4 Steps to Second Interview Success

Tandym Group

Being called back into the office for a second interview can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. You’ve impressed the hiring manager enough to pique their interest as a serious potential candidate, but you begin to wonder, is there any new information that you can bring to the table?

Second interviews aren’t so much about providing new information as they are an opportunity to elaborate upon your soft-skills while making sure the job is right for you. Now is the time to expound upon your resume and sell yourself as the best candidate for the job, and to do this, here are a few tips to help you feel confident for your second interview.

Arrive at an appropriate time

Arriving 10-15 minutes early is always important, but especially so when you’re vying for a position within a narrowed candidate pool where a slip-up can lead the employer to consider someone else.  There are many legitimate factors that may contribute to a late arrival such as traffic or misplacing your keys, so it’s important to give yourself plenty of time to manage the unpredictable.

With that being said, arriving too early can give the impression that you’re not respectful of the interviewer’s time. Since they are taking time out of their day to speak with you and arriving, say, an hour early may illicit unnecessary stress if they know you’re waiting on them. Additionally, arriving too early may demonstrate a lack of attention to detail and the inability to follow instructions–2 major red flags.

Take notes

As a tool, jotting down ideas, questions, and company specifics not only makes you appear engaged and involved in the conversation, but can also help to discern if you’d like to move forward if offered the position. In addition to making you appear prepared, taking notes can serve as a personal point of reference after the fact. You’ll have a detailed outline to help better assess if this position is right for you both personally and professionally.

Demonstrate why you can be an asset to the company

This may be your last chance to interview with the employer before they make a decision, so be sure to fully clarify your unique strong points. Employers are looking for someone to help strengthen the business as a part of a team and explaining how your previous experiences can help move the company forward will establish your ability to contribute. To do this, give examples of a time when you exhibited exemplary teamwork or went above and beyond. Similarly, discussing how you may have overcome an obstacle will help the interviewer better understand how you operate in times of stress, while demonstrating your problem solving skills.

Asking good questions

It’s important to remember that the second interview is also an opportunity for you to discern whether the company is a good fit for you. Just as the interviewer is trying to get to know you, you should be getting a better feel for the company. In interviews, the hiring manager will undoubtedly ask if you have any questions for them so when they do, make the most out of your time there by viewing this as a collaborative effort rather than a one sided conversation. Asking about topics that are aimed at getting a better feel for the company, such as internal growth opportunities and company culture, can show your interviewer that you’re serious about your future with the business and help you in the decision making process. If after a few questions you begin to see that perhaps this position isn’t for you, that’s alright as well.

Remember, they called you back for a reason! Your interviewer saw you as a potential member of the team and thought you might be a good fit. As a result, use this interview as an opportunity to realistically envision yourself as part of the company team. At the end, you should be able to walk away from your interview with a solid understanding of your role and whether or not you’d be willing to accept an offer.

 

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