You must have gone through the complete process of an application screening, telephonic interaction, and an in-person interview. While you are still struggling to figure out whether your interview went well or not, you get a call for a second interview. It is natural that thought might pop up in your mind that well, you have got the job. What else can be the reason that they have called you for a second interview? However, we must advise you to not get ahead of yourself. You might pat yourself in the back for doing well in the interview but there’s a reason why there is this old saying – “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch”. Here, let’s know What does Second Interviews Mean?
A second interview is always a great sign. It shows that the interviewer is interested in you. The hiring process might be different for some companies. There are companies that require you to qualify for multiple interview rounds before deciding on whom to hire as their employee. A second interview means that the employer believes in you, that you have the potential to meet the core job requirements.
The article discusses in detail what a second interview means and how you can prepare yourself for a second interview.
What does a Second Interview Mean?
The hiring practices of the company differ. You might come across many organizations that conduct multiple rounds of interviews and there are others who only take it to a second interview to hire their employees. This round of the interview will be used to determine if you would be a good fit in the company culture and will be able to accommodate the team.
The interview round would require you to meet with some managers and employees with whom you might be required to work in case you join the company. You might also be introduced to the prospective boss so that you get the approval.
Questions You Should Expect in a Second Interview:
The questions in your second interview would be more in-depth questions that will focus on your field, the skill set you have mentioned in your resume, and your experience.
- Behavior-based questions: It is reasonable of you to expect that you might be asked more behavior-related questions. This would help the interviewers get an idea of your working style and what working might be like with you on a regular basis. While you might fit the job description and have the right skill set to get the job, if you can’t fit into the work environment at the company then working as an employee might get difficult in the long run.
- Challenge: Mostly, the second interview might seem more challenging than the first one. The interviewer might try to put some pressure on you to see how you cope up with it. After evaluating your resume and interacting with you, they might have figured out your weaknesses. Be ready to answer some questions regarding them. Such questions might be in the form of, they might throw your weaknesses as a reason that is keeping them from making the decision. You have to use your quick thinking to show that you really do want the job.
- Presentation: Fitting the job requirements which you are being hired for, you might be required to prepare something for the next round of your interview. You have to be careful with this presentation as it would be focused upon utilizing your skills to act on the job profile. This also creates an opportunity for you to build an impression on the employers and display your understanding of the company.
Reasons You Have Been Asked for a Second Interview:
- Qualified the First Interview: Congratulations! Yes, you deserve it as the employer might have received several applications from which they shortlisted yours and you have been selected after the second interview. This means you have met the grade!
- Final Decision: Some organizations do rely on a specific person’s approval to hire an employee. In case, the first interview did not involve this person you might have been asked to attend this second interview to meet them. So, remember this might be your chance to make an impression on them.
- Know you Better: While the employer might have received several applications and interviewed many candidates for the first interview, they might not have got the opportunity to get to know you on a deeper level. There are times when the first interview includes only the surface-level questions and it is in the second interview that the interviewer looks forward to diving in deeper.
- Testing your Commitment: A second interview is also conducted to take note of your determination to get the job. There are many people who consider it a waste of time to attend a second interview because of a lack of motivation. There are many people who withdraw their applications at this level. This will make the decision of the interviewer easier as they will know who is committed to working in their company.
- Introduction to the Team: It might also be that you have been asked to appear for a second interview only so that you can meet your co-workers. But is always advisable that you go in prepared for your second interview.
Preparation Tips:
- Once you are at the second stage of the interview, you need to be more careful about your preparation.
- Be thorough with your preparation about the understanding of the business that the organization pursues and how you can fit into the company.
- You can make your preparation research-based so that you will be aware of what you might face.
- Focus on how your first interview went. The questions you weren’t able to answer in your first interview might have been noted down as your weaknesses. You might want to develop your understanding regarding those areas.
- It will always help if you know the interviewers beforehand. You can make a call to HR to inquire about the same. You can check the profile on the company website to know more details about your interviewers. This will help you figure out which areas your interview will be based upon.
- For a second interview, it is advisable that you develop a strategy. You can plan on a strategy by imagining that you have been hired for the role. Then, try to figure out how you would be dealing with the challenges at work.
- Think of some questions which you want to know about. These questions might be related to the company or the job profile and talk about your expectations from the job. The main focus in a second interview is usually on the cultural fit. Thus, you can put some questions about the company culture.
- As there might be a chance that you meet your co-workers and your boss it is recommended that you dress to impress. You need to look presentable to build a good first impression.
- Be it a first interview or a second interview, you must have some copies of your resume as they might come in handy. To get the contact information of the people present in the interview, you might consider asking for their business cards.
You might not have bagged the job, but a second interview always means that you have cleared your first interview. Now, you are even closer to getting your dream job. Do not forget to take a few moments to appreciate your progress. Maintain the balance and do not get immersed in your excitement of qualifying for the first interview. If you have received some feedback from your first interview, then focus on your answers accordingly. A second interview is not the right time to bring up your salary expectations. Avoid asking such questions unless the interviewer brings that up into the conversation. You can negotiate your perks and salary once you get an offer letter.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- How long can you expect a second interview to last?
There is no set limit of time for an interview. It depends on the interviewer that how carefully they want to observe you that decides the time limit for the interview. This length can vary from about 15 minutes to even several hours. Generally, an in-person second interview might last for about 15-30 minutes.
- How can one ace their second interview?
Your display of confidence in the first interview has gotten you a second interview. So, remember to be confident. Show your employer that you are excited to join the company and the job description fits your job expectations. You will be required to do most of the talking in a second interview so prepare yourself for it. After you are done with the interview, always remember to send a thank-you email to the interviewers.
- Can a second interview be called a formality?
You can never go in to attend an interview with the attitude that it is just a formality. The interview might just be a formality, or a chance to be tested on the basis of your cultural fit into the company. This means that there is a probability that you might risk losing the job offer in case you do something wrong.
