Second Interviews

An invitation to go back for a second interview doesn’t mean you’re home and dry.

There may be other candidates still in the mix.

Go back through your research again and look at it in the light of information gained at the first interview. Think of some additional questions to ask the interviewer.

It is likely that you will be interviewed by someone new either alone or with the original interviewer. Make sure you address your answers to both.

There may be more rigorous questions in the second interview designed to put you on the spot. Stay calm. Don’t rush into an answer. A moments reflection shows you are thinking seriously.

Keep to your game plan as far as describing your skills and experiences.

Again, make sure you ask whether they have any concerns, whether they consider you right for the job and then ask for the job!

Please, please don’t be shy. Don’t leave the room without clearly stating your desire for the job and your ability to bring success to the role and to their company. If you feel at all uncomfortable with this then practice with a friend. It is amazing how many people don’t ask and the employer is left wondering whether they really want the job or not.

What if I don’t know whether I really want the job? 

Ask for it anyway and keep your options open. Don’t close the door yet.  A bird in the hand is definitely worth two in the bush when it comes to job search. You then have time to really think about it and discuss it at home with your family and friends.

It may go to a third interview so be ready for that. If it does it may be because they have two evenly matched candidates or it might simply be that a Director is needed to give you the rubber stamp of approval. Ask them if you are up against anyone else. You are on an active job search and you are entitled to know where you stand in the process.

“I’ve got a job offer but I really want the other job”

You may find yourself in the position of having a job offer on the table from Company A  when you would really like to work for Company B but they are taking their time.

Let them know you have another job offer and although you would prefer to work for them you can’t keep Company A waiting. Either they will hurry through the process or they will withdraw.

However, there is a third possibility and that is they keep dragging their feet and make you wait. At this stage you need to ask yourself whether you want to work for a company that can’t make up it’s mind (how frustrating would it be to work for them?) or is there an arrogance in their inability to give you an answer? Again, how will they treat you as an employee?

Perhaps the decision maker is on holiday. If so, try to get an idea from your interviewer about your likely prospects of being offered the job.

In the end you will have to decide whether you want to take the gamble and hold on or accept the other job.