Friday, June 25, 2010

How To Handle A Second Interview

When hiring for a new position, many employers conduct a series of interviews rather than trying to gather all their information from one. Holding a series of interviews has several perks for the employer, but it can be nerve-wracking for the candidate. Keep in mind that there are several reasons a company could call you back for a second interview. They may want to clarify that you are the impressive person they thought you were at the first meeting. They may want you to meet with other supervisors. Alternatively, they may be narrowing down a short list of applicants with further questions. Whatever their reasons for calling you back, there are a few things you can do to make your second interview as successful as possible.

First, try to find out if you will be meeting with the same person or with someone new. Most companies will tell you this when they set up the second interview, but it is also okay to ask. This merely shows that you like to be prepared, a desirable quality in an applicant. If you are meeting with the same person, you do not want to simply repeat the same things you said at the previous interview. You will not need to be as aggressive, nor put so much emphasis on proving your qualifications. You can relax a bit and remember that this interview will help the potential employer to get to know you a bit better. Try asking some more questions about the direction the company is going in and its history. Your interest in these areas will be appreciated. In addition, as you learn more about the company's goals, you can highlight how your skills mesh with the culture of the organization.

If however, you are meeting with someone new, keep in mind that they are already aware of some of your skills. You will need to go over some of the things you spoke about in the first interview, but you can also take some of the advice for those applicants meeting with the same person. At the second interview, you may also be required to negotiate a compensation package, so be prepared to speak about what you need.

Overall, the second interview should be handled with confidence and a strategic plan of how you can ease any qualms about your experience and negotiate a salary. If you can relax and show the interviewer your true personality, all the better.


Bookmark and Share

No comments:

Post a Comment