Second interview

nachos

I've gotten a second interview for a graduate programme where I'll be doing development stuff with web technologies and other stuff. I got to where I am after filling in the (lengthy) application form and an interview with a techie person and a HR person. That interview was fairly soft, not many "tough" techie questions.
I think this interview will be onsite at their place in Galway and will be done by a HR person. I'm just wondering what I should be saying in this one... I must have done something right in the first interview, so do I just stick to what I was saying in the first or try and tell yer one more stuff about me?

Any help much appreciated!

garthv

Second interviews are (in my experience) a more detailed look at your CV and a lot of "What would you do in this situation" kind of questions. Getting to know more about you kinda stuff, not much you can brush up on but hey, if you've gotten the second interview you wont need to!

irishguy

I think i have the same interview as you. i was kind of surprised i got a second one. One of the guys interviewing me was quite picky about my CV and asked me some difficult (non techy) questions. You sure its just a HR interview? No more techs? It will be sweet if it is, not sure if ill go though as i think i may have a job ill know next week, fingers crossed.

nachos

irishguy wrote:

I think i have the same interview as you. i was kind of surprised i got a second one. One of the guys interviewing me was quite picky about my CV and asked me some difficult (non techy) questions. You sure its just a HR interview? No more techs? It will be sweet if it is, not sure if ill go though as i think i may have a job ill know next week, fingers crossed.

well, iirc they said it would be a HR interview in the next stage. I think there's a more in-depth tech interview to assess your abilities after that. My impression was that if you got the 2nd HR interview, you've more or less got the job.

irishguy

nachos wrote:

well, iirc they said it would be a HR interview in the next stage. I think there's a more in-depth tech interview to assess your abilities after that. My impression was that if you got the 2nd HR interview, you've more or less got the job.

3 rounds of interviews that’s a bit excessive for a grad job, most of the other places hold 2 rounds where you meet a few different people each time. Also having 2 tech interviews is a bit of a joke for a grad position, if your getting on ok in college, have an interest in the job you applied for and have good interpersonal skills that should be more important that knowing what declaring something as static in java means. You will pick up the technical knowledge if you’re reasonably intelligent its a lot harder to learn good interpersonal skills IMO.

damnyanks

Lot's of people apply for grad jobs so they are more anal, improves their chances of getting the "right candidate".

Don't stray from what answers you gave in the previous interview. Chances are they will just go into more details. If you aren't consistent with your previous interview they will just think you are bull ****ting.

Civilian_Target

Be professional, stay consistant with your previous interview and CV. Have answers prepared for the usual stuff, examples of teamwork, projects, leadership, examples of failure, etc.

But most importantly - come across as being professional.

muppetkiller

I've done so many of these and they're always the same.

Describe yourself ..5 things good , 5 things bad.
All the bad things be sure to pick things you can improve on not that you can't do.

describe challenging situations and how you overcame them...

Do research on the company !!!! ask them questions it's much better from them to be doing all the talking ...

HR are the ones you have to watch they should be called IHR inhuman resources they will pick at your traits so be yourself...don't try to be someone your not in the interview.

Oh and relax...if it's too warm ask for water (sometimes this is actually part of the interview.)

Anyway best of luck