Second interview call but the interviewer did not mention this in the first interview

khan1

So I had my interview on Saturday. The lady told me that she will let me know by Monday or Tuesday whether I am selected or not. I did not get a call from her. I emailed her today to ask her about an update of my application. She replied back by saying that I have been successful in the 1st round of interview. She wants to come again on Friday for the second interview to meet the other manager. Point to note that she wrote "as discussed" in her email when referring to the second interview. But she never mentioned anything about it during the first interview. Is this good news or bad news? I have a feeling she has already made her mind up of not selecting me and going there again would just be a waste of time and transport cost.

Stheno

Why would she go to the time and expense of interviewing you a second time if she didn't think you were a potential employee?

Crunchienut

It sounds like you may be one of a small number of very strong candidates and they want a second round of interviews before making a final decision. I think it's very unlikely that they would waste their time calling you back if they had already decided.

khan1

Crunchienut wrote: »

It sounds like you may be one of a small number of very strong candidates and they want a second round of interviews before making a final decision. I think it's very unlikely that they would waste their time calling you back if they had already decided.

so why didn't she call me and tell me about it? I only got a reply when I emailed her today late in the day.

Mr. Loverman

I don't know why you think a second interview means they are just wasting your time. It means the opposite!

Second interview means you are very close to getting the job.

Slydice

Job is probably yours. They wouldn't go to the trouble of a second interview for a laugh. Just keep to the same message and style which you had in your first interview.

khan1

Mr. Loverman wrote: »

I don't know why you think a second interview means they are just wasting your time. It means the opposite!

Second interview means you are very close to getting the job.

I have no problem going to a second interview. Have done that plenty of times. But usually they mention it during the 1st interview that there is going to be a second one. Another reason there are question marks in my head is because she did not call me and tell me about it. She said she would do it on Monday or Tuesday. Well almost the whole of Wednesday passed and I emailed her at 5 pm. Then I got a reply. Dont think I would have heard from her today if I hadn't emailed her. She hasn't been very professional.

Crunchienut

khan1 wrote: »

I have no problem going to a second interview. Have done that plenty of times. But usually they mention it during the 1st interview that there is going to be a second one. Another reason there are question marks in my head is because she did not call me and tell me about it. She said she would do it on Monday or Tuesday. Well almost the whole of Wednesday passed and I emailed her at 5 pm. Then I got a reply. Dont think I would have heard from her today if I hadn't emailed her. She hasn't been very professional.

All the replies to your question are giving you the same message and from your responses it nearly sounds to me that you don't really want this job at all and are just looking for an excuse not to attend the interview.

markfinn

Based on experience on both sides of the interviewing table, an unexpected second interview means that they were ready to give you the job, but one (or a small number) of other candidates showed equal promise to you in the process. You just have to beat the rest of the short list.

Job's yours if you handle this right. Stick to the same approach as round one. They liked it.

Tarzana

khan1 wrote: »

so why didn't she call me and tell me about it? I only got a reply when I emailed her today late in the day.

Maybe she thought she mentioned a possible second interview in the first one. Probably just a mistake.

Borzoi

khan1 wrote: »

She said she would do it on Monday or Tuesday. Well almost the whole of Wednesday passed and I emailed her at 5 pm. Then I got a reply. Dont think I would have heard from her today if I hadn't emailed her. She hasn't been very professional.

firstly: perspective, the job is the most important thing in your life but isn't in theirs, it's one of many things fighting for their time. So relax a bit.

Secondly: a second interview is better than none, but given what you said it's possible that this wasn't originally intended by the firm. There could be several reasons-
Very hard to tell the candidates apart so they want to bring in another person to assess the front runners
They want to check some element of your skills or personality to see if you'll fit in.

But in a nutshell there's nothing you do but give the best interview you can, again. And good luck.