Second Interview

Gael23

What do I need to do differently in a second interview? The first one was with my prospective supervisor and an assistant manager and the 2nd will be the same assistant and also a senior manager.
The position is being advertised through an agency and I got asked back for the second interview just 2 hours after the first on Wednesday. They wanted it to be Monday but I was getting my wisdom teeth out yesterday so I said no way and it's now Wednesday next week! I hope that won't go against me.

bee06

If they asked you questions like "tell me a time when …" try and have different examples than you gave the first interview ready for the 2nd interview. And remember that you must have don't something right in the first interview if they are calling you back so have confidence. Good luck!

Gael23

Will it link bad that I cant attend when they asked?

jamesbondings

i wouldnt think so man, everyone understands you have a life, tell them you had your teeth out and werent sure if you would be ok by monday! and that you want to show them the best of you so wanted to be in top form for them. study up on the company and like above have the "tell me a time when" answers prepared!

good luck lad!

Gael23

jamesbondings wrote: »

i wouldnt think so man, everyone understands you have a life, tell them you had your teeth out and werent sure if you would be ok by monday! and that you want to show them the best of you so wanted to be in top form for them. study up on the company and like above have the "tell me a time when" answers prepared!

good luck lad!

Well I didn't want to have to turn around on Monday morning and say oh sorry I feel like sh1t and I cant make it and then possibly lose it. One side of my face looks like theres a golf ball stuck to it too.

jamesbondings

exactly! they will understand....i wouldnt worry

pauliebdub

ryanf1 wrote: »

What do I need to do differently in a second interview? The first one was with my prospective supervisor and an assistant manager and the 2nd will be the same assistant and also a senior manager.
The position is being advertised through an agency and I got asked back for the second interview just 2 hours after the first on Wednesday. They wanted it to be Monday but I was getting my wisdom teeth out yesterday so I said no way and it's now Wednesday next week! I hope that won't go against me.

It shouldn't make any difference to put the interview off by a few days. The second round interview means they really like you and another candidate and use it as a means of deciding between the two.

Good luck.

Gael23

pauliebdub wrote: »

It shouldn't make any difference to put the interview off by a few days. The second round interview means they really like you and another candidate and use it as a means of deciding between the two.

Good luck.

Its through an agency so I said out straight that should I be invited back that I wouldn't be able to come for a while, I told them a reason but said nothing at interview.
Should I ask any more serious questions to them this time round?

Mr. Loverman

There's a search box at the top of the page which will help you find lots of previous posts about second interviews.

Gael23

Mr. Loverman wrote: »

There's a search box at the top of the page which will help you find lots of previous posts about second interviews.

Will have a look.
Had the day from hell today so if it was arranged for tomorrow they would be getting a call from be in the morning to cancel.

JIdontknow

ryanf1 wrote: »

Will have a look.
Had the day from hell today so if it was arranged for tomorrow they would be getting a call from be in the morning to cancel.

People mightn't agree with me but I'd tell them at the second interview, maybe just say something like apologies I would have come back for a second interview sooner but unfortunately I had to get my wisdom teeth out, just to make small talk when you meet them, the agency mightn't say to them why you couldn't do it Monday but this clears the air and is genuine, and also incase there's any slight bruising or swelling noticeable this also explains it all, you might even get a sympathy vote from them which might help, can't see any harm saying it anyway!

Try read through the job spec and pick out some noticeable things or themes running through it, as said previously try think of examples or situations you were in in work that cover these topics or themes.

Also they were obviously impressed by your first interview to call you back soon so have some confidence and don't worry or panic, just take the few days to prepare and research the company and have some answers and also some questions to ask at the end and also to relax. Best of luck.

allibastor

The second interview is all about the employer getting more detailed answers from you in more specific areas.

Make sure you are fully up to speed with the job spec they have given you, are fully aware of how you can answer the questions asked by the job spec and how you can fit in with the company.

Gael23

What about when I ask questions at the end, should I say anything different?

allibastor

Just more detail about the types of job to be expected of you, what type of role they see you doing.

Ensure to have a good think about questions you would like to know about the company which isn't clear.

JIdontknow

Its been years since I had a second interview, so perhaps I am not up to date but maybe things like asking is there the possibility of career development / promotion down the line, or even on a more formal basis of how long they have been with the company, how do they find working for the company? Or even something like is there any further information you require, or anyone else you would like me to meet with here? (If you are taking over from someone, or will be working closely with someone, it shows you are not shy or hiding away from them and are comfortable talking to new people). Is there anything else you'd like to know about my qualifications? Try ask a question that sparks a conversation at the end, at this stage the difficult part of the second interview is finished and its winding down so this is the last chance to impress them and show your outgoing personality and that you're genuinely keen. If you put yourself in the interviewers shoes, and picture that they interview two people, both go okay but at the end one quy asks a question and thats it, whereas the other guy gets a small conversation going about the company etc (I dont mean, did you see the match the weekend lol), (Know some things you can throw out there like specific products etc) then you'll have made a more lasting impression for that conversation, which is what they will remember about you.

http://www.quintcareers.com/second_interviewing-dos-donts.html
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/20140701220008-8864788-questions-to-ask-during-the-second-interview

Heres some links (There's numerous in google)

As I said Its been years since I had a second interview but hopefully a few people here can point you in the right direction. without giving too much away can you say what area the job is in? IT, Engineering, Business, finances, etc as it might help other posters here guide you more?

Gael23

The vacancy has arisen due to a female staff member deciding not to return after maternity leave. So its a fairly short contract initially with it envisaged that a longer or even permanent contract will follow pending necessary approvals so maybe I could ask something around that?
At my last interview they did mention opportunities to pursue further qualifications which I was not aware would be the case and have since researched that so maybe I could come up with one related there also.

Gael23

Had it yesterday.
Didn't feel as positive as I did first time but I think/hope I gave to a good shot.

How close are you to getting the job at 2nd round?

JIdontknow

You never know, sometimes we dont feel as positive but its just us trying not get our hopes up rather than a true reflection so you never know. Depending on the company, often companies make a decision after a second interview, but it depends on the organisation and the candidates but in my experiences a decision has been made after the second interview. Best of luck.

I am not sure if you did it, or if its the done thing to do anymore but maybe email them a thank you note. This could give them a positive impression of you and your gratitude. See towards middle of link below (Search, CTRL F for "After" in the link and you'll find the section):

http://2012books.lardbucket.org/books/job-searching-in-six-steps/s12-01-what-to-do-before-during-and-a.html

Gael23

I didn't get it

doc11

ryanf1 wrote: »

I didn't get it

Hard luck

JIdontknow

Sorry to hear that. Chin up, maybe have a look around for other similiar positions while you're in the zone (Cv up to date, interview prep done etc), and also try have a nice relaxing Christmas aside from all that too. Best of luck.

Gael23

JIdontknow wrote: »

Sorry to hear that. Chin up, maybe have a look around for other similiar positions while you're in the zone (Cv up to date, interview prep done etc), and also try have a nice relaxing Christmas aside from all that too. Best of luck.

To be honest my confidence has been damaged too much to look again just now. I've had 15-20 interviews since I left college in May and they've all been for nothing.

djr15

Hard luck.

My only bit of advice would be to get a job, any job to show you're willing to work and keep busy regardless no matter what the situation. Even seasonal work at this time of year.

Essentially letting them know you are willing to roll up your sleeves. Charity work. Volunteering etc etc.....

Keep busy and you'll get your break.. Best of luck.