More and more companies no longer make personnel decisions based on a single job interview. Instead, there are several selection rounds. But what should you say in the second interview that you haven’t said in the first? The uncertainty among applicants who are invited to the “recall” is often great. The fact is: with the invitation to the second interview you are very, very close to the goal. We will help you with information and tips to optimally prepare for the second selection round.
Tips for preparing for the second interview
Of course, you would prefer a single interview to have been enough and you would have known long ago whether you got the job or not. However, many companies are now making more effort than before to fill important positions in the company. Especially in management positions, it can be good that there are several interviews between you and the hoped-for acceptance of the company
If you’re invited to a second interview, that’s good news. After all, it means that you made it into the circle of the most promising applicants. Usually, only a handful of applicants are invited to the second round.
Even if you would probably prefer not to be put to the test again, you should realize that your chances are fundamentally very good. You not only convinced on paper but also at the first personal meeting. Now it is time to make a good impression again and to show yourself as a motivated, capable applicant.
Take lessons from the first interview
You have several advantages at the second interview: First, you are probably a little less nervous than at the first interview in the company. You probably already know some of the people you are talking to from the first meeting. Second, you can learn lessons from the first interview. Ask yourself something like:
- What went well in the first conversation?
- Could something have gone better?
- What was the topic and what has been left out so far?
- Which things are likely to be brought up again?
It also helps you to analyze your first job interview for your body language. Do you think you looked confident? Or did you act a little too cautiously? With the second interview, you have a second chance to do it (even) better this time and to completely convince those responsible for you. Think about what impression you want to leave and what is crucial for it.
How well the second interview goes depends heavily on your preparation. In addition to analyzing the first interview, this also includes refreshing your knowledge of the company and the position. You should have a very good knowledge of the company’s structures and fields of activity. Find out about current developments.
Inform yourself about your interlocutors
Prepare yourself for your interlocutors too. Usually, when you are invited to the second selection round, you will be told with whom the interview will take place. If this is not the case, feel free to ask yourself – this is completely legitimate, shows your interest, and is very useful for the preparation. Find out about your interlocutors as best you can.
Preparation also includes the question of what to wear. You should choose a different outfit than what you were wearing during the first interview. However, you can orientate yourself and there is nothing against choosing individual items of clothing again.
Questions in the second interview: That can come to you
Before the second interview, many applicants ask themselves whether they are being asked the same questions again as during the first interview. It depends on who your interlocutors are. At the second interview, you will usually meet people who were there at the first meeting. In addition, there is usually a higher-ranking decision-maker present who you do not yet know.
The fact that there are overlaps in the questions between the first and the second interview can hardly be avoided. After all, previously unknown interlocutors do not know your answers to the questions you have already asked, or at most through the stories of the other decision-makers. Only if you meet the same people again, it is less likely that they will want to know the same thing about you again.
You should therefore be prepared to be asked in the second interview what your strengths and weaknesses are, where your motivation for the position comes from, why you are suitable for it and what particularly appeals to you about this company. You can also expect questions about your goals.
Why it is not bad to give the same answers
You may feel a little weird if you give the same answer to the same questions. After all, some of those present have already heard this answer. But that’s not your fault and it’s not a problem either. Answer all questions as if you had never answered them before. Keep eye contact with the people who were there the first time.
It would be a mistake to shorten your answers a lot or to say that you have already explained that. Do not deviate at the core of your answer from what you said in the first selection round. Your conversation partners are very likely to pay attention to whether your earlier answers are consistent with the content of the later answers. If you contradict yourself, that is a disadvantage.
Prepare also to have to introduce yourself again. Even when introducing yourself, you can basically repeat what you have already said to yourself. It makes sense if you do this in a slightly different way without fundamentally changing your answer. Here, too, the following applies: Do not shorten your self-introduction but take a few minutes to reveal more about yourself, especially to the previously unknown interlocutor.
Prepare yourself for stress questions
In addition to the known questions, it may well be that you will be asked a few stressful or tricky questions in the second interview. Such tricky questions are naturally unpopular with applicants. But make it clear to yourself: Of course, your answer is important. However, it is also crucial how you react to such a question when you are under stress. Feel free to take the time to plan your answer. The worst thing you can do is react in a snap.
It may well be that the second interview questions are more detailed than the previous questions. Stress questions lose their horror if you prepare yourself beforehand to the specific questions that could be asked of you.
You may be asked why you consider yourself the best candidate or which weaknesses could stand in your way in particular in your possible future job. You may also be asked how to proceed if there is a conflict with other people in the department. It is also popular to ask which quality about colleagues annoys you the most.
You may be asked what your previous boss would say about you. Or your interlocutors ask you to express criticism of their company or certain procedures. An honest answer and a lot of sensitivity are required here – after all, you don’t want to say anything too negative, but you shouldn’t simply reply that you don’t see any points of criticism.
Second interview: Ask your own questions
You also have the opportunity to ask your own questions in the second interview. You should take advantage of this opportunity. The same applies to the second interview: With your own questions, you show that you are really interested in the position. This is made more difficult in the second interview, however, because you probably asked a lot of questions in the first interview. You should not ask these questions again in the same form unless they were not adequately answered the last time.
Before the interview, think about what else you can find out. You can find out more about the structure in the department, the tasks, or the composition of the team. You can ask what the decision-makers want from their prospective employees and what expectations they have when it comes to the performance of the position. It is also conceivable that you ask your interlocutors why they like to work for the company themselves. You can also inquire about promotion opportunities.
On the one hand, it is advisable to think about your own questions in the second interview beforehand. On the other hand, you should stay flexible. You will likely learn new aspects in the second interview that you can build on with your own questions. You will be prepared for this if you have paper and pen with you. Take notes when you receive information that you have a question about. If you write down your questions, you won’t forget them later. This is especially important for nervous candidates.
Convince in the second interview: These aspects are important
In addition to good preparation, it is crucial for the second interview that you appear interested and motivated. Be as confident as possible, without being arrogant to work. Keep in mind that you were already convinced in the first conversation – otherwise, you would not have made it to the next round. The second conversation is anything but a sure-fire success, but in principle, the prospects are good for you.
You also demonstrate your interest by building on what was discussed in the first interview. With questions or comments that take up what your conversation partner said, you show that you have listened carefully and made further thoughts about it. Perhaps an idea for a procedure or a possible project can be derived from the findings from the first conversation? With such transfer thoughts, you can give your conversation partners a foretaste of how committed you are in everyday professional life.
At the latest in the second interview, it will be about money. Prepare to explain and justify your salary expectations. Think about what you would (still) be satisfied with. If you are offered too low an amount, don’t let anyone show you that it isn’t what you want. Better to think about whether the job is still an option for you or not in the peace of your home.
After the second interview, the ball lies with the potential employer. But you can still do something. A short email confirming your interest and thanking you for the informative interview can set you apart from your remaining competitors. Express in your message that you would be very happy to be accepted. However, you shouldn’t build up pressure. Keep your email short and the tone polite.