After your first interview, usually with a junior HR staffer, you’re told that you’ve made the first cut.
You eagerly wait for the next step in the hiring process, the second (or “2nd”) interview:
The second interview can sometimes be informal, and with a different system than the first. There are several reasons for a second interview. They might want to verify some of the answers you gave during the first interview, or they want to know if your will be a good fit with the company.
It is, of course, a good sign that the company is interested in the things that they saw during the first interview and would like to know more about you.
However, it’s not a guarantee that you got the job.
Although they might be different in structure, second interviews are likely to be a bit harder than the first, and you need to prepare to answer questions about your competencies and past performance.
Your second interview might also be with someone who interviewed you previously. Or, most likely, with your future supervisor or manager.
(Sometimes, second interviews can also be with a panel, or a group of people interviewing one candidate at the same time. In my experience, companies do this if the job is an urgent requirement, or they want to save time by getting everyone to interview at the same time.)
However, in the case of a second interview being an informal one, here are some Do’s and Don’ts once you’re told that you are going to have another interview:
Do’s For Second Informal Job Interviews
- Do thank the HR person who just interviewed you and, since the first formal interview is over, try to establish rapport by showing your gratitude and enthusiasm at passing this first hurdle.
- Do ask about the date, exact time, and venue for your second interview. If the venue is in another building or city, also ask for directions on how to get there. Of course, if it’s a virtual or video interview, be sure to give your correct email address so that they can send you the Zoom, Google Meet, or other video meeting link.
- Do prepare your answers to some behavioral questions that the next interviewer might throw at you. Behavioral questions usually are meant to probe a candidate’s past behavior in specific situations. You might have been asked a few of these already in your first interview, but expect more of them in your second.
- Do prepare your own questions that you would ask the interviewer. Some good questions that you can consider include the usual working hours, the dress code, or some of the company’s corporate values.
- Finally, do ask your second interviewer about the next step in the hiring process. If the company is in urgent need to hire someone with your experience and skills, they might tell you immediately that HR will prepare a job offer for management’s approval. If it’s not an urgent requirement and they’re looking for other candidates for comparison, then at least you’ll know where you stand.
Don’ts For Second Informal Interviews
- Don’t let your guard down if you’re told that you passed the first interview and they’d like to schedule you for another interview. Even if you might have been told that this second interview would be an informal one, don’t show up in jeans and sneakers. Instead, ask ahead of time what the appropriate dress code would be, then choose attire that’s “one level up” from this.
- Don’t neglect to prepare for your second interview as thoroughly as you did for your first. Your first interview will usually be with a junior HR staffer or assistant, but this second interview will most probably be with a supervisor or a manager who could even be your future boss.
- Don’t forget to review your performance in your first interview. Although it might have gone well, there’s always room for improvement. Remember, you might not be the only candidate for the position, and this second interview is usually for comparison purposes with other possible hires.
- Don’t be surprised if your second interview might have a different format than the first. If the first one is more formal and structured, the second one might be more informal. Some companies can also schedule a group or panel interview to save time and for quick comparison with other candidates. Just expect that this might be the case and don’t let it rattle you.
- Don’t forget to ask at the end of your second interview what the next step or steps will be in the hiring process. Also let them know that you’re still accepting interview invitations from other companies while waiting for their final decision.
So, what should you expect during your second interview?
Less formal
Your second interview might be less formal than your first, and even then, with the same person, too. In my experience, this could happen if there are a lot of candidates who made the first cut and HR wants to trim the list further. If the second interview is with the same person, it may be because some of your answers during the initial interview need to be clarified, or to further validate your experience and competencies before they recommend you to be interviewed by a line manager, who could be your future boss.
The reason it’s often less formal than the first is because they want you to be more relaxed and more likely to open up to their questions.
Probing for soft skills
While the first interview might have been done at an interview room at the office, the second interview might be done at the company’s employee lounge with you and the interviewer sitting in comfortable chairs or even a sofa. This is usually done to get a feel for the candidate’s soft skills, behavior, or interpersonal skills, so make the most of this by just being yourself.
More behavioral questions
Like I mentioned in the Do’s above, more targeted and behavioral questions might be thrown at you during this second interview.
Be prepared to answer behavioral questions such as these:
What was your biggest challenge in your previous or current company and how did you hurdle it? This question is meant to probe how well you respond to stressful situations and as well as your problem-solving skills.
Describe to me some new procedures or processes that you started in your previous job. Your response to this question lets the interviewer know if you’re a person with initiative and not just a pencil-pusher. Prepare for this question by listing down all your initiatives and suggestions made at your current or previous work.
What situations have you experienced when you were asked to do something that you did not agree with but which you did, and it delivered good results? This question tests how well you respond to authority and to decisions made by someone higher up than you. It also tests how well you put the company’s interests above your own.
How to answer questions that probe your soft skills
The second interview is usually a chance to highlight your soft skills, more than your technical skills, which is usually the objective of the first interview.
What is your leadership or management style? What management style are you most comfortable with?
Your reply to this question gives the interviewer some idea of your leadership or management potential. So prepare a good answer, instead of just saying, “Whatever leadership style is usually practiced in your company is OK with me.”
One tip on how to answer this question is to say that you try your best to adjust your leadership or management style depending on the situation. Try to give some examples so that the interviewer will get an idea of your personal leadership style in getting things done.
Can you share with me a time when you worked successfully on a project with a team? What was your role? Most companies are looking for people who are able to work well with others, be it face-to-face or remotely.
Team skills are highly sought after, and the interviewer will most likely try to probe you on this.
How do you spend your free time after work? On weekends? Since the second interview is less formal than your first, this question will come up more often this time around. The interviewer wants to get to know more about your real personality, not just your “work mode”. Be candid and share whatever you think is appropriate. Be on your guard, though, and only disclose those things that are not considered private such as hobbies, sports, or events that you go to.
Have you ever been in a situation where you were in conflict with a colleague or superior? How did you resolve this? It’s inevitable that conflicts do occur in organizations, and the interviewer is usually interested in how you are able to cope with these, and if there are will be any “baggage” that you might be bringing over, should they hire you. If you did experience a similar situation before, be honest and share how the conflict was resolved, or wasn’t.
Prepare your own questions
You might be asked at the end of your interview if you have any questions you might want to ask.
I’ve done hundreds, if not thousands of interviews in my 30 plus years in HR, and let me share with you some questions that impressed me and made me very interested in hiring a candidate:
How would you describe the company’s culture and values? When I’m asked this question, I can see that the candidate is looking to stay long-term with the company and would like to immediately “fit in” with its values and culture.
What do you like most about working for this company? This question gives you a better insight into the company’s culture and establishes more rapport with your interviewer.
When I’m asked this question, I use it as a chance to “sell” the company to candidates that I am eyeing to hire.
What is the company’s vision and mission and how would a person in my role contribute to this? A candidate who asks these questions is thinking long-term and is interested in how he or she is going to be a contributor.
What is the typical career path for this job in your company? This shows that you’re interested in staying long-term and that you think the company will give you an opportunity for a challenging and rewarding career.
How does the company evaluate and reward performance? I get quite excited when candidates ask me this, because it shows that he or she is performance-oriented and could be a high-potential future employee.
So, by asking this question, you’ll know what the company expects of its employees, and how successful performers are rewarded.
Lastly, you can end the interview by asking if you have answered all their questions, and if there is anything else that the recruiter wishes to ask you.
By asking this question, you might also get to know how well you did during the interview.
Bonus question! Why would HR call me in for a second interview if they already gave the position to someone else?
Sometimes you’ll be asked by HR to come for a another interview, even if the position has been filled up.
Your performance in the first interview might not have gotten you to the second interview for this particular job, but you might be qualified for another job. Or, HR might not be too sure about how well the first candidate will do and want you as a backup In either case, you’ve got another chance with the company.
Go for it!
I hope my Do’s and Don’ts, as well as my tips on what you should expect during your second informal interview help you get your dream job.
You’ll know if you did well in your second interview if you’re asked after the interview how much you are currently being paid, or how long is the notice period at your current job.
Most companies at this point will usually let you know that HR will be preparing a job offer for management’s approval, and that they will be contacting you soon. Good luck!
Featured Photo by Christina WOCInTechChat
