Bravo! You’ve made it through the first round of interviews and just received a call-back for a second interview. While it’s great to celebrate successfully clearing this first hurdle in the hiring process, it’s important to not lose sight of the larger goal. Receiving an invitation for a second interview is the company’s way of saying they want to get to know you better and assess how you fit in with the perspective role within the company culture.
Under the Magnifier
The second interview can feel akin to adjusting the focus on a microscope or a photo lens. The interested parties are looking for more from you and more about you. For the interviewee this means the potential of more people to talk to, more intensity and more pressure. The information received at the first interview will be scrutinized at a much deeper level, too. In most cases, this is a great opportunity to apply your own deep analysis to the people and processes at the company, the competitors, and the industry at-large.
Looking with Fresh Eyes
The initial interview process can feel overwhelming and an applicant can leave the interview feeling a little dazed with the stress and concentration of the endeavor. If you’re lucky enough to receive a call for a second interview, this is a great time to re-examine the position, workplace and potential colleagues in a fresh perspective. This is also a good time to use that viewpoint to explore potential challenges the company could be facing and how you might be of assistance in solving some of those issues.
During a second interview it’s also important to remember employees throughout the company are assessing your fit culturally for the organization. At this juncture, it’s important to make yourself available for conversation and to answer questions before, during and after the interview with everyone you come in contact with. You never know when a receptionist or colleague from another department might be in on the assessment process.
Setting Yourself Apart
In most open positions, there’s a good chance several candidates received an invitation for a second interview. All could potentially have similar skill sets. In this case, it’s especially important to use the second interview to demonstrate how your personality and work ethic also apply to the position and the overall goals of the company.
Tips to Make a Positive Impression
- Be friendly
- Dress for success
- Be reliable
- Demonstrate skills, experience and connections
- Assess without distress
- Meet potential colleagues and managers
- Request an office tour
- Read up on the latest external company and employee news
- Be confident
- Write and send post-interview paper thank you notes
- Be yourself
At Austin Nichols Technical Search we pride ourselves on quality interactions with our clients throughout the recruiting process. This includes everything from resume assessment and interview preparations to the final negotiation stage. Click here to learn more about the recruiter staff at Austin Nichols Technical Search.
As a top Kansas City recruiting firm since 1988, Austin Nichols Technical Search has served clients in a variety of fields and specializations. Austin Nichols specializes in direct hire and contract recruiting for all generations in manufacturing, construction, engineering, and technical positions.
