How to prepare for a second interview

You’ve made it passed the first interview and have been called in for a second interview. Great! You may wonder how you should prepare for this interview and how will it differ from your first interview?

In this article, we aim to answer all the above questions, and share some second interview tips to help you prepare for your second interview, feel confident and improve your chances of a great interview.

Read more: Interview tips

What is the difference between the first interview and the second?

Your first interview was used to test your personality and assess your basic skills, and suitability for the job. It gives you interviewer a chance to go through your CV and make sure that your CV, cover letter and skill set all match up (by quizzing you on these points). Find out how to prepare for a second interview. 

The second interview will be used to explore why you are different (and better) than the competition. This will be discovered through asking more detailed and in-depth questions surrounding your experience and achievements.

Read more: Most common interview mistakes

What to expect in a second interview?

You will likely feel much calmer in your second interview compared with your first interview. By now, you should have a good understanding of the company and their team, and you have the added benefit of having already met your interviewer.

In your second interview, you will possibly meet other senior members of staff, your direct line manager, someone who is currently in the job role you’re interviewing for, and so on.

A second interview is a great way for employers to discover more about you that wasn’t covered the first time around. They are also used for particularly competitive roles, to compare candidates, so be mindful of this and make sure you make a positive lasting impression.

Your interviewer will be interested in discussing the following:

More detailed questions – With such a limited amount of time in a first interview, the second interview provides a great way to ask you more questions, and more detailed questions. You can also use this time to ask any questions your forgot to ask in your first interviews (possibly down to nerves or excitement).

Proof of your skills – A this stage you will be required to prove the skills or achievements that you have discussed, giving real life examples.

Discussion of salary expectations – Now is a good time to review the salary being offered and to potentially negotiate to a higher salary. If you plan on negotiating, make sure you’re armed with the most up to date average salaries for similar roles, so you can support the rationale behind the adjustment.

Exploring the workplace and meeting the team – If you have proved yourself to be a good fit for the business and the role, you may be invited to explore the facilities and meet members of the team. This is used to gauge whether you would be a good fit with the company and team culture. Remember to be polite and friendly, and use this opportunity to get a feel for the environment you could potentially be working in.

Tying up loose ends – Finally, your interviewer may use this second interview as a chance to wrap up any concerns and prepare to hire you. This could include discussing a potential start date, any holidays you have booked after your start date, commute time and transportation links. To help keep things moving smoothly, be sure to have this information to hand.

Read more: Common interview questions

What questions to ask in a second interview?

Asking questions in your interview shows you care about the job you’re applying for, are ready to make an impact in the organisation, and have something to add. That said, it can be difficult to think of questions on the spot at the end of your interview, so make sure you have at least a couple of questions prepared to ask at the end of your interview.

In our ‘How to prepare for an interview’ article, we shared some questions you can ask in your interview, and these are also applicable for your second interview.

Questions to consider asking in your interview include:

• What are the day-to-day responsibilities of the job role?
• What are the company’s values?
• What characteristics do you look for in employees?
• What’s your favourite part about working here?
• What does success look like in this position? How will that be measured?
• Are there opportunities for growth and professional development?
• Who will I work closest with?
• What will the most challenging part of this job be?
• Is there anything about my experience that makes you question whether I would be suitable for this role?

Second Interview tips

• Be positive. You have already made a good enough impression to be called back.
• Be specific. Answer questions in detail and provide examples where possible.
• Be friendly. This is especially true on your workplace tour.
• Be professional. Don’t assume that you have already got the job because you have been called back.
• Be thankful. Thank your interviewer for their time and for the opportunity to interview for the role.
• Be outstanding. Stand out from your competition and send a follow-up email shortly after your interview.

Good luck!

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