On the Job by Anita Bruzzese How to Shine in a Second Interview

On the Job by Anita Bruzzese How to Shine in a Second Interview Congratulations! You've made it past the first round of job interviews, and an employer wants to talk to you again! If you thought your nerves were bad for the first interview, get ready for some more when you meet for the second time. In this round of talks, you're likely to meet officials who are higher up in the company food chain. You'll be asked even more questions, and possibly meet with other employees. The questions may be tougher as the company tries to zero in on your strengths and weaknesses. When you're called in for another interview, begin reviewing your notes from the first interview. What questions were asked more than once? What answers do you wish you could improve? Did any of your answers sound too rehearsed and fake? Just because you answered certain questions in the first interview doesn't mean you won't be asked them again by different people for the next round. You want to make sure that you don't show any impatience with being asked these questions and continue to keep your voice and demeanor confident, enthusiastic and professional. Now it's time for a little sleuthing. Did the interviewer mention issues that were unfamiliar to you? Did he or she drop names that weren't familiar? Were industry issues mentioned that you don't understand in depth? If so, it's time you went online or tapped into your network to find out more. The interviewer probably gave you even more clues about subjects or people that are important -- check into all of them. It's also important that you make sure you're aware of the latest news regarding the company. Did a key official retire since your first interview? Will recently passed legislation impact the industry? You need to show that you're keeping abreast of anything that will affect the employer's bottom line so that you can tailor your answers accordingly. Finally, think about more questions you would like to ask. This is the time when benefits and compensation will begin to come up, so know your bottom line. (It doesn't make sense to accept a job that won't pay you enough to pay your bills.) You also need to think about any issues that concerned you about the company or position, or have the interviewer provide more detailed explanations to clear up confusion.