You did
it -- you got the job interview! Now they want you to ... come back
for a second one.
What
can you expect? What's the main difference between a first and second
job interview?
And how should you prepare?
"The
first interview is a screening process, to make sure you're qualified
for the job. The second one is usually to see if they like you and
to make
sure you fit the corporate culture," according to Carole Martin,
the
Interview Coach (www.interviewcoach.com) and author of the new book,
"Boost
Your Interview IQ."
You
can expect to meet different people each time. While the first
interview may be conducted by your future boss, the second could be
led by
an HR manager. And every interviewer has their own agenda, so keep
that in
mind as you prepare.
"In
the first interview, you may be asked more technical questions about
the position itself, to see if you can really do it. In a second interview,
someone from HR may ask you more about yourself, to gauge your personality.
You can expect behavioral questions, too, such as 'Tell me about a
time you
solved a problem for your last employer,'" says Martin.
Are
you going to hit the ground running after you're hired? Or are you
going to be high-maintenance? That's what employers want to find out.
Here's
another tip: on a second interview, be prepared for anything,
including an unprepared employer.
"Many
hiring managers do not have or use prepared questions," says
Steve
Kobs, a human resource management professional from Shoreview, Minn.
"Candidate
perception of these interviewers varies from bumbling
seat-of-the-pants types to the confident, well prepared executive.
Some
people characterize these interviews more like 'conversations,' but
be
aware you are still being evaluated," advises Kobs.
Managers
with unscripted interviews are often looking for personality
traits rather than specific knowledge, skills and abilities. They
may rely
on a gut feel to make hiring decisions by choosing a candidate who
"feels
right" to them.
With
this in mind, what are your most valuable tools in a second interview?
Your ears, according to Carole Martin.
"Employers
will drop clues about what they're really looking for in a new
hire. If they keep asking about your experience using Microsoft Access,
for
example, you can be sure that your database skills are a critical
requirement for the job," says Martin.
Make
sure you understand the employer's key concerns, so you can address
them. A good way is to simply ask, "Can you tell me more about
the
challenges you're facing with databases?" for example. Then answer
their
concerns and prove you're the one to hire.
Here's the bottom line.
Employers
will call you for a second interview (or any interview) because
they have a problem. Whether it's a need for more revenue, greater
efficiency or better customer service, employers have an itch they
want to
scratch. To ace the interview, demonstrate that you can solve problems
and
make life better for your new boss.
And
while you're at it, emphasize your unique skills and experience. Doing
so will give you an edge in today's competitive job market.
"You
not only want to focus on the employer's needs and how you can help,
you also want to tell them what you can do that the next candidate
can't.
You should never go into an interview bland, like vanilla, and expect
to
succeed," says Martin.
So there you have it.
A
second job interview is as much about your people skills as your
professional skills. To succeed, be sure to research the company,
ask smart
questions and act the part of "Miss Congeniality." Doing
so will help you
get the right job at the right company. Faster.
Now,
go out and make your own luck!
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