Preparing for a Second Interview
Candidates who are being seriously considered for a position are frequently invited for a second interview. If a company representative considers you to be a qualified candidate for employment, an invitation to continue with the process will be extended. In most cases you will receive a telephone call inviting you to schedule a second interview.
The Opportunity
Since the second interview is used to measure mutual fit, you should prepare yourself to become more integrally involved in the interview process. We recommend that you ask more specific questions regarding the department, your potential role within the organization, etc.
Expenses
Some invitations to a second round can include expenses; this is primarily true for those candidates traveling out of town or great distances for the interview. If the invitation does not mention expenses, contact the employer for clarification. Most employers pay all reasonable expenses incurred on visits, yet the company will expect you to use good judgment in reporting your expenses. Keep records for transportation, food and lodging. If you are planning to visit more than one employer on the same trip, inform each of them and they will assist you in prorating your expenses. The following items are not considered to be normal expenses: entertainment, tours, cigarettes, alcoholic beverages, magazines, personal calls, valet expenses, flight insurance and excessive tips.
Preparation
Researching the company should include speaking to someone who works for the company or someone who has done business with or are in competition with the company. This inside information will help you in the second interview. Be sure you understand the business, its mission, goals, business philosophy and management style. For more information regarding preparation, please refer to the Researching Employers handout.
The Interview
The office visit could be conducted in much the same way as your initial interview. Other possibilities include a panel interview, in which a group of people ask you questions, or you may be expected to interview with several people individually. Second interviews can vary in length from half an hour to a full day of interviews and could also involve tours and meals with a variety of company employees. Talking to all of these people can be draining, so be prepared to stay energized throughout the day.
Business Etiquette
It is not unusual to be taken out to lunch or even dinner as part of your second interview. At such events it is essential to remember and practice everything you ever learned about table manners. For more information please review our Dining Etiquette handout. Here are some basic guidelines:
- Don't smoke or drink alcoholic beverages (even if invited).
- Order something that is easy to eat (avoid spaghetti, juicy hamburgers, etc.) and which is moderately priced.
- Put your napkin on your lap prior to beginning your meal.
- If you are confused as to which fork to use, generally speaking, you should work your way from the outside in. And, remember, “eat to the left, drink to the right.” This means your bread plate is on the left, your water glass etc. is on the right.
- Remember, even though your luncheon host may not be your potential supervisor (he or she may even be a recent college grad), you are still being scrutinized and sized up for a correct "fit" with the organization. You should view the meal as an extension of the interview.
Testing
Some employers may ask you to take a series of tests. At this stage, employers are interested in how well you might fit in with the organization. These tests will generally be objective in nature, and often provide information about your aptitudes, general intelligence, interests or personality. They are legal assuming all candidates are asked to take the test. Answer the questions honestly, not how you think they might want you to answer.
Follow-Up Letter
After the office visit, you should write a follow-up note to the individual(s) responsible for the interview. A handwritten thank you letter could be the deciding factor in whether or not you receive a job offer. The follow-up letter is best sent within 24 hours of the interview. Make sure it is thoroughly proofread to avoid typos or grammatical mistakes.
Interviewing Tips
- Offer new information. If you talked about your experiences and accomplishments the first time, now talk briefly about your ideas. You want the interviewer to know more about you, just as you want to learn more about the organization.
- Join FalconNet (www.bentley.edu/falconnet) and talk to fellow students and alumni who may have worked for the employer you are interviewing with. Let your research show. Quote some of the people in your Falcon Network that you talked to -- not naming them if it's inappropriate. What issues did they raise? This lets the interviewer see that you are serious about the job without gushing about how much you think you would like it.
- Ask more specific questions. What questions must you have answered before you can make an informed choice? (If you can't think of any, you're not thinking deeply enough).
*For more information regarding this topic, please refer to any one of these additional helpful interviewing handouts: Interviewing Questions - The Resume-Based Interview, Behavioral Interviewing, The Case Interview, and The Technical Interview.
