Second Interviews
Discussion
I had an interview for an IT role on Thursday, with the IT and HR managers. Have been asked to go for 2nd interview MOnday with IT Manager and his deputy.
First interview was the usual, included discussion of CV, company, history etc, as well as partly competency based.
What should/could I expect in second interview?
First interview was the usual, included discussion of CV, company, history etc, as well as partly competency based.
What should/could I expect in second interview?
Much depends - sometimes they are just a case of going to the boss 'here's the final two, who do you reckon will fit best with the team'.
Equally, they can be with the next level up the food chain and more technical competency orientated rather than behavioural competency based. They may also include a presentation, written/technical tests and a thorough grilling about past achievements and tangible results.
It's actually far better to get a job following a tough second interview because you know that the Company really wants to invest in the right person.
Are you applying direct or going through an agency - if it's the latter, they should tell you exactly what to expect. Otherwise, there's no harm in contacting the recruiting HR team and giving it the old 'thank you for your time the other day, I'm pleased to be invited back - is there anything specific you would like me to prepare for the second interview'
Good luck!
DC
Equally, they can be with the next level up the food chain and more technical competency orientated rather than behavioural competency based. They may also include a presentation, written/technical tests and a thorough grilling about past achievements and tangible results.
It's actually far better to get a job following a tough second interview because you know that the Company really wants to invest in the right person.
Are you applying direct or going through an agency - if it's the latter, they should tell you exactly what to expect. Otherwise, there's no harm in contacting the recruiting HR team and giving it the old 'thank you for your time the other day, I'm pleased to be invited back - is there anything specific you would like me to prepare for the second interview'
Good luck!
DC
Vron said:
Any tips for a third interview?!?! My second interview mirrored what you have already said.
In the odd case we've gone to a third it's been because there were two people who the other HR reps and recruiting management couldn't separate - nothing more than that.Usually a third interview would have been done by me as the Head of HR and the MD and we would do purely behavioural competence based questions around stuff like team working, result orientation, self motivation, communication and strategic awareness (if applicable). This would be because we would assume the technical elements were well covered.
Our third interviews would be tough - never aggressive or uncomfortable because we want to get the best from people - but the questions would be more pointed and we would always dig into the answers...
I always give the same advice to anyone at any stage of an interview process - be yourself and don't walk out thinking you wished you covered something, because it's too late then.
Good luck!
DC
I have always, without exception, declined second interviews. As for the prospect of a third.....
I don't see the point. If a company can't be organised enough to find out everything they need in one interview and/or are not prepared to delegate recruitment responsibility to the people present in the first interview then I don't want to work there. You have to assume that the people conducting the first interview are those that know about the job on offer and are the people the recruit will be working with so why not let them decide who can do it?
Think about it. Do you want to work somewhere where everything has to be checked by "a manager", where no responsibility is delegated, where your professional judgement won't be trusted? No? Then why go to a second interview, because that is what the company is saying to those employees who conducted the first one. If they need to be involved then they should be involved from the start.
I don't see the point. If a company can't be organised enough to find out everything they need in one interview and/or are not prepared to delegate recruitment responsibility to the people present in the first interview then I don't want to work there. You have to assume that the people conducting the first interview are those that know about the job on offer and are the people the recruit will be working with so why not let them decide who can do it?
Think about it. Do you want to work somewhere where everything has to be checked by "a manager", where no responsibility is delegated, where your professional judgement won't be trusted? No? Then why go to a second interview, because that is what the company is saying to those employees who conducted the first one. If they need to be involved then they should be involved from the start.
stemll said:
I have always, without exception, declined second interviews. As for the prospect of a third.....
I don't see the point. If a company can't be organised enough to find out everything they need in one interview and/or are not prepared to delegate recruitment responsibility to the people present in the first interview then I don't want to work there. You have to assume that the people conducting the first interview are those that know about the job on offer and are the people the recruit will be working with so why not let them decide who can do it?
Think about it. Do you want to work somewhere where everything has to be checked by "a manager", where no responsibility is delegated, where your professional judgement won't be trusted? No? Then why go to a second interview, because that is what the company is saying to those employees who conducted the first one. If they need to be involved then they should be involved from the start.
It depends on the level really I wouldn't expect to be involved in or go beyond one interview for anyone up to supervisor level. Supervisor to mid management I would expect my recruiting manager to run two interviews - the first and second interviews though would look for totally different things.I don't see the point. If a company can't be organised enough to find out everything they need in one interview and/or are not prepared to delegate recruitment responsibility to the people present in the first interview then I don't want to work there. You have to assume that the people conducting the first interview are those that know about the job on offer and are the people the recruit will be working with so why not let them decide who can do it?
Think about it. Do you want to work somewhere where everything has to be checked by "a manager", where no responsibility is delegated, where your professional judgement won't be trusted? No? Then why go to a second interview, because that is what the company is saying to those employees who conducted the first one. If they need to be involved then they should be involved from the start.
If I was recruiting at senior management or Director level I may in the very odd exception go to a third and would be directly involved. However even MD level recruitment is usually done over two interviews.
stemll said:
I have always, without exception, declined second interviews. As for the prospect of a third.....
I don't see the point. If a company can't be organised enough to find out everything they need in one interview and/or are not prepared to delegate recruitment responsibility to the people present in the first interview then I don't want to work there. You have to assume that the people conducting the first interview are those that know about the job on offer and are the people the recruit will be working with so why not let them decide who can do it?
Think about it. Do you want to work somewhere where everything has to be checked by "a manager", where no responsibility is delegated, where your professional judgement won't be trusted? No? Then why go to a second interview, because that is what the company is saying to those employees who conducted the first one. If they need to be involved then they should be involved from the start.
I don't see the point. If a company can't be organised enough to find out everything they need in one interview and/or are not prepared to delegate recruitment responsibility to the people present in the first interview then I don't want to work there. You have to assume that the people conducting the first interview are those that know about the job on offer and are the people the recruit will be working with so why not let them decide who can do it?
Think about it. Do you want to work somewhere where everything has to be checked by "a manager", where no responsibility is delegated, where your professional judgement won't be trusted? No? Then why go to a second interview, because that is what the company is saying to those employees who conducted the first one. If they need to be involved then they should be involved from the start.
Hilarious mate. No, really.
The only people who get jobs here on one interview are the people who wash up the cups.
stemll said:
I have always, without exception, declined second interviews. As for the prospect of a third.....
I don't see the point. If a company can't be organised enough to find out everything they need in one interview and/or are not prepared to delegate recruitment responsibility to the people present in the first interview then I don't want to work there. You have to assume that the people conducting the first interview are those that know about the job on offer and are the people the recruit will be working with so why not let them decide who can do it?
Think about it. Do you want to work somewhere where everything has to be checked by "a manager", where no responsibility is delegated, where your professional judgement won't be trusted? No? Then why go to a second interview, because that is what the company is saying to those employees who conducted the first one. If they need to be involved then they should be involved from the start.
You have got to be sI don't see the point. If a company can't be organised enough to find out everything they need in one interview and/or are not prepared to delegate recruitment responsibility to the people present in the first interview then I don't want to work there. You have to assume that the people conducting the first interview are those that know about the job on offer and are the people the recruit will be working with so why not let them decide who can do it?
Think about it. Do you want to work somewhere where everything has to be checked by "a manager", where no responsibility is delegated, where your professional judgement won't be trusted? No? Then why go to a second interview, because that is what the company is saying to those employees who conducted the first one. If they need to be involved then they should be involved from the start.
tting me?!Places like Goldman's can often have up to 5 or 6 interviews. You need to be vetted/seen by multiple business areas, different departments/areas ranging from HR to Technical people to Directors etc. Not to mention a few techincal/business related tests. You think anyone high up in an organisation wants to bother seeing everyone interviewed?
ps. How is Tescos these days?
ChrisMCoupe said:
stemll said:
I have always, without exception, declined second interviews. As for the prospect of a third.....
I don't see the point. If a company can't be organised enough to find out everything they need in one interview and/or are not prepared to delegate recruitment responsibility to the people present in the first interview then I don't want to work there. You have to assume that the people conducting the first interview are those that know about the job on offer and are the people the recruit will be working with so why not let them decide who can do it?
Think about it. Do you want to work somewhere where everything has to be checked by "a manager", where no responsibility is delegated, where your professional judgement won't be trusted? No? Then why go to a second interview, because that is what the company is saying to those employees who conducted the first one. If they need to be involved then they should be involved from the start.
You have got to be sI don't see the point. If a company can't be organised enough to find out everything they need in one interview and/or are not prepared to delegate recruitment responsibility to the people present in the first interview then I don't want to work there. You have to assume that the people conducting the first interview are those that know about the job on offer and are the people the recruit will be working with so why not let them decide who can do it?
Think about it. Do you want to work somewhere where everything has to be checked by "a manager", where no responsibility is delegated, where your professional judgement won't be trusted? No? Then why go to a second interview, because that is what the company is saying to those employees who conducted the first one. If they need to be involved then they should be involved from the start.
tting me?!Places like Goldman's can often have up to 5 or 6 interviews. You need to be vetted/seen by multiple business areas, different departments/areas ranging from HR to Technical people to Directors etc. Not to mention a few techincal/business related tests. You think anyone high up in an organisation wants to bother seeing everyone interviewed?
ps. How is Tescos these days?
Soovy said:
stemll said:
I have always, without exception, declined second interviews. As for the prospect of a third.....
I don't see the point. If a company can't be organised enough to find out everything they need in one interview and/or are not prepared to delegate recruitment responsibility to the people present in the first interview then I don't want to work there. You have to assume that the people conducting the first interview are those that know about the job on offer and are the people the recruit will be working with so why not let them decide who can do it?
Think about it. Do you want to work somewhere where everything has to be checked by "a manager", where no responsibility is delegated, where your professional judgement won't be trusted? No? Then why go to a second interview, because that is what the company is saying to those employees who conducted the first one. If they need to be involved then they should be involved from the start.
I don't see the point. If a company can't be organised enough to find out everything they need in one interview and/or are not prepared to delegate recruitment responsibility to the people present in the first interview then I don't want to work there. You have to assume that the people conducting the first interview are those that know about the job on offer and are the people the recruit will be working with so why not let them decide who can do it?
Think about it. Do you want to work somewhere where everything has to be checked by "a manager", where no responsibility is delegated, where your professional judgement won't be trusted? No? Then why go to a second interview, because that is what the company is saying to those employees who conducted the first one. If they need to be involved then they should be involved from the start.
Hilarious mate. No, really.
The only people who get jobs here on one interview are the people who wash up the cups.
stemll said:
You guys are soooo funny, no really.
In 25 years in IT I've been out of work for a total of 2 months (and that in one period of 2 months). I earn enough to have a 4 bed detached house 35 minutes from central London so not doing bad for washing the cups.
Oh chill the hell out man.In 25 years in IT I've been out of work for a total of 2 months (and that in one period of 2 months). I earn enough to have a 4 bed detached house 35 minutes from central London so not doing bad for washing the cups.
Vron said:
The third interview is with the MD whom I have not met yet and my (hopefully to be) line manager who conducted my second interview.
Sounds right - expect a behavioural competence interview and more drill down on your answers. The other option will be a shortish interview where the MD will just want to make sure you've not got two heads and breathe fire...Good luck
DC
Soovy said:
ChrisMCoupe said:
stemll said:
I have always, without exception, declined second interviews. As for the prospect of a third.....
I don't see the point. If a company can't be organised enough to find out everything they need in one interview and/or are not prepared to delegate recruitment responsibility to the people present in the first interview then I don't want to work there. You have to assume that the people conducting the first interview are those that know about the job on offer and are the people the recruit will be working with so why not let them decide who can do it?
Think about it. Do you want to work somewhere where everything has to be checked by "a manager", where no responsibility is delegated, where your professional judgement won't be trusted? No? Then why go to a second interview, because that is what the company is saying to those employees who conducted the first one. If they need to be involved then they should be involved from the start.
You have got to be sI don't see the point. If a company can't be organised enough to find out everything they need in one interview and/or are not prepared to delegate recruitment responsibility to the people present in the first interview then I don't want to work there. You have to assume that the people conducting the first interview are those that know about the job on offer and are the people the recruit will be working with so why not let them decide who can do it?
Think about it. Do you want to work somewhere where everything has to be checked by "a manager", where no responsibility is delegated, where your professional judgement won't be trusted? No? Then why go to a second interview, because that is what the company is saying to those employees who conducted the first one. If they need to be involved then they should be involved from the start.
tting me?!Places like Goldman's can often have up to 5 or 6 interviews. You need to be vetted/seen by multiple business areas, different departments/areas ranging from HR to Technical people to Directors etc. Not to mention a few techincal/business related tests. You think anyone high up in an organisation wants to bother seeing everyone interviewed?
ps. How is Tescos these days?
ok, so a little extreme, but in parts of our Firm (direct competitor of GS), we put people through 8 rounds.
A ball ache for Managers to begin with, but they are beginning to see the benefits...
To the guy declining a second interview...dear dear.
Edited by Yanto on Monday 22 February 20:41
Dai Capp said:
Vron said:
The third interview is with the MD whom I have not met yet and my (hopefully to be) line manager who conducted my second interview.
Sounds right - expect a behavioural competence interview and more drill down on your answers. The other option will be a shortish interview where the MD will just want to make sure you've not got two heads and breathe fire...Good luck
DC
I did a 45 minute behavioural competencies during my second interview. I understand there are 2 possibly 3 of us through to final stage. The bizarre thing is I worked for the company for 10 years then left 4 years ago and now am applying to go back. The irony is its a job I have always wanted but was never vacant during my 10 years when I could have applied as an internal candidate. I don't know any of the interviewers though but some of my ex-colleagues who still work there have been contacted for the low down on me!
So - don't burn any bridges is my advice.
Vron said:
Dai Capp said:
Vron said:
The third interview is with the MD whom I have not met yet and my (hopefully to be) line manager who conducted my second interview.
Sounds right - expect a behavioural competence interview and more drill down on your answers. The other option will be a shortish interview where the MD will just want to make sure you've not got two heads and breathe fire...Good luck
DC
I did a 45 minute behavioural competencies during my second interview. I understand there are 2 possibly 3 of us through to final stage. The bizarre thing is I worked for the company for 10 years then left 4 years ago and now am applying to go back. The irony is its a job I have always wanted but was never vacant during my 10 years when I could have applied as an internal candidate. I don't know any of the interviewers though but some of my ex-colleagues who still work there have been contacted for the low down on me!
So - don't burn any bridges is my advice.
Enjoy, relax and good luck...
DC
Broadly speaking the policy at my old company (and many others) was that a first interview was looking for a reason to hire you, the second interview was looking for a reason not to.
Asking someone back for a third interview usually suggest some area of uncertainty, though some companies do it as a matter of course, and as mentioned some companies have 5-6 or more for senior positions.
If you can, find out if this is normal policy for the role you are going for, and unless you get a definite "yes" (and even if you do it's not a bad idea) then ask if there are any particular areas they are unsure of or wanted to find out more about in the third interview. If you are being put forward by a recruitment consultant then definitely ask him this. He should have a fair idea already.
steml
If you're talking about contracting that's fairly normal, but IMO having two interviews, and getting a second opinion on fit and ability is quite a sensible policy. One could equally ask if you would want to work in a company where they hired anyone that got on ok with the HR girl for an hour?
Asking someone back for a third interview usually suggest some area of uncertainty, though some companies do it as a matter of course, and as mentioned some companies have 5-6 or more for senior positions.
If you can, find out if this is normal policy for the role you are going for, and unless you get a definite "yes" (and even if you do it's not a bad idea) then ask if there are any particular areas they are unsure of or wanted to find out more about in the third interview. If you are being put forward by a recruitment consultant then definitely ask him this. He should have a fair idea already.
steml
If you're talking about contracting that's fairly normal, but IMO having two interviews, and getting a second opinion on fit and ability is quite a sensible policy. One could equally ask if you would want to work in a company where they hired anyone that got on ok with the HR girl for an hour?
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