Second Interview - What to expect?
Discussion
hi folks, hopefully someone can give me a few pointers?
I am service engineer and was headhunter recently for a field service job in a different sector than I currently work. I had the first interview and been successful to make it to the second interview, but what should I expect and how should I prepare for it best?
It is a different industry to the one I currently work in, but there are certain technical aspects that are the same or similar... just looking for tips or help on what best to research or revise?
Can anyone give me any pointers?
I am service engineer and was headhunter recently for a field service job in a different sector than I currently work. I had the first interview and been successful to make it to the second interview, but what should I expect and how should I prepare for it best?
It is a different industry to the one I currently work in, but there are certain technical aspects that are the same or similar... just looking for tips or help on what best to research or revise?
Can anyone give me any pointers?
I think there are too many variables. Often, a second interview is a comparison between you and one other person. It may be a technical one, or it may simply be a personality thing, to see how you get on with your prospective co-workers. Then again, if the first interview was with 30 people, you could be up against 5 or so other people.
By now you should know what the job entails, so maybe you should be thinking about how you can apply your skills, and what your weaknesses are.
By now you should know what the job entails, so maybe you should be thinking about how you can apply your skills, and what your weaknesses are.
The best way if you can is to ask them, ideally during the first interview or when they ask you back for a second, "what is the purpose of the second interview?"
Also look at who the second interview is with. Say that the first interview was with a Senior Engineer and the second interview is with the MD then likely the MD will be less interested in the technical skills as that should have been covered in the first interview, and more interested in "soft" skills such as team fit, and customer facing ability.
It varies hugely company to company, the rule of thumb at my old company was that the first interview (with the prospective Manager) is looking for a reason to hire and the second interview (with the more experienced Director) is looking for a reason not to.
Finally they will want to get a second opinion on any reservations that came out of the first interview, so think about anything that you didn't answer very well or very completely and think how you can answer it again this time around.
Good luck, and have confidence. They wouldn't have asked you back for a second interview if the first didn't go well.
Also look at who the second interview is with. Say that the first interview was with a Senior Engineer and the second interview is with the MD then likely the MD will be less interested in the technical skills as that should have been covered in the first interview, and more interested in "soft" skills such as team fit, and customer facing ability.
It varies hugely company to company, the rule of thumb at my old company was that the first interview (with the prospective Manager) is looking for a reason to hire and the second interview (with the more experienced Director) is looking for a reason not to.
Finally they will want to get a second opinion on any reservations that came out of the first interview, so think about anything that you didn't answer very well or very completely and think how you can answer it again this time around.
Good luck, and have confidence. They wouldn't have asked you back for a second interview if the first didn't go well.
Impossible to know without we know what the job is, and what they are looking for. The answer is lots of Googling I think. Not just information on the company and the people you know to work there, but what other similar companies there are, and what they do.
Research is a strange thing. So long as you do the work, things have this tendency to go well. Whether it is the confidence it gives, or the fact that you can at least say something relevant when you don't know an answer, the interviewers can tell you made that effort. In the end, being that bit better prepared than the next guy can make a massive difference.
Research is a strange thing. So long as you do the work, things have this tendency to go well. Whether it is the confidence it gives, or the fact that you can at least say something relevant when you don't know an answer, the interviewers can tell you made that effort. In the end, being that bit better prepared than the next guy can make a massive difference.
Best thing to do for a 2nd interview. Ring the company explain you have an interview and you would like to talk to someone who does the same job as you would be doing. Speak to them, you will be amazed how few people do this, also chances are he has done the exact same interview as you will be doing and will be able to give pointers. then in said interview mention that you spoke to Joe Bloggs and are now keener than ever to do the job etc...
Doing the above has never failed for me in getting the offer on the table!
Good Luck!!
Doing the above has never failed for me in getting the offer on the table!
Good Luck!!
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