During the course of our respective career journeys we have all participated in critical “second job interviews” during the hiring process. It is typically at the second interview stage where candidates will compete, shine and are subsequently hired or they falter and are then eliminated from further consideration for a career opportunity.

Obviously, it is important to be meticulously prepared for all interviews. However, it is often at the second interview where candidates for employment “fall short” of their interview performance expectations.

Poor performance at second interviews occurs because candidates are not prepared for the naturally greater depth of second interview questions and due to a failure to personally “connect” with the hiring manager.

At the second interview step in the hiring process the goal for hiring authorities is to distinguish those who are eligible “to be hired” from those who are merely “qualified.”

Being well qualified for a career opportunity is rarely enough to ensure you will be hired in a competitive employment marketplace.

For candidates, the second interview is an opportunity to separate yourself from the other candidates via your level of preparation, your ability to answer interview questions with meaningful depth and substance and your ability to establish confidence in potential working relationships with hiring managers and company executives. In some organizations, the second interview step may even include the company CEO.

In order to be well prepared and perform at a high level in second job interviews, you must be ready to discuss yourself in depth with confidence, share the details and the “stories” behind your accomplishment statements, articulate how you can “add value” to the company via your ability to contribute based on their needs and demonstrate how well you will work with others on a collaborative basis.

This requires extensive research on the company, their products and services, the hiring manager and company executives and a confident knowledge of your accomplishments, talents and abilities. During this pandemic event this interview is likely to be via phone or video.

Here are a number of examples of typical thoughtful second interview questions you should be well prepared to answer successfully:

1.     Please detail how your career has prepared you for this opportunity with our firm? Please provide examples.

2.     What have you observed and learned during the course of your career that will make you successful with our company? Please share examples.

3.     If you were hired and we were to meet for your first annual performance review, what are the key strengths and personal traits I would note and document in your performance?

4.     Please explain the importance of collaborative business relationships as contributors to your career success?

5.     As a leader, what would be the best way for me to manage you and take full advantage of your skills, abilities and talents, both now and in the future?

6.     What are your career goals and aspirations?

7.     What have been the biggest obstacles to your career success and how did you overcome them? Please give specific examples.

8.     Please tell me about a time you had to make a difficult business decision, how you acted upon it and what was the measurable outcome?

This list of questions is certainly not all inclusive of potential second interview questions. However, this list can prepare you for the types of interview questions you may be asked during a second meeting regarding a new career opportunity.

A structured “mock interview” can be a highly effective way to further prepare in order to perform at a high level during second job interviews. I would be honored to guide you through this important career and job search process.