How to ace your second job interview

You nailed your first interview. Now, it's time to step it up for your next interview.

By Rochelle Kaplan, Monster contributor

You’re feeling great after your first interview for a job with a prospective employer and you’re told to expect a call back from human resources about setting up a second interview. When you do get that call, your initial feelings are excitement and triumph! Then, just as quickly, those feelings are replaced by anxiety and fear when you realize that this interview will be a defining moment for you. This will be your opportunity to shine or fizzle—to stand out or fall flat on your face.

Before you panic, relax and relish the moment. Being asked back for a second interview confirms your initial assessment of the situation: The employer is sincerely interested in hiring you.

So once you’ve calmed down, how do you prepare for this significant, sought-after second interview? What can you expect in the way of questions from hiring managers, and how much information should you offer during the interview?

1. Have a plan

“The purpose of the second interview is to show your best, to sell your achievements and knowledge, and to elaborate on projects you worked on in the past,” says Gerard Clement, director of professional services for a Boston-area software firm.

“When you interview, you have to jump in and go for it. You need to give (us) enough confidence in your abilities and skills to move forward with an offer.” Oh, and don’t let the interviewer do all the talking, adds Clement, who sees this as a “red flag.” And be prepared for everything, even the type of chair you might encounter!

2. Sell yourself

While a first interview may involve more generalized questions, the second interview will likely be more intense, especially for technical positions. Oftentimes, a hiring manager may use a consultant or senior staff to assist in the technical part of the interview, someone who is adept at getting to the core of a candidate’s skills. This is when you need to be bold and sell yourself!

Come prepared with lots of stories of your own past job accomplishments. Don’t be shy, and when asked, elaborate on those past projects that relate to the position at hand. “If (a candidate) is not coming out shining,” says Clement, “it’s not giving us a lot of confidence to work together.”

3. Articulate your attributes

Be prepared to clearly communicate all of your pertinent successes during the second interview.

“Basically what I look for from the candidate is to articulate how they will be successful in the job, and what attributes they have, such as excellent organizational skills,” says Diana Marshall, HR generalist at a national law firm based in Detroit. “I’d want them to talk to me about how they acquired those skills and how they demonstrated those skills in their past jobs. If it’s more of an analytical job they’re applying to, I’ll ask what technique they’d used to analyze things in the past and how they made sure that the information was accurate.”

4. Vast array of interviewers

Don’t be surprised if some of the people you meet with during this round aren’t very proficient interviewers. Typically, managers trained in interviewing conduct the first round of interviewers, so the variety of people who might talk with you during the second interview process may include those lacking skills and training in how to conduct an interview. Go with the flow! And, don’t let anyone trip you up with seemingly unrelated questions.

5. Be prepared for tricky questions

While this may never happen to you, be prepared for off-the-wall or tricky questions seemingly coming from left field, which may only be asked to see how well you handle the question. Things like a “think-outside-the-box” type of test may be given beforehand or an interviewer may ask your age (a downright no-no but a simple, “Is it relevant?” answer usually diffuses the situation). Still, trick questions can make or break you, so be prepared for the unexpected and be able to think on your feet!

6. Ask lots of questions

Be prepared with lots of questions to ask, as you will likely have more opportunity during the second interview to ask questions and you will be expected to make more urbane inquiries than you did during the first interview. If you don’t receive an offer on spot, ask about the next step in the process. How soon will a decision be made, and how will they let you know?

7. Cultural fit

The second interview is a key time for the employer to determine if you are a fit for the company culture. Recognize that the interviewers during this round want to learn how well you will get along with other team members with whom you’ll be interacting on a daily basis. Now is the time to use your very best interpersonal communication skills.

If you are a good fit, show it; but if you aren’t, you probably wouldn’t be happy working there, anyway. Always keep in mind that this interview is also your opportunity to determine whether the company is a good fit for you. Think about whether you would accept if the employer extended an offer to you.

8. Say thank you

Make sure you follow up after your second interview with all of the people with whom you interviewed by sending them a quick thank-you email or letter. Express your continued interest in the company in general and the job in particular.

9. Keep at it

Remember, regardless of whether you’ll be offered a job or not, a second interview means you’re that much closer to an offer and that much closer to securing a great new job. What's important is that you keep your job search mojo going strong. Could you use some help with that? Join Monster today As a member, you can upload up to five versions of your resume and cover letter—each tailored to the types of jobs that interest you. Recruiters search Monster every day looking to fill top jobs with highly talented candidates, just like you. Additionally, you can get job alerts sent directly to your inbox so you can spend less time combing through ads and more time emailing your resume to hiring managers. Persistence is key, and before you know it, your hard work will have paid off.

This article is by Rochelle Kaplan for CareerBliss, an online career community dedicated to helping people find happiness in the workplace. Check out CareerBliss for millions of company reviews, salary information and a free career happiness assessment. Rochelle Kaplan is an Executive Recruiter with CyberCoders, Inc.