The Second Interview - Interview Skills - Experience - Career Hallways

EXPERIENCE: INTERVIEW SKILLS
THE SECOND INTERVIEW

Congratulations! You have received the long awaited invitation for a second or onsite interview. Here are a few important details you will need to know to be fully prepared to take advantage of the opportunity.

Anticipate this interview to be considerably longer than the initial screening interview;
Expect to meet with people from varying levels within the organization at a number of different meetings;
The interview can last from a few hours to an entire business day or even into an evening social function.

The second interview provides you and the hiring organization with the opportunity to explore further if you are a good fit for the position and organization. DO NOT ACCEPT A SECOND INTERVIEW IF YOU ARE NOT SERIOUSLY INTERESTED IN THE POSITION. If you are not interested, decline in a professional manner and leave a good impression.

What You Can Expect

This can be a long grueling day where you are “on stage” the entire time – including meals and other social functions. Every person with whom you interact is evaluating you and your potential fit with the company. The day may include both individual and group interviews. Be prepared, friendly and open, but alert, attentive, responsive and professional at all times. Do not allow yourself to be lulled into a sense of complacency or to become overly informal or relaxed. Be prepared to be interviewed by numerous individuals who represent various departments within the organization.

Tips

Bring a completely new set of questions to pose to the employer. Do not reuse your questions from the first interview or say that all of your questions were already answered;
Preparation is the key to success!
Review your notes from the first interview;
Reread the company literature and corporate profile;
Review the answers you prepared to traditional and behavioral interview questions;
Brush up on new events related to the organization through business and other professional publications.

Discussion Points

Should you be hired, what would be your specific responsibilities? What would you be expected to accomplish in three months, six months, and twelve months?
What training would be provided and how often?
How would you be evaluated? By whom? How often?
How are raises and promotions determined? How often do they occur?
Who will be your supervisor, and will you have an opportunity to meet him/her during the “onsite” interview?
Add additional questions of your own.

Expenses

Should the second interview require extensive travel or an overnight stay, it is appropriate to ask about the organization’s policies and procedures for reimbursement of expenses. It is extremely important to clarify the procedures before you make expenditures for which you expect reimbursement. Legitimate expenses are only those that are necessary to get you there and back, and those that cover transportation, food and lodging. Keep receipts for all expenses incurred.

The following are not considered legitimate expenses:

Personal entertainment or side trips;
Personal phone calls (except in case of emergencies);
Athletic or other entertainment event tickets;
Alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, magazines;
Expenses for others than yourself (except where the organization has authorized expenses for the candidate’s spouse).

Follow-Up

As with all interviews, it is always important for you to send a thank you letter for the “onsite” interview.

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