While everyone would agree that first impressions are the most important, some of us ignore the impressions we give the second time around. This is especially true when it comes to the second job interview. Obviously if you got the call for the second interview, it means they were impressed, and now they want to know more. How will you make sure that your second interview lands you the job?
The most
important thing you can do to help you ace your second interview is
to review the notes you took from your first
interview. Take a look at the response you received from
the people that interviewed you during phase one. Take note of who
they were in the hierarchy and how they understood the
qualifications were to be met. If during your first
interview you met with three or more people you probably met with
an Human Resources representative and two or three other key
people in the company.
Did you pay
attention to what each of them were looking for in the position you
were applying for? The higher up they are in the company the more
you are going to want to focus on what their interpretations of the
jobs are. Now take a look at your work history and
accomplishments. When you sit for that second interview you
are going to want to address those key points with specific
accomplishments you have made. How did you go about achieving
those points in your last position?
This is a part
of your strategic plan. You need to go into that second
interview with a plan on how you are going to help this company
meet the objectives they laid out in front of you during the first
interview. They know, based on your resume and the first
interview, you should be able to do it, now they need to hear how
you are going to tackle the obstacles they are
having.
It is more than
just telling them what your strategic plan is, you need to be able
to go into detail on how you will implement that plan. Make
sure that you are asking the right questions and that you start
your conversation with a waiver, ''From my current limited
understanding of how your business operates have you considered
doing…'' This lets the employer know that you know what you
are talking about and how to get the information needed to produce
a positive outcome. If you use this plan carefully and
properly it will be the ''difference maker'' between you and the
next candidate.
There are three
key items the interviewers are going to look for during this
interview as they assess your proposition. They want to see that 1)
you have vision, 2) that you can establish trust with clients and
colleagues, and 3) that you have the ability to set goals and
objectives.
What does this
mean exactly? You should know the vision of the company or
department you are going into. You need to show them that you
understand where they are and where they want to be and how you are
going to help them get there. To do this, you need to have a
working knowledge of the products or services they offer. You will
also need to demonstrate how you will fulfill your obligations by
giving clear examples of goals and objectives you would set, and
how you would work through those initiatives with
colleagues.
Establishing
trust with your colleagues and your clients is essential to your
success in your new position. People need to know that you can be
relied upon and you can deliver what it is you are telling them.
How will you establish trust? In your plan you need to include how
you will make introductions. This will include meeting with key
stakeholders in the company or department. This will not only allow
you to get their perspectives on the company and the projects they
have, but it will also give you the chance to show off your
skills.
You also need
to share expectations. It’s important for you to understand
what are the expectations of your leadership team. This is
essential to your success. Make sure that the goals you set
for yourself are in line with the revenue objectives of the
company. You also need to show how you will partner up with the
leadership team to create goals that are attainable and fall in
line with company objectives.
Your goals and
objectives need to be clear and well defined. Make sure you have a
clear plan on how you will accomplish those goals. For every
objective that you list you should also have a clear-cut
methodology on how you are going to attain those objectives. This
is important, you not only have to talk the talk but you have to be
able to walk the walk.
The key to
getting the job you want is acing that second
interview. With these tips you are sure
to increase your chance of getting the job you are
after.