It’s estimated that the average job seeker needs to apply to 27 companies before being asked to come in for a first interview, and only an average of 2-4 applicants will be invited to come in for a second. In other words—landing the first interview is hard enough, but landing a second one can seem nearly impossible sometimes.
That said, if you’ve been brought in for an initial interview, it means the employer liked what they saw on your resume, and they want to ask you more in-depth questions regarding your education, experience, work style, etc. How you answer these questions and your performance/demeanor more broadly during this interview will be what determines whether or not you are given a second one.
After getting a second interview, the likelihood of receiving a job offer is much higher, so you’ll want to do whatever you can to get to that stage. Here are some tips on how to turn one interview into two.
Tips on How to Land a Second Interview:
1. Be Prepared!
This may seem obvious, but in fact, there are a lot of people who believe that answering questions ‘off the cuff’ is the best way to show their personality and appear genuine during an interview. While it is important to be memorable and to make a connection with your future employer, a lack of preparedness is easy to spot and can be seen as a lack of respect.
2. Dress well and get a good night’s sleep
Some research shows that up to 50% of hiring managers believe that if a candidate dresses or behaves in a way that is unbecoming during an interview, it is grounds to be eliminated from consideration. Regardless of how qualified you are for the position, you need to dress to impress and make sure you’re in a good head space before walking into that room.
3. Research the company beforehand
According to research from Twin Employment, nearly 50% of recruiters stated they would reject a candidate who didn’t have knowledge of the company they were interviewing at. That’s why you should do research on the company beforehand, and try to find natural ways to include facts and findings about the business in the conversation.
You’ve Had Two Interviews—Now What?
Let’s assume you did well in the first interview and were invited back for a second. Congratulations are in order because not many people get to this stage. Additionally, if you’ve been brought in a second time, your chances of landing the job are estimated to be somewhere between 25 and 50%.
It’s important to remember, however, that the other people who were brought in for a second interview are likely to be just as qualified as you, if not more. The competition just got a lot tougher. You need to prepare for your second interview even more than you did the first and go above and beyond to make sure you seal the deal.
Maximize Your Chance of Getting an Offer—Tips for Interview #2:
1. Expect More People and More Specific Questions
As opposed to your first interview, the second time you sit down with potential
employers, you should expect to be conversing with a number of people–other managers, team leaders, etc. This interview will typically be longer than the first, and though some of the questions might be similar to the ones you were asked before, you should be prepared with concrete examples to highlight your experience and expertise.
2. Come with your own questions!
It is very common for interviewers to ask whether or not you have any questions regarding the job, workplace, or company in general. The answer should always be yes. Asking questions will not only help you attain a better understanding of what the job entails, but it also shows that you’re discerning when it comes to your job search. If you don't have questions, you may appear disinterested or desperate, and neither of those will get you very far.
3. Send a thank-you email
You should expect to hear back from potential employees within one to two weeks after interviewing. During that time, you should send thank-you emails to everyone involved in both interviews. If possible, access the contact information of those you’ve spoken with at the company thus far, and make sure to express your gratitude to them all. A good way to ensure you have everyone’s email is to ask for business cards from anyone you meet during the interview process.
