Second Interviews: 6 Expert Tips

There’s no better feeling than when your phone rings and it’s the hiring manager on the other end. You did it. You’re in the running for this job! You hit an emotional high, you’re on top of the world—until suddenly—what now?

You pulled out your best outfit, witty charm and awesome skills in round one. How can you top that in round two?

Don’t get yourself too worked up. You’re already in the running, so don’t overthink it. Just like your first interview, a little preparation, consideration and keeping your cool can go a long way toward getting the job you want.

Create a plan of attack

Was there an interview question that tripped you up in the first interview? You may be asked again, so jot down a more thoughtful answer to give them this time. Be sure to brush up, once again, on common interview questions. Make a list of your previous job successes and what skills you used to achieve them. If you’re a student, or this is your first major interview, don’t forget that community service and school experience are just as relevant as work experience.

You’ll also want to jot down some second interview questions about the company, the company culture and the position that you can have ready to ask the interviewer. Use the company website and job description for reference while preparing these. If you planned for your first interview, be sure to ask different questions this time. The recruiters want to see that you’re engaged and curious about the position.

Organize all of this information in a nice folder with your resume and cover letter. This shows you're serious about your job search.

Dress your best (again)

Even if that means getting a second outfit, it’s worth it for the chance of scoring this job. You may feel comfortable around the hiring manager that you worked with in your first interview or maybe you discovered the workplace is more casual than you thought. Even so, you want to put your best foot forward. Often in these second interviews, you’ll be meeting someone who will work directly with you or who works above the hiring manager. In either case, you want to create a great first impression.

Try to relax

One of the strange things about second interviews is that the person (or people) you’re talking to may not be hiring managers at all. They might be supervisors or superiors who want to sit in on the hiring process during the second round. So they may not be the best at grilling you. Sometimes the conversation might feel awkward or questions might seem kind of random. Relax and go with it. Maintain eye contact, stay engaged and try not to get tripped up on any weird silences.

If you need a confidence boost, just remember—you’re in the running! You’ve made it through the first cut. That means you’re a serious candidate now. Be proud of that fact, but stay humble.

Communicate that you want the job

This one may sound obvious, but it isn’t always clear to the employer. In marketing, there’s a concept called the “call to action.” It’s something as simple as the instruction to “Buy now” on a button on a website. Of course, if you want to buy it, you’ll seek it out, but there’s something about the instruction that triggers an action in your brain. A job interview is basically marketing yourself, so think of your call to action.

Just as the interview is coming to an end, after you’ve asked your questions, finish it with a simple statement that shows your intention, like “I’m really excited about this position and feel like I’d be a great fit. I have just one more question. What should my next steps be?”

This tells them you want the job and opens the door for them to tell you if they’ll call or email you with the results. In any case, you’ve planted the seed in their mind and will help you stand out.

Thank your interviewers

Be sure to thank your interviewers as the interview transitions from one part to the next or ends for the day. As long as you have the chance, be sure to thank every person you speak to. They’re taking time out of their day to consider your candidacy. Gratitude is a great trait for them to see.

Also, be sure to thank any of the reception or other staff members that help you out. Often times, the hiring managers will ask the regular staff what they thought of the candidate. Make sure your impression was a good, kind one.

Send a follow-up note

A lot of old advice says to send a follow-up card or formal letter to thank your interviewer. While this is a kind gesture, it’s probably overkill for a lot of hourly positions. If you have an email address that you’ve corresponded with the staff through, sending a quick thank you email is just fine. Be sure to do it about 24 hours after the interview.

With these interview tips, a few deep breaths, kindness and gratitude, scoring a job after the second interview is a real possibility. You’ve made it this far! You’re almost there! Write down your battle plan and hit that interview with confidence. All you have to do now is wow the interviewers one more time.