If you are called for second interview then congratulations, the hiring company have obviously been impressed by you.  Don’t rest on your laurels however as a second interview can often be more intense than a first round one.  To begin with there may be more than one person involved in the interview, and questions may be a little more in-depth and probing than the first interview so good preparation is important if you are to impress at this stage.

The interview may focus on areas of your first interview where perhaps you didn’t perform as well as you liked.  If you stumbled through a few answers then expect questions in that area again, also given that there may be new people involved in the interview don’t be surprised if you are required to answer some questions that you were already asked in the first interview.

With your credentials as a potential candidate verified by the fact that you have been called for a second interview, you may also be asked questions to establish whether you fit the culture of the organization.  In this regard you may be brought on a tour of the company and introduced to current employees along the way. 

There is one other reason for calling you back for a second interview, that being they want to offer you the job but more often than not it takes at least two interviews before final decisions are made on who to hire.  If by chance you are made an offer during your second interview thank the interviewer, express your delight, ask the interviewer to talk you through the package and then tell him/her you need a couple of days to think it over.

To best prepare for a second interview you need to find out who you are meeting and if anything is required on your behalf, you don’t want to arrive at the interview unaware that you are meant to be delivering a presentation at it.  That would not be a particularly welcome surprise, so try to find out as much information about the meeting before you attend.

In summary, during a second interview you can expect some of the following scenarios:

• you may have a panel of interviewers involved in the interview.
• you can expect probing questions based on weak responses you gave in the first interview.
• you may be introduced to existing employees or brought on a tour of the organization.
• you may possibly be offered the job on the spot.

Be prepared for each scenario to give yourself the best possible chance of being successful in the interview and don’t forget to have intelligent questions to ask the interviewer so you can make an informative decision regarding whether the role is right for you.

Don’t arrive overconfident to the interview as this could be misconstrued as cockiness and harm your employment chances.  Arriving armed with further research on the company will impress the interviewer(s), as would positive comments about staff members you had met to date.  If lunch or dinner is part of the second interview be mindful of your alcohol intake, as you need to ensure you have your wits about you throughout the interview process.

After the interview thank the interviewer and if new people are involved in the interview politely ask for their business cards so you can send each of them a thank-you letter.

Management level interviews tend to focus on questions relating to your ability to lead a team, including questions about your supervisory skills along with questions about your ability to manage performance. These interviews can be testing but with a management position at stake this is to be expected. The 6 questions outlined below are along the lines of the questions that you can expect to face during this type of interview.

Name 3 important traits that describe your management style?

Fair, thorough and determined. My determination does not take away from my ability to be fair when dealing with staff and customers alike, whilst being thorough does not hamper my ability to make decisive decisions when such decisions are needed.

Give me an example of when you have had to discipline an employee, how did he/she react?

I had a colleague whose late time-keeping became a regular occurrence, I brought him into the office and provided the dates that he was late and warned him that he needed to improve his time-keeping or risked getting a written warning. His reaction was fine, he apologized for his tardiness and ensured he would be on time in future. I have not had any further issues with him.

What element of your management technique would you like to improve upon?

As a manager I believe that you are on a constant learning curve as new challenges arise on a daily basis, from a personal perspective I would like to remain open to emerging technologies.

How do you motivate employees?

I make a habit of verbally complimenting employees on a regular basis, I listen to team members in order to encourage and inspire while I ensure team spirit is positive at all times.

Have you ever had to fire an employee? If so how did you break the news to him/her?

As a manager laying off staff is part and parcel of the job, when faced with this task I bring the individual into my office and explain the reasons why he/she is surplus to requirements.

How do you handle criticism?

Constructive criticism is welcomed as it can only help increase productivity, criticism in a work environment is not something I take personal.

Being successful at interviews for managerial positions means being able to answer questions that may not have encountered in previous job interviews you so it is imperative to prepare properly. Should the interviewer seem like he/she is challenging you, it is vital to remain calm, this is in all probability a tactic to see how you react when under pressure.

Asking appropriate questions in a job interview can help you in your quest for a successful job interview but also work well in helping you decide whether the role is suitable based upon the interviewers answers to your questions. Here is a list of questions that you should consider asking the interviewer, however remember that they are interviewing you not the other way round so, don’t ask more than a few throughout the interview.

1. How did the job come about?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           You can find out if this is a new role through company expansion, or if the role arose due to an employee leaving, if so (at 2nd interview stage) it would be reasonable to ask why they are leaving.

2. How long was the previous employee in the position?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                If they were only in it a short period of time then ask about the employee before him/her, if he/she was also only in it for a short time then you need to ask the interviewer why they did not last long in the job.

3. What are the salient tasks?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Ask the interviewer what the most important tasks are expected of the successful applicant. Once they reply you can say “that is great because one of the areas upon which I have most expertise is related to that..(and give an example).

4. To whom does the role report?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            For your own sake you need to know who you will report to should you get the job, ask if you would have an opportunity to meet this person in the interview process. This shows enthusiasm from your end while providing you the chance to get information on the person you might be reporting to.

5. When can I expect to hear from you?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 A positive pro-active demeanor will reflect well upon the interviewer so before the interview ends politely ask when you should expect to hear back from them.

When asking questions during your job interview you should do so in a polite, friendly tone, it is important that you do not come across in a confrontational manner as that would severely damage your application. You should be aware of the different types of job interview and know in advance what type of interview you will be facing.

Getting selected for a job interview is an achievement in itself given how competitive the marketplace is with so many job applicants applying for jobs, so being at your best is vital when it comes to interview stage. Unfortunately there have been many instances where job seekers fail to make a positive impact at their job interview through poor interviewing skills, lack of research and other similar errors, today we look at 5 of the most common interview mistakes along with ways to remedy them.

1. Arriving late.

Arriving late for an interview leaves a very poor first impression which will have you fighting an uphill struggle to overcome the damage caused by your tardiness. The best way to ensure you arrive on time is to do a test-run to your interview location the day before your interview at the same time of the day in order to gauge how much time you will need to allow to get there on time the following day. For example if your interview is an hour away and is taking place at 2PM on Thursday, take a trip there at 1230PM on Wednesday to get a feel for how long the journey will take.

2. Incorrect attire.

Arriving to a job interview wearing inappropriate clothing portrays a lack of professionalism and will not be looked upon favorably by the interviewer. If you are unsure of the company dress-code simply ask the person who contacts you about the interview. If wearing a uniform or similar then call the company in advance to say wearing anything else is unavoidable and apologize, most companies will be understandable in this regard.

3. Criticizing former employers

Never criticize an ex-employer during a job interview, you may come across as a troublemaker and your chances of getting the job will diminish. The best way to avoid this is by simply not including any derogatory remarks about your former employers at any stage in your meeting. The best way to overcome this is by stating you had been in Sample Company for 5 years for example and you wanted a fresh challenge. Keeping the interviewer focused on you is far more advantageous than coming across as a bitter ex-employee

4. Not asking questions.

Appearing disinterested in a job interview will seriously damage any chances you had of getting a job, not asking questions is one such way of appearing disinterested.  Overcome this by doing some research on the company and have some questions of your own to ask.

5. Discussing salary too early.

Of course salary information is extremely important in a job interview but by bringing it up before the interviewer asks you questions about it you may come across as being cocky or over-confident. You are better served by following the interviewers lead in this matter. On the other hand if you have a job interview arranged by a recruiter get him/her to find out the salary information for you instead.

Each of the interview mistakes outlined above are avoidable so to give yourself the best possible chance at your next job interview avoid these mistakes at all costs. Arrive on time, dress appropriately, express interest, and focus on your experience and achievements when answering interview questions.

A behavioral job interview is an interview wherein the employer uses past behavior as a baromoter to possible future success of the interviewee. In this type of interview your answers need to focus on specific examples in order to demonstrate to the employer that you are a suitable candidate for the position.

Behavioral interview questions are usually open-ended in order to allow the interviewee provide extended answers rather than yes/ no answers. This type of interview differs from situational interviews as a situational interview usually seeks answers to hypothetical questions whereas a behavioral interview seeks answers based on past performance.

Example behavioral interview questions.

• Describe a problem you encountered in your last job, how did you overcome it?
• Summarize a situation where you had to demonstrate ability to use your own initiative, how did you do this?
• Demonstrate an example where you had to use your leadership skills.
• Have you ever had to work with a colleague or client with whom you had a difficult relationship?
• Provide an example of when your communication skills were used effectively in a work situation.
• What factors do you take into account when making important decisions?
• Describe a situation where you were put under extreme pressure, how did you handle the pressure?

Open-ended questions offer a great way for candidates to showcase their ability to potential employers through descriptive responses so ensure you know your resume inside out and provide examples to boost your chances of job success.

3 Sample Situational Interview Questions And Example Answers.

In a situational job interview, questions are asked based on hypothetical situations in order to ascertain how a job applicant would react should such a scenario arise. The questions often begin with phrases like “How would you react…?” or “What would you do…?” or “How would you handle…?”. The ability to think on your feet and to remain calm under pressure are key in this type of job interview.

 1.  How do you react to pressure?

I enjoy the challenge of working under pressure, the sense of accomplishment can be very rewarding. Through good management and work practices I try to avoid a situation becoming pressurized.

2.  How would handle delivering bad news to colleagues?

Laying off colleagues is a never a nice thing to do, however the ability to do so in an emotionless manner is a fundamental aspect of any supervisors role. I faced a task in my previous job where I had to tell a colleague, who was also a friend, that due to downsizing his job was being made redundant. I explained to him the unfortunate reasoning as to why the job was no longer needed, despite his disappointment he understood and we remain friends to this day.

3.  How would you react to indecision between team members?

I would reiterate the importance of coming up with a solution in a timely manner. I would listen to any questions or queries between colleagues and provide solutions to those queries.  My goal would be to repair any conflict between colleagues to ensure that work is carried out effectively,with the group working in unison and well within deadline timelines.

Situational interviews allow you to prove to employers that you have the ability to handle the most difficult of scenarios.  A confident situational interview will help ensure you stay ahead of other job seekers in the search for employment.

Funny Job Interview Answers

Since my blog was launched back in April, I have focused on providing serious tips and strategies to help improve resumes and interview skills today we take a break from the serious stuff and have a lighthearted look at some of the funniest, sharpest, wittiest interview answers I have received over the years.

A job interview is not usually the time for jokes and humor but depending on how the interview is going, and how the general flow of conversation progresses, deadpan humor can work well in helping to personalize your job application and in creating a bond with the interviewer.

Q. Describe a poor business decision that you’ve made?

A. Would dating the boss’s daughter count? (in this example the guy was actually dating his boss’s daughter, in fact they are now a happily married couple.)

Q. Why did you leave your previous employer?

A. More than likely for the same reasons you left your previous employer! (not recommended but had me laughing at the time.)

Q.  How would you describe yourself in 5 words?

A. Tall, chubby, enthusiastic, honest and unemployed.

Q. If successful could you come back tomorrow for a mandatory medical test?

A.  Tomorrow? No I’d need more time to study for it.

It should be noted on each of the above occasions, the interviewee then said, “No seriously….” and gave a proper answer. The general rule of thumb is not to initiate humor during an employment interview however don’t be afraid to let your natural personality shine through should the situation arise during your interview.

Five Types Of Job Interviews.

There are a number of types of job interviews, however no matter how varied these interviews may be, each share the same goal in mind, to find out whether you are the right person to fill the vacant position. Today we look at 5 of the most common interview types and what you can expect to face within them.

1. Behavioral Interviews.

Behavioral interviews are interviews wherein the interviewer will probe your past in order to assess your suitability for the role. Common questions in this type of interview include;

Give me an example where you overcame a difficult situation in work?

Provide an example of when you had to complete a project within a strict deadline?

2. Panel Interviews.

Panel interviews as the name suggests is when your interview is not one-on-one as is the norm but rather an interview with a small group of people, usually from different areas within the company. In this instance you can expect a Recruiter, HR Manager, and the person to whom the role reports to, to be in attendance.

3. Telephone Interviews.

Telephone interviews take place for a couple of reasons, firstly as a screening interview to weed out unqualified candidates and secondly, if the applicant lives in a different state or country telephone interviews offer a chance to assess their suitability before having them travel all the way to the office for an interview.

4. Stress Interviews.

The aim of a stress interview is to challenge the applicant and see how he/she reacts under pressure. Your qualifications or suitability for the role may be doubted by the interviewer in order to see your reaction and ability to cope when put on the spot.

5. Situational Interviews.

Situational interviews are along the same lines as a behavioral interview expect rather than “Give me an example of how…” the questions are related to how you would propose solutions to possible scenarios such as “How would you react to…”

No matter what job you are being interviewed for, to be the best qualified candidate, be prepared for questions that fit into each of the interview categories and then provide a confident interview that will be the springboard to interview success.

5 Things You Should Do After Your Job Interview.

There are few industries where an applicant gets a job offer after one interview alone, therefore preparing for a potential second interview should begin the minute you get home from the first interview. Details of the interview will be fresh in your mind so rather than slumping into a reactive mode become proactive and begin preparations for a 2nd interview.

1. Write notes about any areas of the job that the interviewer focused on.

The interviewer will be feeding this information back to the Hiring Manager and should you be called for a second interview your note-taking will provide you with a fair idea of what element of your resume or job spec that will be scrutinized in the 2nd interview, so have answers ready to clarify these points and you will be on your way to a successful interview.

2. Send a Thank-You note.

Irrespective of how well you thought your interview went, be courteous and thank the company for their time and reiterate your interest in the job.

3. Practice your interviewing skills.

Following your interview you will be aware of the type of questions that you didn’t respond well to, the have been behavioral questions such as “Give me an example of when you had to deal with a sensitive issue in your job?” or structured interview questions such as “Where do you see yourself being in 3 years?”. Spend time practicing in order to give a confident complete interview next time around.

4. Reflect on whether it is the job for you.

If after the 1st interview you decide that you don’t think the role is what you want that’s fine, however if it is a job you truly want jot down the criteria needed for you to accept the position. Having this information in your mind will help you give a more productive 2nd interview.

5. Write down the negatives and positives of the job.

You will have a much clearer picture of both the position and the company themselves following the 1st interview. Should you be selected for 2nd interview you can be forthcoming with any perceived problems with the job and see if they can resolved and turned into positives.

Attention to detail can be the trump card when it comes to successful job interviews, remember that job interviews are as much about listening as they are about talking and remember that preparation doesn’t end once the interview is over.

5 Cliches To Avoid During A Job Interview

Knowing what to say and what not say in a job interview is important so it is key that you do not provide tired old cliches that you can bet the interviewer hears time and time again. The fear of having the interviewer think you have not prepared correctly and are on auto-pilot in effect will have a damaging effect on your interview success-rate so with that in mind let us look at 5 of the most oft-used cliches used in interviews.

1. At the end of the day.

Sporting heroes are to blame for this overused cliche, but you are in an interview so omit it from your vocabulary for the duration of your discussions.

2. I’m task-oriented (or multi-tasked).

Stating the obvious will do you no favors when being interviewed so choose different expressions that reflect on the specific tasks that are related to the interview.

3. I think outside the box.

In business-speak terms this phrase is up there with the most annoyingly common cliches used in interviews. You will be better served providing examples of how you dealt with certain situations that prove you have the know-how to get things done.

4. My resume speaks for itself

No matter how qualified you think you are displaying cockiness will harm your chances of getting the job. The interviewer will have read your resume and knows exactly what is in it so use the interview as a chance to sell yourself, your strengths and your personality not your resume.

5. This is a company I really admire.

The recruiter will think “I bet he/her says that about every company when interviewing” instead provide a reason/example of why it is a company you admire otherwise don’t mention it at all.

A proactive, vibrant interview will do your chances of getting a job the world of good, so eradicate these annoying cliches from you vocabulary and look forward to interview joy.