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Hi guys,

Just a quick question. I will be having a 2nd interview for a position within the company. I am really excited as I would absolutely love to stay (currently on contract). The company does something I believe in, people are very nice, my boss(es) are super, etc.

Anyway, my questions is…I never had 2 interviews before and have no idea what to expect. The first interview was pretty grueling, lasted for an hour, and had about 20-25 questions, some position specific, some general, and of course, everyone’s favourite scenario questions. That one was conducted by a person who would be my immediate supervisor (awesome guy!) and our department Director (also a very pleasant man). From what I gather, 2nd interview will be with Director and our VP.

Can anyone shed a light as to what goes on in 2nd interviews? I don’t see what else could they possibly ask that wasn’t covered in the first one.

Thanks in advance :slight_smile:

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I had a strange brain-teaser type question that I barely finished in time. They actually said that sealed the deal as the other candidate wasn’t able to answer it correctly.

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Generally, second interviews bring other people into the mix (in this case, the VP) and you go through the process all over again. There will be different questions coming from the VP.

It’s more of an exercise for the VP than anything. A chance for them to give their seal of approval alongside the Director’s.

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just be confident in yourself, relax, and just have fun. You will do fine if you follow those 3 little tips :smiley: i promise.

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It may be more of a negotiations type meeting - especially if you have the Director in again. I would go into it with confidence :slight_smile: Usually it’s a good thing if you’re in for another interview (if your previous one was a solid grilling session).

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Not sure what you could expect, but just wishing you luck!!!

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my second interview was more to get to know me as a person, it was very laid back and casual and we talked about my likes and interest and my family. what led me to IT and so on. i can not say this will be your experience, but i think the 2nd is generally more laid back, with that said, be prepared for anything, including having to actually perform the job duties.

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They will ask you behavioral type questions, but these are usually reserved for if they do not know you. To make sure you are a good fit, but if you have a contract there, this might just be a formality.

Good Luck.

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I agree. My first interview was basically to weed out who did not have the skills for the job. The second was more a matter of determining if the person’s personality fit within the group.

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Usually the first interview is used to get down to the final 2-3 candidates that seem to be the best fit for the position, so congratulations. If your first interview was more about personality and team dynamic the second will often be technical, and vice versa. You have a big advantage, you have made it through a technical interview and on to round two, and you have experience at the company, so they know you and how you work with others.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

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I agree with SFN, most, if not all 2nd’s I’ve done were to meet the people that ACTUALLY do the hiring, having gotten through the first set of hoops.

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Sounds like you made it past the technical part. I would expect the second one to be more non-techcnical. I think the VP and Director will be more intrested in your people skills and how you will fit into the company.

But I could be wrong!

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1st Interview Objective: Weed out the idiots

2nd Interview Objective: Weed out the nutjobs.

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I went through three rounds of interviews for my current position. I also had to interview the a couple VP’s, directors of this and of that. All in all my feeling is that the follow up interviews (2nd, 3rd, etc.) are for the Managers to be able to identify you as a person. Each of them specializes in something and may have specific questions pertaining to their area of expertise.

Remember one thing, hiring someone that has worked on a contract is FAR cheaper than hiring someone off the street. They save time and effort in training you and providing you with the “necessities” which you should already have.

A common question I got in my second and third interview was related to my work ethic and experience. Since you’ve worked with this company for some time, they will most likely have the answer to these questions.

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Guys, thanks! So many great responses in so little time :slight_smile: You rock.

Another friend of mine told me VP might just want to meet me better and I thought that was a fitting answer until a couple of other techies had their 2nd interviews with VP (for a position other than one I applied for). They’ve both been here for a while and know our VP fairly well (they chat sometimes and crack jokes) - so I got spooked.

I am very much confident in myself and my ability to do the job, I just hate going into things not knowing ANYTHING at all. I usually like to prepare a bit, especially when it comes to specific lingo/software/etc.

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rrpakhlev wrote:

I went through three rounds of interviews for my current position. I also had to interview the a couple VP’s, directors of this and of that. All in all my feeling is that the follow up interviews (2nd, 3rd, etc.) are for the Managers to be able to identify you as a person. Each of them specializes in something and may have specific questions pertaining to their area of expertise.

Remember one thing, hiring someone that has worked on a contract is FAR cheaper than hiring someone off the street. They save time and effort in training you and providing you with the “necessities” which you should already have.

A common question I got in my second and third interview was related to my work ethic and experience. Since you’ve worked with this company for some time, they will most likely have the answer to these questions.

Thanks man! Unfortunately, I am not the only internal applicant but I do believe I am the best one :slight_smile:

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2nd interview is almost always the old personality test. It;s designed to find out if everyone can get along with you. Show up with plenty of resumes, and be prepared to ask questions about the company itself. Recon is the name of the game here. IF you know who you’ll be talking with, it doesn’t hurt to learn something about them. Google them, you’d be astonished what’s out there (in my current position it turned out the VP I was interviewing with had gone to KSU in Manhattan KS, and I’d lived there for several years - Good ice breaker). Check the company out, find out how they’re doing, Ask about challenges they’d want you to fix. Be relaxed, smile, and etc.

IF THEY TAKE YOU TO LUNCH: This is almost always a test. Be conservative in your order. I almost always go sandwiches mostly because they aren’t messy, and there’s little danger of wearing them. Never, ever, order an alcoholic beverage. Stay with tea or something that will get refilled often. You’re selling the fact that you’re a very nice, a very pleasant person that can be counted on (drinks the get refilled often shows an eye for meeting the bottom line).

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If you want a good line to prepare on, be ready to speak to what you would do in the new position to be successful. Often times the second interview is to figure out what makes the top few candidates unique. They will also want to know what you have done in terms of work ethic and team interaction. You have an edge in that when asked about past successes and interactions you can speak to things at the company that the person interviewing may know.

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Hey guys,

For the first interview, I prepared a portfolio for each of the interviewees. It had the job posting, my cover letter, resume, my customer service certificate received from another work place that’s big and famous, 2 recommendation letters (one professional and one personal (a friend from school) ) and I have included 3 e-mails I have received from clients, praising me on my customer service skills and overall awesomeness.

I was thinking of compiling the same portfolio for the VP - what do you think? I wish I had more to include, but this thing is tomorrow morning and I’m afraid I don’t have the time to come up with anything else. I was told about the second interview yesterday as I was leaving for the day.

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I’d say your portfolio sounds good, and having one shows you are very well prepared.

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