Congratulations! Your first interview went flawlessly, and you just got a call from the company inviting you back for a second interview.  While this is great news that they are interested, you haven’t secured the job just yet.   However, by using the following tips to prepare for your next meeting, you can easily turn the second interview into a job offer.

1. Revisit the first interview.
   Reread all of the notes you prepared before going into the first interview. This will ensure the initial research you did about the company is fresh on your mind.  Write down everything you’ve learned so far about the role, workplace, colleagues, etc.  If there are any gaps in information, do additional research to try to feel in the gaps.  For the information that can’t be filled in, bring those questions to your interview and ask one of the interviewers if they will explain that area in more detail.

2. Anticipate harder questions.
   Second interview questions are typically tougher than the first round of questions.  They dive deeper into your knowledge, skills, and experience.  They will also judge your interest in the position and how well you were paying attention during your first interview.  Common questions include things like “How would you proceed if you were hired for this job?” and “What have you learned about this company so far?”  Be ready to share what you’ve learned and how your previous experience relates to the organizational challenges.

3. Demonstrate your ability to be a team player.
   Another large purpose of callback interviews is to determine whether you are a good cultural fit for the organization.  Chemistry plays a crucial role in this portion of the interview and hiring managers want to make sure they hire someone that will get along well with current employees.  Be enthusiastic and easy to talk to.  Be someone that your potential manager and colleagues would like to see at work everyday.

4. Come armed with stories about your accomplishments.
   Since second interviews tend to be more focused on behavioral questions, it is important to have a few stories ready to tell of things you did at your previous jobs that demonstrate the skills necessary for the job at hand. These stories should show how you met and exceeded goals, as well as how you overcame any challenges.  This is the interview round where they are determining if you can do the job, so you need to be ready to highlight accomplishments to show how you would contribute if hired for this role.

5. Ask lots of questions.
   Demonstrate your knowledge of the company and the department you’re interviewing for by asking smart questions. Make sure they are different from the questions you asked in the first round.   The second interview is not just for the interviewer to get to know you and see if you are a good fit; it’s also about you getting to know more about the company to judge whether it would be a good fit for you.

6. Follow up.
   As with the first interview, be prepared to write thank you letters to all the people you interviewed with in the next 24 hours.  Each letter should be customized to the interviewer and what you talked about during your meeting.  A well-written thank you is your final opportunity to sell yourself to the hiring team.

By following the tips above, you’ll be well on your way to acing your second interview and landing the job.  However, if you do not get the offer or if things don’t work out with that position, you still have many other options. Remember RealStreet Staffing whenever you are actively looking for a new job or simply considering a new other opportunities.

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Let the experienced recruiters at RealStreet Staffing  help put your job search on the fast track.  Our team at RealStreet Staffing matches executive level construction professionals with career opportunities in the architectural, engineering and construction communities. Contact our team of experienced recruiters today and you’ll be on to your next job in no time.