Second Interview Advice

masonsmum

I attended a job interview last week for a job as an Office Manager for an agricultural firm, they contacted me the next day and said they were very impressed with how the interview went and want me to attend a second interview next week and meet the president of the organisation.

It has been so long since I had an interview never mind a second one so just wondered what I can expect from a second interview, I want to be really prepared as I am very very keen to get this job.

They have taken up the references I offered as my old boss called me yesterday to let me know, he said they wanted to know a bit about my management experience and how I am managing people?

Will it cover much of the same as the first or can it sometimes be more informal?

Thanks in advance for any help and advice.

Caroline_a

This sounds as if it's a bit of a chat before they give you a formal offer. Most companies don't apply for references until they are on the point of making an offer, so if you've already done your company research, etc, and have a question or two up your sleeve to ask it it should be plain sailing!

Well done!

BabingtonGroup

Most second interviews (in my experience) are more relaxed and informal to make sure they're making the right decision.

Well done and good luck!

InsideInsurance

It can vary massively between organisations and between interviewers.

2nd interviews can be pretty much the first one again but with different people to simply get a second opinion. Can be a more focused interview either on their key points or probing any areas of possible concern they had with you. It can be a much more informal chat type thing with another/ senior person who are really not testing skills but just cultural fit.

I've experienced all of the above and more.

Denning.

masonsmum wrote: »

I attended a job interview last week for a job as an Office Manager for an agricultural firm, they contacted me the next day and said they were very impressed with how the interview went and want me to attend a second interview next week and meet the president of the organisation.

It has been so long since I had an interview never mind a second one so just wondered what I can expect from a second interview, I want to be really prepared as I am very very keen to get this job.

They have taken up the references I offered as my old boss called me yesterday to let me know, he said they wanted to know a bit about my management experience and how I am managing people?

Will it cover much of the same as the first or can it sometimes be more informal?

Thanks in advance for any help and advice.

Sounds like meet and greet. Ie the job is Yours to lose. You probably won't cover any in depth questions. Just more social questions to ensure youbwould fit in.

My second interview was with y team leader who wasn't present at the interview
Literally 10 min quick chat, No need to prepare.

Sanne

2nd interviews vary incredibly, sometimes even in the same organisation.

We've held 2nd interviews...

• For the MD to nod the candidate off - these were really informal and some were even offered the job on the spot
• With three or four candidates left to get another opinion on them
• With just one candidate but where the first interviewer had doubts
• For additional tasks, e.g. presentations etc.

Personally, I've had a 2nd interview last year where it was between someone else and me (I didn't know back then what the situation was). It involved a tour round the company, meeting the owner of the business and some more detailed questions. Apart from meeting the owner, the interview was with the same people who held the first one. The questions pretty much all related to the 1st interview and things I said then and drilled deeper into particular skills.

I'll have a 2nd interview again tomorrow, this time with HR and the relevant Director for my area (whereas the first one was with the line manager of the vacancy as well as the person currently doing the job advertised as he stays within the business). The manager told me it's mainly to make sure that If it into the business - though, again, I know that it's me and someone else left. It's been scheduled for one hour so I'm expecting many more questions...

So... they are used for a variety of reasons but in your case it sounds like it's just a "nodding off" by the President to ensure that he's happy! (Our MD always wanted to meet all applicants before anyone was recruited - that was when we were a much smaller business though).

Good luck and well done!

cherryblossomzel

You could always call them and ask exactly who you will be meeting with and if they need anything in particular from you. That might give you a clue as to what they're looking for?

Ape100

My advice is always communicate and just ask. Good luck!

TBagpuss

Good Luck!
who did the first interview? As others have said, 2nd interviews vary widely, but in this case, where they have already taken up your references I suspect that the people who interviewed you have recommended that you are taken on but that they need someone more senior to confirm it. You may find that you are asked some of the same questions, and/or that they go into more detail in following up, or it may be more of a meet & greet.

I don't think that there is any reason not to phone back and ask them who you will be meting, and whether there is anything specific that they would like to cover.

When we took on our current office manager we had 1st interviews done by 2 senior members of staff - we than had a 2nd interview for the 2 shortlisted candidates involving all of the senior management, on the basis that we would all be working closely with the person we picked and that it was important that all of us were happy with them. In our case, it had a lot to do with getting an idea of compatibility.

masonsmum

Thanks for the replies everyone, I attended the second interview yesterday and met with the same 2 people as before and also the president, the interview was once again very formal with them digging deeper into my skills and experience.

All in all I felt the interview went well, they said they were hoping to make an immediate decision and would be in touch either way. Still havent heard anything and I am climbing the walls, its a horrible feeling waiting for the call back!

InsideInsurance

masonsmum wrote: »

Thanks for the replies everyone, I attended the second interview yesterday and met with the same 2 people as before and also the president, the interview was once again very formal with them digging deeper into my skills and experience.

All in all I felt the interview went well, they said they were hoping to make an immediate decision and would be in touch either way. Still havent heard anything and I am climbing the walls, its a horrible feeling waiting for the call back!

Thanks for feedback and glad to hear it went well. Fingers crossed for the decision to be made quickly and it being the one you want