Invited for Second Interview: What Are My Odds?

I_Can_Haz_Job?

Hi there

I was headhunted for a pretty niche role and my CV was shortlisted by the company that hired the agency to look for candidates. I had an interview on Thursday 20th Nov at 9am. At 2pm the same day, the headhunter called to say that the panel loved me, were very impressed and want to see me again.

I know that I was the first interviewee and they had others to do that Thursday and Friday. From Linkedin I can see that 14 people applied for the role via that advert so, given a lot of other roles have 100+ applicants on there, I think I'm in a pretty small pool of second interviewees.

I'm waiting on confirmation of the date for my second interview but wanted to get your general opinion - do you think my chances of getting the role are good? I have my heart set on the role as it's my dream job - don't give a monkeys about the salary - it's the role I want. I really don't want to get my hopes up too high but it's proving tough! I think I'm one of a very small number now (headhunter said the company is 'extremely selective') and I just want to get an idea of my chances of landing the job.

Any thoughts really appreciated - also, positive vibes and magical fairy luck dust also gratefully received!

mgdavid

I_Can_Haz_Job? wrote: »

....... it's my dream job - don't give a monkeys about the salary - it's the role I want. ........

offer to do it for nothing, I'm sure they'll welcome you with open arms.
I'm exaggerating to show this is a weak way to approach the employee/ employer relationship. If you are the best candidate then salary should not be an issue for the employer, you deserve absolutely as much as you can get.

JobSearchBible

Hey - congratulations on getting through to second interview. And yes - it's a good sign that means you have a good chance of getting the job.

BUT....there is usually still at least 1 other candidate in the running who has also got through to second interview, so you can't rest on your laurels now.

One of the best things you can do for a second interview is think about any answers from your first interview that were not great. There may have been some tough questions that you didn't answer too well, or there may be some gaps in your skills / experiences that got highlighted.

For each instance like this, now that are not in a pressured interview situation, think of the great answers that you should have given. You can be pretty sure that your second interview will focus on the weaker points from your first interview, so you need to have some great answers lined up.

Good luck!

InsideInsurance

I_Can_Haz_Job? wrote: »

I'm waiting on confirmation of the date for my second interview but wanted to get your general opinion - do you think my chances of getting the role are good? I have my heart set on the role as it's my dream job - don't give a monkeys about the salary - it's the role I want. I really don't want to get my hopes up too high but it's proving tough! I think I'm one of a very small number now (headhunter said the company is 'extremely selective') and I just want to get an idea of my chances of landing the job.

Any thoughts really appreciated - also, positive vibes and magical fairy luck dust also gratefully received!

Call him what he is, hes a recruitment agent. In probability there are multiple agencies hiring for the role and he will not have any real inside information on how many candidates have made it though, he'll just know how many of his candidates have been asked into the second round.

Different companies and hiring managers have different approaches to interviewing. Some really only want one or two candidates through to the final round where as others prefer a much larger number. In part it will depend on (a) how many rounds of interviews there are and (b) what the differences between the rounds are.

Obviously your prospects are reasonable having made it through to the next round but there is no way to stick a percentage to it. In the most straightforward of interview processes the 2nd round covers two main areas (1) the areas you were weakest at in the first round (2) go into more detail on the areas they think are particularly challenging with this role. If you think back to your first interview you can hopefully work out what these two areas of topics are likely to be and think about your answers.

PS. I do find it amusing that all recruitment agents are now calling themselves headhunters

cazziebo

Look at it this way - at second interview stage you have as much chance as anyone else in the running. No point trying to work out any odds on success. Keep a cool head, and focus on convincing the company that you're the best candidate for the role. Be clear on what you have to offer the company, and do your homework on the company's background and market position.

MGDavid makes a very good point. If you don't value your skills and experience, how can you expect the company to recognise them? Try not to discuss salary etc at interview stage; your bargaining position is at its strongest when you have that confirmed offer.

Got my fingers crossed for you!

CCFC_80

From my experience companies often shoot themselves in the foot by requesting 2nd interviews. I worked for a company that would always do that and many a time when the invite came for the 2nd interview people would turn it down as they had just been offered another role.

Takeaway_Addict

Your odds will be 1 in how many other people are going for the second interview approximatly

phill99

Takeaway_Addict wrote: »

Your odds will be 1 in how many other people are going for the second interview approximatly

I think the odds are shorter. Its 50:50. You either get the job or you don't.

There is no point analysing the situation or tryingo second guess it. It'll lead to disappointment if you don't get it and could ge an anti-climax if you do!

Takeaway_Addict

phill99 wrote: »

I think the odds are shorter. Its 50:50. You either get the job or you don't.

There is no point analysing the situation or tryingo second guess it. It'll lead to disappointment if you don't get it and could ge an anti-climax if you do!

If there are only 2 of them in the second interview then yes, if there are three its 1/3rd 2/3rds and so on

dale_cotterill

Takeaway_Addict wrote: »

If there are only 2 of them in the second interview then yes, if there are three its 1/3rd 2/3rds and so on

Nope. It's 50/50 regardless.

There are 2 outcomes. you either get the job, or you don't. It's irrelevant how many people go to interview as it isn't random chance that you are the person they choose.

Of course they are under no obligation to hire any of them, they may hate you all, or they may go left field as they find someone themselves in the interim and don't have to pay the recruiting fee.

Thinking of it in terms of 'odds' or some other equation isn't going to work. It's all about the person, and how they perform.

Takeaway_Addict

dale_cotterill wrote: »

Nope. It's 50/50 regardless.

There are 2 outcomes. you either get the job, or you don't. It's irrelevant how many people go to interview as it isn't random chance that you are the person they choose.

Of course they are under no obligation to hire any of them, they may hate you all, or they may go left field as they find someone themselves in the interim and don't have to pay the recruiting fee.

Thinking of it in terms of 'odds' or some other equation isn't going to work. It's all about the person, and how they perform.

I agree its all irrelevant but whilst there are two options, ie 50:50 the odds of these options are not even (unless there are only two candidates).