So you aced the first interview, and they asked you back…
Great news. You’ve made it to the second interview stage. But before you pop the champagne, there is a little more work to be done. Unfortunately, if you aren’t 100% sure how this will differ from your first interview, your approach might simply be to repeat the same things you said before, only slightly clearer and perhaps a bit louder. Not so great.
While some interview preparations remain the same, there are key differences when it comes to the types of questions asked by employers during a second interview, and the answers expected of you.
To help you prepare, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide on common second interview questions and how to answer them.
What’s the difference between a first and second interview?
If the first interview was about checking you can do the job, the second is about checking if you are the best person for it.
A first interview is generally used to test your personality and basic abilities, filtering out those who clearly aren't a fit. However, the competition intensifies when it comes to the second stage. What an employer really wants to know now is what separates you from the other candidates, what your technical abilities are in depth, and the logistics involved when it comes to a firm offer.
This way, they can more easily make a direct comparison between the remaining candidates. In addition, second interviews are often an opportunity for other key members of staff at a prospective employer - such as senior managers or potential team members - to meet and question a shortlist of the best candidates.
Second interviews: what you need to know
How to prepare for an interview
Common second interview questions
To help you prepare for round two, here are some of the most common 2nd interview questions you might face.
1. What are the main attributes you think are needed for this role?
Translation: It’s time to sell yourself.
Whilst this is obviously the case at all interviews you attend, with greater competition and higher expectations, the need to shine more brightly than the other candidates takes on added importance.
What attributes are absolutely necessary to be able to do the job well? We’ll give you a clue: check the job description.
You will usually see at least a few skills highlighted as absolutely essential: indicate why you feel these may be important and think of one or two examples of how you can demonstrate them.
Right answer:
‘I think that X, Y and Z are the most important skills necessary for this role. I think these are all things I can actively bring to the team, which I demonstrated when…’
Wrong answer:
‘Turning up on time mainly. And coffee. Lots of coffee.’
2. Why don’t you want this job?
See what they did there?
This question turns the quintessential interview question on its head, making you work slightly harder at selling yourself (not to mention testing your desire for the position).
By the second interview, it’s perfectly natural to have some reservations about the role. Use this question to ask the interviewer anything you may need clarification on. Whether it’s salary or asking about opportunities for career progression, try and prepare any questions you have after the first round.
(N.B. compliments always work well here for intros e.g. ‘From what I’ve seen so far, this looks like a really great environment to work in. However…’, or similar).
Right answer:
'This company has built a reputation for providing its staff with excellent prospects to progress. However, my only reservation at the moment is that I’ve only seen limited opportunities for training and development. I’ve been thinking of taking X course to improve my skills and would be keen to understand whether this is something you would consider offering as part of the role?’
Wrong answer:
‘Because, if anything, I’ll be too good at it. And that scares me.’
3. What would you change about the company?
A particular favourite for more technical or design-based roles, this question has the potential to come up whatever the position.
It’s time to show your research skills. So whether it’s a part of the website you don’t feel is particularly user-friendly, a gap in their social media strategy, or a window display which you feel brings nothing to the store, have a few things prepared before the interview.
Whatever you suggest, remember to back up why you’ve said it and what value you feel this change could bring to the business. Constructive criticism shows you care; complaining just makes you look difficult.
Right answer:
‘I found the sign-up process on your website to be very long and I imagine a lot of users may be put off by this. If you made the form slightly shorter, I think you could increase registration numbers.’
Wrong answer:
‘Where do I start…?’
How to research a company before you apply
4. What are your career goals?
Similar to the ever-popular ‘where do you see yourself in five years’ time’, what the interviewer really wants to know in this instance is that you’ve thought about your future. And perhaps, more to the point, that you’re in it for the long haul.
Think of it this way: two candidates are neck and neck in an employer’s estimations. One says they’re looking to move through the company and head up a team; the other says they’ve always wanted to travel the world in a van. Who would you offer the position to?
Be passionate about the industry, demonstrate your ambition and play to your strengths. More importantly, don’t make this position seem like a stop-gap for you. You’ll just be wasting everyone’s time.
Right answer:
Something along the lines of ‘I’d like to be heading up my own team within the department, which would make the most of my analytical skills and previous managerial experience’ (only much more specific).
Wrong answer:
‘To have a job.’ (See also: ‘to have your job’).
Five career goal questions, and how to answer them
5. What salary are you looking for?
They may not have covered salary in the initial interview, but expectations when it comes to money are often discussed at the second stage.
Be honest. Give an indication of an income that you feel is realistic to the role and its responsibilities. Make sure to factor your previous experience into any answer you give. Once you’ve come up with a figure, be prepared to explain why you’ve reached it.
Remember: be realistic, but don’t undervalue yourself. Otherwise, you might just come out with less than what you’re worth. To find out what everyone else is earning, take a look at our average salary checker.
Right answer:
A realistic, but non-specific salary range, e.g. ‘I‘m looking for a starting salary somewhere between £25,000 and £30,000.’
Wrong answer:
‘Ideally I’d like £1 million pounds, so it depends what you’re offering really’ / ’How much do you think I’m worth?’
Should I ask about salary at my interview?
What does competitive salary actually mean
6. What’s your notice period?
It’s time to get down to the real business. What an employer wants to know here is the logistics involved should you actually be offered the role. And by logistics, we mean admin.
Make sure you’ve looked up how much notice you need to give to your current employer before your interview. If you have any holiday booked or if you know of any other impediments which may affect you starting the job, now is the time to let them know.
Be careful not to get ahead of yourself, though. They’re not actually offering you a job. Yet. They just want to know what would happen if they did.
Right answer:
‘I need to provide at least four weeks’ notice if I were to find another job.’
Wrong answer:
‘I don’t think I need to give them any notice. I just won’t bother going back in.’
7. How do you handle changes in processes?
Employers know that the only constant is change. They want to know if you are the type of person who rolls with the punches or the type who grumbles when the coffee machine moves.
This is a behavioural question designed to test your adaptability. The best way to answer is using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to describe a specific time you adapted to a new way of working.
Right answer:
‘At my last role, we migrated to a new CRM system overnight. While it was challenging, I took the time to attend all optional training sessions and created a cheat sheet for my team. Within a month, our productivity was actually higher than before.’
Wrong answer:
‘I hate change. If it isn't broken, why fix it?’
Questions to ask in a second interview
Remember, an interview is a two-way street. You are assessing them just as much as they are assessing you.
Asking insightful questions to ask during a second interview shows you are engaged and serious about the role. Since you may be meeting more senior staff, your questions should reflect a deeper interest in the company’s strategy and culture.
Here are a few questions to ask in a second interview:
- ‘What are the biggest challenges the team is currently facing?’
- ‘How does this team contribute to the overall company goals?’
- ‘Can you tell me more about the company culture and how the team socialises?’
- ‘What does success look like in this role after the first six months?’
Questions you can ask at the end of the interview
Second interview tips
Heading into the interview room (or logging onto the video call) can be daunting, but a few simple tips can keep you on track.
- Review your first round: Think back to the questions you struggled with in the first interview. You might get asked them again, so have a better answer ready this time.
- Prepare for new faces: You might meet the big boss or potential colleagues. Treat everyone with the same level of respect and enthusiasm.
- Be consistent: Ensure your answers align with what you said in the first interview. Contradicting yourself is a major red flag.
- Show your enthusiasm: You’ve come this far because they like you. Show them you still want the job.
Four things to take to a job interview
Frequently asked questions
Here are some of the most common queries we get about the second stage of the interview process.
Is a second interview a formality?
No. Never assume the job is yours until you have the offer in writing. While you are a strong contender, you are likely still competing against other qualified candidates. Treat the 2nd interview with the same seriousness as the first.
How long does a second interview last?
Second interviews often last longer than the first round. They can range from 45 minutes to a few hours, especially if they involve meeting multiple people, a tour of the office, or a practical task. Always ask for an estimated time when you schedule the meeting.
What happens after a second interview?
Usually, the employer will have enough information to make a decision. They might conduct reference checks or, in rare cases, invite you for a final third interview. Be sure to ask about their timeline for making a decision before you leave.
Final thoughts
Remember, these are just a few examples of the types of interview questions which may come up. Many of the questions you encounter may be industry specific and some companies have their own methods of finding the right candidates.
Be prepared for every eventuality and for as many questions as you can. That way, you’re unlikely to feel as if you’ve been put on the spot. If you really want the role, the extra effort will be well worth it.
Also, consider that your interviewer may change from the first time you were questioned. For more technical roles, you may have someone less accustomed to interview situations brought in specifically to ask you more detailed questions. For sales roles, you may need to be prepared for the possibility of a good cop/bad cop set-up.
Whoever you meet, don’t take it personally – even if you don’t feel the same connection as you did the first time around. Keep calm and maintain your confidence and conviction.
Interview types: What you need to know
Need more interview answers?
Unfortunately, we don’t have a crystal ball to tell you exactly which questions will come up on the big day. However, with the right preparation, you can handle anything they throw at you and avoid any interview nightmares.
Looking for more advice on answering tough interview questions? Check out these articles:
- How to answer: Tell me about a time you’ve dealt with a difficult person
- How to answer: What’s the most valuable thing you’ve learned during the last year?
- How to answer: Why do you want to work here?
- How to answer: What are your weaknesses?
- How to answer: Tell me about yourself…
- How to answer: What are your strengths?
For more expert advice, buy James Reed’s latest book: Why You? 101 Interview Questions You’ll Never Fear Again.
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