Quintessential Careers Press: The Quintessential Guide to Job Interview Preparation Chapter 16: Second, Third, and Subsequent Interviews How to keep the momentum going Page 66 The interview process at many organizations is not limited to a single interview. Multiple interviews are common and can occur for numerous reasons. Career author Chandra Prasad notes that some of these reasons include having the candidate meet key people not met in the initial interview. Sometimes the initial interview is a screening interview with an organization’s human resources department, while the next interview is with the hiring manager who will presumably be the candidate’s supervisor if hired. Sometimes the first interview is with the hiring manager, while a subsequent interview is with that manager’s boss, who wants final say over hiring decisions. As Prasad points out, various interviewees may scrutinize the candidate for different criteria; one might look at the applicant’s technical skills, while another may assess his/her “fit” with the organization. Other reasons that Prasad lists for subsequent interviews: Interviewers do not reach consensus about the candidate and need another look. Job is offered to top candidate but declined, so interviewers take another look at next people on the list. Interviewee seems qualified, but interviewer is concerned with one or more aspects of the candidate. Employer decides candidate is not suited for position applied for but wants to interview him or her for a different position. It's gratifying to be called for a second or subsequent interview because you are another step closer to the job. Don't blow it now! The key factor in subsequent interviews is to keep your energy level and enthusiasm up. Don’t rest on your laurels or tell yourself that just because you’ve been called back is a reason to be overconfident. Treat each interview like a new beginning where there is just as much on the line as there was for your first interview. Some additional guidelines follow: Do take a practice run to the location where you are having the interview -- or be sure you know exactly where it is and how long it takes to get there. Do pat yourself on the back for being called for a second interview. While some career experts say your chances are 1 in 4 to get the job at this point, others say you have as much as a 50 percent chance. Even with the field narrowing, it's important to distinguish yourself and ensure that you stand out above your competition. Do remember these three words: More, More, More. Compared to the first interview, a second interview will likely involve more preparation, more people, more questions, more intensity, and more pressure -- in addition to more likelihood that you will land the job. Previous Page Next Page Back to Job-Interview-Preparation Index Page