Second chances
by Romelda C. Ascutia
Aced the first screening and scheduled for another? Don’t blow it now! Ten must-dos to sew up that second interview.
It’s rare for a candidate to get hired on the first interview. Applicants who pass the first screening are usually called for a second meeting, oftentimes called the callback interview. While this should please you-some say your chances of getting hired at this point rise to 50-50-you also cannot be complacent. On the contrary, the more you should prepare since competition is steeper. Here are some interview golden rules to live by.
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First vs. second
First and second interviews differ in major aspects.
First interviews are normally carried out by a human resources officer, whose intention is to check out your academic background, skills set and work experience against the info on your resume.
There is greater flexibility in the format of second interviews, which may involve a one-on-one meeting (probably with your potential immediate supervisor), panel or group interviews, or a series of interviews. The second interview is out to probe two key areas:
- Your competency for the position
- How you will fit in with the company and the staff
For more handy tips for the job hunt, grab your copy of JobStreet Classifinder, out every Sunday with the Philippine Star.
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Take along interview essentials, such as pen and paper and your portfolio, which should include copies of your resume, transcript of records, work samples and a list of references.
Get a good night sleep on the interview’s eve so you’re fresh and alert on D-day. Eat a good breakfast and take along a small snack to keep you going throughout what might be a long day.
Don’t forget the cardinal rules of any interview: Arrive on time, wear proper business attire, and maintain eye contact with the interviewer. And don’t forget to smile!
Prep even more for the second interview, which may involve more people (including group or panel interviews), more tricky and in-depth questions, and definitely more pressure.
Recall your performance in the first interview and plan how to better handle any difficult scenes or questions should these occur again.
If possible, get the names and titles of the interviewers beforehand.
Be prepared to answer a broader range of questions, including behavioral, case and off-the-wall queries.
Be prepared to ask questions, and these should be more profound than those you threw the first time. (E.g., What skills and talents are needed to be effective in this job? What work values and attitude are best for this type of work?)
Bring to the next interview more details, such as new accomplishments, new knowledge about the company, and new examples to back up your claims.
Write a thank-you letter to the employer within three days of the callback.
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