How to Impress During a Second or Third Interview

If you’ve made it past the first round of interviews, we’ve got some good news and some bad news for you. The good news: you were impressive enough to get called back. The bad news: there’s still more to do, and now, the expectations are set higher.

Whether the idea of a second (or third) interview makes you feel confident or sick to your stomach, there are some best practices to follow if you really want to wow your potential employer in those later hiring stages.

Here’s how to impress interviewers during a second or third interview.

Remember names.

Nothing says “I care” like remembering someone’s name. If you can remember the names of the people who interviewed you in the first place, you’ll be off to a good start.

Know the company well.

At this stage, it will help a lot to show that you are excited to work with this company, specifically. Learn all you can about company history, mission, and practices, and you’ll demonstrate that you really care about securing a position with them.

Review your notes.

What did you discuss during your first interview? Did anything get brought up during that interview that needs to be expanded on or clarified? What questions did they not ask that might come up this time? This will help you be well-prepared for your second or third interview.

Maintain an impressive persona.

If you’re getting called back for a second or third interview, you left a good impression during the first round. Maintain that good impression by dressing professionally, being personable and friendly, and remaining calm and confident. They already like you—so just be you!

Know what’s expected.

Sometimes, second or third interviews can last much longer than initial interviews. Maybe they want to work on a project with you in real-time or take you to lunch to see how you mesh with the team. Whatever they’re planning, you want to be prepared for it. If they didn’t make it clear already, don’t be afraid to ask what kind of time commitment you should expect, and what the interview will entail.

Have your own questions ready.

Preparing your own set of questions will show that you’re taking this opportunity seriously and that you have started to envision how this job would fit into your life. Also, with the increased chance that you might get a job offer, you want as much information as possible so you can make an informed decision. Ask about things that are important to you, and take note of the answers.

Getting called in for a second or third interview is a great sign! If you let that give you confidence as you prepare, and you follow these tips, you’ll be sure to impress—and hopefully, you’ll land the job! 

At EDI Staffing, we help connect experienced professionals with trusted companies searching for their help. Working with one of our experienced recruiters can help both those seeking a job, as well as those are looking to hire new employees or other professional talent.