It may include testing, a lunch or dinner, a facility tour and/or formal presentation. During second interviews job candidates typically meet with several employee representatives.  

The interviews are typically 1/2 hour to 1 hour in length with each employee or may consist of a 1-2 hour panel interview. 

For most entry level professional positions, employers make their hiring decisions after the second interview.  However, in some cases college seniors/recent graduates may interview 4-6 times with an organization before receiving an offer.

Realize that you are now directly competing with the top candidates for the position.  It is critical that you are well prepared for this interview.  

In preparing for second or subsequent interviews you will want to:

• Review the employer information and perform more extensive research on the organization.

• Review your notes from the first interview to assess what were the most important candidate qualifications and the needs/problems of the employer.  Prepare your responses to effectively address these issues.

• During the second interview, you will be asked more in-depth questions about your qualifications, extra-curricular activities, prior work experience and career objectives.  Practice answering anticipated questions.  

• Prepare/revise your list of questions to ask the employer.  Unlike the first interview, you will be given more time to ask questions during the second interview, so have lots of questions.

• Be prepared to discuss salary.  The employer may ask you about your salary requirements.   Research typical salary ranges for the position.  However, you should never initiate a discussion about salary.  It is best to wait until the employer wants to make you an offer before salary is ever discussed.

On the day of the interview:

• Arrive 10-15 minutes early.  Allow extra time if this is your first time visiting the employer site.  Prior to the interview obtain clear instructions about parking and interview location.

• Dress professionally

• Be enthusiastic.

• Take notes when appropriate.  Jot down names, titles of people with whom you speak (unless you get an agenda) and important points.

• Meals are often part of a second interview.  Demonstrate good social etiquette and conversational skills during the meal.  Remember the meal is part of the interview and you are being evaluated.

• Observe the work environment.  Would you like to work in this atmosphere and with the kinds of people that you meet during the interview?

• Clarify the next step in the employer's decision making process.

• If you receive a verbal offer, ask for a written offer to be sent to you.  Never accept a verbal offer on the spot.  Instead, thank the employer for the offer and give a date by which you will inform them about your decision.

After the interview:

• Send thank you letters to each person with whom you interviewed or to the person with the authority to hire you.  For more information about thank you letters, refer to our web page.

• If you do not hear form the employer within the previously specified amount of time, call them.  Talk with the person who arranged the interview and ask about the status of your candidacy.

• If you receive a job offer by mail or phone, respond immediately.  Thank the employer for the offer and provide them with a date by which you will inform them of your decision.

• If you get rejected, don't sweat it.  Perhaps the position or organization was not a good match for you.  Reflect on your interview experience to determine if there are areas for improvement.  You can call the employer to ask for feedback about your qualifications and interview presentation.  This feedback can help with future interviews.