Questions to Ask During a Second Interview

If you have a second interview coming up, congratulations, you’re moving on to the next phase of the interview process! You made a great impression in your first interview, so the company would like to get a little more in-depth. They want to ensure you’re a great fit for the organization and the position. Whether it’s a farm or agribusiness, here is what you might expect, plus some tips to help you stand out for this interview.

What to Expect

The second interview will be a more in-depth discussion about your skills, experience, and your personality. Most likely there will be other people interviewing. This gives you a chance to meet others in the organization that might also be involved in the hiring process. It could be your potential supervisor or maybe the head of the company. You may even get a chance to meet some of your potential coworkers.

Potential Questions To Answer

While the first interview probably focused more on your resume and your skills, the second interview will focus more on your personality and fit into their company culture. They may also dive deeper into your experience and skills to try to visualize you in the position.

Here are some questions you might expect:

• Do you have any questions from the first interview?
• What strengths will you bring to this role?
• What type of work environment do you work best in?
• Why do you feel you are the best fit for this role?
• What management style works best for you?
• What salary would you expect from this position?
• Tell us about a time you experienced conflict with a colleague.
• What motivates you?
• What questions do you have?

Questions to Ask During Your Second Interview

You’re excited about your second interview, but you asked all your questions at the first interview. While you might see some new faces, you don’t want to ask the same questions. Asking questions like “What do you like about working here?” to the new interviewers is fine because it’s unique to them. But what new questions should you ask? It helps to think about your first interview. Think about what may have been unclear before. Keep in mind you want to make sure the company and position are a good fit for you, so asking more questions about the culture and role is a good idea.

Here are some examples to help you.

• What is the most challenging part of this job?
• How many people are in the department and what is the organizational structure?
• What are the top 2 or 3 qualities you are looking for in a person for this role?
• How would you describe the culture here?
• What sort of management style would you say you have?
• What is the next step in the hiring process?
• If I'm hired, when you would like me to start?

Preparing for Your Second Interview

Just like your first interview, you want to be prepared. These tips will help you impress your potential employer.

Evaluate your first interview.

Gauge what you think went well and what you wish went differently. Think about what you wanted to mention but forgot to do so. Do you have anything you need to expand on that you mentioned previously? You want to communicate why you think you’re the best candidate for this position. Consider what questions you may have had after your first interview.

Do your research.

If you haven’t done so yet, do in-depth research on the organization. Look at their website, social media presence, including LinkedIn, and search for news pieces about them.

Prepare your responses.

Think about how you would answer some of the questions above or do some research on specific questions for the role. For example, if you’re interviewing for a Service Tech role or a Farm Manager position, research some technical questions they may ask you. Make sure to include some success stories in your answers to show how great you are at your job.

Be ready.

On the day of the interview, have your list of questions and any documents you may need to bring, such as your resume, ready to go.

Stay consistent in your answers.

Most likely if there are new people you may need to answer some repeat questions. You’ll want to stay consistent in those responses. After your interview, the interviewers will meet and discuss your interview and they will take note if anything is too different from the previous interview.

Make a Lasting Impression

Make sure to thank the interviewers for their time and the opportunity before leaving. Within the next day or two make sure to send a thank-you email or note. Use that email to ensure they know you are interested in the role.

Even if you don’t get the job, make sure you thank the key decision-makers again and, if you’d like, ask that they keep you in mind for any future openings.

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