Overcome second interview nerves with our top tips

Your first interview went so well that you've been invited back for a second! That's a great step towards your ultimate goal – but second interviews can be even more daunting than the first. You've covered the basics already, the questions are going to get tougher, and you'll be meeting more senior interviewers. Don't panic! We've got some advice on how to ace second interview questions and tips on how to fly over this next hurdle. 

Top tips to succeed in a second interview 

Before we dive into the questions themselves, let's take a look at how to prepare for a second interview. 

Review your performance in the first interview 

Hopefully you remembered to take notes during, or shortly after, your first interview. Review these notes and ask yourself whether you could have answered any questions in a better way. Make a note to ensure you cover these topics during the second interview. Also think about whether you have any questions for the interviewers that would help you to decide whether the job is right for you or not – remember, interviews are a two-way street. 

Revisit the job advert

There's likely to be a few weeks between your application and the first interview, then the first interview and the second. Take this chance to review the job posting that made you apply all those weeks ago to refresh your memory on what the company is looking for and how you meet their needs. 

Review your resume

In a similar vein, review the version of your resume that you used to apply. Are there any skills or experience gaps? Interviewers aren't mind readers; they can only work with the information they have in front of them. If there's anything you forgot to write on your resume, or you've acquired relevant new skills or experiences since writing it, make sure you plug these gaps during your second interview. 

Develop stories for situational interview questions

Situational interviews are the type of interview questions that begin with “tell me about a time when…” or “have you ever been in a [XYZ] situation?” These questions are best answered with a story from your professional experience, using the STAR method. Try to predict possible scenarios that they might ask about (use the job advert for clues) and develop strong stories that show your aptitude for this skill. 

Carry out further company research

You can never have too much background information! In addition to doing a deep-dive on the company website, including the About Us page, you should also check out the company page on LinkedIn, review any recent press releases, and scour their social media accounts. 

Research the interviewers

Do you remember the names of the people who carried out your first interview? Do you have the names of the people who will be in your second interview? Why not connect with them on LinkedIn? At the very least, you can review their profiles. Understanding their career and drivers, as well as any personal information they've chosen to share, will give you the opportunity to connect more closely with them when you next meet.

Prepare and practice responses to common second interview questions

Practice makes perfect! When you've done your best to predict what questions you'll be asked, you can fine-tune and practice your answers. While you can never be 100% sure what second interview questions you'll face, being as prepared as you can be will help you to exude confidence as you walk in and minimize the times you're left scrabbling for a suitable response. 

Potential second interview questions and how to answer them

Second round interview questions very much depend on the role you've applied for and the company you're interviewing with. You can expect the interviewers to probe your knowledge and experience in a lot more depth, as they've narrowed down the candidate pool to those that have already shown they can do the basics. 

With that in mind, we've pulled together a few potential second round interview questions and some advice on preparing your answers – but we can't cover all scenarios. The good news is that you know your career better than anyone else, so as long as you can align your responses with the company's needs, you'll be well on your way to smashing that second interview out of the ballpark. 

Is there anything you'd like to review from your first interview?

This is where preparation is vital. If you've followed our advice above, you'll be armed with a few points that you'd like to revisit. There's no shame in saying that you don't feel like you answered a question well, so you'd like to give a stronger answer. Alternatively, you could ask the interviewer to elaborate on something they (or another interviewer) said during the first interview. The worst answer you can give here is “um… no.”

Tell us in detail about your current role

Don't just regurgitate your resume here. The key is to align what you're telling the interviewers with their requirements for the vacant position – that means not mentioning all the irrelevant tasks you have in your current role. Keep your narrative positive, even if you hate the job and all your colleagues. 

What skills do you have that are relevant to this position?

You probably covered a version of this question in the first interview, so this time around you'll need to go deeper. Give examples of your top three most relevant skills and times you've used them to achieve positive outcomes for the business. 

What career success are you particularly proud of?

This is your chance to really blow your own trumpet. Of course, you don't want to sound arrogant, so let the results do the talking. You could explain a project or situation that you were involved with, outline your personal contribution, and then highlight how this positively impacted the company. Concrete results add credibility and impact, especially if you can quantify them. 

What are your career objectives?

Look ahead five or ten years and ask where you see yourself. Your answer should focus on being successful in the role you're interviewing for and obtaining a goal that you hope to achieve within the same company – for example, progressing to a more senior role. 

What changes do you think your current employer should make to the business?

Be careful here not to criticize your current employer or to share any confidential information – your indiscretion will be noted! This question tests your ability to see the bigger picture, as well as get down and dirty in the day-to-day detail of the role. Try to pick something relevant to the company you're interviewing with, if it's a similar business. 

What would your first steps be if you were offered this position?

This is one of the classic second interview questions. It's where your research and understanding of the role really come into play. Don't forget to detail how you'd evaluate the current situation before bowling in with major changes and say what you would hope to achieve in the next six or 12 months. Tailor your answer to the company's objectives, mission, or values wherever possible. 

Questions to ask in a second interview  

You'll have had a chance to ask questions in your first interview, so this is your chance to get really deep into the fine details of the role. While you'll no doubt be asked at the end whether you have any second interview questions to ask, remember to treat the interview as a conversation and ask questions naturally as the interview progresses. 

If you're stuck, here are some suggestions for good second interview questions:

  • What do you think is the biggest challenge I will face in this role?

  • Do you like working here? Why? 

  • How will my performance be measured? 

  • Why is the current holder of this position leaving? 

  • Is there anything concerning you about my application that I can address?

  • How can I expect to develop and progress within the business?

You've prepared all you can – good luck!

With preparation and confidence, you'll be able to perform just as well answering the second interview questions as you did the first. Don't forget to thank the interviewers and follow up in a few days. You're bound to have aced the interview – but if not, remember to ask for feedback so that you can improve your performance next time. 

Not getting the interviews you deserve? Why not increase your success rate by improving your resume? Start with a free resume review from the experts at TopResume and use our expert feedback to land more interviews. 

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