Second Interview Questions

10 questions to ask at a second interview.

By Toni Ross, Jul 30, 2021

Toni Ross is the Senior Editor of Betterteam. Her interests include developing resources that help build and grow value-oriented, connected teams, both personal and professional.

A panel conducting a second online interview.

A second interview is a chance to test impressions made in the first interview, dig deeper into previous roles, test knowledge and qualifications, and discover more about the candidate's personality and how it will fit with the rest of the team. If you like them then it’s also time to start selling them on the role. You’ll also want to ask questions you weren’t comfortable asking during the first interview.

Second Interview Questions:

1. What do you think your biggest contributions will be in this role?

Now that they know more about your company they should be able to tell you more about how they expect to contribute.

2. What do you see yourself accomplishing in your first 30, 60, and 90 days?

This will help you get a sense of what their goals are from the beginning.

3. We talked about a salary previously. Does that still work for you?

Try to touch on salary expectations in each interview. If they are actively interviewing their salary expectations may be changing. You should know if competitors are attracting them with a higher wage.

4. Are there any questions from the first interview you’d like to answer again?

Sometimes a great candidate isn’t great at answering questions on the spot. They may have recalled some important details since the last interview that will help you make a better decision.

5. What are your career goals?

The answer to this question will help you to get a sense of how the candidate will fit into your company and contribute over the long term.

6. Do you have any questions about your first interview?

Allow the candidate to ask follow-up questions based on the first conversation that you had. This could help them to clarify details that they may have not understood.

7. What would you like to change about this company?

Asking someone what they would like to change will give you insight into their skills and help you to see ways that they might benefit your business with their creativity.

8. Can you tell us more about your current job?

You probably asked the candidate lots of questions about their current job in the first interview, but if you want to know more, this is a chance to dig a little deeper.

9. What challenges are you lacking in your current role?

Find out if there are any projects that the candidate would like to be involved. New challenges can be exciting for a motivated individual.

10. Are you able to multitask at work?

Most workplaces have several projects on the go at the same time, and priorities can change with deadlines. You should find out if your candidate has the skills to juggle multiple tasks/projects at the same time when necessary.

Selling the Role in the Second Interview:

If you think this candidate is a great fit during the second interview, it's time to start selling them on the position.

It's likely you're not the only person they're interviewing with, and if they're a top candidate there's likely to be a bit of a tug-of-war over them in the current competitive hiring market.

Tips for Getting Top Candidates to Accept Your Offer:

Talk about the team they'll be working with, and why they'll enjoy being part of it.
Tell them what makes your location great.
Tell them why they'll love your workspace.
Find out why they're leaving their current job, and use that to sell your company.
If it's an A+ candidate, set up a meeting with the highest-ranking member of your organization.

The Hiring Process

A comprehensive guide to the hiring process with useful tips and FAQs.

FAQs:

What does Second Interview mean?

A second interview is a follow-up interview. This gives employers the opportunity to evaluate first impressions, learn more about a candidate's experience and skills, and test their knowledge.

What are some good questions to ask in a second interview?

The goal of the second interview questions is to help the interviewer or panel visualize the candidate in the role.

Example questions:

What was the most difficult decision you ever had to make on the job?
How would you handle a difficult client?
What type of work environment do you prefer and why?
Have you ever been in a situation where you were asked to do something you felt was unethical? What did you do?
What would you do in your first year to establish yourself in the company?

How do you do a second interview?

Review notes from the previous interview.
Review the candidate's resume.
Write down any questions you have.
Check to see if other stakeholders have questions.
Review the job description.
Block out enough time to go in-depth.

How long should a second interview last?

This will depend on the candidate, the job, and your personal preferences. However, most interviews should last at least 30 minutes to an hour.

What happens after a second interview?

The time from interview to a job offer is generally around two weeks. During this time, gather your notes and evaluate which applicant is best suited for the job. Consider asking outside help if you're unsure of which candidate to choose. Alternatively, you can introduce an assessment or conduct another interview.

Do you have some tips on how I can best conduct a second interview?

Re-ask important questions you asked in the first interview.
Ask specific questions about how they'll contribute to the company.
Dig deep into any roles that lasted less than two years.
Watch out for candidates that mention a lot of personality clashes.
Confirm that salary expectations have stayed the same.