Tips to Making it to the Second Interview

If you are having trouble getting to the second interview, you need to take a look at several aspects of your job search to see where you are sabotaging yourself. By reviewing the following list of suggestions, you should be able to determine where you are falling short in your efforts.

A. Preliminary Job Search Strategies.

1. Is your job search comprehensive?

Are you doing all you can be doing to identify potential opportunities? Review the strategies in chapter 13, and make sure you are doing all you can to get yourself and your résumé to appropriate potential employers. The more you can get yourself in front of potential employers, the better. Therefore, make sure you attend as many job fairs and functions as you can.

2. Make sure you send your résumé to the right person.

If you are responding to an ad requesting that you send your résumé to the human resources department, it’s not specific enough! You should send your résumé to human resources, but you should also send your résumé to the hiring manager, the person you would actually be working for. How do you find out who this person is? If you are submitting your résumé for a sales position, call the company and ask the receptionist who is in charge of sales. Then send your résumé directly to that person. Taking this approach can double your odds of receiving a call.


3. Are you following up with each person you have sent your résumé to?

A big mistake many job applicants make is to wait by the phone, hoping to receive a call. I cannot emphasize enough that you must be proactive in the job-search process. After you have sent your résumé, wait about one week, and then give the hiring manager a call directly. This approach is very effective because it separates you from those applicants who do wait by the phone, and it shows the hiring manager that you are interested in the company and the position and are a proactive self-starter.


4. Have you done your homework?

If you have prepared yourself for the interview and have completed your homework on the company, your chances for a second interview increase considerably.



5. Are you presenting a professional image?

Don’t underestimate the power of presentation. Always present yourself professionally in dress, demeanor, and speech, no matter what position you are applying for.

6. Are you customizing your résumé for each job opening you are applying for?

Make sure you are including key qualifications on your résumé that the classified ad or job description is asking for.

B. What not to do during the interview

1.During the interview, never say anything negative or derogatory about a former company or employer.

We have all had bad experiences in the workplace, but it is never a good idea to criticize anyone or any company where you were previously employed.

2. Never, ever show up late for an interview! Never.

In fact, you should show up about 30 minutes early because you may be asked to fill out an job application.


3. Never talk about money during the first interview or make money an issue.

Remember, you have little or no bargaining power during the first interview. As I stated before, let the hiring manager know what you are currently earning, only if asked. Then you can say that you are most interested in the opportunity and that you are confident that compensation can be agreed upon if the company decides you are the best candidate for the position.

4. Don’t lie about your past experience or education! Period.



5. Don’t talk about anything that may be considered controversial.

In other words, don’t volunteer personal information that is not necessary. For example; don’t tell the hiring manager you are a member of the National Rifle Association or Greenpeace or The Young Republicans, or that you support abortion rights. Keep your personal and religious beliefs, political affiliations, and everything else of this nature to yourself.

6. Don’t present yourself as overly confident or self-important.

No one wants to hire someone with a big ego, which is actually based in insecurity. Do present yourself and respond to questions with confidence.

7. Don’t give pat answers to questions.

Sincerity is the key in an interview. Some answers appear insincere because they are contrived or too rehearsed. If your answers seem rehearsed, the interviewer will know it. If you respond to questions with sincerity, the interviewer will also know it.

8. Don’t ramble. Instead, listen!

As the saying goes, you have one mouth and two ears, so use them accordingly. Listen carefully to what the interviewer is saying or asking. If you do, you will be less likely to ramble or get off the subject.

9. Never, ever, ever give up!

You need only one job, but it may take time and persistence before you find it, so don’t get discouraged. Remember that failure precedes success. Finding a job is difficult at best. Finding the right job can take even longer, but the pay-off will always be worth it.