Interview Tips: 6 Questions & Answers To Expect In A Second Interview

By Elizabeth Benu,
A second interview is the time to demonstrate your skills and make the right impressions that support your CV.

This is when the company makes a final decision on whether you are the person they are going to hire or not.

These are some of the questions you are likely to expect in a second interview:

1. Why are you the best candidate for this position?
“Things like passion for the job, technical skills and experience and education should be included in your answer,” recommends Rob Scott of Aaron Wallis Sales Recruitment

“As a Logistics professional with 4 years experience I have managed to fully optimize business processes and resources. In line with customer requirements and organization operating procedures, I reduced delayed orders by 50%. My previous employer often placed me with the new employees to educate and motivate them on best practices. I will bring not only experience, but patience and creative problem-solving, to this position.”

2. Tell us how you have solved problems at your previous jobs?
Career Coach Susan Whitcam says, “Use the CAR (Challenge, Action and Results) approach to answer this question.”

“I faced the challenge of having to reorganize the company’s financial resources. The previous accountant had embezzled most of the money and I had to find a way to solve the problem. I took an in-depth view on the company’s financial records and used them to come up with a plan that not only recovered some of the money but also saved the company from becoming bankrupt.”

3. Why should we hire you?
Don Georgevich, a High Performance interview coach, suggests, “Pick on your qualities. Let the answer be clear, short and reflect on your professionalism and skills.”

“You are looking for someone to represent the company well. With my 7 years of experience working as an administrator my high energy and quick learning style will enable me to size up problems rapidly. I have the ability to stay focused in stressful situations and offer top notch customer service experience. I’m confident I would be a great addition to your team.”

4. What are your salary requirements?
As outlined before on previous articles on Career Point, the answer depends on the organisation, the size, the industry and position you are applying for.

“Based on my skills and education I am looking for a starting salary of between Ksh.70, 000 – Ksh.90,000”

5. What have you learnt about us so far?
This question can also be framed as “what do you know about this company?”

Alison Doyle an expert career coach says that, “This is a tough question to answer. See if you can bring in knowledge that you learned about the company during your first interview.”

“It is a company dedicated to producing technologically advanced tools such as product X in order to meet the needs of modern and future businesses. After meeting the receptionist and HR manager in the previous interview, I can tell that the entire department is organized to help meet those goals, and it appears to me that this is an environment with a clear path ahead of it.”

6. How Did You Fit in With the Company Culture at Your Last Employer?
An employer might ask this in order to figure out how you would adjust to the work environment at a new job.

“The organization was of conservative nature compared to my aggressive personality. As a paralegal officer I had to present grievances in a persistent but cooperative manner until all concerns were answered. In the end, I think management viewed me as a team player and valued my interest in enacting positive change to the organisation.”

For interview queries contact elizabeth@www.careerpointkenya.co.ke

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