HR types - how many people are normally called for a second interview?

[SkodaLabia]

DP has a second interview coming up, and we're trying to work out the odds. How many candidates normally get a second interview? Don't want to out myself (or him!), but it's for a large third sector organisation.

Don't know specifically about third sector, but I work for a large international company and we only call 2-3 people for second interview. It's usually a much longer and more intensive schedule, and we don't have time to do that for more than 3 candidates or we'd never get our day jobs done!

Thanks. We've been doing a bit of research about how second interviews differ from first ones, but it'd be great if you could tell me a bit about how they differ at your company.

He hasn't been asked to prepare anything in advance.

Agree on 2-3

And do you need to see them again because maybe there were a lot of first round candidates and maybe you need a reminder in order to separate them best ones? Or do you ask different questions?

Well, we usually ask for a 20-minute presentation on a topic title we give them but they do get that in advance. The range of people you would see is greater - we've usually convinced ourselves already that the candidate has the technical skills we need, now we want to see how they will fit into the teams, and spend a bit more time probing their conflict management skills, for example, or how they deal with other circumstances that might come up within the team (being a little vague here to avoid outing myself). So, first interviews see HR, the line manager and perhaps one or two other people from the same group. Second interviewees see people from support functions, from the wider matrix team (including in some cases telephone interviews with colleagues in other countries, which can be daunting!) and usually the head of department.

A word of warning - we also ask our admin staff their opinions of any candidates we see. The admin will welcome the visitor and usher them around during the half-day or so of interviews, sort out lunch and drinks etc. If you're rude to our admin, you will probably not get the job. This seems basic good manners to me, but you'd be surprised at how often people are dismissive or rude!

To answer your questions, yes we do ask different questions and it's also about seeing different people.

Thanks so much. DP is an all round fine chap so will have sparkling manners in his dealings with the admin folk.

He's done a presentation already, so there won't be another, I'd imagine.

So, it looks like the second round is perhaps going deeper into one or two areas, and seeing how he'd fit in with the organisation. There was a current member of the team at the first interview, so perhaps this will be focussing on the broader picture.

Thanks so much for your help!

I've just done a second interview for a job (and got it - yay!!) they called three people back from about 8/9 in the first round.

I had to do an unseen presentation and answer more questions. They were different questions from the first time. Two people interviewed me the first time round and then one more the second time.

I think in general if there are a lot of applicants then the first interview is to rule people out and the second is to pick the person - if that makes sense.

Did you know there was going to be a presentation, Wips, and it was just the topic that was unseen, or did they spring it on you at second interview stage?

Yes, stands to reason of course that the questions would be different, but it looks as if they go a bit more in depth on the second round.

Congrats Wips! Did you hear that day?

When I was invited for interview they told me there would be a presentation but I would only be given the topic on the day. And yes they do go into more depth the second time.

I did hear that day that I had got it.

Has your DP done many interviews before?

No, that's why he was bricking it for the first round.

Neither of us have ever done a second interview, we've spent most of our careers as freelancers, so most of the time there isn't even a first interview!

A second interview is a really good chance. You can bring up stuff you wanted to mention the first time round but forgot and you know at that stage you are in with a real chance!!

Good Luck!