Second interview questions and their importance
The interview questions you ask during a second interview help you gain greater insight into the personality traits, experience, and ambitions of a prospective employee. Because this stage of interviewing usually focuses more on the specific responsibilities of the job, it’s essential to evaluate an applicant’s suitability for both the position and your workplace environment. By the end of a second interview, you should have a much stronger sense of who the most qualified applicants are.
Consider asking questions that provide insight into how applicants performed in similar roles. For example, hypothetical scenarios, skills-based questions, and open-ended interview questions are effective for understanding how applicants plan to contribute to your organization. The following example questions can provide additional insight into effective questions to ask during a second interview and why they’re important:
How will this position help you achieve your career goals?
It’s always helpful to know that your employees have a sense of their long-term plans and goals. A great deal of effort and resources can go into recruiting and training new employees, so it’s important to understand what an employee’s future goals are. This question also evaluates how an applicant’s professional objectives align with your company’s, and whether they intend to work with your company for an extended period.
Do you prefer working independently or as part of a team?
While there is no correct or incorrect answer to this question, it’s an effective way to find out how applicants perform in both situations. Candidates who are comfortable with both working independently and on a team may provide answers that give insight into their experience. When discussing this question with a candidate, look for the ability to take on independent tasks with little supervision and the motivation and engagement to support colleagues in a team environment. Although a combination of independent and group work can be beneficial for many businesses, it’s important to assess candidates with this question based on your unique work environment.
Why do you feel you are suitable for the role?
Before deciding to hire a candidate, you need to ensure that an applicant has the necessary enthusiasm, understanding, and skills for the role. This open-ended question will help you identify candidates who embody these traits, while also providing them with an opportunity to express themselves. Consider the skills that the position requires, and listen to how the candidate’s experience and qualifications match with what your company is looking for. Applicants’ answers should include examples of the skills, credentials, and other requirements and why these traits make them the best fit for the role.
What do you know about our organization’s current projects?
This question allows you to better evaluate how familiar a candidate is with your company and its current operations, goals, and mission. A candidate who is familiar with your organization may also be more likely to have a deeper understanding of the job and the responsibilities it entails. Look for candidates who have taken initiative to learn about your organization and its products or services. Applicants who are enthusiastic and motivated to contribute to your company’s growth and development are likely to enjoy working with team members and customers.
How do you plan to contribute to this position?
Open-ended questions like this one give candidates the chance to discuss past achievements and how they see themselves helping the team and your company succeed. They are free to explain their understanding of the duties of the position, and how their traits and skills fit with the demands of the job. Besides the required skills and qualifications, look for applicants’ ability to take on new challenges and solve problems creatively. It’s also important to consider the candidate’s past achievements, as this can give you a better idea of how they may perform similarly for your organization.
