Great Tips for Second Interviews
- Clear up your online profile. Try and remove inappropriate photos and conversations on social networks (now is the time that potential employers will be doing their background research (but they won't tell you) see https://www.aaronwallis.co.uk/candidates/advice/preparing-to-search-for-sales-jobs/online-searching/staying-safe-when-job-searching/recruitment-and-social-networking/ for more information)
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Do your homework – talk to people in the role currently. Talk to suppliers, talk to clients, talk to competitors. This 360 degree approach will give you questions to probe to ensure you’re making the right decision.
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Invest a fiver in downloading the company’s financials from Companies House – don’t join a firm where employing more sales staff is the last throw of the dice to remain solvent! www.companycheck.co.uk is a good alternative
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Call the person that interviewed you at the first interview for hints and tips. How should you approach the other interviewers, what’s their style, what are their interests, what do they like in a sales professional, etc.
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Google the names of the interviewers to get a flavour of them (or check on LinkedIn) – what projects have they been involved in. Wrap their whole name in inverted commas such as ‘Fred Bickerdyke’ and add the company name. Try the name just on its own as it may bring up their previous employers. Along the same vein, do a check on ‘LinkedIn’ and other social networking sites to try and find out more about them.
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Prepare a SWOT analysis on the business and the industry sector (not to take with you but to generate ideas and get you thinking about whether this is the right business for you)
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Look at and research competitor websites. Get a real feel for USP’s, Market Share, Opportunities, etc.
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There is no such thing as a ‘rubber stamping exercise’. Managing Director’s don’t become Managing Director’s by ‘rubber stamping’ potential employees. If it is a third stage interview that is described as a ‘rubber stamping’ you must approach it with the same vigour, energy, planning and enthusiasm as the first interview.
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Don’t change your appearance at a second interview to ‘blend in’. i.e. if at the first interview the interviewer isn’t wearing a tie then still wear your tie to the next interview. You can lose the tie when you’re also a proven employee!
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Always spend at least an hour preparing your strengths, skills and experience against the job requirements. You can never plan enough!
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If given a formal job spec, think of an example of your skills, experience and successes to corroborate against each required competency. Then if it is going to be competency based you will really shine.
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Prepare an appendix to your CV detailing the projects that you have worked on, accounts that you have won, professional memberships, affiliations, etc. that may be pertinent to the company.
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Prepare a second interview presentation (even if you haven’t been asked!). See Second Interview Presentations
Good luck with your second interviews!
Date published: 28th February 2024
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by Simon Bonner
Associate Director
About the author
Simon Bonner
With over 25 years in B2B sales and recruitment, Simon is an English Graduate from UEA and specialises in recruiting commercial and FMCG sales positions. Simon joined the sales recruitment industry in 1998 before progressing into field sales and returning to recruitment in 2015. As an Associate Director, Simon is well placed to understand the needs of clients and candidates' needs, having spent ten years selling electronic security and managing National Accounts within OEM manufacturers and distribution channels. An avid Luton Town football fan, Simon dotes on his two daughters and enjoys keeping fit, socialising, food and wine.
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