Landing the second interview is an accomplishment in and of itself; however, it’s only the beginning. Now you have to seal the deal and make sure that you’re offered the job. To do that, you’ll need to be prepared for the common second interview questions. 

Some second interview questions may be the same as the first interview questions; however, you will be expected to go into more depth with your answers. Employers will also ask more specific questions about the job and your qualifications. Here are some common second interview questions along with tips on how to answer them:

What professional achievement are you most proud of?

When answering this question, you want to make sure that you choose an achievement that is relevant to the job you are interviewing for. For example, if you are interviewing for a sales position, you might talk about how you increased sales by X percent in your previous role. Alternatively, if you are interviewing for a project management position, you might talk about how you successfully completed a complex project within the specified timeframe and budget. 

What type of work environment do you prefer?

Employers commonly ask this question to make sure that you align your preferences with the company culture. For example, if you are interviewing for a start-up company, you might say that you prefer a fast-paced and dynamic work environment. If you are interviewing for a more traditional company, you might say that you prefer a stable and structured work environment. They may also want to see if you prefer to work remotely, in the office, or on a hybrid work schedule. 

Whatever answer you provide will help the interviewer decide if you would be a good fit for their workplace culture.

Why did you leave your last job?

When answering this question, you want to make sure that you are honest but positive. You might talk about how you were looking for a new challenge or an opportunity to learn new skills. You could say that you left your last job because it was not the right fit for you. Definitely avoid bad-mouthing your last boss or coworkers. Even if they were the reason you left your last job, you should come up with another reason why you left your last job.

Whatever your reason for leaving, make sure that you emphasize that you are excited about the opportunity to join the new company. 

What are your salary expectations?

Make sure you do your research in preparation for this question.  You can use online resources to find out the average salary for the position you are applying for in the city where the company is located. Once you have that information, you can give a range that is appropriate. You may also want to double-check the job posting to see if the employer provided a salary range for the available position. Make sure your desired salary fits within their given range. 

What makes you a good fit for this role?

For this question, focus on your qualifications and skills that match the job requirements. For example, if the job requires excellent communication skills, you might talk about how you have successfully led team projects in the past. If the job requires strong analytical skills, you might talk about how you have experience working with data and numbers. You could also talk about how your past professional experience has prepared you for the role. 

Get Help With Your Job Seach

Now that you know what to expect in a second interview, it’s time to start looking for the next step in your career. Just know that you don’t have to tackle your job search alone. Recruiters can be a great resource for job seekers like you. 

At Burchard & Associates, we help accounting and finance professionals find the next step in their careers. We work with many employers in the St. Louis area and beyond to help them find qualified candidates for their open positions. Check out our available career opportunities, or contact us today to learn more about how we can help you with your job search.