How to Get that Second Interview

Getting a second interview can be more difficult than it actually sounds. There are lots of factors that affect you getting a second interview. From how well you perform in the first interview, to the calibre of competition you are up against.

Below are a 10 top tips that will help you get that second interview.

• 1. Give everything you can in your first interview. Outshine the competition by knowing more about the company and about the role/position you are applying for.
• 2. Have an action plan with you when you go into the interview. Lay out in black and white what you want to do within the next 6 months and 1 year.
• 3. Remember to take copies of your CV/Resume with you. Having a couple of freshly printed CV's to hand never did anyone any harm.
• 4. Have questions to hand. Prepare questions to ask the company/interviewer the night before your interview. Not asking questions in an interview can be the difference between getting a rejection call and an offer call.
• 5. Find out the companies background, what they sell, who to, and who their competitors are. Having knowledge of what the company is about will impress the interviewer, and ensure you outshine everyone else.
• 6. Listen. Sometimes when you are nervous in an interview it can be hard to actually just be quiet and listen to what the interviewer is asking/has to say, so bare this in mind.
• 7. Don't be over the top. Nobody loves a know it all, especially in an interview, so learn when to beef it up, and when to tone it down.
• 8. Look the part. Like with all interviews, dress like you want the job, and most importantly like you deserve the job.
• 9. Take notes where applicable/you feel necessary in the interview. Nothing shows the interviewer how keen and assertive you are than taking notes down.
• 10. Know your CV/Resume off by heart. You will be scrutinised and asked questions on every inch of your document, so make sure you have the answers ready when the questions are being fired out.

Finally, in addition to the 10 points mentioned, it is important to be confident. Prep yourself before you go into the interview and remain confident throughout the whole interview. It is important to remember that interviewers don't want someone who looks good on paper, but someone who falls at the first hurdle.