2nd job interview this Friday, advice?

[sigmanova]

Hey everyone.

I've been wanting to get out of my current job for a few years now and finally have a great opportunity waiting for me at a large medical office. My old co-worker works here and actually referred me to the job. I did pretty good during the first interview which was last Friday (July 29th) and a few days ago they called me to setup a 2nd interview for this Friday August 5th. The recruiter said it would only be 30 minutes and it would be with the medical administrator and executive consultant; so I'm thinking some pretty heavy hitters will be asking tough questions.

Anyway, any advice from ATOT would be greatly appreciated. I really don't have alot of experience with interviews but my friend said to just be myself and he said I did fine on the first interview.

It's an Analyst job for the Administrative Services department.

tldr;

-got a call for a 2nd job interview Monday following the 1st interview that was Friday;
- need advice on what to expect and what questions to ask.

 

[alfa147x]

Nude

 

[Zeze]

Second interview? Salary will be discussed likely.

Always have them throw out the number first. You have nothing to gain by telling them yours.

 

[sigmanova]

Second interview? Salary will be discussed likely.

Always have them throw out the number first. You have nothing to gain by telling them yours.

Thank you Zeze. I'll be sure to wait for them to throw out a number first. Any tips on salary negotiation? I've never done negotiating before so I wouldn't know where to start.

 

[AreaCode707]

Go find someone to practice interview you a few times and give you feedback. Seriously, you will do so much better if you have a run-through.

Questions to ask:
- What are the primary measures of success for this role?
- What do you consider to be the biggest challenges facing the person who takes this role?
- What traits do you think would make someone successful in accomplishing their objectives in this?
- What do you like best about working here?

BEST post-interview question, use it to close the interview:
- Do you see any areas where I might not be a fit for the role or the role might not be a fit for me?

It basically opens the door for them to tell you any qualms they have about hiring you, and gives you an in for addressing them.

 

[sigmanova]

thank you so much AreaCode! I used the last two questions during my first interview with a 3 person panel but I will definitely use the other ones you suggested! I really like your post interview question and will use that as well. Thank you again for your advice.

I'll be sure to practice with a friend tomorrow night before the big day.

 

[AreaCode707]

Thank you Zeze. I'll be sure to wait for them to throw out a number first. Any tips on salary negotiation? I've never done negotiating before so I wouldn't know where to start.

If you can walk away and think for a little bit, do so.

"Thank you for the offer. I did note that with the <reason - change in benefits package, relocation requirements, whatever> this would come out to be less than my total compensation package in my current role. I'm really excited about the opportunity and it seems like it's a perfect fit for my skills and interests. What else do you think you might be able to do for me?"

No yes or no, just a space for them to up the offer if they really want you. If they come back and say sorry, nothing else they can do then you can accept the offer where it's at.

This tactic gained me a $25k signon bonus, a 10k pay bump and double the stock once. I didn't use it in my next negotiation and I've regretted it ever since. I could totally have gotten more stock.

 

[AreaCode707]

I like telling people my post interview question. It is super useful and if anybody ever uses it with me, I'll know they were taking advice somewhere along the line because I'm the one who made it up.

 

[alfa147x]

So you guys are saying he should go nude? Right?

 

[sigmanova]

AreaCode; would I ask that question when they give me a salary number on the spot or when I receive the offer letter?

 

[AreaCode707]

AreaCode; would I ask that question when they give me a salary number on the spot or when I receive the offer letter?

Not on the spot; you need time to do a proper comparison between your current salary with their offer. When you use this line, you want to provide them a direct financial justification for why you're not immediately jumping on their offer. They will need to use that to explain internally why they're asking to bump you up.

Try to avoid giving a response when they initially make the offer. If it applies to you, you can always say, "Thank you for the offer! The job really sounds great to me. I'll need to talk to my S.O. about the package and will give you a call on <day x> to follow up." Seriously, that works. People respect the personal relationship requirements.

 

[Texashiker]

Couple of shots of crown royal before the interview.

Shows the person doing the interview that you have good taste in alcohol.

It also helps to bring the bottle with you and offer the other person something to drink

 

[the DRIZZLE]

I like telling people my post interview question. It is super useful and if anybody ever uses it with me, I'll know they were taking advice somewhere along the line because I'm the one who made it up.

If I was interviewing you and you asked me that I'd turn it around and make you answer it.

 

[AreaCode707]

If I was interviewing you and you asked me that I'd turn it around and make you answer it.

Hasn't happened to me so far, but if you did, I would give you a totally honest answer, assessing my potential fit for the job, and then repeat the question to you. I don't want a job that I don't fit, both for my sake and the company's.

 

[sigmanova]

thanks AreaCode for your help. I will put it to use this Friday morning.

I have a good feeling since they called so quickly after my initial 3-person panel interview to schedule the 2nd one.

 

[AreaCode707]

thanks AreaCode for your help. I will put it to use this Friday morning.

I have a good feeling since they called so quickly after my initial 3-person panel interview to schedule the 2nd one.

Good luck!

 

[Alienwho]

AreaCode, would you say signing bonuses are pretty standard from what you've seen? I have never seen personally experienced or known anyone who has ever received a signing bonus. Most people I know work for small/medium sized privately held companies. Is this more of a big company kind of thing?

I just got a new job, they offered me the exact same salary I make now (I told them what I currently make, I should have inflated it though like I have in past jobs), but they offered me 2.5&#37; worth of shares in the company. I took the job because besides the stock and the benefits are way better and it's just a few miles from my house instead of 23 miles away like my previous job. I think I could have negotiated for an additional 10k in salary but I was afraid they would come back to me and say "well the stock options we offered you are currently worth triple your salary and are projected to go up much higher". It's a 100 person sized company and all my interviews were with the president/owner (who I will be reporting to directly). Do you have any suggestions? I know it's to late but I'll keep it in mind for next time.

 

[AreaCode707]

AreaCode, would you say signing bonuses are pretty standard from what you've seen? I have never seen personally experienced or known anyone who has ever received a signing bonus. Most people I know work for small/medium sized privately held companies. Is this more of a big company kind of thing?

I just got a new job, they offered me the exact same salary I make now (I told them what I currently make, I should have inflated it though like I have in past jobs), but they offered me 2.5% worth of shares in the company. I took the job because besides the stock and the benefits are way better and it's just a few miles from my house instead of 23 miles away like my previous job. I think I could have negotiated for an additional 10k in salary but I was afraid they would come back to me and say "well the stock options we offered you are currently worth triple your salary and are projected to go up much higher". It's a 100 person sized company and all my interviews were with the president/owner (who I will be reporting to directly). Do you have any suggestions? I know it's to late but I'll keep it in mind for next time.

I've only ever been offered a signing bonus in a big company. It seems pretty common once you get past a particular income level (probably about 65 or 70k.)

I have never tried to control any particular part of my comp package. You never know what internal policies and controls are restricting their options as far as upping your comp. My perspective is that it's best to ask for an up, and let them try to deliver that best they can.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Knee pads show you mean business.

 

[sigmanova]

Well today I got a call from the hiring manager offering me the job. It's about a 18&#37; bump in pay which is more than I was expecting. I'm waiting for the offer letter to arrive before turning in my two weeks notice. Extremely excited! Too bad it requires relocation but the area I'll be living in has a slightly lower cost of living.

FWIW, it'll be surreal turning that notice in. It's the same company I worked for straight out of college for the past 5 years and while I really like the people, there's just no growth opportunities and salary increases have been pitiful and too far and few in between.

 

[jingramm]

congrats

what were some of the questions you were asked? mostly behavioral? did they grill you in the 2nd round interview?

I have a first round coming up and I'm really looking for a move like you were.

 

[alfa147x]

Congrats. I bet if you went nude you would have + 20&#37;

 

[sigmanova]

The first interview was before a 3 person panel which included two managers and the project analyst who was my friend. They asked mostly behavioral questions like: "Can you give us an example of when you went above and beyond?".

As for the 2nd interview, it was surprisingly easy. It was more of a "are you fit for this job" sort of deal, where they asked questions to get to know me and although it only lasted for 30 minutes, 10 of those minutes were me talking about myself and where I am where I am, and the rest were the two people (Medical Administrator and Executive Consultant) talking about the job and the challenges.

Advice for your first round is:

1) Be yourself. Take time to compose answers to the questions.
2) Research the company. More than likely they will ask why you want to work there; why you are leaving your current job (if you are currently employed).
3) Never talk about salary. Always let them throw out a number first.
4) Be sure to ask questions when they ask if you have any. Don't ask "so what does your company do?"; You should know this already. Ask about the job, the challenges that the ideal candidate will face, what the interviewers like best about working there, etc.
5) Dress professionally. No scuffs on shoes. For my interviews I wore brand new dress shoes and half-windsored my tie along with a coat.

 

[sigmanova]

Congrats. I bet if you went nude you would have + 20%

lol sure are persistent about nuding up for interviews eh?

 

[jingramm]

what questions did you ask at the end during your first round interview?