Preparing for the Call-Back Interview

by Alex A. Kecskes



Congratulations. You passed the initial interview and the HR manger has set up a call-back or second interview. This is not the time to be overly confident or cocky. Yes, you’re on the short list of candidates for the job, but the grilling will be tougher and more intensive.



Chances are you’ll meet with senior staff, maybe even a VP. They’ll want to get an in-depth feel for your skills and talents. You may be asked a gauntlet of tricky interview questions to see how you perform under pressure. You may also be asked to go into more detail about your work history, or to clear up any misconceptions about your resume. Ultimately, the call back interview will determine if you fit in with your subordinates, colleagues and superiors. In other words, are you a good match?



Some tips on how to prepare for the all-important call back:



Ask what to expect. Ask the HR manager if there’s anything you should bring or prepare for. Listen carefully to what he or she says. It can give you clues as to whom you’ll be meeting with and what they will ask you.



Re-Read the Job Description. Look for clues as to exactly what they are looking for. Read between the lines. If you know anyone who works for that company, find out about the company culture. Do some digging on the Internet and learn as much as you can about their operations, people, products, etc.



Go Beyond the Resume. Be prepared to discuss specific details of your prior jobs. Have results at the tip of your tongue—sales figures you helped elevate, costs you brought down, improvements you initiated.



Keep it professional. Don’t let your guard down. This is a common call-back interviewing technique. Things may get light and jovial. And you may think you have the job “in the bag.” You don’t. Employers want to see how you behave when the pressure’s off.



Got any thoughts on call-back interviews? Feel free to share them in the comments section.



Alex A. Kecskes has written hundreds of published articles on health/fitness, "green" issues, TV/film entertainment, restaurant reviews and many other topics. As a former Andy/Belding/One Show ad agency copywriter, he also writes web content, ads, brochures, sales letters, mailers and scripts for national B2B and B2C clients. Please see more of his blogs and view additional job postings on Nexxt.