Congratulations, you got a second interview! Here’s what to expect.
You did it! You managed to impress the law firm you interview with and you’ve been asked to come back for a second interview. You might be wondering what will be different in your second interview compared to the first.
As a legal recruitment specialist, one of my roles is to help our candidates understand what they can expect during the interview process. Here is a breakdown of what to anticipate when you get called back for a second meeting.
Who will you be meeting in your second interview?
During your first interview, you likely met with a human resources representative or hiring manager, as well as your would-be boss or the head of the practice group. At the second interview stage, you will most likely be meeting someone more senior within the firm, the person who will ultimately have the final say in the hiring decision.
Prior to your meeting, confirm with your legal recruiter who will be conducting the second interview. This will allow you to research this person beforehand online, be it on LinkedIn or via the firm’s website. In doing this, you may discover that you have shared interests or backgrounds; you will feel more at ease in the interview room, and overall, increase the likelihood of building up a rapport with your interviewer. This will also give you some insight and leverage when asked if you have any questions. (For tips on how to respond when asked if you have any questions, check out this post, How to respond when an interviewer asks: Do you have any questions?)
What will the format of the second interview be?
Don’t assume the format of your second interview will be the same as the first. You may be prepared for one style of interview, only to be faced with a completely different one on the day of. Confirm with your recruiter how many people are attending the interview and how it will be formatted.
During the interview, remember to interact with everyone in the room and not just those who are asking you the most questions. When answering questions, make eye contact with everyone in the room. Remember everyone’s names and address them as such. Keeping strong eye contact with everyone in the room and addressing them by name shows your ability to communicate properly no matter how large the group.
What is the interviewer trying to find out?
The main difference between your first and second interview lies in the objectives of the interviewer. Think objectively about what the interviewer is trying to find out and how you can provide them with the information they are looking for.
Here are some key points the interviewer is typically looking to have answered during a second interview:
- Your level of interest in the role and organization.
- Are you the right “fit” for the culture of the organization?
- Do you have the skills required?
- Address any concerns or doubts you may have.
- Your availability and salary expectations.
Post-interview follow up
At the end of your second interview, the interviewer should confirm next steps but, if not, you can politely ask. Remember to thank them for their time and send a follow-up email to either the interviewer or the recruiter to pass on (depending on who you have been in direct contact with during this process) to reiterate that you enjoyed meeting with them and are still interested in the position.
Good luck!
If you are interested in exploring your opportunities in the market, please feel free to reach out to me for a confidential discussion. The Counsel Network is widely recognized as the top legal recruiting firm in Canada specializing in lawyer recruitment.
Jordan Priest, Recruitment Associate
403.444.1760