Turning A Second Round Interview Into A Job Offer

Do you know anyone who's getting loads of second round interviews, but never getting job offers?

Want to know some techniques that might help them clinch the deal?

We regularly meet job hunters who are getting demoralised. It's understandable. After all, you've spent months sending off your CV, getting first round interviews and even getting second round interviews.

But you're still waiting to hear the "you're hired!" letter land on your doormat.

One of the common things that's happening here is what we call "dumbing down syndrome".

After months of unsuccessful applications, it's tempting to start applying for jobs that you're overqualified for - or that you don't really want. It's human nature to think that it'll be easier to get the job offer if you're the best qualified candidate.

But there's a catch.

Are you truly comfortable with applying for positions that are below your current level of experience? Or do you feel they're beneath you?

Unfortunately, this could be coming across in the interview - even if you don't mean it to.

Or if it's a job you don't really want, you'll give off subconscious signals that show this - no matter how hard you try - and you could be sabotaging your performance.

The interviewer could be assuming that they're just a "stop gap" until you find something more suitable - or that you'll find it difficult to work for a boss who is potentially less experienced than you.

You might sail through the interview, giving an excellent performance, but the interviewer could be left with an intuitive feeling that you're "... somehow just not right for the job - but I can't put my finger on why..."


Whether these assumptions are fair or not, I'd suggest you do two things:

1. Consider whether you really want to apply for these jobs. What are your other options?



2. Think about it from the recruiter's perspective. Reading your CV and hearing your interview replies, what might their concerns be?
   
   Make a list of these and write down next to each point how you could convince them each concern won't be an issue.

I'm certainly not suggesting you "dumb down" your CV or interview performance. However, you should pre-empt their objections and address them either in your cover letter or at some point in the interview.


If you're really stuck - and fed up - then you might find some interview coaching helps. Read more about how to select a job interview coach and how they could help you.

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