With lower-level employees, the job offer is typically made on or after the second interview. But with mid- and top-level executives and managers, four and five interviews before hiring are not uncommon.
If your first interview was with someone in personnel, the second interview will probably be set up with the person to whom the position will report, or if the job is a top-level position, your interview may be with the board of directors or the executive committee. If either of these is the case, you might call the original interviewer and ask if you should know anything specific before you meet with the next interviewer(s). You can also ask if there would be any objections to your making a direct call to the interviewer before you go in for the interview.
Since there will usually be no objection, call the second interviewer. Say something like, "I'm looking forward to meeting with you on {date). Would you like me to prepare anything in advance or bring along anything special to our meeting?" If you get specific requests, then collect them and bring them along to the interview. In any case, you've introduced yourself pleasantly to your interviewer, acknowledging that you're ready to do whatever you can to enhance your chances.
A second interview can follow the same track as a first interview-or it can be entirely different. It depends upon who's interviewing you and whether this will be someone to whom you'd be reporting or someone higher up. If it's the person you'd report to, expect the interview to be more direct and job-related. If the meeting is with someone nearer the top, you may have a relatively general interview in which you'll be expected to talk about your personal goals and objectives; about the company's goals and objectives, and bottom line; and about the contribution you would be expected to make.
Ask the first interviewer if he or she is going to introduce you to the second interviewer. If the answer is yes, upon your arrival ask the first interviewer for a briefing on what you can expect. You'll get at least an idea of the timetable and may gain other valuable insights. Also, when you're introduced by someone else in the company, you get a little bit of rub-off halo. The interview will get off to a friendly start, and the second interviewer may be predisposed in your favor.
One other suggestion. Before the second (and subsequent) interviews, ask for annual reports, brochures, descriptive information, catalogs and any other information sources available. Then bone up even more thoroughly on the company before the second interview than you did for the first. You'll give more informed responses. And the interviewers will be impressed by your interest in the company and your attention to detail.
