If you performed well during your first interview for a social worker job, then you may very likely be called back in for a second round of interviews. It’s not uncommon for many employers to conduct more than one round of interviews before making a final selection. Many times this is because it is between similarly skilled and qualified candidates for sales jobs, media jobs, engineer jobs and other professional positions, including social worker jobs.
Interviewing at all for any position is a bit nerve racking. But getting to the second round of interviews is even more so for many people. After all, it usually means it’s down to you and one or maybe two other candidates. It’s important you don’t let your nerves get the best of you though. Keep in mind there are things you can do to improve your chances of getting that job.
Preparing For Your Second Social Worker Interview
If you’re lucky enough to get that call, asking you to come back in for a second interview, then you’ll have some work ahead of you. Just as you spent some time after your initial search for jobs in preparing for the first interview by practicing interviewing, doing research on the employer, and reviewing the information on your own resume. You’ll have some preparation work to put in before the second interview, as well. Here are a few ways in which you can better stage yourself for the second interview and make the best impression possible.
Treat Each Interview As Only The First Step
It’s critical you go into every first interview like it is the first step in a longer process. No matter if you’re looking for social worker, sales jobs or media jobs. Regardless of what the position may be you’re applying for, there is always a chance the employer may not make an immediate hire after the first round of interviews.
It’s more and more common for recruiters to use a first interview to narrow a candidate pool. And then depend on the second round of interviews for making a final decision about the right candidate. This is especially true with engineer jobs and other professional level positions, including those in the social work field.
Knowing this, it’s essential you go into a first interview with the mindset it is a first step in what could potentially be a longer recruitment and selection process. Be sure to take notes on critical points during the first interview regardless if you’re planning to pursue fulltime jobs or part-time jobs. You can jot down notes during the interview or wait until the interview is over. If you wait, so as not to disrupt the flow of conversation or interrupt your own concentration or train of thought during the interview session. Make sure your write down your impressions and questions right after the interview is over so as not to forget any details.
Make note of those areas of the interview in which the recruiter seemed most interested in your responses. Record any details about the organization’s structure, mission, or focus. It could be useful in coming up with your own questions to ask the interviewer if called back in for a second interview. It’s also important you make note of the names of any individuals with whom you meet and their job titles. This is so you can refresh your memory before going back in for the second interview. Not having to be reminded of a manager or supervisor’s name and position at a second interview makes you a much more impressive candidate.
Do Your Research And Other Prep Work
If you receive that call back for a second interview, it’s time to get to work on preparing for the meeting. Spend some time doing research on the organization. Research any key players with whom you previously met. Also research any other details that can make you more ready to discuss specific organization challenges, initiatives and goals during the second interview.
Review the notes you made after your first interview. Work on ways in which to re-emphasize those qualifications, skills and work experience details with which the interviewer seemed the most impressed during interview session. Don’t simply go back in to the second interview and sing the same song. Find ways to cover the details of your skills, abilities and achievements in your previous fulltime jobs and part-time jobs. But spin them in a new way. Provide a new and fresh perspective on what makes you the best candidate for the job.
Finding a job after college can be tough! There's stiff competition, and sometimes students are at the mercy of the economy that they graduate into. Many college grads often take minimum wage jobs or jobs that they're overqualified for in order to make ends meet.
The key to landing a job out of college is preparing for the job search process while still in school. Unfortunately, they don't always teach you about the job search process in school, so it's up to students to take responsibility for their future careers.
Here are some tips to put yourself in a position to land a job after college.
Be Thoughtful About Your Career Path
Do you know what the career options are for your degree? How competitive the industry is? What the average salary is for the type of role you're pursuing?
These are not questions you should be seeking to answer after graduation. These are all questions that should've been asked prior to declaring a major.
Research...research...research!
Knowing what you might be in for after graduation can help you with planning. You could meet with your advisor well in advance of graduation and look at potential internships and identify potential companies to work for, giving you a head start on your networking efforts.
If you failed to prepare like this prior to graduation, you did put yourself at an initial disadvantage, but you're certainly not doomed!
What If You're Unsure About Your Career Path?
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Even after college, some people are unsure about what they want to do for a career. If you find yourself in this situation, don't panic. You need to do an honest assessment of yourself and determine the valuable skills that you possess. Most importantly, ask yourself, "What are some of the things I love doing?"
Work It Daily also has resources that can assist you in your search. Our FREE Career Decoder Quiz will help you determine your professional persona. Knowing your professional persona will help you understand the skills you have that bring value to the job and what you find professionally and personally fulfilling.
In addition, whether you're a graduate or still a student, don't limit your opportunities to learn new skills.
Chances are you have interests outside of your course of study. You should be open to pursuing those interests. It could be that you're a health/science major with an interest in computers. Why not take some computer courses?
Interested in learning a trade? Electricians, plumbers, contractors, and auto mechanics are all in demand.
If you're still in school, you have an opportunity to take additional courses or decide on a double major or minor.
Options may be a bit more limited for recent grads, but there are always online courses, certification programs, or specialty course programs available. As long as you have a hunger for more knowledge, you should never stop wanting to learn. The more skills you have, the more career options are available to you. Options are important during the job search for recent grads.
Educate Yourself About The Job Search Process
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College can't prepare you for everything, and most of the lessons people learn from the job search process come from real-world experience. However, there are some things you can do to prepare.
First, research as many potential jobs as you can before graduation and identify some potential companies that you would like to work for (this is called your interview bucket list). Second, prepare multiple resumes tailored for the specific positions for which you're applying.
A recruiter needs to see the skills you have that apply to the position within the first six seconds of reading your resume. You should also prepare a disruptive cover letter where you really bring attention to yourself by telling a story about how you connect with the company.
The last thing you need to do is reach out and network. It's not enough to just send in a resume and cover letter and hope that you'll be contacted. Reach out to people who work at the company through LinkedIn and introduce yourself. Use the fact that you're a graduating student seeking knowledge to your advantage. There are professionals who enjoy the opportunity to mentor.
Even if these new connections don't translate into an immediate job, you've made your first professional contacts which could come in handy at some other point in time. Knowing how to conduct a proactive job search will serve you well throughout your professional life.
Remember, There's Nothing Wrong With Changing Career Paths
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Sometimes you find happiness and success in a career field that you didn't go to school for. That's okay (and normal). Life happens!
For new grads, the goal is usually to find work in your field of study and it's great when things work out that way. But as the job search process goes on you may fall into a job that you weren't planning to and end up liking it. If the job makes you happy and there's room for growth, there's nothing wrong with keeping it. It's a personal decision.
This will be true throughout your professional life. You may end up working in your field, but, as time goes on, priorities and life circumstances change. You may develop new skills that draw you into a new career direction. The goal is to always put yourself in a position to succeed and sometimes that means making a change.
Preparation and keeping an open mind are the two common themes when it comes to the job search for recent grads. There are no guarantees for new graduates, so you have to be ready for anything. Hopefully, by knowing what to expect, you'll know how to land a job after college and can land a job that matches your talents.
Here at Work It Daily, we understand how difficult it is to find a job and grow your career as a recent college grad. If you're struggling to find a job that's right for you, we can help.
We'd love it if you joined our FREE community. It’s a private, online platform where workers, just like you, are coming together to learn and grow into powerful Workplace Renegades.
It's time to find work that makes you feel happy, satisfied, and fulfilled. Join our FREE community today to finally become an empowered business-of-one!
This article was originally published at an earlier date.
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