The first round of an interview session is more of a screening round, which is used to eliminate the non-serious or under-prepared candidates. The second round that follows it, is more of an engrossing, deep, and intellectual round wherein the level of questions would be raised and your personality, approach, and core domain knowledge will be tactfully analyzed. Most of the established business organizations follow this route of organizing at least two interview sessions with their eligible candidates. Thus, prepare hard and read out our collection of best second interview questions, which are mentioned hereunder:
21 Best Second Interview Questions To Study
1. How Was Your First Interview? Rate It On A Scale Of One To Five.
This is a tricky interview question, in which you are being asked to analyze your own performance of the first round. Be genuine, and never sound diplomatic.
Sample Answer
Sir, in the first round, a majority of questions were related to my core domain knowledge. I am a technically sound person, and luckily, I was able to deliver a good performance for all those questions. My answers were crisp, to the point, and relevant. However, there were a few personalities evaluating questions in the first round, in which I faltered a bit. I have improved myself on that aspect, and am now ready to face even those as well. Overall, I would like to rate myself with a 4.8
2. Name The Latest Technology That Excites You. Also, Explain The Reason For Your Choice.
This question checks your level of awareness and interest in the latest technologies and developments.
Sample Answer
Sir, I recently heard about flying cars. A bunch of scientists is working hard to develop a special engine that could lift the cars using thrust and let them float in the air without any mechanical push. This technology really excites me, as it could solve numerous human problems along with saving valuable commute time.
3. What Are The Possible Mistakes That You Made In Your First Interview?
Through this question, an interviewer wants to check your ability of self-analysis. This is a common second interview question, in which you are being enquired about the possible mistakes that you made in your first round.
Sample Answer
Sir, in my opinion, everything went absolutely fine, until, I was asked my “motivational factors”. I prepared very hard for my interview session but missed preparing for these factors. I believe, I messed up while giving an answer to this question, and this might be my only mistake.
4. In The Merit List, Prepared After The First Round, You Are Ranked Pretty Below. What Special Will You Do In This Round To Uplift Your Score As Well As Ranking?
This is a tricky interview question, in which an interview is trying to destroy your confidence level and is putting you under undue stress. Through this question, an interviewer wants to assess not only your ability to handle pressure but also your capacity to perform under pressure.
Sample Answer
Sir, It is fun to rise from the bottom, as that makes success much sweeter and enjoyable. I have prepared very hard for this interview session and have covered all my bases. In this round, I would try to be more precise and relevant with my answers. Moreover, I would display a much better body language as compared to the first one, as I have practiced more than 10 mock interview sessions.
5. How Do You Handle and Manage Ethical Dilemmas Arising At Your Workplace? Explain Using A Real Example.
Ethical dilemmas refer to a tricky situation in which you will be stuck between the benefits of society and the benefits of your organization. For example, a particular construction project might be beneficial for your company but would destroy at least a thousand trees and several natural habitats. Be balanced in your approach, and show dedication as well as commitment towards your employer.
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Sample Answer
Sir, I would like to quote the old wise saying over here, which is, “Never quarrel with your bread and butter”. It might be true that the company policies are not in the favor of its surroundings and society in general, but as a dedicated employee, I would always support my organization, which is giving me a means to livelihood.
6. I Am Curious To Know About Your Favorite Animal. Can You Share?
This might be an easy question for the unprepared candidates, but only a prepared one would know its importance. This question is a master personality evaluator, which assesses you on the basis of the animals you choose. Thus, make it a point to choose a corporate-friendly animal and learn some of its positive characteristics.
Sample Answer
Sir, my favorite animal is a dog. Not only it is loyal but also has some unique sniffing abilities. If I am able to exhibit its loyalty and acquire the ability to quickly judge terrible things then I will be highly successful while performing at the workplace.
7. Describe About A Time When You Showed Commitment At Your Workplace.
This is a situation-based interview question, in which you are being asked to narrate an incidence in which you showed commitment at your workplace.
Sample Answer
Sir, this happened during my previous tenure when we a team of five was reduced to two. The other three team members of ours left the workplace due to different reasons and issues. Thus, I alongside my mate, worked hard to achieve the team target within the assigned deadline. We used to work for more than 11 hours a day, without any additional compensation, which shows our commitment towards our employer.
8. Establish A Mathematical Ratio Between Luck, Hardwork and God. You Can Use Stationary As Well To Support Your Reasoning.
This is an intellectual question, which is purely designed to check your level of intelligence, wit, and imagination. There is no perfect answer for this question, as it largely relies and depends upon your thought process and belief system.
Sample Answer
Sir, in my humble opinion, all these three elements are largely connected and intertwined. My ratio would be, Luck: Hardwork: God = 5:4:1. I would like to present the following statements in support of my ratio:
| Statements | Weights (out of 10, depending upon human nature) |
| If you are able to work hard (high-intensity) then both god and luck support you. | 5 (at least in five out of ten times we work very hard) |
| If you moderately work hard, yet both luck and god might support you. | 4 (at least in four out of ten times we moderately work hard) |
| If you sit idle and do not work hard at all, then god and luck will not support you | 1 (at least once out of ten times we sit idle) |
9. What Are Your Views On Racism and Equity Inclusion In The Context Of Diversity At The Workplace?
This question checks your awareness and viewpoints in regards to diversity in the workforce employed by a company.
Sample Answer
Sir, in my opinion, all lives matter, and discrimination of any form, whether on the basis of gender, religion, caste, or skin color must be strictly prohibited and punished. I have absolutely no issues in working with an employee having a skin color darker than mine because I do not support racism. Further, equity inclusion, in which all the employees are treated equally irrespective of their religion or caste, works pretty well, and enhances the confidence level of the employees, making them more dedicated and productive.
10. Which Is The Latest Book That You Have Recently Read? What Did You Learn From It?
This question checks your level of interest in books, literature, and magazines. You can choose all the biographies, teachings, business, and technology-based books, that have genuinely taught you some good attributes. Further, make sure that you are selecting a book that is not of any romantic or adult genre.
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Sample Answer
Sir, I recently read (____mention the name of the book____), after a recommendation from one of my friends. It is a wonderful book, which has taught me how to behave and react in difficult and uncomfortable situations. Moreover, I feel much more confident and relaxed in situations that demand public speaking. I was lucky to read this book, and will surely recommend it to my other friends as well.
11. Assume That, You Got Two Paths, One Leads To Success and The Other Leads To Money. What Will You Choose and Why?
This is an intellectual question, which is purely designed to check your level of intelligence, wit, and imagination. There is no perfect answer for this question, as it largely relies and depends upon your thought process and belief system.
Sample Answer
Sir, to be honest, and absolutely truthful, money is the most common form of motivation that not only stimulates the employees of a business organization to work hard but also prompts them to push their limits and achieve the assigned targets in a time-bound manner. I also enjoy money, as it can fulfill most of your desires and expectations, barring a few. However, I am a man of doctrines and I never accept any easy money. Thus, I would always choose the path to success, wherein I work hard and get not only money but also fame, recognition, and support.
12. Working In A Business Organization, Has Its Own Challenges and Hiccups. How Do You Manage Your Stress Levels?
Stress is a part and parcel of working in the corporate sector. This is primarily because of the challenges that commercial organizations accept while doing business. This stress can hamper your performance in a company and can even impact your ability to meet the targets. Thus, an interviewer is always interested in knowing the various strategies and techniques following which you are able to manage your stress levels.
13. What Is Your Preferred Mode Of Working – Team Or Individual?
It is common for business organizations nowadays to divide their entire workforce into separate teams on the basis of their education levels, skills, and nature of tasks to be performed. This question gives you an opportunity to select between the two modes of working, which are “team” and “individual”. You can choose any of them but make sure you are able to justify your selection with reasonable logic and rationale.
14. What Is Your Dream Job?
Humans have brains, and an unmatched ability to think, contemplate and ponder. This gives rise to a hypothetical world that exists only in our imagination. This world is known by the name of “dream”. Since this is a question for a corporate job, you must stick to professionalism and workplaces. As an ideal response, you can share a few expectations that you want from your employer. For example, it could be a dream to work in a company that gives weekly parties to its employees.
15. Please Share Again, What Can You Offer Us That Someone Else Cannot?
You might have attempted this question in your first round as well. However, considering its relevancy and importance, there are high chances that you will be asked about your unique propositions and special abilities in the second round as well. Just like the first, make sure that you do not exaggerate and are able to give an answer using real professional experience.
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16. How Do You Manage Failure At Your Workplace?
Failure is a pathetic term, which nobody wants to hear or confront. It not only disturbs a person but also makes him feel obsessed with negativity and pessimism. In such a state, an employee would undoubtedly perform badly at its workplace and would definitely cut a sorry figure. Thus, an interviewer is always interested in knowing your strategies and techniques using which you are able to manage your failures at the workplace.
17. What Are Your Major Strengths?
This is a common interview question, which marks its appearance in almost all the interview sessions held across the world. The best way to answer this question is by analyzing the job description issued by the employer. Read it out comprehensively, and make sure you are able to understand all the terms mentioned in it. Find out the requirements of the job, and base your strengths on it.
18. When Can You Start Working With Us?
This is a common interview question, which requires you to share your expected date of start. You will definitely be asked this question in your second round, but always remember that this question does not guarantee your selection. Hence, maintain your focus and keep your concentration level intact for the rest of the interview session.
19. How Do You Keep Yourself Motivated At The Workplace?
It is human nature to demand motivation and inspiration. Performing a task daily is a tough process that crushes employees in its monotony and diverts them towards novelty. At this point, motivation acts as a guiding force that gives sanity to such crushed employees. Through this question, an interviewer is interested in knowing the various motivational factors that prompt you to work hard and keep boredom at bay. These factors might be influenced by your personal conditions, financial circumstances, and desires, hence, always deliver an answer that is genuine and original.
20. What Are Your Salary Expectations?
It is common for the interviewers to ask about your salary expectations during an interview session itself. As an ideal response, make sure that you are quoting a salary figure that is neither too high nor too low from the median salary. For this, you can always conduct deep scrutiny of the industry to which you belong and note down all the salaries offered to similar professionals. Calculate the mean or average salary, and base your answer upon it.
21. Do You Have Any Questons For Us?
Maybe you heard this question in your first round as well. But be assured, you will be asked this question again. It is common for the interviewers to close an interview session, no matter it is first or second, using this question. Through this question, an interviewer wants to know about the various apprehensions, doubts, or issues that you might be having in regards to the business organization. If you missed this question in your first round, now is the time to make amends and ask some relevant counter-questions from your interviewer. Read out the model questions mentioned below for a better understanding:
Model Questions
- What are the various incentives and allowances that are offered by the company to its employees?
- Please share a list of all the paid leaves that are offered by the company to its employees in a calendar year.
- Can you name the major training and development programs organized by the company for its regular employees?
Download the list of questions in .PDF format, to practice with them later, or to use them on your interview template (for Second interviews):
References
- https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1362361320981319
- https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=gtRJEAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&dq=Top+21+Second+Interview+Questions+in+2021+%5Bwith+Answers%5D&ots=Eea_eLRejP&sig=Ok69gqVj-kPuEm6K691n7Kbxu_g
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