Perhaps surprisingly, the second interview is often a very different experience from that of the first. The question you now have to ask is “How do you achieve success at the second roundinterview and ensure that the desired job becomes yours”?In my experience it can be a bit daunting, but pat yourself on the back – if you’ve made it this far, you are now being seriously considered for the role and you won’t be in there just making up the numbers! A well know saying which is worth remembering for a second interview: Failing to plan is planning to fail.Your success, to a large degree will be determined by your preparation.Once you have negotiated the first interview, its now time to achieve success at the second stage to be offered the job. Competition will be HOT! – but the good news is that you’re a definite front runner. What else can clear pores you do to tip the scales in your favour?Preparation – Preparation – Preparation.The first interview lays the foundations: it involves checking out your academic background, skills base and experience to ensure that they tie in with yourresume and match the job specification. The second interview goes to the next stage and can take on different formats – meeting several staff members (panel interview) or a series of one-to-one interviews. Alternatively, it could take the form of an all-day assessment centre; some have even been known to last even longer.Whatever the format, the questions asked will probe two particular areas:Do you meet the core competencies of the job?Is your personal profile the right match for the company? My number ONE rule -Find out beforehand the format for the second interview, as there are several possibilities.