Preparing for a Third Interview? Here’s What to Expect

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So, you’ve been called back for a third interview. That's fantastic news!

Remember that most applicants don’t even get a first interview. Also keep in mind that you impressed the hiring team enough in the second interview for them to want another look at you. Being invited to a third interview is a very good sign; it means you are doing something right.

And while it doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get the job, it does mean that your chances of getting a job after a strong third interview fall on the better-than-average side of the equation.

We’ve already given you advice about what to expect from a second interview, but meeting the hiring manager for the third time is different. Having a good idea of what’s coming can increase the chances of the interview going well, so here’s what to expect — from what kinds of third interview questions you’ll likely be asked to who may be interviewing you this time around.

How to Be Prepared for Third Interview Questions

Expect to keep your guard up
Expect a longer interview that involves more people
Expect intensive questions that can determine fit
Expect to ask more in-depth questions
Expect to engage in salary negotiation

At this stage, a key purpose for the hiring manager — and the entire hiring team — is to evaluate your fit for the overall workplace culture. So expect behavioral questions in the third interview. Many managers will be assessing whether they want to invest in bringing you on board and training you.

Job candidates should expect questions that focus on specific areas related to the role, questions that require you to answer with specifics. Be prepared for the hiring manager asking more in-depth questions in the third interview, such as how you responded to tough situations in the past, and be ready to give examples with your answers.

The higher-ups don’t have time to meet with every candidate. However, when the company is preparing to make a final decision, at least one of the divisional leaders or senior executives may want to meet the individuals in serious contention for the position. Expect to meet with — and be grilled by — the heavy hitters during the third interview.

It’s also possible that your second interview did not produce a consensus. For example, maybe you impressed the hiring manager, but another job candidate is the favorite among someone in HR. You could be called back so senior leadership can break the tie.

Hiring the wrong person is an expensive, time-consuming and labor-intensive mistake that companies try to avoid at all costs.

For third interview questions, expect queries designed to reveal such things as your ability to be a team player and engage in cross-department collaboration, your preference for working in a quiet environment versus a more animated setting, and whether you take a conservative approach to work or are a risk-taker.

Companies also will use the third interview to learn how you react in certain, tricky situations — your reaction if you were to catch another employee doing something unethical, how well you manage stress and how you prioritize competing deadlines.

During the first two interviews, you may have made generalized inquiries about the company; however, you’ll be expected to have more profound questions during the third interview. Examples of these types of questions include:

How will this position be assessed during a performance evaluation, and what does success in this position look like?

What are the shared characteristics of your most successful employees?

What are the shared characteristics of the employees who were not successful?

What is the most pressing problem the person in this position needs to solve?

Who held this position previously and where are they now?

Be prepared to talk about compensation and benefits. You may even be asked, “What’s your expected salary?” in a very direct manner. Be prepared for this possibility by making sure you know what your skills are worth, based on your research regarding salary trends and calculations. To help you with this important task, consult the most recent Salary Guide From Robert Half, as well as the Robert Half Salary Calculator.

If the third interview leads to a job offer, but you’re not happy with the salary figures, don’t express this during the interview. Tell the interview team you’d like to give the offer some more thought, and — unless you’ve already been given this information — ask when they need an answer.

Take some time to think it over, and consider the pros and cons. Perhaps the health plan is superior to other offers you have received, or the signing bonus is larger, or you’ve determined this job will offer much better work-life balance. Evaluate all the factors, from perks, benefits and salary to details specific to your own situation, and inform the hiring manager of your decision within the time frame you’ve been given.

These are just some of the conversations that you can expect to grow out of third interview questions. By anticipating and preparing for the most likely scenarios, you can cement your standing as the best person for the job.

Subscribe to the Robert Half newsletter for more tips on how to land a job and succeed in your career, and get more information on what to expect as you move through the interview process with the posts below.

8 Questions to Ask at a Second Interview

15 Second Interview Questions to Expect (With Answers!)

Your Top Questions About the Follow-Up Interview Answered

Common Interview Questions for a Job — and How to Tackle Them

Interview Tips to Help You Land the Job You Want

How to Answer, ‘What is Your Greatest Strength,’ in a Job Interview