Making it to the third stage of interviews is awesome news. It signifies that the hiring manager is about to make you an offer or that someone in a higher position wants to meet you. According to a 2022 report by the recruitment software company Lever, only about 17% of job candidates make it to a third interview round, indicating that you're in a strong position among a small, select group of candidates.

The third interview should add depth and understanding about the job since you are now one of a smaller pool of qualified candidates that the employer is genuinely considering. 

Whatever scenario may occur, you should be well prepared because there will be a more detailed assessment by the company or the hiring manager about how you would integrate within the work environment. In this article, we will outline the third interview, why companies have third interviews, and how to prepare for it. 

What is a third-round interview? 

The third interview is a critical step in the recruitment process. It usually comes after a potential candidate has gone through earlier stages such as phone screening and an office visit. The third interview allows the hiring manager to evaluate you further and assess your personality, skills, and value and what contributions you will make to the company. 

During the third interview, you can anticipate that senior management, department heads, or even the CEO will be asking you mostly behavioral questions. These questions are outlined to assess how you will resolve conflicts, what you consider to be important in your job, how you work with different teams and departments, and why you will make a good fit for the company in terms of its values, culture, and vision for the future.

Why do companies have third-round interviews? 

A third interview typically signifies you're on the verge of landing the role, and the company is trying to ensure everything checks out before making an offer. At this point, they have already evaluated your qualifications and personality and they are trying to know how well you would fit into the team and the culture of the company. A 2018 study from Robert Half revealed that 91% of hiring managers prioritize cultural fit as highly as skills and experience when making hiring decisions. It's not only about what you can do, but how you'll collaborate with others, handle challenges, and contribute to the general work environment. This is when they want to guarantee you share their beliefs and long-term objectives. 

You can also anticipate working through real-world scenarios that test your problem-solving abilities. They might ask you to walk them through how you'd handle certain challenges you'd encounter in the role. This isn't only about testing your technical knowledge but seeing how you think on your feet and make judgments under pressure. It's a way for them to evaluate your practical skills and know how well you manage situations that may emerge on the job. 

Another reason for a third interview is to work out the logistics. By now, the company likely wants to discuss compensation, benefits, and job expectations more openly. They're also looking to see if you're still excited about the role after all the rounds. This is when they want to ensure both sides are on the same page concerning the position and description. 

Lastly, a third interview often involves more key people in the decision-making process. You might meet with top leaders or future colleagues who you haven't associated with before. They are interested in understanding whether you are comfortable working with people of different backgrounds as team collaboration plays a huge role in the success of any organization. 

To summarize, the third interview mostly indicates that you are very close to success and all that remains is ensuring everything is right in terms of job satisfaction. It’s not only about validating your skills but also ensuring passion for the role being offered. 

How to prepare for a third-round interview 

To plan for your third interview, envision yourself in the position and how you'll contribute to the company. Take time to extend your understanding of the job, the company, and the issues they are attempting to solve. To do this, take the following steps before your third interview: 

Step 1: Review and refresh what you know so far 

During your first and second interviews, you learned more about the job and the company's goals. Compare what you learned in those interviews to your qualifications again and highlight areas where your qualifications and expertise are relevant. By carefully analyzing previous discussions, you can gain insights into what the company prioritizes and how they view your qualifications. Revisit the job description to match your qualifications more precisely to the role’s requirements, ensuring that your responses align with the specific skills and competencies they need. This is also a good time to address any points where you may have felt less confident or benefit from further elaboration. Having a clear narrative across all three rounds, with each answer connecting and building on previous discussions, positions you as a consistent, focused candidate who is deeply in tune with what the company is looking for. 

Step 2: Research your interviewers 

You may be interviewed by the recruiting manager, individuals from the department or team you will be joining, or top management such as founders or executives. If you haven't received an agenda from the company's hiring manager with your interviewers' names, request that they email it to you. This allows you to do some research about your interviewers, which may help you plan your conversations. 

Step 3: Prepare for deeper behavioral questions 

During your first two interviews, you may have responded to general questions such as "Introduce yourself" or "Why do you want this job?" For your third-round interview, prepare for behavioral interview questions. Behavioral questions center on how you handled certain job situations in the past. Use the STAR strategy (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure each response, ensuring that you explain the context concisely while emphasizing the particular activities you took and the results attained. Center on cases that illustrate basic skills like flexibility, dispute resolution, leadership, or cross-functional collaboration, as these qualities are regularly assessed in subsequent rounds. Be prepared to quantify your achievements, as providing metrics or exact results makes your illustrations far more catchy. If feasible, have different scenarios in mind to help you offer varied answers, demonstrating your ability to manage various situations efficiently. Your goal is to show that you have faced and conquered issues in a way that aligns with the company's values and work style. Examples of behavioral questions include the following; 

  • Describe a tough incident from your prior job and how you handled it. 
  • Have you ever managed a challenging issue with an employee or coworker? 
  • How did you handle a challenging scenario involving a client, a supervisor, or another department? 
  • How did you handle meeting a tight deadline? 

Step 4: Ask thoughtful questions

During a third interview, the interviewers want to be certain both parties are a good fit for each other. They will ask if you have any concerns to address. Asking questions lets them know you are proactive and engaged during the interview process. It’s also an excellent way to resolve any questions from previous interviews. By the third interview, you should be better equipped to delve into the team dynamics, company culture, and the specifics of the projects you could be working on. Don't be afraid to assert yourself and seek clarity; they will directly impact your experience and success within the organization. It's your chance to learn critical information to help you make an informed decision about your future with this firm. You can also inquire about your long-term objectives, development opportunities, or how success is measured in the role. This interest can increase the chances of getting the job after a third interview. 

Step 5: Prepare to discuss your vision and values 

The third-round interview frequently involves an evaluation of your long-term objectives and cultural alignment, making it fundamental to express your vision and values clearly. Think of how your career goals resonate with the vision of the business and be ready to explain why this role relates to your career aspirations. Reflect on your motivation professionally and personally and evaluate whether it corresponds with the company's goals. Prepare specific cases or accomplishments that outline your dedication to similar ideals, such as creativity, cooperation, or social responsibility. When outlining your professional objectives, emphasize how you envision yourself developing within the organization and how your skills can contribute to their long-term success. This approach permits interviewers to see you as someone who's not only skilled but also deeply committed to their objective, making you a candidate they can picture contributing to the company's future.

Step 6: Prepare a closing pitch 

As the interview closes, your interviewers are eager to hear how best you would sell yourself including your passion and fit. Restate the main characteristics that you possess and relate them to the position and the problems of the company that are attached to this position. Pick out one or two notable skills or experiences that you believe are relevant and describe them confidently. Express real excitement about the opportunity to join their team and work on specific objectives that resonate with you. 

Sincerely thank the interviewers for their time and thoughtfulness, emphasizing your passion to contribute and develop within the company. This finishing touch demonstrates your professionalism, eagerness, and willingness to make a significant impression. 

Leave a Lasting Impression!

In conclusion, planning for a third-round interview requires an intensive understanding of the position and the company, a strong grasp of your prior interview performance, and the capacity to illustrate alignment with the organization's values and objectives. At this stage, interviewers are searching for someone who not only has the abilities but also fits the company culture and can contribute to its development. Be prepared to provide comprehensive answers about past accomplishments, clarify concerns, and ask reasonable questions to demonstrate your genuine interest. Approach this phase with certainty, as it's a crucial opportunity to create a lasting impression and reiterate why you're the best fit for the position. 

Lightforth is your threee-in-one solution that helps you craft optimized resumes, prepare for interviews and apply to jobs. Visit www.lightforth.org now to get started.