Well, it’s hardly been a quiet week in finance, what with the indecision over the US banking rescue plan toying with international share prices, the Irish government stepping in with a £317billion bank savings guarantee, and Conservative Leader David Cameron pledging to work with Labour to push through legislation to allow the Bank of England to rescue ailing banking institutions.
But while the credit crunch continues to bite, things could be getting interesting for accountants. PWC’s Chief, Ian Powell, is calling for reform of current legislation in order to create an early warning system to prevent future financial crises – and accountants will play a key role in its development and deployment.
This sounds like good news for accountants as you’ll definitely become increasingly more in demand in the medium-and long-term. So, what better time than now to start polishing up your interview skills?
Interviews are all about preparation, and sometimes it can be tricky working out where to start – which is why it’s so important to work out what you want to gain from your next career move before diving into the application process. You should definitely research the market, find out more about the companies you’re interested in, and work out how you would fit in with their culture.
Once you’ve done your initial research and got a focused, relevant and up-to-date CV ready to send out, you will probably be well on the way to landing yourself an interview and a brand new role in a dream company.
The interview is your chance to build on the great impression your CV will make when it lands on the employer’s desk. But what do you need to do to set yourself apart from the competition and persuade the interviewer that you are the definitely the best person for the role?
Interview Preparation Step-by-Step
- By familiarising yourself with the role, the company and its expectations, you will present a dedicated and diligent profile to interviewers. You should definitely make sure that you look at the company’s website and make a list of key points about the company that you can refer to in the interview.
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Although it may seem obvious, you should also research yourself. What are your key skills, achievements, strengths and weaknesses? Make a list of these and try to find examples from your work and personal activities to back them up.
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You can use your research to prepare answers to some of the standard interview questions. You should have a bank of information about the company and yourself to draw on when faced with the interviewer’s questions.
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Preparing your own questions for the interviewer is extremely important as this is your chance to show the interviewer that you have thought seriously about the company. Of course, you might come up with questions during the interview itself, but it is best to prepare some in advance just in case. You could ask for more information about the role, or about opportunities for progression or training. You could also find out if the interviewer feels there are any areas where your application falls down, and take the opportunity convince them otherwise.
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It’s really important to go to interview armed with up-to-date information about your industry and sector. You can check out GAAPweb news for a daily roundup.
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Don’t forget that presentation is really important and always dress smartly for the occasion. Even if the company has dress down culture, it’s always better to overdress – you’ll show you’re willing to make an effort and are taking the application process seriously.
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What’s more, it’s not just about what you say, it’s also about how you say it. Since research suggests that body language is very important in deciding on candidates, you should present yourself as calm and composed (even if you don’t feel it!). So, don’t fiddle with a pen, slump in your chair, or avoid eye contact with the interviewer – and always remember to smile!
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And, above all, be confident!
If you still want to know more about the interview process, check out more interview advice from GAAPweb here.
Good luck if you've got an interview lined up - and keep at it with your applications. It can seem like a long process, but whatever your reasons for finding a new role, it will be worth it!
