Finance and accountancy Interview advice

Having the right range of technical skills outlined in your CV is not sufficient in itself to ensure success at interview; getting a job offer calls for you to demonstrate a broader base of skills which can cause anxiety to the unprepared. These skills are based on simple concepts, which once mastered, can help you successfully manage the most demanding interview process.

Preparation

Preparation is the first essential step towards a successful interview. As an absolute minimum you need to:

• Read the Job Description carefully and take notes
• Read the version of your CV that has been submitted carefully and take a mental note of key experiences that match the Job Description
• Establish the correct location and how to get there
• Study company brochures/literature and/or website. Where possible you should:
  • Know something of the company's history
  • Know who their competitors are
  • Understand the company's products and services
  • Have knowledge of the company's revenue and profitability
• Look at recent independent company news; for this we recommend www.ft.com or www.telegraph.co.uk
• Identify exactly whom you are meeting, their position in the company and the recruitment process.

Interviewer Techniques

Most companies incorporate some form of Competency Based Interviewing Technique. This is designed to give a systematic, structured and goal-oriented selection interviewing technique to facilitate well-informed, reliable and accurate hiring decisions.

What you will get in effect is an interview where there is an 'even playing field' since the interviewer will be focused on the same set of competencies for each applicant.

TIP: Read the job description again to establish the competencies required. From this you can deduce what questions are likely to come up.

Answering interview questions

Not all interviews will be formulaic however. They can vary tremendously, from very informal to formal. However, some questions can be anticipated, as can the subject matter. If you are well prepared as mentioned above, then the majority of problem questions should not arise.

A few general rules

• Speak up when answering questions
• Answer briefly, but try to avoid 'yes' or 'no' answers unless it is required
• Don't worry about pausing before you answer, it shows you can think and are not delivering rehearsed answers and sound bites
• Don't embellish or try to waffle through answers. It is always better to admit you don't know the answer to something. If your mind has gone blank, simply come back to the subject when it is convenient later in the interview
• Be prepared for hypothetical situation questions and take your time on these
• Be prepared for the unexpected question designed to see how you cope in less predictable circumstances
• If you ask questions keep them brief during the interview, remember you're the interviewee. At the end of the interview ask your questions in an open manner, that is, questions which cannot be answered yes or no. E.g. How? Who? What? When and Why?

TIP: Thank the interviewers for their time and try to leave quickly and calmly. Remember to smile no matter how you feel the interview went. If you are interested in the opportunity, make sure you leave them with that impression - without going overboard and sounding desperate!

Do

• Give a firm handshake and good eye contact
• Bring spare copies of your CV in case they are needed
• Accept a drink - water is best. Even the most confident interviewee gets thirsty. Moreover it establishes time for rapport and gives you more time to settle down
• Ask for permission to take notes if you want to, this can show genuine interest and good technique - although be sure they are only for 'key words' to refer to when you want to ask questions later.
• Ask good relevant questions. These questions can be prepared in advance but be sure that you do not repeat subjects already covered
• Interviews are not firing squads - so try to smile occasionally as you would if you were in any other kind of meeting

Don't

• Mirror - if you know what this is don't do it. Most interviewers will be aware of a deliberate use of it - it is very irritating and distracting
• Fidget and fiddle or play with your hair or jewellery
• Use your question time to ask about pay and benefits
• Take verbatim or copious notes; you're there to listen!
• Stare, but at the same time try to avoid looking down when answering questions

Remember

Once our interview has been arranged as a result of your CV and/or application form you are over the first hurdle. Clearly the company feels that, on paper, you could fulfil their requirements. You should therefore see your interview as a golden opportunity to demonstrate that their initial assessment was correct.