Accounting Interview Tips

As professionals, accountants are meticulous planners who are known to be methodical in their approach. How well prepared you are for the interview, speaks volumes about your professionalism. Accurate preparations will place you well ahead of the other applicants. Here are some tips to prepare for an accounting job interview.

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Presentation

Candidates are evaluated from the moment they step into the interview room. Thus, you have to make sure that you create a favorable initial impression.

First, do not forget your business like attire. Dress formally to look the part. A neat formal shirt, tie and trouser ensemble is best suited for your interview. Similarly, wear a pleasant smile to underplay your nervousness, if any. A smart look coupled with a positive attitude exudes confidence.

Clarity

Be clear while framing your resume. Your resume should be an introduction to your personality and subject knowledge. Try to communicate as much as possible in few words. During the interview, you can support your resume with to-the-point explanations. Underline those aspects of your resume where you can present your command over the subject. Precision will not only help the employer understand your overall knowledge, but also will create an impression that you believe in addressing the issues at hand.

Knowledge

It is expected that you know your subject matter. During an accounting interview, a lot will be discussed regarding the subject. Accounting is a technical subject, thus introduce those related accounting jargons during the interview. Your descriptions should be crisp, short yet impressive. Confidently present your knowledge to the panelists to convince them that you are the candidate they are looking for.

Another important tip would be to know about the current financial scenario. You can surely impress the panel with your knowledge and this will certainly boost your chances of being selected over the other candidates.

The final test

Question will usually be based to test your knowledge about accounting and finance and your past experiences, if any. Hence, be prepared for a small talk regarding your previous employment. Discussions about your work structure, pay package, good or bad experiences, reasons why you quit your earlier job etc. will be very much on their agenda. Any negative experiences that you might have had should be presented in a diplomatic way. Do not forget to mention how that experience helped you to grow as a person.

Other than these, there are few more tips that professional accountants should keep in mind to aid them during the interview.

Always knock the door before entering the interview room.
Do not forget to greet each panelist with a firm handshake and a smile.
Pay attention to your posture and body language.
Listen attentively when an interviewer poses a question. Frame concise replies that will answer the question. Avoid long and repetitive answers.
Show your interest to be a part of the organization by asking intuitive questions. It shows your keen ness and readiness to work for them.
Close your interview by gracefully thanking the panelists for the meeting and ask about the following steps.
After the interview, do not forget the follow up formality. Within 24 hours of the interview, send a thank you note to each panelist and mention your interest in being a part of their team.

Your thinking process, logical reasoning and analytical qualities will be put to test during the interview. At such times, a sharp mind and clear preparation will definitely help you to go through the interview without any difficulty.