Top interview tips for accounting jobs
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- 1. Top Interview Tips for AccountingJobsAccountants come in
many differentvariations, including public accountants, tax
accountants, government accountants, forensicaccountants,
management positions and auditors. Of course, before you settle
into a new accountingposition, you have to get through the
interview process and get the job. Here are some important tips to
ace your next accounting job interview.
- 2. Get the Interview In order to ace the interview, you first
have to get the interview. Whether yourefresh out of school or
between jobs, here are some useful tips to help you getyour foot in
the door: Prepare Your Resume Create a clear and concise, one page
document thatyou can give to one or two other people to review for
some honest feedback.Youll need a paper version, as well as an
online version to include in emails.Avoid anything too flashy or
colorful and include all of your relevant schooling,experience and
specialty accounting knowledge you may have. Professional Email
Address Before you begin the job search, its wise tocreate a
professional email address you can use for just
accounting-relatedemails. Make it as simple and basic as possible,
and include it on your resume. Mine Your Resources Contact old
professional acquaintances, schoolmatesor anyone else that can help
get the word out that you are looking for anaccounting position.
Face-to-Face Try to get out to at least one or two networking
events per weekto increase your exposure and make an impression on
people who may behiring. Go Online Take advantage of the social
media outlets that can help get yourname out there, and if
possible, create a mini website detailing your skills
andexperience. Include the url of your site on your resume and on
business cards. Go to the Source One strategy to get an interview
at companies you want towork for is to make contact and submit your
resume whether they are activelyhiring or not. It probably wont pay
to harass them or seem pushy, but gettingyour name in there wont
hurt.
- 3. Get Prepared Once your efforts have paid off and youve
landed the interview, its time to getprepared. In many cases,
accountants are wonderful with numbers, but not thegreatest at
communicating those skills in an interview setting. Thats why
itsimportant to prepare yourself well, so you can maintain the flow
of conversation andget your points across. Most companies will
grasp that your prowess lies withnumbers and figures, but if its
between you and another accountant, leaving afavorable impression
will help. Do Some Research Go online and research the company that
you areinterviewing for. It will help your chances if youre
well-versed about exactly whatthey do, their history and the future
outlook so you know who youll be working forand what theyre all
about. Its also important to get yourself into a selling
yourselfkind of mindset so you can really get the point across
about what you can offer thecompany. Create Your Story Before the
interview, work out exactly how you might presentyourself and your
story to the interviewer. Its important that you sell yourself,
andsince accountants are always the best at doing that, some
preparation will help.Practice with a friend or family member
beforehand to ensure you sound naturaland dont leave out any
important points. Prep for Questions While its true that you can
never really know exactly whatan interviewer may ask, you can cheat
a little. If you go into Google and type incommon accounting
interview questions youll get a sense of what you may beasked. Some
questions will likely be technical and some will be trying to
gaugeyour personality and work habits.
- 4. General Tips As with an interview for anyposition, there are
somegeneral rules and tips to followwith accounting positions.
Arrive five to 10 minutes early Always dress professionally Make
eye contact when yourespeaking Listen intently and dontinterrupt
Speak clearly, and not tooquickly Ask questions about thecompany,
the department andthe position Shake hands firmly Ask for a
business card
- 5. Common Mistakes Just as there are important things to do
inan accounting job interview, there arealso common mistakes you
are best toavoid. Aside from showing up late to theinterview and
dressinginappropriately, some other mistakesinclude: Chewing gum
during the interview Leaving your cell phone turned on Not
connecting your previous experienceto this job Asking about salary
on the first interview If you really take the time to learn
aboutthe position and prepare for theinterview, your chances of
coming out of itwith a new job will be high. Remember totranslate
your accounting skills well andsell yourself every step of the way,
andyoull do just fine.