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Top interview tips for accounting jobs

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  1. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.