Interview Tips
If you want to land yourself your ideal job it is essential that you interview well. An excellent CV and top class references will get you so far but you have to show that you are just what they are looking for. That you can back up what has been written and that you can fit well into a companies team.
In the finance and accountancy fields a set of stats can be rather dry and inexpressive, the interview is a great chance to show what you can bring to a company. You need to be able to get your personality across in a professional manner. It is also a great chance to highlight your skills and experience, to make sure their attention is brought to why you would be a great fit for working at the company.
Create a good impression
A huge multitude of surveys and research articles tell us that creating a great first impression is vital, and that such an impression is formed very quickly (exact times vary from survey to survey, but it is usually a matter of seconds). So you have to make sure that the first impression any interviewer gets of you is a good one.
How?
- Dress well. Suits are always well received for both men and women in the finance and accountancy industries. Leave the fancy clothing to PR and media types, show you mean business by a well ironed shirt and a top fitting suit. If you look the part you will instantly get more respect by interviewers.
- A firm shake of hands. Again this tends to be an impression thing rather than something that plays on the front of a hirers mind. But research has again shown that a firm handshake is important to creating a good firm impression. You are not trying to crush bones but you certainly need to not give the impression of a wet lettuce.
- Eye contact. Look people in the eye and they will instinctively trust you more. Look them in the eye from the start and they will find what you have to say more trustworthy. The idea isn't to stare them out but to create an impression of honesty and open trust.
Preparation
You can make a huge amount of 'brownie points' with an interviewer here. If you can show you have done your research they will appreciate the time and lengths you have have gone to.
But what to research?
- Your CV. I know it sounds daft but you have to know your CV inside out. You will be questioned on it and so it is important you can answer any questions on it.
- Prepare generic question answers. Companies will always ask 'where do you see yourself in 5 years', 'what are your weaknesses' and 'why do you want to work for this company', so make sure you have such answers prepared.
- The company you are interviewing for. And don't just read their website, get googling and find their press, their figures, their industry presence, software used etc etc. The more you can use and relate to your own experience the more impressed the interviewers will be by your dedication and drive for the job.
- Research the industry. Know the companies main competitors and their business practices and shares. Know the industry inside out and relate it to your experience. Have you worked in the same industry? If not then find a way that you can relate this industry to one you have worked in before. Go the extra mile and it will really pay off.
Confidence
A big part of interviewing is showing the confidence in yourself that you can do the job. So it is vital that you display this confidence when interviewing, even if it is just a mask. You have to let the interviewer know you are more than capable of doing the job.
- Sell yourself. When you are interviewing make sure they know why you can do the job. Tell them why you are the best for the position and how your skills and experience relate to it. Don't be embarrassed by it, selling is just part of an interview and is expected of you.
- Body posture. It is important you have a confident body posture, so no slouching, crossing your arms or looking down to the floor. Instead try to keep your body open and facing the interviewers at all times. If they are sitting in a certain manner try to subtlety mirror them (not obviously copy though) as that can build a feeling of solidarity subconsciously.
Have questions prepared for the interview
Remember you are interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you. So find out about the company by asking them. You want to know business practices, what its like to work there, what sort of team you will be in etc. This helps in two ways
- It helps you get the answers you want and decide if you want to work for the company
- It impresses them with your diligence, too many candidates just sit there panic stricken when asked if they have any questions.
Don't be afraid to have your questions written in a notebook, no interviewer will have an issue with this and it will again emphasize how prepared you are.
These tips should help make sure that you give the best possible interview you can, giving you the best possible chance of landing the job you want.