The accounting job market is poised for 16 percent growth between 2010 and 2020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Availability of work does you no good if you can't get past the accounting interviews. Follow these interview tips to ensure you present yourself as a professional, qualified accounting candidate.
No matter where you are in your career, one of the most important interview tips is to come prepared. Dress appropriately for the environment you're interviewing in, bring a few clean copies of your resume, and carry notes with reference information in case the employer requires a completed application. It's not enough to be prepared on the surface—you also need to do some homework. Learn as much about the company as possible from reliable sources. Check out current employee and company profiles on LinkedIn and review the company's website. Pay attention to about pages, mission and vision statements, and product pages. This information helps you tailor your interview responses to the company's specific needs.
Honesty tops the list of almost every collection of interview tips. An accounting firm isn't going to expect you to understand firm-specific programs or processes. Let employers know you don't have experience with a specific accounting program, but cite your ability to learn quickly or your proficiency with computers or with a similar type of software. Employers in the financial niche will expect accounting candidates to understand things like regulations, tax law, and accounting processes, but you don't have to say yes to every skills question. Depending on your level and experience, saying that you have experience with every accounting situation could come across as insincere or false. Keep things positive and try to find a way to point out your skills with every question, but be forthcoming about your comfort level and experience.
Regardless of industry, interview tips always caution candidates from bad-mouthing former employers. This can create an awkward situation when potential employers ask about your reasons for leaving previous employment. It's best to avoid personal stories about bad work relationships when you're in accounting interviews. If you left a previous situation due to personal differences with a boss or coworker, simply say that you are seeking a more positive work environment. Candidates who were let go from previous jobs may balk when employers ask for permission to contact past employers. Following interview tips for honesty, it's best to be forthcoming about past employment. Don't leave employment off your resume because it ended badly; prospective employers running a background check will find this information anyway, and it will appear as though you have something to hide. If you were let go in the past because of a serious accounting mistake and are required to discuss the instance in an interview, frame the situation as a learning opportunity and explain what you gained from the lesson.
Following interview tips like preparing and being honest help you present a professional image for your accounting-based job interview. Remember that companies are looking for someone who can help them; when answering questions, try to find a way to frame the answer so that it comes across as being to the company's benefit.
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