[Anonymous]

I scored an interview with a firm at an on-campus recruiting event, and I am given 30 minutes to convince them to hire me!! 🙁 What are the most important points to remember to impress these guys in a short period of time?? How can I stand out from the others?

[Excited_CPA]

I'm not sure what year you are in school, but I think telling them that you've passed one part of your CPA and are planning to (or have already registered) to take the other parts might make you stand out from other candidates; it'll show them you have a good plan for your future.

I also learned to look at interviews as selling a product, and that product is you. Try to stay away from general statements and cookie cutter responses (a common one I hear is that their biggest weakness is being a perfectionist).

Also, back up your strengths with stories/numbers. Just like when you're shopping for a real product, it's nice that they say they're the best blow dryer (first thing that came to mind), but who'll believe that. They should back it up with facts and numbers (like they blow harder than any other dryer =T….). Have stories and accomplishments ready to go.

Good luck on the CPA and the job interview!

BEC 04/14/12 87
FAR 08/28/12 88
AUD 10/06/12 94
REG 02/09/13 91

[D]

I agree with the post above, but I think the most important thing to remember is just to remain confident. They only know you based on what you have on your resume.. so back up all those things.

Explain to them that you're driven and determined (then give example.. whether it be how great you are at leading groups in class, studying for the CPA exam while juggling other things, or if you currently work an example from there would be great). Tell them you are highly motivated and positive (give examples), and will continue to strive to learn and be an asset to the firm.

If they ask you about weaknesses, have an example ready and stick to that. Otherwise don't bring it up unless they ask.

Make sure you have a lesson learned or a plan of action for the said weakness, which shows that you know you're not perfect and you're not going to walk into their firm acting like a know it all.. but that you will work on it.

The one thing that ALWAYS got me through interviews successfully in college was coming up with my scenarios/examples ahead of time and rehearsing how I would say it, this way when they ask I don't fumble or seem surprised. Just make sure youre quick and concise, and don't take 10 minutes to answer a 5 word question (preparation!). Sure bets for questions are:

– Give us an example of how well you work in a group

– A time you received negative feedback from a supervisor (something didn't go the way you planned) and how did you deal with it

Good luck!

**************************
AUD: 77  (Jan 2016)
BEC: 80  (May 2016)
REG: (rematch May 2017)
FAR: (rematch Apr 2017)
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AUD - 74, 77! (1/2016)
BEC - 80! (5/2016)
REG - tbd (8/2016)
FAR - tbd

Study materials: NINJA MCQ/Audio/Notes

"I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me!"
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[Anonymous]

SMILE!!!!!

People relate to other people that are personable. If you go into the interview with a good attitude and positive outlook, your experiences will for sure show through that. I feel as though companies look for people who are enjoyable to work with and are hard-working and dedicated and have a willingness to learn new things. Express your interest at the opportunity of a job with them and just really let your personality shine through the interview. Always remember to be honest. If you don't know an answer to a question, say so. Honesty goes a long way. Good luck. You will kill it! 🙂

[FARoadAhead]

AnnaMay84:

My advice is to write down potential questions and your responses and just practice, practice, practice like you're studying for the CPA exam! Clarity, voice projection, eye contact are all important. The whole point is to feel prepared, comfortable and confident with your interviewer.Have conviction in your presentation.Let your personality just flow and don't worry about making a good impression and just let your personality speak for itself throughout the interview because if this is a first round interview they are most likely interested in your behavioral responses and people skills because like the person above posted they want someone “who is enjoyable to work with” and is a good fit for their company and that you are definitely interested in working for them. They'll definitely start off by asking you “tell me about yourself” which is an opportunity to break the ice and really shine. The examples you give about how you've dealt with situations at work, how you've contributed to group projects, are you a team leader or follower, what's your favorite class/why? will contribute to your uniqueness. Also, ask questions like what's the biggest challenge starting out as an entry-level/iintern with your company or what's the next step in the process. Don't ask questions that you can find out for yourself on their website.

That's pretty much it, I hope you do well and get the job!

[Whatdidyou]

Be confident and personable. Most important things. If you can do those two things, your ahead of at least 50% of your competition. I knew a girl who talked about her lost dog for over half of the interview who got a big4 offer.

Most interviews are not technical and no need to direct the interview there. Follow the lead of the interviewer – sometimes they just want a conversation about the weekend, sometimes they want concrete examples of your accomplishments/experiences.

Practice, practice, and practice – in person or with a friend if possible. It's amazing how much you can fumble when in an interview environment (across a table looking at another person), even if that person is your friend and you know the questions beforehand! FYI: You can find out 95% of the questions they'll ask you online beforehand. The other 5% will be follow up questions and/or questions based off your resume/cover letter.

I was so confident in my interview, that I tried to outspeak the partner a couple of times (where we would both speak at the same time, and then we'd do it again, and then i'd finally defer to him/her and let him;her go first) lol. Still got an offer. Much better to be too confident than too timid.

REG - Passed!!
BEC - Passed
FAR - Passed
AUD - Passed

Study Materials: Becker basic course

[testsz]

Yeah, just try to be confident and presentable. I am still struggling on this aspect as I have no landed any jobs!!

Whatdidyou, if you don't mind me asking, who did you get the offer with?

Congratz btw!

[Jeremy]

First piece of advice is to try and find someone else who has interviewed with the firm. That way you can get an idea as to how that particular firm interviews. I have had six already this fall and no two were really the same. If you can't find anyone, my experience has been that interviews with HR tend to be pretty structured, with lots of “standard” interview questions. Managers and partners tend to be much less formal. For one interview with a partner, we just spent an hour talking about cycling and music. For another with a rep from HR, it was completely scripted.

Second when you go to sit down for the interview, sit in a position that is natural for you. My theory is if you aren't comfortable with how you are sitting then it will come through in your interview, maybe by being a bit fidgety or maybe you don't project the same confidence in your voice. I have always heard that you should sit on the edge of your seat with your feet flat on the floor but for me that just isn't natural, I lean back (not slouching), cross my legs and fold my hands in my lap. I know I will probably catch a little bit of flak for this one, but I truly believe it can make a big difference.

Also prepare a lot of questions to ask. Generally, the interviewer has made a decision in the first five to ten minutes of the interview and not too long after that they defer to you to ask questions for the remainder of the interview. This is your time to show that you are interested! Think of this as your opportunity to interview the firm to decide if it is a good fit for you and ask questions to help you answer that question. My secret weapon is to ask the interviewer where the firm can most improve (because it shows you are thinking about both the positive and the negative). Finally when you are finished asking questions, close the interview by asking what are the next steps or where do we go form here.

One more thing, when you are answering questions try to judge the engagement of the interviewer and talk about the things he/she wants to engage in. If you find an experience that engages him/her, try to frame more of your answers around that experience. If an interviewer comments about having a similar experience, ask them about it. People love to talk about themselves and it will help build rapport (and take up interview time so you can avoid so of the trickier questions). Admittedly this last piece of advice, is more difficult to do, but practice with friends, professors and most importantly strangers because if you can engage a perfect stranger, engaging an interviewer is a cakewalk.

Best of luck!!!!

B- 8/13/2012- 92
A- 7/19/2012- 83
R- 5/30/2012-82
F- 7/3/2012- 90

[wldcatnc]

Smile and eye contact are the key. If you have trouble keeping consistent eye contact with someone, a trick is to focus on the one of the interviewer eyes instead of both. It will seem less intimidating and give the appearance that you are making consistent eye contact. Lastly, this is a sales pitch not only for you to sell yourself but for the firm to sell you as well.

To let them know that you are interested I always utilize the following question: “Is there anything about my education or background that would prevent me from moving onto the next step in the interview process?”

Plus it's a chance to defend any shortfalls in your resume that you might have missed.

Good Luck.

You'll kill it.

FAR: 81
REG: 85
AUD: 73,71,83
BEC: 82

DONE!!!!!!

[Author]

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