Our New Year, New Challenge campaign continues throughout January and this week we’re exploring how talented accountants like you can challenge your interview prep to stand out from the rest.
In a bid to spark a new lease of life into your career as we begin the 2024 season, the month-long campaign focuses on a different topic each week, where we share insights, tips, and advice from our expert team.
When it comes to interviewing for a new job, our key advice is to prepare, prepare, and prepare some more. You might be able to list off your previous jobs from your CV and you may have one or two work examples in mind, but there’s a lot more you can do to make your experience, skills, and personality shine.
As an accountant, the pressure to standout during an interview is particularly high as you’ll be navigating through a field that demands precision, analytical skills, and a deep understanding of your chosen area of accounting.
Read on to learn how to adopt a strategic approach to preparation that will help you to secure the right job for you.
Know the firm inside and out: Perhaps you’ve scanned the firm’s website and know a few pieces of information about its team, structure, and clients, but you need to go a step further to stand out from other candidates. Make a point of knowing which staff will be present at your interview and research their job title and any details that could help you to build an instant connection with them. Take a look through the services the firm offers and any client testimonials and prepare work examples that show you have the transferable skills to seamlessly start supporting their clients. Has the team recently won an award you could congratulate them on? Are there any news announcements you could comment on to start a conversation? Showing that you’ve done your research will demonstrate your eagerness to be a part of the team.
Ensure your knowledge is up-to-date: Has there been a recent update in legislation or is there recent accounting news that mentioning would showcase your up-to-date knowledge? In the evolving world of accounting, continuous learning and development is essential to keep up with the rest. The same applies to new processes or technology that could impact your role, so take the time to research the sector and refresh your knowledge.
Blend technical and soft skills: You might have a strong technical skillset with a proven track record of working with clients, but there’s more to being a standout accountant. Consider your soft skills and how they work together with your technical knowledge as a comprehensive offering for a firm. During an interview, it’s important to showcase more than just your previous experience, and there’s a wide range of competencies that firms will be looking for.
Prepare for behavioural questions: Whilst an interview is to get to know you and understand what skills you can bring to the table, it’s also about seeing if you would be a good fit with the team. As such, typical interview questions will include some focused on your behaviour and personality. For example, are you an approachable person who excels at building relationships with people? Or perhaps you’re empathetic person who can work with others through difficult or complex situations. These traits are just as important to demonstrate as your professional abilities.
Prepare questions for the interviewer: We all know that the end of interview is typically an opportunity for the candidate to ask questions about the firm, the role, or the interview process. Asking carefully thought-out questions will demonstrate your genuine interest in the role. Not sure what to ask? You could inquire about the company culture, what professional development opportunities are available, or even what a typical day in the office looks like. This not only showcases your enthusiasm but also provides valuable insights into whether the organisation is the right fit for you.
Keep an eye out over the coming weeks as we hope to inspire accountants to challenge themselves across a variety of aspects within their professional lives. As always, the Public Practice Recruitment Ltd team is on hand to help find the right role for you – whether you’re ready to start applying for jobs or if you’d benefit from some expert advice on the next steps for your career. Contact the team today!
Missed the first part of our New Year, New Challenge campaign? Visit the links below:
New New, New Challenge: Accountants, it’s time to challenge yourself
New Year, New Challenge: Challenge your skillset
Is it time to find a new role in practice? Explore some featured jobs we’re currently recruiting for or search through our jobs board for other opportunities.
Audit Senior job in Stoke on Trent: Full-time permanent role, £38,000 – £42,ooo pa.
Tax Senior job in Stoke on Trent: Full-time permanent role, £40,000 – £50,ooo pa.
Audit Partner RI job in Colchester: Full-time permanent role, £100,000 – £125,ooo pa.
Senior Accountant job in Colchester: Full-time permanent role, £40,000 – £50,ooo pa.
Audit Manager job in Oxford. Full-time permanent role, £40,000 – £65,ooo pa.
