Interview help???

Question

Right i am ok with interview (well i think i am, but after so many i still haven't a job). why is this, i try my freaking hardest. it is so demotivating, yet still i try and try.

And also, when they i ask why do i want to be an accountant??? wth am i supposed to say???

especailly when i dunno why just that i do!!! :(

Answer 1

Firstly mate the Blue hair gotta go - You aint Gonzo from the muppet show, 2nd - why do you want to be an accountant? Only you know that!

Answer 2

First thing to remember is, take your time. Thinking about your answers is not a crime, and will allow you to really show your potential. A well thought out answer is better than stuttering a mess of words that make no sense!

You need to relax before you go into the interview. I would suggest spending the time before doing something you really enjoy, why not buy yourself something- a bar of chocolate or a new top. Then, before going into the interview you need to think the same way that I do, and it has made every single interview I have ever been to, successful.

Say to yourself it's their loss if they don't want you, that you are a confident person who would be great in any job, and that the interview can only last an hour at the most, it's not that bad!

Sit down now, with a piece of paper and write down all the reasons you want the particular job you are going for. Read it through every day leading up to your interview. Also, why not research the potential employer? Research what your job will entail, what sorts of things you'll be expected to do. An understanding of the role will only impress potential employers.

Take your time and don't blurt out the first thing that comes into your mind. Good luck!

Answer 3

I've been unemployed for seven months this year and had quite a lot of practise at interviews. Some tips I've learnt:
Be positive. If they ask you things like "If offered this job, would you take it?" don't think - just say yes, even if it isn't true.
Be prepared. Read the job description and person spec thoroughly and make sure you know a little bit about the organisation whose interviewing you. You can sometimes predict the sort of questions they're going to ask e.g. if the spec says "Good team player", then you might be asked to describe a team you have worked in.
At the same time, while you've got to be aware of what they want, you're not going to match every criteria exactly, so tell them what you can offer. In my last (thankfully successful) interview, I was applying for a position where I didn't match the criteria that closely in terms of experiences I'd had so far, but it was an area I was really interested in and wanted to work in and they liked that I was enthusiastic and keen to learn and build on what I did know.
This is really hard, but you've got to try and act like you've already been offered a better job elsewhere and am here out of curiosity.
If they ask questions like "Why do you want to be an accountant?" try a little bit of cockiness - tell them "Because accountants rule the world."
(If they ask you to expand, nothing gets done without money to do it and the ones in charge of that/ can demonstrate that something has been done because money hasbeen spent on it are accountants. It's an important job, and someone's gotta do it.)

Answer 4

You need to learn how to answer interview questions. There are several techniques, one of which I will suggest below. This does not mean that there is a 'cheat' way to answer. It means you should try to follow the following process in your mind. You are trying your hardest, but a little structure may make it easier for you to do better:
1. Pause, take a deep breath and take time to THINK...
2. Put yourself in the interviewer's shoes. Ask yourself what information the interviewer is looking for by asking the question. For example, asking why you want to be an accountant is actually the same as asking why you think you would be a good accountant.
3. Then to answer that question, think about what information you need first. Break it down. For example, to know why you would be a good accountant, ask yourself (a) What do you know about being an accountant - what they do etc.? (b) Why do those things appeal to you? (c) Based upon that, what skills, experience and qualities do you have that may make you a good accountant?
3. Decide what you want to say, and IN WHAT ORDER. Try to be structured and orderly - e.g. "I understand that an accountants main duties include x and y. These activities appeal to me because I enjoy a, b and c. I used to work part time in a bar and was responsible for d, e and f, which gave me my first taste of financial management, and would help me with x and y."
4. Another deep breath and Say it with confidence - maintaining eye contact if possible.
5. Smile while you are speaking.

Sometimes this will work, but sometimes you will not immediately have the answers. This is where interview preparation is essential. Before the interview, consider which questions you have been asked before and might be asked again. Get the answers written down and remember them. It helps, and is a good confidence booster.

You should also have a list of 3 strengths prepared, and try to emphasis them from time to time in your answers.

There is no easy answer to this, and you should get a good book on interview technique. "Great Answers To Tough Interview Questions" by Martin John Yate is good.

Keep going! You'll get there.

Answer 5

When I was jobhunting after uni I sent off dozens of applications but to no avail. After 9 months of hunting, I was still temping. However, once I landed my first interview I was offered the job the same afternoon.

How? I believe that some advice I got from the Guardian newspaper was the clincher. It said that upon entering the interview room make it your own. Smile, look all the interviewers in the eye and greet them personally (I went right up to all three and shook their hands and said, hello, I'm Heather.)

I'm convinced this is what marked me out in the first place. I was not feeling confident (believe me!) but I appeared to be. Once I was sure I had given them that impression, I gained confidence in the interview anyway.

It also helps if you wear something new (eg a new shirt or suit or shoes) as it will make you feel good. Just make sure you're comfortable and appropriately smartly dressed.

As to your query about what you should say when asked why you want to be an accountant, I suggest that you do your research on whatever company it is you've applied to, then tell them why you want to work for that company (eg it's a major player in the field and you want to work somewhere you feel your work would make a major impact; ditto if it's a small firm you feel you would like your job to make a difference and not just be a small fish in a very large pond etc). Remember, it doesn't have to be the truth, but it does have to sound sincere!

Stay close to what could be your real feeling about something - after all, wouldn't we all just like to say "Hey I've spent years studying for this, of course I want a job in the field in which I've invested thousands of pounds of training dumbo!", but I fear this wouldn't wash with any prospective employer (truthful as it may be), so you need to turn it around and say you have an aptitude for numbers and you've harboured a longterm ambition to use your natural skill so you believe accountancy would give you an opportunity to do this.

Hope that helps and good luck with the interviews!

Answer 6

My guess is that you are trying too hard. I used to spend ages filling in the app forms with all sincere stuff about how good I was, but lately I just gave up and said 'if I don't get a job soon I shall be living in a tent' which is not so far from the truth either. Funnily enough, since I started doing that (and similar) I have a couple of interviews.

Do you want to be an accountant, or is it just something that came along? Is there something else which you would rather do? When did you first 'just know' that accountancy made the earth move for you? Or are you just in it for the money? lol

Answer 7

I would say, first, make sure your appearance is clean and smart. Before going in do some slow breathing so you get a little control of your heartrate! In through the nose and out slowly from the mouth. Go in, be calm and use eye contact. Greet the interviewer or shake hands. Sit in a relaxed position and dont fidget. Try to see the interviewer as a friend who is equal to you and you have nothing to fear. Hear what they are asking you and if it is something you cant answer, you can reply something like 'I want to be an accountant because I feel drawn to a career working with figures...'(or) 'My uncle was one' or else 'I am not certain what the attraction is, I just know it is the path for me'.
Good luck!

Answer 8

am assuming if you get the interviews you have the skills necessary, it's just the interview you are failing at,
after every interview you have a right to ask for a transcript of what they felt about your interview skills, this may help youwiht the next job
i also think that sometimes trying too hard will put people off, be yourself
as for wanting to be an accountant, what is it that attracts you to the job?
is it to do with the money, the counting, the fact that you have always enjoyed counting and adding etc, there has to be an inkling, what do you like best about it? is it things like when the sheets balance? etc, i know it might sound sad or even trivial, but it can give a clue, rather than you floundering

Answer 9

I likeJjame R 's answer. Accoutancy is a basic qualification that allows you to "hang your hat" in a company. With a foot in the door you can make a career in a company that appeals to you. Is the company involved in cars, fashion, publishing, science, services etc., etc. show some interest in the company's field of operation. If you come from a relevant background let them know that you will be happy as an accountant that can make a broader contribution to the company, and that you have some knowledge of the challenges (as distinct from problems) that the company may face.
A chat with Dad or favourite uncle or anybody in the general area of the industry might help. Show some knowledge of the company - and its competitors.
You don't want to sit on your butt at a desk all week. You wanna bit of the action.
Tell the person from finance that you want to get his job eventually, well, when s/he has retired.
If you can demonstrate people skills, tell of them. The stress in accounts departments can make demands for teamwork. It is a critical in-service and provides a valuable service to other sections of an organisation.
A sense of humour is not associated with accountants. But believe me, it is a huge help, especially when reporting on a poor bottom line.
Been there, done that, and got the T-shirt on retirement.

Answer 10

Well, first off, first impressions count for more than people think. Your CV/ resume is the first thing your interviewer will see of you so make it impressive and not dull and ordinary.Make sure it clearly states everything your employer will need to know about you, like your qualifications, previous work etc. Dont make it too long or they will get bored, only include the things suited to the job, so dont include things about your life that arent about accounting. You should also have a personal statement on there, about you as a person (like self motivated, good head for figures) and why you are suited to that company (you can work in a team well if it is a big business or work well independently if its a small company).

Thats the easy bit. Then, in the interview all you have to do is simply answer their questions, and really look like you are thinking about them. Of course you should be anyway, but big bosses like to see enthusiastic people, as you can earn them a lot of money if you're good.

Remember your doing the company a favour just by giving them your expertises so dont feel like you have to hold back on certaing things.

Good Luck for future interviews and I hope you get a job you deserve.

Answer 11

The key is preparation.

You need to know what they are looking for, what skills they need, what level of qualification they need etc.

Do some research about the company, find out about them, their mission statement, plans for growth etc.

Plan 3 or 4 questions you ill want to ask during the interview - ask about the comapnies plans for growth over the next 3 years, ask about the training program, internal promotion policy, anything that shows a serious intention to become a part of the company and a valuable employee. Ask them what qualities they would like to see in a sucessful applicant! Reverse the situation and get them to tell you what they are looking for - e.g. ask the question and they may respond with 'we're really after someone who is good with corperate customers' You can then reply with your own thoughts / experience / qualifications regarding this area. Asking about the company will show a real interest and competence which may give you the edge.

Remember - dress well, turn up 10 minutes early, make lots of eye contact, think about positive body language, sit upright, be enthusiastic and smile!

Good luck.