job application interview hints tips

8/8/2019 Job Application Interview Hints Tips

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JOB APPLICATIONINTERVIEW HINTS

AND TIPS.



JOB APPLICATIONINTERVIEW HINTS & TIPS.

The first thing to do is to find a training contract with an authorisedtraining organisation. You need to apply in the appropriate format –some employers require you to apply online, some prefer you to use anapplication form (either their own or the Institute’s), whilst others prefer a Curriculum Vitae (CV). Whichever method you use to apply, thesehandy tips and guidelines will help you to maximise your potential andconvince a prospective employer you are the right person for the job!

A CV is a summary of your skills and experience, giving all theinformation about yourself that an employer may need to build up a

picture of your character and abilities. It is your chance to shine, andshould only contain positive points. As well as the advice below, youmay find it helpful to contact a Careers Adviser who could help youwith your interview strategy.

General principles and guidelines:• always be factual and honest in your CV • be concise – try to keep your CV to no more than two pages of

single sided A4• try to focus on aspects of your career, qualifications, skills, etc. that

are directly relevant to the particular organisation and job• layout your CV neatly, making appropriate use of headings, bullet

points, bold, etc. and use a standard font (Times New Roman or Arial) and font size (10 or 12pt). Make sure you check the wholedocument for spelling mistakes and typing errors. Even better, ask a

friend or a Careers Adviser – a fresh eye will often spot things youdo not

• use good quality stationery for both your CV and the coveringletter.

CONTENTS OF YOUR CVPersonal/contact details – include your full name, date of birth,address, home telephone number, mobile number (if applicable) and

email address (if applicable).Personal profile/career objectives – a short paragraph giving aninsight into your personality, your relevant skills and experience, what

you have to offer the firm and what you are looking for in your career.This could equally go in a covering letter.

Qualifications – give details of your formal education. Includerelevant dates, establishments and qualifications gained. If you hold anymemberships of professional bodies, show these as well.

Career/employment history – starting with your current or mostrecent position and working backwards, give details of all your employment. Include dates of employment, organisation, job title,responsibilities, achievements and skills gained. This can include anyholiday jobs or work experience you have gained while at school or university. Do not leave any chronological gaps.

STAGE 1 –YOUR CURRICULUM VITAE

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Skills and experience – focus on the skills and experience that aredirectly relevant to the position for which you are applying. Includetechnical and computer skills as well as other skills such as teambuilding, interpersonal, project management, etc.

Interests – include a short list of your interests and activities. This canbe used to highlight skills such as teamwork or commitment.

References – you will be required to submit references at some stage

during your application. You may be asked for professional referencesand/or personal references. In the case of professional references, atleast one should be your current or most recent employer, or auniversity lecturer. You can either include the references with your CV or include a statement such as “references available on request”. If youdo not wish your current employer to be contacted prior to a joboffer, make this clear. Remember to check first with your referees thatthey are happy and willing to provide a reference!

COVERING LETTER Always send a covering letter with your CV to ensure it reaches the

right person or department, and so they know which position you areapplying for. A well written covering letter can make the differencebetween getting an interview or not. Tailor the letter to the specificjob, rather than using a standard version.

Format:• keep it short and concise• use the format of a business letter • unless a hand written letter is requested, word processed letters

look more professional. Clearly state on the letter the documentsattached and the job you are applying for, along with any referencenumber (as per the advert).

Include details such as:• where you saw the job advertised• when you will be available for interview• links between previous jobs and the job you are applying for • a couple of points from your CV making you ideal for that

particular job with that particular employer.

Finally, remember to keep a copy of your covering letter and CV torefer to when preparing for an interview. The employer knows what

you said and they will expect you to know too.

APPLICATION FORMSMany organisations will require you to complete an online application

form or a hard copy. If this is the case, application forms are your onlychance to make the right first impression. The following tips will helpmake the difference.

Make rough drafts and keep a copy of any applications.

Read the form thoroughly to make sure you understand theinstructions for each section.

Try to use evidence and specific examples from a range of situations when describing your aptitudes - for example, academic,paid or unpaid work, societies or sports.

Always decide exactly what a question is asking beforeanswering it.




Never say ‘we’ - employers want to know about you and you alone.

Keep your responses short and to the point - don’t waffle,make sure you’re answering the question and keep referring back to

your core skills. It’s ok to use bullet points when you need to write alist.

Make the form as neat as possible. If you do need to elaborate,and the form permits it, use separate sheets.

Be extremely accurate - few things go down worse with potentialemployers than a spelling mistake.

Use clear, positive language. Your form is likely to be screened for key selection criteria, and the words you use will play an importantpart in your being considered further.

Interviews are notoriously stressful, but they don’t have to be. Goodpreparation for an interview is vital to ensure you feel confident and atease with yourself. Positive thinking and self belief are the key to agood interview.

Reasons employers give for rejecting candidates afterinterview include:• being late and appearing disorganised• poor communication skills• lack of insight into the organisation or job• lack of energy or enthusiasm• no clear career aim• over familiarity• lack of confidence• a defensive attitude• criticism of school, university or a past employer • inappropriate appearance• poor references.

KEY PREPARATION POINTSSelf assessment – know your strengths, weaknesses, limitations,achievements and ambitions. There is no room for modesty – sell

yourself!

Know the job – familiarise yourself with the job description and thekey skills the company are looking for. Think about how your key skillsand strengths fit into this.

Know the process – how many interviews will there be? Will you berequired to do any tests eg psychometric – are there any examples of these available for you to practise? (if not, try looking on the web for some general examples). Will the interview be conducted with agroup of applicants or just you? Contact the firm if necessary to clarifythese points.

Do some research – having up to date and relevant knowledgeabout the firm and news in the business/accountancy sector willimpress. Look on the firm’s website, as well as news and business sites

for information.

Get there in time – know where you are going and the time youhave to be there. Aim to arrive ten minutes early. If necessary do a ‘dryrun’ to ensure you know how to get there and assess any publictransport or parking problems (if applicable).

STAGE 2 –PREPARING FOR ANINTERVIEW




Decide what you’re going to wear – try to find out how formalthe interview will be, and dress accordingly. Make sure that your chosen outfit is comfortable, clean and ironed. First impressions countand your appearance says a lot about your personality. Do not wear excessive jewellery, perfume or loud clothes (ties, socks) – anythingthat may distract the interviewer from what you are saying.

Rehearse. However confident you are, it’s always worth getting usedto hearing yourself answer formal questions in as formal a setting aspossible. If your careers service doesn’t offer interview practice, youcould always get a friend to do it.

Having done all of the above you should arrive at the interview feelingconfident and prepared. Keep the following Do’s and Don’ts of interview etiquette in mind:• sit in a comfortable position, do not slouch and do not cross your

arms or legs• always adopt a professional manner • smile! – be open and receptive• be persuasive and use positive language

• never indicate that you are desperate for the job• sell yourself – remember you have been selected for interview froma large number of applicants

• remain calm and do not rush your answers – speak clearly and give full responses to all questions

• listen to the interviewer • remember that an interview should be a two way process• relax and be yourself!

Answer the questions you’ve been asked – don’t ramble on abouteverything you know.

Don’t be afraid of silence – take the time to form your responses.This is a sign of a steady, confident mind.

Your prospective employer will be looking for particularqualities. They will want to know:• why you are attracted to the profession of chartered accountancy• whether you have a realistic picture of the profession• whether you have a grasp of current business issues and how you

keep yourself up to date• whether you can relate to a wide range of people, sometimes very

different from you.

TYPICAL INTERVIEW QUESTIONSTell us about yourself, your recent studies (eg degree), experience?

Ensure whichever direction your answer takes it has some relevanceto your professional endeavours.

Why do you want to become a chartered accountant (ACA)?Emphasize what has attracted you to the career – professionalism,responsibility (but do not mention money!)

Why have you chosen chartered accountancy over others eg ACCA

or CIMA?Show that you have considered all the training options, and are fully informed about the requirements and benefits of ACA.

STAGE 3 –THE INTERVIEW




How do you think you will handle studying for the ACA? ACA students must be able to juggle work, studies and a social life– show that you have considered this and have accepted that it willbe difficult, but a worthwhile challenge.

Why do you want to join this organisation/this department (eg audit/tax)?

This is where your research comes in – cite the company’sattributes and successful projects, and why you would like to be apart of this. You should also show knowledge of, and an interest in,the particular department (if relevant).

Which story in the financial pages has most captured your interest in the past months?

Again, this is where your research is essential!

What have been your major achievements?Keep your answer recent and relate it to work where possible – eg

a successful project, even if this was undertaken at university. Refer to any skills you learnt or developed whilst undertaking this. Hintthat your biggest achievements are still to come.

What are your strengths?Think about high points from your background and build in acouple of your key personal qualities, such as: pride in your work,reliability, perseverance, adaptability, confidence, leadership skills,team player.

What are your weaknesses?Offer minor weaknesses along with how you plan to improve them– eg a lack of knowledge in a certain (small) area, but a keeninterest in gaining experience in this, along with the ability to pickup skills/knowledge quickly. You could also try using a “positive”weakness – such as sometimes feeling you care too much about

your work.

YOUR CHANCE TO ASK QUESTIONS At the end of the interview you will be given an opportunity to raiseany points that have not been covered. You can use this time to clarify

any issues arising from the interview. However, ensure that your questions are short and sharp:

Job – anything not covered in the recruitment literature you havereceived – first assignments, opportunities for career developmentand/or secondment, support for training, how are appraisalsconducted, amount of travel, size of team.

Organisation – future plans for development, strategic goals,challenges they are facing including current issues and significantrecent developments.

Process – what happens next.

Do not ask about – salary/benefits – this should be dealt with once you have received an offer. General information that you have alreadybeen given – it creates the impression you have not been listening or are not really interested in the position.




If you cannot attend the interview, eg if you are ill or have decided notto proceed with the application, ensure you inform the firm in plentyof time.

ASSESSMENT CENTRES Assessment centres push you a bit further than a first stage interview,and use a different way to monitor how you react to situations.

Assessment centres are based around practical exercises where the

organisation will be looking to assess your ability to react in bothgroup and one to one situations, which differ from traditionalinterviews.

If you have been invited to an assessment centre as a school leaver,the day may take a slightly different format. You can usually expect aone day event where you’ll sit verbal, numerical and logical reasoningtests, probably an interview with a senior member of the firm as wellas taking part in group exercises and presentations.

Graduates can expect one or two day events where you’ll take part inscenarios including:

• group exercises• individual tasks• additional interviews• psychometric tests• in-tray exercises• presentations.

The result? You can show your skills and abilities, not just your interview technique. And if you don’t excel well in one exercise, youhave the opportunity to improve in another.

Don’t get too competitive – you need to remain calm and focussed on your strengths. Remember, you’re being assessed againstthe organisation’s criteria, not other candidates.

Visit your careers service – most offer workshops which help youprepare for assessment centres, these may be run by the careersservice or even the organisations who are recruiting.

If you are still at school, your careers adviser at school may be able tooffer some advice about what to expect and how to prepare for anassessment centre.

The information you receive from the organisation when they invite you to attend the day may also give you an indication of what to

expect.

On the way home, think objectively about the interview. Did youactually prepare thoroughly as we have suggested? Was thereanything you could have done differently or better?

While you are waiting to hear how you got on, continue to contactother firms. Keep your options open. If you have a number of opportunities to choose from, you will be in a better position todecide your future.

STAGE 4 –AFTER THE INTERVIEW




IF YOU DO NOT GET THE JOBLearn from the experience and use it to help prepare for your nextinterview. It can be extremely valuable to get some feedback on your interview by telephoning the Recruitment Section of the companyconcerned – but be prepared to hear something you do not like!Practice using mock interviews so that you become more confidentand gain further feedback – most school and university careers servicesoffer this.

Remember – this is one of the most important decisions of your lifeand once you have found the position that is right for you, you will beembarking on a career that offers you the greatest of rewards. Goodluck!

If you are offered the job – Congratulations! What do you do now? You may get other offers and you want to be sure this is the right one for you. Remember that you do not have to take the first offer youreceive – but this can be difficult if the offer is made by phone. In thiscase you should thank them, and say that you are looking forward toreceiving their offer letter. Discuss it with your family or friends andconsider:• job and training opportunities

• salary and overtime• tuition arrangements• holidays• pension plan and medical insurance• location• travel requirements.

Do not make the mistake of accepting a position that you areunhappy with. Trust your instincts. How did you feel about the people

you met and the surroundings? Ask for some time to consider your decision if necessary. At the same time, however, keep in mind thatcompetition for jobs is fierce in today’s tough economy. If you’re

offered the job and decide not to take it, let the employer know assoon as possible.

THERE ARE ALWAYS MORE CANDIDATESTHAN JOBS.YOU HAVE DONE WELL TO GET ANINTERVIEW. KEEP TRYING.


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