jon

For prospective job-seekers, the biggest complaint that I hear from CGAs in industry is that the applicants have the technical expertise (via their education or work experience) but are lacking in comminications skills, attitude or interview skills. What this means is that you may have a high GPA, and a fantastic skillset, but if you cannot comminicate this in the interview, the candidate who comes in with a willingness to learn and a positive attitude will win the position. The CGAs I’ve spoken to say that attitude & comminications skills are ALWAYS near the top of their list in a prospective employee, whereas grade point average and technical skillset are lesser considerations.

Why is this the case?
Technical skills and specific job skills can be trained, whereas a positive attitude cannot. Particularly in the field of accounting, while you may be a great at preparing a financial statement, if you cannot work well with others you’ll have a difficult time advancing to the higher positions.

What is the best advice I can give you based on the feedback from CGAs in industry?
You have the technical skills necessary for the position showing on your resume, otherwise you would not have been called for an interview for the position! You need to elaborate on why YOU are a good fit for their company over another candidate with a similar skillset. Attitude is key here…be as honest as possible in the interview. Personally I can generally tell when someone is exaggerating/making somethng up, and I’m certain an experienced interviewer can as well. Elaborate on your key strenghts and how they fit the position. Don’t dwell on your weaknesses, we all have shortcomings, are you aware of them, and how are you going about fixing them?

From my own personal experience…

- Attitude is everything…a cliche or truth? I think this is true as my most sucessful interview as (I was told after the fact) I got the job over an applicant with more education because I had a better attitude & showed inititative and willingness to learn.
- Research the company and position you’re applying for. If you can’t spend an hour researching them, why should they spend years developing you into a sucessful employee?
- Think of tangible examples of how you improved the last position you had and write these down!
- Take your own notes during the interview…this will help you collect your thoughts and remind you of specific questions you may want to ask the interviewer later.
- ASK QUESTIONS! Interviews are not a 1-way exchange, if you ask a relevant question it will not offend the interviewer, in fact it will probably show them you have initiative and interest in the position.
- SLOW DOWN AND LISTEN. I’m guilty of talking too much and too fast when I get flustered…learn to slow down and listen to the key points an interviewer makes. Incorperate these into your responses and you’ll make a better impression.
- Sell yourself, your skills are outlined on your resume, good interviewers have already reviewed this. They’ve called you back to get a feel for what kind of applicant you are and if you’ll fit their company.
- Worst Case scenario, you don’t recieve the job…did you learn something in the interview. If you had a good or bad interview write these down so that you can do better the next time.

I think it’s key to do your research on the company, the industry and, if possible, on the people who will be interviewing you. It’s good for you to find out what you are getting into and good to show a prospective employer you have been doing your homework.

Good interviewers are looking for fit on the basis of technical skills, exerience and cultural. By cultural I mean fitting into their corporate culture.

When interviewed, I have MY answers ready for the harder questions. You can expect to be asked about things like: your contributions to your previous employers and the outcome: difficult interpersonal situations and what you did to overcome them and the outcome; why you know you are good at what you do; what’s your shortcomings and what do you do to compensate for them; and what you think your colleages would say about you.

You also need to have questions ready that show you are interested. I think there is nothing worse when I ask a candidate if they have any questions and they decline. To me it shows a lack of initiatve to engage in conversation and is a sure signal they are just looking for a job rather than a career move. Stay away from questions about compenstion and benefits. Ask things like what are the biggest challenges in the industry, for this company and for the position. Where do they see the company going. If appropriate and comfortable, ask the interviewers about their position in the company. How long have they been there, what they like about the company, etc. Be carfeul not make it too personal. It’s your chance to get a sense if people are happy there.

Inteviewers are looking to see how comfortable you are in engaging in conversation. If you can keep an intelligent business conversation going, they’ll be more comfortable with you.