As you approach qualification you may decide to review your cv and test the market by doing a few interviews. After you qualify it will be important to get a read on the market and examine what your profile and experience is worth out there.
Now, every single interview is different, obviously. However, you do still have to prepare comprehensively for each one and you should always be aware of what style of interview you will be facing. If you can get a guide on the style from your recruiter or HR rep it can be invaluable. Here are a few styles to note …
The aggressive serious interviewer
Style : This can be an interviewer who is bullish, arms folded and hard to read. Doesn’t give anything away. They may stare off into the distance in an uninterested way. They may already have a person picked for the role in their own mind and just going through the motions. Either way they are not warm or friendly.
How to tackle : Relax, you have nothing to lose here. They are probably not a person you want to work directly with so put your shoulders back and bolster your confidence. Its time for you to turn the table subtly and interview him/her with them being aware of it. Be friendly and warm yourself. Ask lots of questions. Lean in and be interested. Discover if the team and culture is the same as the interviewer. You may in fact not want to work here but practice and refine your own interview style.
The inexperienced Interviewer
Style : The interviewer may be nervous and under prepared in terms of what to ask. The questions may be random. They are not really testing your competencies. They are not asking you to give examples. Its all a bit watery and nothing particularly deep, technical or probing. Sometimes the interviewer doesn’t even really know what they are looking for in a candidate and are just drifting along with the process. It’s a learning curve for them.
How to tackle : If your interviewer is poor its up to you to make up for it. Sell yourself. Pre-empt what they should be asking you and give good relevant examples nonetheless. Give STAR style answers to come across as professional. Outline your value-add for the role. Ask insightful questions. Perhaps put them at ease with compliments about the organisation and thanks for the meeting and an ice-breaker story. Keep your demeanour warm and positive.
The ‘old-school’ interviewer
Style : The questions in this interview with be predictable and broad eg Tell us about yourself.. Why do you want to work here / in this job? Why should I hire you? Etc. A bit stayed, tired and unimaginative.
How to tackle : Even though the line of questioning may be boring and un-probing you will still need to prep your answers well – if you know these questions are coming why not add colour to your answers and have exceptional answers and examples ready to go selling all your key strengths for the role. Treat it as a chance to really get your personality across and constantly have your radar switch on as to whether this sounds like a place you really want to work.
The Formal Interview
Style : This will be a structured format. It may even be a panel interview. You could be aware of the key talking points going in to it. The interviewers may be a bit poker faced and hard to read. Very often these re competency based interviews demanding you give relevant examples of past work and experience. It’s possible the interviewers will actually be scoring you on your answers and grading you versus the competition.
How to tackle : Treat this like you would an open book exam. They are great interviews to have experienced and will make you a better interviewee in the long run. Lots of prep and research required in advance. Smile, be confident, and since you know the competencies sought you have well structured examples and key points you want to get across. Like any exam you don’t everything across but at least you can go in with a plan.
The Informal Interview
Style : Often couched as ‘just a chat’ or a ‘meet and greet’ or a ‘cup of coffee meeting’. Don’t underestimate however! This is very much an interview and a chance for you to put your best foot forward. Experienced Interviewers like this interview approach as it allows them to get to know the candidates’ personality very quickly and whether they are a cultural fit. A good interviewer will ask open ended questions and afford you the chance to sell your own strengths.
How to tackle : In this style of interview you need to be switched on to the cues to sell your strengths for the role. You should have done as much homework as possible to ascertain what the interviewer is looking for (even if there is no job-spec) and choreograph your chat in order to position your profile positively for the interviewer. Note your Body language, Be interested in the role and complementary of the company. Asking good questions throughout the conversation is key.
As mentioned, every interview is different and there are many more types that you will encounter in your career, positive and negative. The key is to get good advice and guidance before you meet. This can be from HR, your recruiter or from the Careers Team in Chartered Accountants Ireland. We welcome all members scheduling interview prep with us at any stage so bear this in mind as you qualify and get in touch as needed.
Dave Riordan (FCA)
Recruitment Specialist & Career Coach | Careers Team Chartered Accountants Ireland.
Dave.riordan@charteredaccountants.ie
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