Going for That Awesome Job in Finance? Here’s How to Nail the Interview

Landing the finance job of your dreams can be tough — it’s a competitive career field. While job experience, professional and academic accomplishments, and your additional skills will get you in the door, it’s the interview that will help you stand apart from other qualified candidates. Accountants One offers the following guidance on how to impress in this crucial phase of the hiring process.

Make sure you look great on paper first

While this technically isn’t an interview tip, you don’t want to put yourself behind the eight ball before you even sit down in front of a hiring manager. You must do everything you can to put yourself in a situation where a good interview seals the deal for you.

One tip is to start work on your chartered financial analyst (CFA) designation or to achieve your bachelor’s in accounting to become a CPA. This is important for a career in finance, and a CFA or BSACC will help you stand out.

Equally as important is putting time and energy into constructing a great resume and cover letter. Those two elements show not just your work or internship experience, but also serve to highlight your accomplishments and goals.

How you dress and present yourself matters

Presentation, image, and dress (especially in the field of accounting and finance) are very important to employers. Often, financial professionals have to speak with stakeholders and make presentations to upper-level management. Dress sharp and be confident during your interview.

Indeed.com lists some very helpful tips on planning your wardrobe for the interview. Your choice of outfit also helps you stand out from other candidates. To help with this, Forbes suggests adding a subtle flair to your interview outfit. This could be something that represents your culture, or who you are as a person, including a piece of jewelry, a lapel pin, or a unique necktie. It’s also a good conversation starter.

Don’t go in empty-handed

Want to be more prepared than other applicants interviewing for the same position? Don’t come empty-handed (if you have an in-person interview). Bring at least five copies of your resume and cover letter, as you never know how many people will be sitting in on your interview. You should also have a detailed list of references ready to hand out. You’ll get extra points for anticipating the interviewers’ needs — even if they haven’t asked yet!

Prepare and then prepare some more

Lack of preparation is evident in a lot of interviews. To avoid this costly mistake and make sure your interview goes smoothly, we recommend preparing and practicing. Do a good bit of research on the company to show your interest, prepare questions for your interviewer, and recite your answers out loud.

With that in mind, your first step is to study common interview questions and prepare succinct answers in advance. Be sure to ask questions regarding company culture, values, how you’ll fit in, your day-to-day responsibilities, and if there are opportunities for advancement. These questions will show that you have thought about a career, and not just a job, with the company you are interviewing for.

The interview is perhaps the most important part of the hiring process. It allows the hiring manager to get a feel for who you are and how you articulate work stories. Show your ability to creatively problem-solve. Tell the interviewer about a time you overcame a challenge with your team. Explain your motivators, your work style.

Nail the interview and you have a good chance of landing that dream job in finance.

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Are you looking for your dream job in accounting or finance? Then get started with Accountants One today. You’ll get up-to-date information on all the latest job listings, helping to narrow your search for the perfect role.