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Onsite Interview Tips
Behavioral Interviews
The On-Site Interview
Candidates should treat an interview like a consulting call. It’s a good idea to develop a list of career accomplishments ahead of time and know them so you can easily refer to them during the interview process. Most people would not pass a test on their complete history of accomplishments.
1. Dress for success. Know the company’s culture and dress appropriately. Business attire usually is a safe bet. Men should wear a business suit, shirt freshly laundered and pressed, a subtle tie is best. Avoid loud colors. Trimmed hair, shined shoes. Women should wear a tailored dress or suit, blouse tailored and color coordinated. Don’t wear anything too short or too tight. Makeup should be light and natural looking. Jewelry for both sexes should be kept to a minimum. Avoid cologne or strong fragrances. When in doubt, err on the side of caution and go the conservative route.
2. Do you homework on the company. No hiring manager is going to hire you if you haven’t taken the time to get to know them.
3. Bring several copies of your resume with you, as well as a references list of 3-5 coworkers you have checked and know are willing to speak highly of you and your skills. At least one should be the person you reported to. It’s ok to offer your resume, but don’t offer your references unless asked.
4. Be on time. Do not reschedule the interview unless it is a legitimate emergency – accident and in the hospital! If you are not on time, the hiring manager will view you as unprofessional.
5. If presented with an application, fill it out nearly and completely. Don’t’ attach your resume unless you’re told to do so.
6. Greet the interviewer by last name if you are sure of the pronunciation. If not, ask the employer to repeat it. Project energy and enthusiasm. Smile and shake hands firmly.
7. Wait until you’re offered a chair before sitting. Sit upright, look alert and interested at all times. Listen carefully and respond succinctly and articulately. Look the hiring manager in the eye while speaking.
8. Early in the meeting, try to get the interviewer to describe the job and the duties to you so you can focus on your responses on your background, skills and accomplishments that relate to the position.
9. Often times you will spend time with different interviewers who will ask different, but similar questions about your background and qualifications. Provide them with different examples. Once you are gone they will compare notes before deciding on whether or not to hire you. If you’ve used the same example with all interviewers it won’t go unnoticed.
10. Be sincere and truthful while focusing on communicating your specific professional achievements that relate to the accounting or finance job opening.
11. Be ready to answer questions such as what the company will expect you to accomplish in a month, quarter, year; what obstacles they will need to overcome; etc. It is important that you maintain eye contact at all times,
12. and respond with positive comments and examples such as “I can do that; I’ve done that before, let me give you an example, etc.”
13. If you are asked directly about something you have not done, turn it into a positive by responding, “I haven’t done exactly that, but I solved a similar situation using…or by doing…’
14. You should ask questions such as “Have I convinced you that I can do what is necessary to accomplish the goals we have discussed; is there anything that would prevent you from making me an offer, etc.”
15. When leaving your interview it’s a good time to let the interviewers know that you’d like to be a part of the team and feel you are a good fit for the position. The hiring decision is almost always based on the fact that the candidate is qualified and has chemistry with the interviewers…the chemistry that is created by you should be enthusiastic, confident and pleasantly aggressive. You should express enthusiasm, energy and passion for what you do!!!
Companies hire people to solve their problems…it is important you are reminded not to dwell on a skill set that you may not be strong in…focus on the positives. Hiring managers are not impressed with what you don’t know – they want to hear what you do know.
Never bring up compensation in the interview, if the interviewer does, answer their questions honestly. Try to leave negotiations for later, this is our job. Usually we will not know whether or not the company is planning to make an offer until after the interview is complete.
Remember: Always be positive, confident and pleasant….and you will do great!
