本文发表在 rolia.net 枫下论坛I would like to share a re-cap notes on a recent mock interview. Hope it helps those who wish to discuss interview skills. This is not a cover all list, just some popular concerns we have been discussing so far.Your comments, suggestion, addition are very welcome.
GC
Before we start, let’s practice this structure in describing things
Step 1: overview statement
Step 2: STAR (Situation/environment/background, Task, Action, Results)
Or GAP (how should it be done, what I did, what was the gap, what did I do about the gap, and the results? my lessons learned?)
Step 3 (optional): Tell a story if you can, be brief and clear, do not digress too much.
Start with “For example….”
Step 4: Conclude and tie back to JD. (Never forget to conclude/emphasize/connect with your target job requirement)
Step 5 (optional) lessons learned/ personal reflection
Making a confident entrance and break the ice
- Make sure you appear at first sight with moderate confidence, a bright smile, say hello, shake hands firmly and introducing yourself. E.g. “Hello, my name is @@@. Very nice to meet you”.
- When you close the door, do not turn around, always make sure your front body face the interviewer all the time.
- When sitting down, make sure space between you and interviewer is appropriate, not too close. Sit straight and smile.
- 10-second icebreaker is important. “You have a nice office!” “Thank you for having me here today.” “The weather has been quite pleasant lately and I am glad I am here!”
Introduce yourself with a character and tell your life story in brief and in order
- Focus on DIFFERENTIATED TRAITS of yourself, tell in time sequence.
- “ I was born and raised in China. I was originally trained as @@@ for @@@ and had extensive experience working in the @@@ industry (hopefully this industry is similar to the recruiting company’s industry).
- I moved to Canada with my family in 2003 and decided to become a professional accountant.
- I first worked with @@@ company as @@@ and then as @@@ with @@@ company. These companies are specialized in the @@@ industry and good accounting management to provide financial data for management decision has always been critical. These @ years of accounting experience gave me good opportunity to familiarize myself with daily work in the full accounting cycle.
- In addition, I enrolled in the CGA program and now I have completed @% of the process. I look for the next level of challenge to mature as a professional accountant.
- In my spare time, I enjoy organizing my home, exercising at the gym, and play games with friends. (I mention these three things because it show the quality the job calls for: organized, energy to destress, and team work)
A/P and A/R experience
- From @@@ to @@@, I worked as an A/P clerk with @@@ company.
- @@@ company is in the @@@ industry. A/P work can be very detailed and complicated since it depends on a wide network of suppliers.
- A typical A/P accountin cycle I took care of goes like this: first, @@@ ,second, @@@ then, @@@, finally @@@ (describe a typical AP process, do research, talk to experienced ppl if you do not know enough, undertstand them on a hight level, esp the "why"
- The key in this process is the three-way match of invoice, PO and receiving documents. At @@@ company, in particular, ……
- Same structure in talking about your AR experience.
Information System
- I used @@@ accounting system when I was with @@@ company.
- I find it a very user-friendly application because….
- The challenge was….
- What I did was….
- Through daily problem solving like this, I gradually became proficient in this system and was able to coach new staff as well.
CGA Experience
- Enrolling in the CGA program was one biggest and best decisions I have made. So far, I am very proud of myself that I have successfully moved onto level @, which means I am about @% complete in this process towards my final designation.
- I have completed courses including @@@ (name only the ones the interview will be interested in)
- My biggest benefit from this process is @@@ because it helps me to put together everything I have done at work into a bigger picture of a general accounting cycle. Not only have I learned about journal entries of key transactions, but also broadened my knowledge in key accounting controls, financial reporting and tax planning for small business corporations.
- What I still need to do is @@@ I plan to use my spare time to complete them by @@@. Hopefully, all my knowledge will make a significant contribution to my new role with your company.
Career Goal
- I see myself working as a senior accountant in 5 years, having sufficient knowledge and experience to assist the controller, not only in daily accounting procedures, but also in assisting her/him preparing financial reporting and management reporting information to support management decision.
- Compared with others, I am particularly strong in @@@ and I figured this skill is what you may be particularly look for in candicates. So I am confident that I will be a good fit for this position.
Dealing with Deadline
- I have always worked in a deadline-driven environment and I think a few things have helped me work well under deadline.
- First, I think it is critical is understand the reason for deadline. If I do not understand, I talked with my supervisor or colleagues. I think it is important that every team member understands the importance of meeting the deadline. In this way, we can hand over work to the next hand not only on a timely basis but also with good quality.
- Another thing that has helped me is to plan my work well and prioritize tasks. What is urgent and what is important can sometimes rank tasks differently. I make sure I consult my supervisor on what should be my top priority and understand why it should be so. Then I proceed with a clear plan and keeps communicating with team mates and my supervisor.
- Overall, I think these two important habits have helped me deal with deadlines very well.
Customer Service
- Describe the environment, who are your customers? What do they need?
- What is one particular challenge? (give example)
- How did you handle it?
- Any positive feedback from customer/boss/colleagues? Achievements?
- Looking back, I think, in a @@@ (e.g. manufacturing) environment, the key in customer service is…
Weakness
- Name a weakness not too big not too superficial. Examples can be, you may not be the most articulate accountant among your colleagues.
- Why do you think being articulate is important in your work environment?
- What is your status quo?
- What action plan you made to improve? How did you do it? How have improved so far? What is left to be done in the year ahead?
- Examples of your action plan can be : read books on skills to present briefly, brilliantly and invite discussion. Even though things do not come to my mind as well as well trained executives, I tried to write down key points to train myself for what I need to talk about and what I do not need to talk about. How I can be to the point and say things clearly. I know I am not there yet, but compared with the start, I have made significant progress. I think so long as I stick to my goal and keep learning and practicing, I will be a good communicator and presenter in the near future.
Make a smooth exit and open for future contacts
- Ask “ Are there any other questions I can answer for you?” or if you have established rapport with the interviewer, directly ask “ Do you have any concerns over my qualifications”?
- Ask what is the next
- Ask for name card
- Firmly and briskly stand up, smile, shake hands again, thank them for taking the time to meet you
- Say I look forward to hearing from you, loud, and very confident
- Proper exit body gesture, stil make sure your front body faces the interviewer as you exit.更多精彩文章及讨论，请光临枫下论坛 rolia.net
GC
Before we start, let’s practice this structure in describing things
Step 1: overview statement
Step 2: STAR (Situation/environment/background, Task, Action, Results)
Or GAP (how should it be done, what I did, what was the gap, what did I do about the gap, and the results? my lessons learned?)
Step 3 (optional): Tell a story if you can, be brief and clear, do not digress too much.
Start with “For example….”
Step 4: Conclude and tie back to JD. (Never forget to conclude/emphasize/connect with your target job requirement)
Step 5 (optional) lessons learned/ personal reflection
Making a confident entrance and break the ice
- Make sure you appear at first sight with moderate confidence, a bright smile, say hello, shake hands firmly and introducing yourself. E.g. “Hello, my name is @@@. Very nice to meet you”.
- When you close the door, do not turn around, always make sure your front body face the interviewer all the time.
- When sitting down, make sure space between you and interviewer is appropriate, not too close. Sit straight and smile.
- 10-second icebreaker is important. “You have a nice office!” “Thank you for having me here today.” “The weather has been quite pleasant lately and I am glad I am here!”
Introduce yourself with a character and tell your life story in brief and in order
- Focus on DIFFERENTIATED TRAITS of yourself, tell in time sequence.
- “ I was born and raised in China. I was originally trained as @@@ for @@@ and had extensive experience working in the @@@ industry (hopefully this industry is similar to the recruiting company’s industry).
- I moved to Canada with my family in 2003 and decided to become a professional accountant.
- I first worked with @@@ company as @@@ and then as @@@ with @@@ company. These companies are specialized in the @@@ industry and good accounting management to provide financial data for management decision has always been critical. These @ years of accounting experience gave me good opportunity to familiarize myself with daily work in the full accounting cycle.
- In addition, I enrolled in the CGA program and now I have completed @% of the process. I look for the next level of challenge to mature as a professional accountant.
- In my spare time, I enjoy organizing my home, exercising at the gym, and play games with friends. (I mention these three things because it show the quality the job calls for: organized, energy to destress, and team work)
A/P and A/R experience
- From @@@ to @@@, I worked as an A/P clerk with @@@ company.
- @@@ company is in the @@@ industry. A/P work can be very detailed and complicated since it depends on a wide network of suppliers.
- A typical A/P accountin cycle I took care of goes like this: first, @@@ ,second, @@@ then, @@@, finally @@@ (describe a typical AP process, do research, talk to experienced ppl if you do not know enough, undertstand them on a hight level, esp the "why"
- The key in this process is the three-way match of invoice, PO and receiving documents. At @@@ company, in particular, ……
- Same structure in talking about your AR experience.
Information System
- I used @@@ accounting system when I was with @@@ company.
- I find it a very user-friendly application because….
- The challenge was….
- What I did was….
- Through daily problem solving like this, I gradually became proficient in this system and was able to coach new staff as well.
CGA Experience
- Enrolling in the CGA program was one biggest and best decisions I have made. So far, I am very proud of myself that I have successfully moved onto level @, which means I am about @% complete in this process towards my final designation.
- I have completed courses including @@@ (name only the ones the interview will be interested in)
- My biggest benefit from this process is @@@ because it helps me to put together everything I have done at work into a bigger picture of a general accounting cycle. Not only have I learned about journal entries of key transactions, but also broadened my knowledge in key accounting controls, financial reporting and tax planning for small business corporations.
- What I still need to do is @@@ I plan to use my spare time to complete them by @@@. Hopefully, all my knowledge will make a significant contribution to my new role with your company.
Career Goal
- I see myself working as a senior accountant in 5 years, having sufficient knowledge and experience to assist the controller, not only in daily accounting procedures, but also in assisting her/him preparing financial reporting and management reporting information to support management decision.
- Compared with others, I am particularly strong in @@@ and I figured this skill is what you may be particularly look for in candicates. So I am confident that I will be a good fit for this position.
Dealing with Deadline
- I have always worked in a deadline-driven environment and I think a few things have helped me work well under deadline.
- First, I think it is critical is understand the reason for deadline. If I do not understand, I talked with my supervisor or colleagues. I think it is important that every team member understands the importance of meeting the deadline. In this way, we can hand over work to the next hand not only on a timely basis but also with good quality.
- Another thing that has helped me is to plan my work well and prioritize tasks. What is urgent and what is important can sometimes rank tasks differently. I make sure I consult my supervisor on what should be my top priority and understand why it should be so. Then I proceed with a clear plan and keeps communicating with team mates and my supervisor.
- Overall, I think these two important habits have helped me deal with deadlines very well.
Customer Service
- Describe the environment, who are your customers? What do they need?
- What is one particular challenge? (give example)
- How did you handle it?
- Any positive feedback from customer/boss/colleagues? Achievements?
- Looking back, I think, in a @@@ (e.g. manufacturing) environment, the key in customer service is…
Weakness
- Name a weakness not too big not too superficial. Examples can be, you may not be the most articulate accountant among your colleagues.
- Why do you think being articulate is important in your work environment?
- What is your status quo?
- What action plan you made to improve? How did you do it? How have improved so far? What is left to be done in the year ahead?
- Examples of your action plan can be : read books on skills to present briefly, brilliantly and invite discussion. Even though things do not come to my mind as well as well trained executives, I tried to write down key points to train myself for what I need to talk about and what I do not need to talk about. How I can be to the point and say things clearly. I know I am not there yet, but compared with the start, I have made significant progress. I think so long as I stick to my goal and keep learning and practicing, I will be a good communicator and presenter in the near future.
Make a smooth exit and open for future contacts
- Ask “ Are there any other questions I can answer for you?” or if you have established rapport with the interviewer, directly ask “ Do you have any concerns over my qualifications”?
- Ask what is the next
- Ask for name card
- Firmly and briskly stand up, smile, shake hands again, thank them for taking the time to meet you
- Say I look forward to hearing from you, loud, and very confident
- Proper exit body gesture, stil make sure your front body faces the interviewer as you exit.更多精彩文章及讨论，请光临枫下论坛 rolia.net