With accounting and finance professionals being more in demand than ever, it might feel like scoring an interview means the job is yours if you simply show up. In spite of having more openings than people to fill them, it doesn’t mean candidates do not have to prepare or sell themselves in an interview situation. Recently, we’ve had several candidates stumble over answering the question, “why are you looking for a new role?” Here are several ways to answer that question successfully, along with other sage interview strategies.
Talk About What You’re Excited About in This Role
It might be tempting to talk about all the reasons you are dissatisfied with your current role when asked why you’re looking at something new. However, fight the urge to spout off a laundry list of reasons as to why you’re unhappy or unfulfilled. One reason being, someday, you may choose to leave the job this interview could lead to, and your interviewer is wondering if you’d talk about them or the company in the manner you’re discussing your current employer and boss. If you can instead talk about what you’re moving toward, and why you’re excited about this role, focusing on the positive, you can avoid the potential of being seen as having a negative attitude or generally being unhappy. Instead lean into what the interviewer wants to hear about; your potential and how you want to contribute to the team/ company.
Put Your Best Foot Forward
Along with resisting the urge to launch into negative comments about your current employer, it’s also not enough to just “show up.” You do need to remember the old adage, “You’ve got one chance to make your best first impression.” Meaning, you need to show up on time, you need to know something about the company and know your own resume. Even if you aren’t convinced this is the perfect role for you, not giving 100 percent in the interview lessens the chance that you’ll be their first choice for the role. If the interviewer does their job, you’ll leave the interview wanting the role, and as the candidate, you want to be able to choose whether you’ll take it, not the other way around.
You’re Not Information Gathering. You’re Selling Yourself!
Because the demand for accounting and finance professionals is as strong as it’s been in recent history, candidates can feel like employers are just happy they showed up for the interview. This can turn into a candidate feeling like there is not much more required of them, and the employer is so in need of talent, they’ll take anyone who interviews. That is simply not the case. As a candidate, you cannot treat the interview as purely an information gathering session that will lead to you deciding whether you want the job. There is still a very real possibility the employer will go with another candidate that puts their best foot forward and seems interested in the role/ company, not just doing the basic requirement of showing up for the interview.
According to BusinessInsider.com, here are the best five ways to “sell yourself in an interview:”
- Know your “brand” -Understand who you are and what you’ll bring to the new role
- Be a storyteller- Have an interesting example of when you’ve been successful in your career
- Know your audience- Know the company and the career history of the interviewer whenever possible
- Show, don’t tell- Don’t simply say you have a skill, illustrate a time when you showcased it
- Look for brand matches- Show how your values and skills align w/ the company & role
Interviews can be stressful, and a “normal” human response is to try to do anything that makes it easier to go through the process. However, in spite of this historically high demand for talent, candidates still need to put their best foot forward in order to put themselves in the best position possible when it comes to acquiring a new role. “Phoning it in,” or treating the interview as if the employer should just be happy you showed up will not feel impressive to any prospective employer. Our comprehensive Interview Prep Guide, found here, will help you get ready for your next interview, and give you the best shot at being an employers’ top candidate for their open role!