What would impress you in an interview?

[Fred_the_frog]

Following my previous thread, i'm wondering what would impress you in an interview.

Let's say you were interviewing someone for a position in your company. What could they do that would really impress you?

In my situation, I know a brief history of the company, the sectors they operate in and the services they provide, the location of their offices (there is only 4 so it's easy), the number of employees and a few other little things.

 

[fisicx]

What would impress me would be the way you present yourself, depth of knowledge of the job, your experience, demonstration of skills, education, the suit you wear, body language and lack of drunken pictures on your facebook page.

 

Interest and willingness to learn about the job.

 

[Alan]

I assume you want to know becuase you are going for a job interview that you hope to do well in?

 

[cjd]

Assuming that you have the knowledge and experience to actually do the job, then, honesty, sense of humour and, according to my wife, nice shoes.

 

[Alan]

My Grandmother always said you can tell what the person is like by looking at their shoes. Of course she did use to work in a shoe shop (I wear slippers to work )

 

[Garage Runners]

I went into a retail management position by doing swot analysis on three local branches and did a threat analysis.
I also downloaded the financial reports so I could quote figures and projections.

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

Not very impressed by very much myself !

I'm impressed by the queen working a 15 hour day at 86 but that's about it.

 

[Bart Simpson]

In addition to taking care of the obvious things like your attire and body language. You need to give the employer a reason to hire you. I think that would impress one a lot. As mentioned by GarageRunners you can give some briefing about the business and what are the problem areas. This would shows that you understand the business and are suitable for it. And lastly, confidence is very essential.

 

[Deleted member 138423]

The thing that would impress me is if the interviewee would act if they were interviewing me!

 

[Spinoza]

The thing that would impress me is if the interviewee would act if they were interviewing me!

Very true. The very best people out there know their abilities and enter the interview as the selector instead of the selected. They tend to ask far more questions than the average interviewee and already have a good position with a good firm and you find the frame of the interview switches in the first 30 seconds. When you start giving each other knowing smiles then you're on a winner!

 

[Vending Siting Services]

All of the above apart from wearing slippers

I like to hear such things as not being a clock watcher, commitment to their job and getting the job done falls well with me.

Barbara

 

[herewegoagain.]

This day and age, the things that would impress me is someone who could spell, not wear fake 'designer' sportswear, not say 'innit' every two seconds or have tattoos that look like a barcode on their arms !

 

[Lentinus]

I'd settle for them turning up on time and bringing the things I asked them to bring. innit.

 

[Deleted member 138423]

I'd settle for them turning up on time and bringing the things I asked them to bring. innit.

Blimey, you don't ask for much then

 

[Spinoza]

All of the above apart from wearing slippers

I like to hear such things as not being a clock watcher, commitment to their job and getting the job done falls well with me.

Barbara

The criteria the interviewee brings up can be very important if it's not prompted by the interviewer. It's the "nots" which are most important. It plays on the interviewees illusion of transparency so they bring up the things which they feel most vulnerable on. If someone says they are "not a clock watcher" there is a strong possibility they have been accused of such behaviour in the past and mention it to relieve some of the cognitive discomfort. Imagine Barbara if you were interviewing some one for a position involving handling cash and the the first thing they said was "I'm not a thief" the alarm bells would start ringing straight away. A skilled interviewee would enter the interview with their honesty implicit from the outset. The old sales technique of the "silence close" will bring the interviewee's weaknesses out pretty quickly (unless you're interviewing for a sales position and they know what you're doing!) Supposedly you make up your mind about the candidate within the first 30 seconds then back rationalise your decision to fit because of the anchoring effect of the first impression they have on you. If that's the case then it explains some of our politicians!

 

[ITsoldUK]

Firm eye contact and the hand shake...

...and most of the above especially the slippers.

 

[arcon5]

A good set of tits - doesn't mean you'd get the job though


.

 

[TheEngineer]

A good set of tits - doesn't mean you'd get the job though


.

Confidence but not too cocky.

Not giving "stock" answers to standard interview questions

A sense of humour (although this can be dangerous!). Was once asked the standard "where would you like to be in 3 years" question (male interviewer). My reply "retired, on a beach surrounded by attractive women. Actually I would quite like to be there now but I don't have enough money to do that".

I got the job!

 

[Blood Lust]

Following my previous thread, i'm wondering what would impress you in an interview.

Let's say you were interviewing someone for a position in your company. What could they do that would really impress you?

In my situation, I know a brief history of the company, the sectors they operate in and the services they provide, the location of their offices (there is only 4 so it's easy), the number of employees and a few other little things.

I would want to know -
1. If you have the skills and experience to do the job.
2. Why you have left previous positions.
3. If you will perform if given this chance.
4. If you will fit in with the rest of the staff.
5. What your long-term aims are.
6. If you're really interested in the position.

Nothing else is important. Being too keen for a job can go against you because you'd give off desperation vibes during the interview. Oh, and if my boss isnt sitting in for the interview you'd stand the highest chance if you were pretty, blonde and female lol.

 

[Fred_the_frog]

Thanks for all the answers.

Unfortunately I am not female, blonde or have eye diverters on my chest.

But i'm being interviewed by a middle aged woman, so I don't think she will be too worried about my looks.

I'm not the most confident person, and I have come across as nervous/ timid in previous interviews. I do however have a better work ethic/ higher work quality standards (?) that the average person. Hopefully I can try to be a bit more confident :redface:

 

[ApexStrat]

You must be confident. Don'y be afraid to be yourself (a polite, refined version of yourself at least). Remember, you are interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you, so ask them some good questions, it will show that you are interested in the job but that you are not desperate.

Research standard interview questions and be prepared to answer them, but not in a scripted way, people can tell when you are reciting an answer rather than answering the questions honestly.

 

I would want to know -
1. If you have the skills and experience to do the job.
2. Why you have left previous positions.
3. If you will perform if given this chance.
4. If you will fit in with the rest of the staff.
5. What your long-term aims are.
6. If you're really interested in the position.

.

The chance anyone desperate for a job will answer those questions honestly is about a million to one.

 

[Berkshire Business]

I agree with all the above, knowledge of the company is always best. Being well presented and comfortable with the interview itself, always showing confidence.

 

[Blood Lust]

Thanks for all the answers.

Unfortunately I am not female, blonde or have eye diverters on my chest.

But i'm being interviewed by a middle aged woman, so I don't think she will be too worried about my looks.

I'm not the most confident person, and I have come across as nervous/ timid in previous interviews. I do however have a better work ethic/ higher work quality standards (?) that the average person. Hopefully I can try to be a bit more confident :redface:

Most people are anxious during job interviews and your interviewer does know this.

If you want to stop that adrenaline then maybe go for a workout before your interview?

 

[Socio South West]

Have some questions prepared before you go in... I find nothing worse than asking an interviewee if they have any questions only to be answered by an awkward silence followed by 'errrrrrr.... I don't think so'

 

[Fred_the_frog]

I've found some common questions, and i've drafted some answers. I'm going to pick out key points of the answers and use them to build my answers in the interview. So instead of remembering a full answer, I can just remember the key points - 'Hard working, committed to training, enthusiastic'. So in the interview I can go 'Well I am a very hard working person, and I am committed to things I do. This means I will be committed to the training and I won't drop out. I'm also an enthusiastic person, which helps me to motivate myself.'

Hopefully if I know I have those points in my head I'll feel a bit more confident. :redface:

 

[ZipserSir]

Hello Fred.

Know something about the company is good; having a couple of ideas about how they could be doing better is better still!

Good luck!

 

[Leo-InstallingIT]

As most other people have said presentation & those initial 5 seconds are probably the most important thing.

One tip I would say, is make sure that there is a reason behind everything you say and know it. It really bugs me when someone says, I have the skills to do this job and it is shown by my experience. Then I ask, so what skills do you need for this job..... and you get an awkward silence...

 

[Socio South West]

I've found some common questions,

I was actually meaning have questions ready that YOU ask the interviewer when prompted...

And Eye contact... if necessary look at the interviewer's forehead to avoid an outstaring contest.

 

[Fred_the_frog]

I was actually meaning have questions ready that YOU ask the interviewer when prompted...

And Eye contact... if necessary look at the interviewer's forehead to avoid an outstaring contest.

Yep I have some of them ready too.

What's the difference between eye contact and staring? :redface: When I keep eye contact for too long I feel like i'm staring, and then I worry that i'm staring instead of listening

 

[Psl]

What is the position your being interviewed for?

 

[Fred_the_frog]

What is the position your being interviewed for?

Trainee accountant

 

[Psl]

Trainee accountant

If I was interviewing you, these would be my thoughts;
Not a position that requires a customer facing role, so any sales skills would not be at the top of my list.
How much have you spent on gaining any qualifications?
Your thoughts on the recent budget.
Do you have ordered mind, an analytical approach?
What level within the accountancy profession do you want attain?
Are you forthright and to the point?

HTH.

 

[Jeff FV]

I've found some common questions, and i've drafted some answers. I'm going to pick out key points of the answers and use them to build my answers in the interview. So instead of remembering a full answer, I can just remember the key points - 'Hard working, committed to training, enthusiastic'. So in the interview I can go 'Well I am a very hard working person, and I am committed to things I do. This means I will be committed to the training and I won't drop out. I'm also an enthusiastic person, which helps me to motivate myself.'

Hopefully if I know I have those points in my head I'll feel a bit more confident. :redface:

Can you give examples to back that up? e.g. Interviewer may ask something like: "Can you give me an example of when you have had to motivate yourself at work?"

Even if the interviewer doesn't specifically ask for examples, use them to embellish your answers.

Wishing you the very best of luck, do let us know how you get on.

J

 

[Fred_the_frog]

If I was interviewing you, these would be my thoughts;
Not a position that requires a customer facing role, so any sales skills would not be at the top of my list.
How much have you spent on gaining any qualifications?
Your thoughts on the recent budget.
Do you have ordered mind, an analytical approach?
What level within the accountancy profession do you want attain?
Are you forthright and to the point?

HTH.

Very helpful, thanks!

Can you give examples to back that up? e.g. Interviewer may ask something like: "Can you give me an example of when you have had to motivate yourself at work?"

Even if the interviewer doesn't specifically ask for examples, use them to embellish your answers.

Wishing you the very best of luck, do let us know how you get on.

J

Good idea, i'll think of some good examples that I can use

 

[Root 66 Woodshop]

The only two things we look for in someone are two of the most important attribute in life.

The ability to listen and learn.

Too many "know it all's" out there and not enough folk willing to learn something new every day... tis a shame tha knows... tis a shame.



Oh and one of my pet hates... never put your hands in your pockets. rattles the hell out of me that does!

 

[SBlundell]

Remember - An interview is about hiring personality not skills.

Especially for a trainee accountant role - they're (presumably) looking to train you with the necessary skill set anyway.

Make sure you've thought about what accountancy qualifications you want to achieve - be aware of the different options (ICAEW, ACCA, CIMA, AAT etc) & their respective benefits & disadvantages. But don't bad-mouth any of them - who knows what qualifications your interviewer has (or if they have none)?

Is it an industry or practice role? Have you considered why you want to be in industry / practice, if you'll ever want to change etc.

Hope that helps. Feel free to ask anything I can help with - I once attended a trainee accountant interview. Pretty certain it went well, as I'm still here 6 years later

 

[MyAccountantOnline]

Trainee accountant

Arriving on time

Being polite

Tidy appearance - I'd like to see you've made an effort

Friendly but not over confident - I'd rather see a few nerves than have someone who is over confident

Showing me you are really keen to learn and will work hard

 

[MyAccountantOnline]

I'd also expect you to have done your homework and be fully aware of the various accounting bodies and know which one you want to study with, and why.