by John Louie Ramos

Created on: August 06, 2011   Last Updated: August 10, 2011

The days where technical bookkeeping skills and tedious mechanical tasks were the only competencies used to judge an accountant during a job interview have now become extinct. Accounting positions require not only technical skills but as well need leadership, communication, conceptual and even interpersonal skills.

Landing an accounting job is now tighter than ever. Accounting

job interviews now present new and unique challenges that will surely measure the competence of accounting-job seekers. The following are several tips on how to ace an accounting job interview.

What to do before the accounting job interview?

1) Prepare a relevant CV

Preparing a relevant curriculum vitae (CV) is the first step in landing a job – or any job for that matter. Accounting is all about relevance and timeliness. Hence, those two attributes must show in your CV.

While it’s fine to include job experiences and informal education outside of the accounting field, it would be a lot better if you limit those things outside of the accounting field in order to have more space to emphasize your achievements, accomplishments and qualifications in the field of accountancy.

2) Research about the company you’re applying

Researching into the company to which you’re applying is one of the most simple yet most overlooked and taken-for-granted steps to successful job interviews. Conventional wisdom says knowledge is power. Knowledge regarding the company’s history, its mission and vision and its policies is a huge advantage during a job interview. Knowledge can only be acquired through research.

3) Dress appropriately

Dressing appropriately is necessary when going to a job interview. It has been said over and over again that interviewers judge job candidates within the first few minutes of the interview – the rest of the interview is aimed at strengthening that first impression.

How to handle common accounting job interview questions?

1) What made you choose accounting?

This is probably the most difficult question that you’ll encounter during an accounting job interview. Don’t just say that your mother or your father forced you to take accountancy. You can say that you have loved math since high school and your interests include business and organization.

2) What accounting applications/software have you worked with?

The onset of the Internet era paved the way for easier and more technologically advanced accounting applications and software. Obviously, you should know how to work with some, if not all of those accounting applications and software.

3) Which areas of accounting are your strengths? weaknesses?

The question regarding your strength and your weakness can make or break your chances in landing an accounting job. For your strength, whatever area of accounting you say be sure that you can prove that it is really your strength.

For your weakness, be honest. Speak of your weaknesses but don’t forget to emphasize the things that you are doing in order to improve your skills.

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