Inside Careers Guide to Chartered Accountancy

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APPLICATIONS & INTERVIEWS Competency-based interviews are structured so that each question targets a specific key skill or capability from the job specification. You will be asked questions relating to your behaviour in specific circumstances, which you will need to back up with practical examples. Try and have more than one example ready to use in case you are asked to provide a second example, which can happen. To be an accountant, you have to be exceptionally organised and able to work to strict deadlines whilst having technical numeracy skills and developing communication and people skills. If you are going to be a future leader, the earlier you start to develop these skills, the better. Other skills employers will be looking for are attention to detail, commercial awareness and ability to work in a team. Learn to demonstrate your skills by using the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method. This means setting the scene, explaining how you handled the situation by placing the emphasis on your personal role and skills, and detailing the outcome or result. STAR Method S: Explain the situation T: What tasks were required of you A: The action you took R: The result, impact and value your actions achieved. Even if a company follows a different interview format, knowing how to answer questions in a concise way that really sells your experience is the key to success. With practice and preparation, the ability to structure your answers correctly will become second nature, allowing you to concentrate on letting your personality and enthusiasm shine at interview. Good preparation will also show your commitment to the job and provide evidence of your organisational skills. 24 Accountancy | www.insidecareers.co.uk/acc
APPLICATIONS & INTERVIEWS Conducting your interview in an engaging way will demonstrate the personal characteristics and ‘can do’ attitude that are essential for the very best accountants. ON ARRIVAL Start off on the front foot by arriving for your interview 5-10 minutes ahead of schedule. Plan ahead if you haven’t been to the location before and even do a trial run if necessary. Dress appropriately and remain polite and courteous to anyone you meet and greet your interviewer with a professional handshake and friendly smile. If you are unsure of the dress code, call ahead to confirm this, but smart business attire is always the best bet. REMAIN CALM AND PROFESSIONAL Staying calm in your interview will give your interviewer an insight into how you would deal with pressure, and show how you would deal with deadlines in the financial calendar. Your communication in your interview will also show your potential to deal with clients and colleagues alike. Conducting your interview in an engaging way will demonstrate the personal characteristics and ‘can do’ attitude that are essential for the very best accountants. Be mindful of your body language; your posture, eye contact and gestures can show a lot about your confidence and mind-set. ASK QUESTIONS Prepare questions to ask at the end of your interview that demonstrate you have done your research and are genuinely interested For more interview tips head to: www.insidecareers.co.uk/career-advice in the job and organisation. If the interview has followed a strict format, asking questions is a way to get across experience that you may otherwise not be asked about. If it feels appropriate, ask if they have any reservations about your application – this may seem daunting, but could give you the opportunity to overcome these concerns. CONSIDER YOUR EXIT Remember that your interview doesn’t end until you are out of the door and that the last 30 seconds of an interview are just as important as the first – ensure you leave a positive impression on your interviewer. Leave with a professional handshake, make eye contact and thank your interviewer for their time. And finally, remember to be polite and courteous to all employees you encounter even if they have not been involved in your interview process! The follow up Following your interview, don’t forget to follow up with your recruitment consultant to update them with your feedback and also to receive any feedback your interviewer may have provided too. I hope that you use this advice to take the next step in your finance career and I wish you the best of luck in your next job application or interview. • Karen Young is a Director for Hays Accountancy & Finance in the UK. Hays Accountancy & Finance operates from nearly 100 offices, with over 400 consultants working with hundreds of employers to match the right finance professionals with the right organisation. www.hays.co.uk/accountancy Accountancy | www.insidecareers.co.uk/acc 25
Page 1 and 2: IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ONLY GRADUA
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Page 5 and 6: GRADUATE PROFILES Audit Senior - Hi
Page 7 and 8: INTRODUCTION FROM ICAEW Mark Prothe
Page 9 and 10: FINDING THE RIGHT JOB Education & S
Page 11 and 12: WHAT IS CHARTERED ACCOUNTANCY? Whil
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Page 17 and 18: ACCOUNTING & FINANCE SALARY TRENDS
Page 19 and 20: EDUCATION & SKILLS Problem solving
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Page 48 and 49: ABOUT ICAEW At ICAEW, our members a
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Page 54 and 55: EMPLOYER DIRECTORY Albert Goodman 5
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EMPLOYER DIRECTORY Haslers is an aw
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EMPLOYER DIRECTORY Are you looking
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EMPLOYER DIRECTORY Our future is in
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EMPLOYER DIRECTORY Hillier Hopkins
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EMPLOYER DIRECTORY If you are a bri
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EMPLOYER DIRECTORY Firm structure K
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EMPLOYER DIRECTORY Lubbock Fine pro
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EMPLOYER DIRECTORY About Mazars Maz
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Dare to be Remarkable Menzies LLP i
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EMPLOYER DIRECTORY We're looking to
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EMPLOYER DIRECTORY Based in London,
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EMPLOYER DIRECTORY Rayner Essex has
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EMPLOYER DIRECTORY TRAINEE PROFILE
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PERSONALITIES WANTED GET THE CAREER
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EMPLOYER DIRECTORY TRAINEE PROFILE
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EMPLOYER DIRECTORY At Smith & Willi
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EMPLOYER DIRECTORY Who are we? Wilk
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JOB FINDER TYPES OF OPPORTUNITIES C
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100s Jobs Find your dream Accountan
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Inside Careers Guide to Chartered Accountancy

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