There are only 3 million unfilled jobs in the United States, and yet there are over 11 million unemployed workers. This statistic indicates a highly competitive current job market. So, you want to make sure you’re up for the competition.
Whether you are fresh out of college, or a seasoned accountant, there are a few rules that you should follow when interviewing with potential employers.
Certain mistakes can quickly cost you candidacy when applying for public accounting jobs.
If you’re looking for a new job as an accountant, read on to learn what not to do on your next interview!
Interview Don’ts for Public Accounting Jobs
It’s normal to be a little nervous when applying or interviewing for a new position. But, if you avoid these three fatal faux pas, you’ll be able to breathe easier. And, our tips might even help you land the job.
1. Don’t Dress Unprofessionally
While most interviews last around 40 minutes, 33% of bosses report that they know if they will hire someone within the first 90 seconds.
Employers take their first impression seriously, and you should too if you are serious about your career.
One of the first thing that interviewers will notice is what you’re wearing. So you want to be sure that you dress for success.
This includes adhering to these following dress code standards:
- Don’t dress too casually
- Do wear a conservative, tailored business suit
- Don’t try to dress trendy
- Don’t wear anything provocative
- Do wear dark colored shoes in a traditional style (think loafers or closed toe pumps)
Professional interview attire is important in any corporate industry but in the financial sector, there may be an even greater emphasis on what you wear.
Your appearance can reflect much more than fashion sense. Employers may use it to gauge organization, trust, and overall professionalism.
2. Don’t Go Unprepared
Before your interview, it’s important to review the skills and questions that applicants for public accounting jobs are expected to know.
In addition, consider common interview inquiries, such as “what’s your greatest accomplishment?” and “name your strengths and weaknesses”.
Not only will you appear prepared, you will avoid potential embarrassment, which could cause you to lose your focus mid-sentence.
However, if you truly don’t know the answer to a specific question, it’s better to fess up than to flounder. In public accounting jobs, pretending to know something that you don’t can be even worse than not knowing.
Remember, these positions require a high level of dependability and accuracy. An employer would rather teach you a new skill than have you wing it, which could lead to costly mistakes on the job.
3. Don’t Let Social Media Ruin Your Chances
Today, many employers are turning to Facebook and Twitter to find out about candidates prior to hiring.
If your social media accounts are too revealing, they could influence your interviewing reputation. And, this mistake might even cost you the job.
Instead, perform a social media check-up and make sure that any controversial material is cut before you begin applying for new public accounting jobs.
Ready to Nail Your Next Interview?
Once you begin applying for accounting positions, you will learn a lot during interviews. Whether or not you get the position, consider each interview as a learning experience that will help you further your job search.
Are you ready to find the perfect accounting job?
Contact us for help matching your qualifications to the best employers hiring accountants right now!
