7 Interview Tips And Tricks For Prospective CPA Candidates

So, you've made it past the phone call and email exchange phase, and a recruiter or company representative has called you in for an interview to become a CPA.

Though you know you'd make an excellent asset to any office, you sometimes struggle with how to make that clear in the stressful atmosphere of the interview room.

You need to study up on some interview tips and tricks to better prepare and boost your confidence.

In this post, we're telling you about just a few of the many interview best practices that you can adopt in order to impress any recruiter.

Whether you're just getting back into the job hunt, or if you're ready to interview for the position of your dreams, you need to take these interview techniques into consideration.

1. Dress to Impress

What you wear is an essential part of every office interview.

When in doubt, keep it simple and classic.

Sure, you might have an incredible watch or earring collection. But will that end up serving as a distraction from what you're saying in the interview room?

Make sure to stick with a solid-colored or slightly striped shirt.

Things like blues, whites, and soft yellows are always a safe bet.

Avoid open-toed shoes, overly branded clothing or accessories, and of course, showing too much skin or wearing too much cologne.

2. Study up on the Firm

If you really want to know how to interview, you'll need to spend a few hours studying up on the history of the company where you might work as a CPA.

Their website and any social media pages they have are a great place to start.

This way, when you're in the interview room, you can bring up recent work events, milestones, or anything else you've learned about the firm.

Be sure that you also familiarize yourself with the overall history of the company

3. Take Notes before and during the Interview

One of the most important interview tips and tricks?

Especially if you don't know too much about the company, make sure that you bring any notes you've taken with you into the interview room.

This will help to make sure you remember to bring up any key points or strengths that you especially want to communicate to the person interviewing you. It will also let the interviewer know that you've come prepared.

The same goes for during the interview.

If the interviewer says something you want to be sure to address later, it's perfectly acceptable to jot down a few notes. Just make sure you ask if you can take notes before doing so.

4. Make Sure You Ask Questions

Remember that an employment interview isn't just about whether or not you're a good fit for the place where you're interviewing.

You also want to find out if their company culture, work environment, and the specifics of the position itself, are all good fits for you.

Of course, you want to make sure that you ask the right questions.

You won't exactly make a great impression if the first and only question you ask relates to vacation time.

Instead, ask about the day-to-day operations of the company, client volume and demographics, and especially questions about the other team members.

You want to show that you're interested in working for the company, and that you've done your homework.

5. Eye Contact Is Key

This is one of the easiest interview techniques -- but it's also one of the most effective.

Making eye contact will help you to build a better connection with your interviewer. It also proves to them that you're actively listening to what they're telling you, and that you're completely focused.

Plus, it also helps you to project an air of confidence!

If you struggle with making eye contact, a good trick is to look right in the center of your interviewer's forehead.

6. Bring Samples of Your Work

Another one of the most important interview best practices?

Especially if you're working in the accounting field, you might want to bring along printed samples of your past work.

You could also give the interviewer a small dossier on yourself and your professional accomplishments.

This might include a breakdown of your past clients, information about your skill set, articles you've written, or even your ideas for the firm you're applying to work with.

It's an awesome way to show initiative.

7. Arrive Early

Last but not least, when you're showing up to an office interview, make sure that you arrive early.

In order to avoid showing up too ahead of schedule -- potentially throwing off the interviewer's schedule and appearing disrespectful -- we suggest showing up no more than twenty minutes ahead of time.

Why?

First of all, it gives you a chance to interact and speak with the receptionist, a secretary, and even other employees coming through the office.

Additionally, many firms will have you fill out forms, like a consent to a background check or additional information they'd like to have.

Give yourself plenty of time to complete them.

Use These Interview Tips and Tricks To Stand Out

When you're interviewing for the position of a CPA, we hope that you're able to put these interview tips and tricks into practice.

Above all, remember to breathe, walk in with great posture, and remember: the company wants you to be the right person, because they want to be done with the interview process!

Looking for more advice on how to nail any interview -- and find the positions that you're most qualified for?

We can help.

Be sure to spend some time on our website and blog to connect with the right opportunities for you.