Chartered Accountants Ireland Careers Advisory & Recruitment
Service Interview Preparation and Advice
This document is intended only as an introduction to the interview process and should not be used as
an exclusive source of research and preparation.
Interview Preparation
The key to performing well in any interview is preparation, preparation, preparation! It is essential
that you do the groundwork in advance to ensure that you perform to the best of your ability in an
interview scenario. An interview is your opportunity to sell your skills and experience and to ensure
that the company are convinced that you are the best candidate for the job.
It is also a way for you to learn as much as possible about the opportunity so that you can make an
informed decision when you are offered the job.
An effective method of preparing in advance of an interview is to write down the questions that you
think you might be asked and also the answers you would like to give in the event of those questions
being put to you during the interview. This will help to get you focused and thinking in interview
mode. It will also help to alleviate the pressure during the interview as you will be well prepared for
some of the questions that you are faced with. If you have a willing volunteer role play also is a very
useful preparation tool.
Confirm the following
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Date of interview
Time of the interview
Venue for the interview - ensure that you know exactly where this is and how to get there.
Give yourself plenty of time to get to the venue of the interview. AA Ireland
(http://www.aaroadwatch.ie/routes/) provides an excellent route planner facility that may
come in useful when you are planning your journey. Check to see what the arrangements are
in relation to parking. Ensure that you have coins with you should you have to pay for
parking.
Who you are meeting with and their job titles
Telephone number for the company in case you need to contact them i.e. if you are running
late for the interview. You should also have the contact name and number for the person in
Chartered Accountants Ireland who you have been dealing with should you need to contact
them.
The format/style of the interview
Have a Strategy
Have 3 or 4 key messages that you want to deliver that show the relevance of your background and
experience to the role in question as well as your interest levels in the role and organisation. If you
do not have all the experience that is required make sure to focus on your potential to grow into the
role. Back this up with solid examples of how you have mastered a learning curve in the past. Bring
as much energy and enthusiasm in to this aspect of the interview as possible.
Job Specification
Ensure that you have the job specification in advance of the interview and that you are familiar with
the content. You should also be able to draw comparisons and synergies between it and your
experience and background.
Curriculum Vitae
Your curriculum vitae will be the main talking point of the interview and as obvious as it may sound
you must ensure that you are familiar with the content, that you know all your relevant dates and that
you can articulate all the contents in a coherent and logical manner.
Company Research
It is imperative that you research the company thoroughly in advance of the interview. You should
be able to speak knowledgeably about the organisation. Key points to note in relation to the
organisation
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Product or service offering, industry sector
When they were established and their history
Size of the organization – turnover, employees
Any recent news features or developments within the organization
Know who their main competitors are
Be aware of what the challenges and issues are that are facing the company and their industry sector.
Know about any events or news items that may have appeared in the press in recent times.
Dress Code
First impressions are extremely important and it is essential that you are dressed appropriately and
professionally for interview i.e. a business suit. The impression you give should be professional, tidy
and organised. The first 30 seconds of any interview really count. How you look, speak and enter the
room will all serve to create the first impressions of you and can frame the entire interview.
Be aware of your body language
Throughout the interview the interviewers will be seeking hints as to your personality by the way
you talk, walk, move and the way you act in general. It is imperative that you sit up straight and stay
alert during the interview.
The all-important handshake!
A crucial part of any first impression is the traditional handshake. A strong and firm handshake
initially upon meeting and again at the end of the interview is crucial. Never under estimate the
impact that this can have.
Answering Interview Questions
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Answer questions in an articulate and concise manner
Ensure that you can be heard throughout the interview and that you speak clearly
Think before you answer and do not feel that you need to answer immediately
Avoid Yes or No answers where possible and try to elaborate and provide more information
and examples where appropriate
If you do not know the answer to a question do not be afraid to admit this
Be prepared for hypothetical questions– consider them carefully before answering
Unexpected questions are a normal part of the interview process so do not be alarmed and
answer using your instinct
It is vital that you ensure that there are no long gaps in the conversation and ensure that the
discussions keep flowing
Questions to put to your interviewer
It is advisable to have questions prepared in advance of your interview as this will help you to focus
on the interview process. Preparing sample questions will ensure that you are well prepared in
advance and it will help to calm your nerves.
It is essential that you resolve any queries you have in relation to the role or company during the
interview process. This is your opportunity to establish if this is the role and company for you. It also
shows the interviewer that you have prepared in advance and that you are interested in the role in
question.
It is recommended that you to avoid questions relating to salary and package, hours of work,
holidays etc at this stage as it is best to concentrate on the role and company at this early stage. Once
you have generated an interest in your application you will be better placed to commence
negotiations in relation to salary and package.
Sample Questions
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How did the role come about?
Who will the role report to?
What are the main objectives of the role?
What are your expectations of the person in this role?
What is the career progression in the role?
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What induction and training are provided in the role?
Why did you join the company? How long have you been with the organisation?
What are the skills and attributes most needed to get ahead in the organisation?
Who will be the company’s major competitors over the next 5 years?
What has been the growth pattern of the organisation in recent years?
General Interview Questions and advice in relation to answering same:
Tell me about yourself?
Keep you answer brief and resist the temptation to ramble and digress. Use your curriculum vitae
summary as a starting point and keep it relevant to the role for which you are interviewing.
What do you know about our company?
Ensure that you have completed your research in advance and that you can elaborate on the activities
of the company and details such as turnover, products/services, locations, history, mission statement
and any recent key news or events relating to the company. Always ensure that you demonstrate a
genuine interest in the company and industry sector.
Why do you want to work for us?
Resist the temptation to talk about what you want initially – focus more on what the needs of the
business are and then you can tie this in with your own requirements. This is your opportunity to
demonstrate and explain your motivations and interest levels in the role i.e. you would like to assist
with a particular project solve a particular problem, contribute to certain company goals.
Why should we employ you? What differentiates you from another candidate/applicant?
In this scenario you should briefly summarise why you are suited to the role and give examples of
where you have proven this in a previous role.
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Concentrate on your strengths providing 3 examples and only 1 example of a weakness. When
providing an example of a weakness, ensure that it is one that you can turn into a positive.
Always ensure that the examples you give are relevant to the role. None of us is perfect so it is only
natural that we will have some weaknesses. The key here is your awareness of what your weakness
is and how you then compensate for same.
How would you describe yourself?
Use adjectives that are relevant to the competencies required for the role e.g. driven, ambitious,
analytical, problem solver etc…Refer to the job specification for guidance on this.
How would others describe you?
Use adjectives that are relevant to the competencies required for the role as above.
What would your work colleagues say are your strengths and weaknesses and why?
Again make sure that the examples you give are relevant to the role for which you are interviewing.
It is important to be able to substantiate what you are saying by providing examples of when you
demonstrated your strengths and weaknesses.
What have been your most significant achievements in your career to date?
How have you contributed to improving productivity and effectiveness in your role?
Keep your answers job related and relevant. It would be good to mention that you feel that your best
achievements still lie ahead of you and your future employer.
When have you failed in the past?
When you provide an example here make sure you explain what you learned from the situation.
Why should we recruit you?
Again this is an opportunity for you to reinforce and consolidate the reasons why you are the best
candidate for the role – a good opportunity to really sell yourself – qualifications, experience, track
record etc…
What do you like/dislike about the role?
Concentrate on what you like about the role being specific about what it is you like. Only mention
one minor aspect that you do not like. Also it would be worth mentioning ‘that all positions and jobs
have elements to them that we do not relish but still have to be tackled’.
What do you look for in a role?
With this answer you need to stress that you are seeking an opportunity to perform, make a
contribution and be recognized.
How long will it take you to settle into the role and to make a meaningful contribution?
In this instance you must confirm that it will not take long at all and that with your skills and
experience that you expect to more or less hit the ground running. Give an example where you have
done this in the past. A good example can be a temporary/contract role or indeed a project
assignment where very often you need to adjust very quickly and cover a heavy workload in a short
space of time.
How long do you plan to stay in a role at this level?
This can be a tricky question. You must balance the fact that you are happy to stay in the role but
that you will also be seeking progression. You could say ‘As long as it is beneficial to myself and the
organization to stay at this level’. You can also take this as an opportunity to express an interest in
further education, upskilling and future career development.
Are you a born leader?
Be honest and think of the requirements for the role. Try to give examples of where you have proven
your ability in this area in the past.
How do you lead? What is your leadership style?
Again this is where you are required to provide specific examples.
How would you describe your personality?
Provide a number of positive adjectives including ‘balanced’ as well as providing relevant examples
for each.
Where do you see yourself in 2, 3 5 years?
This is your opportunity to display your ambitions. To answer this question effectively it will help to
know the management structures within the organisation. A good option is to confirm your desire to
be a true professional in your field and to be a team player. It is a good opportunity to ask what
potential future opportunities there may be.
What other roles or career options are you considering at the moment?
Ensure that you do not mention anything that is too obscure as it will show that you are lacking
focus and consistency. The options you mention should be broadly similar to the role for which you
are currently interviewing.
How do you deal with working under pressure and to tight deadlines?
Give details of how you do so currently and be specific. It is the perfect opportunity to sell your
skills and experience once again and to reinforce the message that you are a strong contender for this
role.
How do you make decisions?
Display that you are logical, methodical and fair in your decision making process
What was the most difficult decision you ever had to make?
Try to relate the answer to your prospective employer. Give an example where the result was a
positive one. Make sure that the interviewer is aware of your thought process and why you made the
particular decision.
What problems did you identify in a previous role and what did you do to change them?
Choose examples that you feel the interviewer can relate to and that portray you in a positive light.
How do you deal with conflict?
You must show that you are professional and ethical and that you are aware of best practice and
follow same at all times.
Have you ever been in a conflict situation with a manager?
The example you give should have a positive outcome and should not have been a situation of your
own making rather one that you resolved.
What excites/interests you about this role?
Just be honest and let you enthusiasm show through. It is a good opportunity to show your interest in
the role and to ensure that the interviewer is no doubt as to your enthusiasm for the role.
What don’t you like about this role?
Be brief and only mention one minor element and finish by saying ‘that all jobs have an element that
we do not like and that is a fact of life’.
What would you do if you were not happy about a decision/policy made by management?
Show that you are professional in your approach and display that you could deal with this situation
in a mature manner. It is imperative to stress that you would be open to discussing the issue with
management in a calm fashion with the view to resolving any misunderstandings and coming to a
mutually agreeable solution.
What motivates you?
This is the perfect opportunity to demonstrate your levels of energy, drive and ambition. e.g. you like
working under pressure, you like working in a busy & challenging environment.
What demotivates you?
Keep the answer brief and explain that this rarely happens and that you are capable of motivating
yourself. Mention also that if you were demotivated that you would speak to your manager to seek
guidance and direction.
What is your management style?
Structure the answer so that it is broadly in line with the company culture.
Describe a time when you felt you were out of your depth in a role? What did you do to overcome
this situation?
The example you give should show your versatility and ability to adjust in a new scenario.
Provide details of an occasion when you had to deal with a crisis in work?
The example you provide should have a positive outcome that you were instrumental in. You must
show that you remained calm and that you took control of the situation by rolling out a logical and
methodical process to resolve the crisis.
Closing the Interview
What you need to know before the close of the interview
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What will be the next stage of the process?
When should you expect to hear from them again?
How many other applicants are being considered for the role?
How do you rate me in comparison to the other applicants?
Are there any areas of my curriculum vitae or experience that you would like clarification
on?
Do you have any other questions for me?
Do you feel that I am a good fit for the role?
When do you expect to have a final decision?
When would you like someone to commence in the role?
You must ensure that the organisation has no further questions for you and that they have no
reservations in relation to your capabilities and suitability for the role. This may be your last chance
to do so. It must also be clear to your interviewer that you are interested in the opportunity.
Also it is imperative that you are comfortable with all aspects of the role and the company and that
you feel you can make an informed decision when you are offered the role.
A professional way to close off the interview is as follows
‘Thank you for taking the time to meet with me today and I would like to reiterate my interest in the
role and the organisation’.
Importantly do not forget the firm handshake to seal the deal!