First interview after University - absolutely petrified!
Discussion
Well, I'm technically still studying, but the job would start after graduation. Initially I was excited, as it's exactly what I want to do (accountancy), but now I am totally petrified I'm going to mess it up somehow!
I'm trying to prepare as much as possible, suit/shirt/tie combo all sorted, trial run to the office tomorrow, will leave well in advance (I won't walk in 30 minutes early, I'll wait in the car), company and senior partners have been researched, that stuff is fine. I'm just worried I'm going to get asked a question I can't give a good answer to, or that takes time to think about which makes me look unprepared. I can't know for sure what they will ask, so will have to think on my feet and wing it, which I don't really like.
I'm usually pretty good with people in serious situations, but I'm expecting this to be quite rigorous and testing, after all, the company is 'investing' in me, so they will want to make sure they get a return.
I know I can be a great accountant, but I'm petrified I'll fail to demonstrate that in the interview.
Any advice?
I'm trying to prepare as much as possible, suit/shirt/tie combo all sorted, trial run to the office tomorrow, will leave well in advance (I won't walk in 30 minutes early, I'll wait in the car), company and senior partners have been researched, that stuff is fine. I'm just worried I'm going to get asked a question I can't give a good answer to, or that takes time to think about which makes me look unprepared. I can't know for sure what they will ask, so will have to think on my feet and wing it, which I don't really like.
I'm usually pretty good with people in serious situations, but I'm expecting this to be quite rigorous and testing, after all, the company is 'investing' in me, so they will want to make sure they get a return.
I know I can be a great accountant, but I'm petrified I'll fail to demonstrate that in the interview.
Any advice?
Excuse the 
but I've never come across someone passionately wanting to be an accountant before!
First bit of advice... DO NOT TEST YOUR TRAVEL TIME TOMORROW! Unless you're being interviewed on a Sunday or you're in the middle of nowhere, then timing the journey on Sunday will just make you worry more about how much to add on. Go by all means to find out where it is, but then just find a Starbucks or somewhere nearby that you can wait for an hour or so if you happen to get there really early.
Secondly, relax. Pretty much everyone is going to be in the same boat, given that you're a fresh graduate. A significant chunk of applicants won't have even made it this far, so the fact that they've bothered to invite you to interview means they must think you at least have potential.
but I've never come across someone passionately wanting to be an accountant before!First bit of advice... DO NOT TEST YOUR TRAVEL TIME TOMORROW! Unless you're being interviewed on a Sunday or you're in the middle of nowhere, then timing the journey on Sunday will just make you worry more about how much to add on. Go by all means to find out where it is, but then just find a Starbucks or somewhere nearby that you can wait for an hour or so if you happen to get there really early.
Secondly, relax. Pretty much everyone is going to be in the same boat, given that you're a fresh graduate. A significant chunk of applicants won't have even made it this far, so the fact that they've bothered to invite you to interview means they must think you at least have potential.
They will expect you to have some nerves. You do need to relax though.
Arrive in plenty of time, scrub up well, don't wear overbearing fragrances, nice suit, ironed shirt, polished shoes etc. First impressions are hard to change. Smile and be polite to everybody - you never how much influence the receptionist actually has for instance.
Take your time when answering the questions. Take a sip of water etc. Make sure you answer the question - don't ramble.
Make sure you've done lots of research on the company, their competitors, etc.
In hindsight it would have been wise to arrange a few interviews first which were fall-back choices. You do get far better at interviewing with practice. But you are where you are. Make sure your passion shines through but there's a fine line between someone who is passionate and driven and somebody who will sell their granny to get to where they want to be. Ensure you come across professional and personable.
Good luck!
Arrive in plenty of time, scrub up well, don't wear overbearing fragrances, nice suit, ironed shirt, polished shoes etc. First impressions are hard to change. Smile and be polite to everybody - you never how much influence the receptionist actually has for instance.
Take your time when answering the questions. Take a sip of water etc. Make sure you answer the question - don't ramble.
Make sure you've done lots of research on the company, their competitors, etc.
In hindsight it would have been wise to arrange a few interviews first which were fall-back choices. You do get far better at interviewing with practice. But you are where you are. Make sure your passion shines through but there's a fine line between someone who is passionate and driven and somebody who will sell their granny to get to where they want to be. Ensure you come across professional and personable.
Good luck!
Don't be afraid to admit that you don't know an answer to a question.
The interviewer should be asking you some questions that he/she doesn't expect you to answer.
The intelligent answer would be something like "I don't know that this instant, but I would look it up in [the standard text for that bit of accountancy - not Wikipedia] rather than guess".
The interviewer should be asking you some questions that he/she doesn't expect you to answer.
The intelligent answer would be something like "I don't know that this instant, but I would look it up in [the standard text for that bit of accountancy - not Wikipedia] rather than guess".
Just waiting for my references and contract to get sent through now!Congrats!
One thing I was told when I was a trainee recruitment consultant at 16 when I used to get a bit nervous about meeting potential clients etc was this... "Everyone eats, sleeps and s
ts".
That saying still goes through my head today. It's a bit crude but I like it!
Reminds you that everybody is human! Another way to look at Interview situations... most Manager's aren't exactly experts at interviewing, so they don't want to mess up interviewing you as much as you don't want to mess up!
One thing I was told when I was a trainee recruitment consultant at 16 when I used to get a bit nervous about meeting potential clients etc was this... "Everyone eats, sleeps and s
ts". That saying still goes through my head today. It's a bit crude but I like it!
Reminds you that everybody is human! Another way to look at Interview situations... most Manager's aren't exactly experts at interviewing, so they don't want to mess up interviewing you as much as you don't want to mess up!
Gassing Station | Jobs & Employment Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff