[kdcpa]

Hi all,
I want your guidance on the interview. I have mid-level firm interview scheduled tomorrow on campus for tax internship. I desperately need to convert the interview into an offer. Please help me.

[Ana]

I've gotten every job I've ever interviewed for and here's my advice: practice your interview skills, google most common interview questions and practice practice practice!, show up 5 minutes early, be nice and personable with the receptionist, be dressed as nicely and professionally as you can, take a professional notebook and pen, have copies of your resume, have a firm handshake, be confident, maintain eye contact, brush up on their company/background/work, ask intelligent questions, don't be afraid to highlight your achievements and past work experience (you're there to sell yourself!), be eager and show you're willing to learn, grow, and add value to their team, tell them you'd be honored to be part of their company, ask them what the next step in the process is. That night send a thank you email to everyone you spoke to and reiterate the things above, add a personal touch from something spoken about in the interview. Follow-up in a week.

[kdcpa]

@Ana I read each and every word of your post and will continue to do so and to implement it. Thank you so much. I appreciate your guidance so much.

[Ana]

good luck kd!!! I can tell you'll do great!

Come to think of it I got my first job in accounting through a school function like yours for a mid size firm. I always try to talk about something personal too to show personality and not come across as a robot, non Acct related, like compliment something they have on, or discuss something interesting you heard about their culture (I knew one of them was Armenian). One of the female interviewees liked my necklace and I sent her link to the item when I emailed her. My husband went through the same process as me and later on I was told he wasn't hired because he sent his thank you email a week after the meeting whereas I sent mine that evening or the next morning.

[Bourne]

Be yourself and just carry on a conversation like it's every other normal person you talk to. If you just treat the interview as a regular conversation it isn't near as nerve racking as opposed to going into it thinking you're going to get drilled with questions.

If you speak with one main person, do not email them after the interview as mentioned above. In this day and age, everyone emails a thank you after the interview. You need to stand out. Write a handwritten note and mail it to the interviewer. I did this for my first internship as a sophomore (only 2.5 years ago) and it really stood out.

[Ana]

I agree with Bourne, I used to send a hand written thank you via mail but then I realized that the younger generation likes the instant gratification from an email. To each their own.

[kdcpa]

@Bourne thank you so much. I will implement your suggestions. During last fall, I participated in many events organized by recruiters, sent handwritten thank you notes and had nice experience interviewing, reached to the final round of interview for 3 out of 4 big 4 firms but unfortunately, I did not end up getting an offer. Therefore, I am more conscious this time and want to make sure that I nail the interview.

[kdcpa]

@Ana I appreciate your suggestions a lot and I think your experience and guidance will help me so much through this process. I will keep on reading your posts word to word till tomorrow and even later on.

[Ana]

coming up on a week post interview. any news from them? how long did they say it would take to hear back?

[Author]

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