Interviewing Tips

This last Wednesday, our BAP advisor, Professor Budd, took time out of her busy schedule to give us tips on how to get accounting internships and jobs.  While at PWC, she was one of their HR directors, and she showed us some of the things that she looked for while looking at resumes and interviewing.

The theme of the meeting was that we need to market ourselves well.  We need to have something to say about ourselves articulate it well, and say it a lot.  We need to think very critically about what makes us different from the rest of our colleagues at other Universities.  We looked at Resumes, Pre-Interview Socials, and Interviewing, and focused on what we can do to become better in each of these areas.

Resumes. When you write a resume you need to be specific.  It helps if you are able to tailor your resume to each company that you send it to.  By getting to know the company beforehand, you will be better able to emphasize points in your life that shows you have got what the company is looking for.  The danger with this is if you put in the company name on the resume you will need to make sure you have made all of the needed changes before sending the resume to a different company.

It is really important to answer the question: What were the results of my actions?  The results of what you have done in previous experiences will show the firm you are applying for what you could possibly do for them.  Make your result answers obviously transferable to the new job.  Also never create a false story to wow them and always have someone proofread your resume.

Pre-Interview Socials. During pre-interview events we will give the best impression if we smile, give firm handshakes, and make eye contact with the people that we are talking to.  It is not professional to chew gum, so use mints or tic tacs instead.  What to wear will usually be disclosed in the invitation or confirmation, but if you are not sure always dress up.  Remember to have appropriate discussions because you are still being evaluated, this event is not a party or useful for dates.  Jeff recommended that if we cannot picture our significant other being able to carry on a conversation on their own, we should think hard about if they would be beneficial to bring to these events.

Food is not the main point of these events.  Professor Budd told us that BYU has a reputation for only coming for the food.  This should not be the case, and she would be very happy to see that stereotype disappear.  This advice really helped me at the last pre-interview social I went to.  I was able to keep in mind that there are more important things then food or fun, and felt like I made a good impression.

Interviewing.  For the interview, the same pre-interview rules apply no gum, firm handshake, etc.  Body language is very important in an interview.  Remember to sit up straight and try not to show the bottom of your shoe.  After everything is over remember, remember to write a thank you note and send it to your interviewer.  No thank you letter is unacceptable.  It would also be wise to almost never ask about salary or other compensation questions.

For summer leadership programs remember that it is like a two day interview.  Remember to participate and be excited about the activities that you are doing.  Show your best self.  Some quality skills that PWC used to watch for were: Initiative, Leadership, Teaming Ability, Written/ Oral Communications, Flexibility, Technical Ability, Analytical /Problem Solving Skills, and Fit.

We have been well prepared here at BYU perform well at any internship and summer leadership program.  It is up to us to show others that we will participate and contribute to their business.