Try This Job Interview Preparation Formula

Job interviews are rightly challenging.

After all the hiring organisation is making a significant investment decision.

It’s also a big decision for you.

Many candidates make a mistake in believing that it’s all about what you do on the day of the job interview.

Of course it’s important to realise that about 80% of your success comes down to what you do ahead of the interview.

As I’ve mentioned in other posts, accountants and professionals fail to do enough preparation.

Only about 20% of people do enough preparation.

By that I mean they spend at least 10 hours preparing for a job interview.

Many are shocked when I tell them that this should be their baseline.

Equally you don’t want to be random in your approach.

For that reason I suggest you try the following formula.

20% Research

You have to do your research focusing on:

  • The organisation
  • The sector
  • The financial performance
  • The people
  • The trends
  • And much more

The big mistake I see here is that candidates either don’t do enough or go over the top with the research.

2 really focused hours is ideal.

40% Question Identification and Answers

Identifying questions and writing out answers to the questions will boost your confidence significantly.

The most important thing you can do is identify many more questions than you are ever likely to be asked.

I recall when I was being interviewed for an internal promotion to senior manager in a big accounting firm having 200 potential questions and answers written out.

40% Practice

If you have done the research and question identification and answers you will be better prepared than most.

Don’t rely on being able to carry it off on the day.

Instead spend 4 hours on practice.

Audio record yourself answering questions.

Video record yourself answering questions.

Do a mock interview and get help to improve your answers.

The Bottom Line:  Confidence and a great performance in a job interview doesn’t happen by chance.  It requires proper preparation.

About the Author Duncan Brodie

Since 2006 I’ve worked with in excess of 8,000 accountants and professionals in workshops, seminars and one to one helping them land their next jobs and become better leaders, presenters and business partners. Before that I spent 25 years in accountancy climbing the career ladder from Payments Clerk to FD. I’m a CIMA Fellow, Certified Professional Coach and Team Coach Facilitator.

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