Joel Lucas, Senior Audit Manager, offers five simple - but vital - tips for applicants approaching a would-be employer for a job interview.

Preparation is key!

Do you wish to avoid some of the standard interview disasters?  How can you present yourself to your best advantage?  There are some relatively easy steps for anyone to follow to get the most out of interviews.  Preparation is definitely the key.

Having our roots in the local community, nurturing local talent is of particular importance to us.  Finding the right people for our team is crucial, but too often someone who looks like a great candidate on paper lets themselves down by a lack of interview preparation.

When recruiting we focus on the applicant as an individual, their background, and why they want to join our successful team.  We are interested in the individual in our interviews.  We have found that spending time with candidates to understand their interests, capabilities and future aspirations is the best measure of their suitability for the role.

However, despite there being plenty of information about training opportunities made available to candidates, we find on many occasions that having received a promising CV, applicants are ill prepared for the interview process.

Often in first interviews we are simply looking for a spark.  We want an applicant to show their desire for the opportunity.  But too often candidates do not even know what they are applying for, and an otherwise promising meeting fails to fulfil its potential simply through a lack of preparation.

So, what should you do?  Well, if you’re thinking of applying for a professional training contract, whether it’s with an accounting firm or any other professional employer, bear in mind these five simple recommendations:

Know you CV

There is nothing worse than asking an applicant about information contained on their CV, only for them to stare blankly back at you.  Know your CV inside-out and be able to talk about each aspect of your background and recent experiences.  Try to anticipate questions an interviewer might ask you about information contained in your CV.  This will help you present a well-considered response to almost inevitable questions.

Know what you are applying for

Simply having a vague notion of wanting to be an accountant or wanting to work in finance is not enough.  Employers are looking for enthusiasm and evidence that the applicant has at least considered the opportunity and has applied because they have a genuine interest in the role.  Applicants need to demonstrate an understanding of what they are letting themselves in for, so research the ACA training requirements, talk to friends and family who already work in the profession and look at a variety of firms’ website training pages.  

Know who you are applying to

Each accounting practice is different.  Firms have different cultures and client portfolios or offer a different training environment.  Jersey’s finance industry is blessed with many great employers, so choosing the one that suits you best is essential when committing to a three year training contract.  Some candidates take up a summer work experience placement with us to give them an insight into both the work and office environment, and we recommend anyone thinking of pursuing an accounting career seeks out placement opportunities.

Know your small talk

Research has suggested the first twelve words you utter will determine the interviewer's overall impression of you - so it turns out small talk can be crucial.  Commenting on the weather is always a safe ice breaker but you can also be more imaginative in demonstrating a sense of confidence in your surroundings (even if you don’t feel it).  Try to make the first twelve words relate to the company you are visiting.

Know your body language

Prospective employers are particularly sensitive to body language - so candidates should avoid fidgeting and playing with their hair.  Make sure you smile, have a strong handshake (but not too strong) and make eye contact.  Again, it’s all about looking confident.

This article was published in the Easter 2016 Jersey Evening Post Careers Review supplement