Finding the Right Job

The interview process: a personal experience

As I walked through the doors to the office I felt at ease. Just from the reception area I could feel the office was different and the people were not as I had once expected from an accountancy firm.

Before this I had to complete an online application form asking questions about myself and my interests. I was then asked to complete online numerical and verbal tests. These are challenging, and are done under timed conditions, but I knew it was worth the effort to get them right. The online assessments tested my skills in reading graphs, calculating percentages and assessing the data that I was given. The verbal testing gives you a few paragraphs to read and then you have questions about the text.


Research

Prior to my interview I wanted to ensure the knowledge I already had was up to speed, so I researched on their website, which gave a breakdown of their financial results and a good insight into the working life of a trainee through various case studies, and an idea of what the accounting world is really like. I also researched into the background of the business, the different service lines and sectors in which they operate. In addition, I did mock interviews with parents and teachers to practice the sorts of questions that might be put to me.


On the day

In my first interview, I was interviewed by two senior managers and, although Tenon recruits around 100 trainees a year, I was made to feel an important part of the jigsaw. Though there were some difficult questions, I was put at ease by the friendly and down-to-earth nature of the interviewers. They seemed genuinely interested in what I wanted to do, and I was able to be myself.

The interview questions were varied, but a common theme was, ‘why accounting?’ My answers were met with further questions from the interviewers, so as to encourage discussion. I was also asked about personal strengths and weaknesses and how I was able to deal with and overcome them. I was asked about what social activities I enjoy and my passions in life.

I was then invited for a second interview, which was with an audit director. This was more intense and included more business and job specific questions. I was given business scenarios and asked how I would deal with the situation or the advice I would offer, based on the issue. After the interview I was shown around the office. It seemed as though it was a good environment to work in, as it was obvious that people got on together. As I walked around with the director, he seemed very approachable and it was clear he knew his team very well which added to the feeling of a strong team ethic within the business.


A few tips

Make sure you have a good understanding of the organisation you are applying for, for example the sectors it operates in and its customers/client base and what makes the company stand out for you.

Make sure you know which path of study you are signing up for, why you’ve chosen it and show in the interview that you have a passion for the type of work you will be doing. It’s good to be able to show your understanding of the business world, get to know the hot topics in the industry or something relevant that’s currently in the news. Finally, I would advise practicing a wide range of questions to ensure you are not surprised by anything that the interviewers ask.

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