Jump Back
Whether you think you are a pro at interviewing or a bit rusty having been with the same business for most of your career, putting in the work before an interview is key.
Here are some of my recommendations for being prepared to put your best foot forward in an interview:
Ask the experts.
The first bit of advice for being interview ready is to chat with your talent advisor about what they expect the format of the meeting to be. They might have an insight on the back of the initial client briefing meeting or it may be a business they work closely with where there is a particular format the client follows for an interview process. Chatting with your advisor will give you the insights you need to be interview ready. At Barden, we have spent many hours preparing talent for interviews, we have also been hiring managers ourselves within Finance, so we really do get it.
Storytelling.
Be able to tell a story about your career to date. People love stories and the goal of the interview is to draw the interviewers into yours. Giving them an in-depth breakdown of your CV (which they will likely have in front of them anyway) could lose their attention and it doesn’t tell them anything new. Whereas telling your career story to date, and giving an insight into your true self, experience, education, and passions will no doubt keep their attention and help you stand out.
Keep it relevant.
Highlight key pieces of information about your experience that might interest your interviewer, particularly if it is relevant to the role you are interviewing for. These are the things they will focus on and are likely to come back to and ask you further questions about.
Do your research.
It is really important to do your homework about the company you are meeting. What they do, what they are known for, what their financials are like, if there is anything topical in the news about them recently, etc. These people have taken time out of their day to meet you so it’s important you know some key information about their business. It’s also beneficial to research the aspects of the company and role that are most important to you, such as culture, values, business priorities etc. At Barden, we have built up close relationships with our clients over the years, putting us in a great position to give talent some additional insights on top of what’s available online.
Be authentic (and professional).
It is impossible to build a relationship with a potential future manager if they are not seeing the real you. Doing this, while also having a professional manner is gold.
Go with the flow.
Let the conversation flow. Feel free to ask questions and have back-and-forth conversations throughout the meeting. This will give the hiring manager an insight into your personality and what it could be like to have you as part of the team.
Back yourself.
The interviewers have seen potential in you based on your CV and the additional information your talent advisors have shared with them. Have confidence in yourself, this is your time to shine and show them what you can bring to the table.
Enjoy it!
This is a big opportunity for you to impress a future employer, whether it’s for this role or future opportunities in the business. Make the most of it, leave a good impression, and enjoy the conversation.
More about Caroline
Caroline Frawley ACA is a Senior Associate in the Mid-Senior Accountants division of Barden’s talent advisory and recruitment firm in Munster.
Caroline is a Chartered Accountant with over 16 years post post-qualification experience in finance functions across several organisations both in Ireland and Australia. Her extensive professional journey has equipped Caroline with a depth of knowledge about different areas of finance, cultivated through hands-on experience and diverse challenges.
At Barden, Caroline leverages her wealth of experience to offer invaluable insights and guidance to individuals she connects with. Her deep understanding of finance enables her to provide tailored advice, empowering candidates and clients alike to make informed decisions to help them realise their professional ambitions.
Get in touch with Caroline via email at caroline.frawley@barden.ie or via LinkedIn.