An interview for a senior finance position can be a lengthy and intimidating prospect with some in-depth and complex questions asked. Here are our top interview tips to ensure you get the job…

Research the company –

you may be asked a range of questions about the company you are interviewing for. What do you know about the company? How you perceive its position in its industry? Who are the firm’s competitors? In a leadership role, you’ll probably be expected to show how would you improve the business, so understanding how they operate is even more important.

Know your selling points –

remember to have a few key selling points in mind with respect to what makes you the best candidate for the position and have examples in mind – ensure they are clear and concise. Have a look at the job spec and make sure your selling points marry up with the job!

Know why you want that job and why you find it interesting –

make sure you get this across. It will help you stand out as someone who is very interested in the job.

Understand your interviewer’s concerns –

why might your interviewer not want to hire you? By understanding this you can prepare a defence as to why it would be a good idea to hire you.

Prepare for the common interview questions –

a few we have included below –

1. Interviewers always ask if you have any questions, so you should always have a couple ready to show your interest at the end.
2. Prepare for “behaviour-based” questions – a very common interview style today is to ask people for examples to demonstrate behaviours that the company thinks are important. Examples being – making unpopular decisions, displaying persistence, or making decisions under pressure. Anticipate the behaviours the hiring manager is likely to be looking for. Identify an example of when you demonstrated that behaviour. Prepare a story for each example

Practice the interview –

repeating what you might say in an interview out loud is better than doing it in your head! You can do this with a family member, friend or recording yourself!

Watch your body language –

it goes without saying, dress appropriately, make a reasonable amount of eye contact, give a firm handshake, have good posture and speak clearly.

Make a great first impression –

interviewers make up their minds about candidates in the first few minutes of the interview. That doesn’t leave you much time! So be energetic and enthusiastic for the start. Make a positive comment on the company.

Think positively –

it’s best to steer clear of previous negative experiences in an interview. In the off chance an interviewer asks: “What did you like least about that previous job?” Reply with something like: “actually I’ve found something about all of my jobs that I’ve liked.” and give an example.

End the interview on a positive note –

if you like the job, tell the interviewer that you were excited about it before the interview and are even more excited now. It could make the difference between you and another candidate.

If you’re looking for a new finance role, please get in touch.

James, Company Director – Cameron Pink