CPA Ireland Skillnet‘Enhance your Interview Skills’ 10th May, 2012

Objective of Today

1. Introduction to Morgan McKinley

2. The Interview & what Employers are seeking in potential employees Interview Preparation Interview Tips Common questions asked in Interviews Tough job interview questions Questions you can ask Open Floor Mock Interview – Interactive Session

3. Current Market Overview

4. Questions & Answers

Morgan McKinley - Overview

What do Morgan McKinley do?

What are our relevant specialist verticals and what do they mean?

- Commerce & Industry- Banking & Financial Services- Professional Services - Public Sector & Not-For-Profit

Our global presence

Thinking globally, Act locally

25 offices in 10 countries

Strategically placed at the heart of business centres

1 new location planned for H4 2011 in New York

A single global candidate database

International candidate management programme

Global Client Account Management initiative

Australia Dubai Hong Kong Ireland Japan

Shanghai Singapore The Netherlands United Kingdom France

Current global presence includes

AJ

Our local presence

5 offices in 5 counties – Dublin, Cork, Waterford, Kilkenny, Limerick

Over 50 consultants in Ireland working in the accounting and finance space –

30 of which are based in Dublin alone

Qualified consultants in CIPD, CPA, ACA, AITI, IATI and ACCA

Teams divided down by qualification so you only deal with specialists in your

area

A single Irish Client and Candidate database

International candidate management programme out of Ireland with close

ties to all international offices – London/Sydney

The Interview

Sweaty hands? New suit? Nerves? ….. It's got to be the job interview!

The Interview – Preparation

Before you begin the interview process

• Self-assessment: Know your skills, talents, strengths, weaknesses, achievements, motivations and work values – keep an on-going file for all of these – they can be easily forgotten

• Research, Research, Research: The Company you are applying to, who are it’s competitors, what is their market position?

• Be prepared to discuss anything on your cv: Importantly be prepared to answer questions you don’t want to answer. For Example: Weaknesses, lack of related experience, low academic results, job hopping

• Practice with a friend and scrutinize how you present and sound: look for enthusiasm, energy, alertness, facial expressions and body language

The Interview – Preparation

What employers look for:

• Results Driven People

• Team Players – Relationships

• Communicators

• Self managers

• Positive personal Qualities

• Technical Skills

• Business Skills/IT Skills

The Interview – Preparation

Before The Interview

• Put together a brief 2- minute elevator speech – practice this speech

• Remember to always talk in terms of the Employers Needs

• Write down what you want the interviewer(s) perception of you to be after the interview is over

• Prepare to elaborate on why you would consider leaving your current employer

• Never discuss personal information irrelevant to the job or speak negatively of a current/former employer

The Interview – Preparation

Preparation is Key

• Read the job spec and research the company

• Read and know your CV and highlight the areas which most relate to the role you are applying for

• Know where you are going, who you are meeting and arrive on time!

• Be prepared to meet more than one interviewer

• Present yourself in a Professional Manner with good hygiene

The Interview – During the Interview

In the Interview

• Firm Handshake / Keep eye contact

• Be clear on your reasons for wanting the role & working for the company

• Sell yourself into the job

• Answer the questions you are asked, do not digress

• Have examples to back up your answers

• Be positive, enthusiastic and energetic. Don’t fidget

• Talk about your sports and hobbies

• Ask questions

The Interview – During the Interview

• Turn off your mobile phone – better still leave it in the car

• Ask the hiring manager to describe the opportunity in detail - This is a great way to ensure that you identify what exactly the employer is

looking for and perhaps say something like….” what performance objective will be used to evaluate exceptional performance within this job?”

• Be enthusiastic - Speak clearly, distinctly and with confidence

• Smile when speaking but don’t over do it either as it can make you appear nervous

The Interview – During the Interview

• If you are interested in the opportunity tell your interviewer so! - State that you are interested and qualify your reasons as to why. It is very

important that you communicate your passion for the opportunity and company.

• Be open to compensation questions- Be straight forward in your answer and precise about the base, bonus etc

• Ask questions about the client and LISTEN CAREFULLY- People love to talk about themselves, give them a chance to share with you why

they are great and why you should want to work for them…

• Last but not least, HAVE FUN!!!

The Interview – Frequently asked Questions

1) Competency Based

What are your Strengths/ Weaknesses?– This is the most dreaded question. List 4/5 strengths and 1/2 weaknesses.

Stay away from personal qualities and concentrate on professional traits.

Tell me about a time you when you helped to resolve a dispute? (Communication/Negotiator)– Pick a specific incident, Concentrate on you problems solving technique and

not the dispute you settled.

What have you done that significantly contributed to a project? (Team Work)– Focus on the actions you took to complete the project. Actions verbs are key.

Tell me about your ability to work under pressure?– You may say that you thrive under pressure, but give an example that relates

to the position you are applying for.

The Interview – Frequently asked Questions

2) Behavioural

• Scenario question to establish behaviour patterns, e.g case study & role plays

3) Technical

• Demonstrate level of technical ability through out work experience• Detailed, specific, to the point and relevant to the role at hand

The Interview - What is the best way to close an interview?

Always Ask Questions• It shows that you are considering their company as much as they are

considering you• It shows you have paid attention to information in the interview.

Reinforce Your Attributes• Offer a respectful closing comment reiterating your strengths and how they

link into the critical skills the company is seeking

Alleviate Concerns• Give the interviewer an opportunity to alleviate any concerns they may

have…” “I believe I’m the right candidate for this position. Do you see any issues that might make you think other wise?”

The Interview – What is the best way to close an Interview?

Express Enthusiasm• This should shine throughout the interview but be sure to include a few

positive remarks about the company and the position

Determine the Next Step• Be sure to ask for the next step in the hiring process. This will show that you

are an organised and professional candidate

Thank the Interviewer• Graciously thank the interviewer and stand to shake their hand, remember to

keep confident

Current Market Update

Highlights – April 2012 Employment Monitor

The Morgan McKinley Irish Employment Monitor recorded a decrease (4%) in the number of new professional jobs in the market in April 2012 compared to March 2012

However, the number of new professional job vacancies was up 5% year-on-year from April 2011

April 2012 saw a 15% decrease since March in the number of professionals seeking jobs in the Irish employment market

Compared to the same time last year there was a significant increase of (63%) in the number of new professional job seekers in April 2012.

The number of new professional job opportunities in the market decreased slightly from March 2012 to April 2012. There was a 4% decrease from 9,246 in March 2012 to 8,919 in April 2012. This was however, a marginal increase (5%) from the April 2011 figure of 8,533.

There was also a decline in the number of professionals beginning their job searches in April 2012, decreasing 15% from 12,200 to 10,390 month-on-month. Compared to April 2011, there was a 63% increase when 6,375 professionals entered the jobs market.

So what does that mean for accountants?

Sectors that are hiring in Ireland:

• Shared Service Centers / Centers of Excellence• Manufacturing (Food, Pharma, Medical Device)• FMCG (Producers, Wholesalers, Multiples)• Oil & Gas• Occasional Start up businesses• Large Irish PLC’s (CRH, Kerry Group, Glanbia etc..)• Medium sized Irish business with leverage outside Ireland • European trading centres for MNC• Top 10/Big 4 practices• Banking in specific verticals (Middle Office/Back Office)

So what does that mean for accountants?

Sectors that are not consistently hiring in Ireland:

• Construction (Trade and Services)• Property• High street retail• Small/Medium Practice• Hotel/Leisure/Hospitality• Indigenous SME• Public Sector

….Companies relying on cash flow from Irish Customers.

For more information

For more information or for tailor made advice for you please view:

http://www.morganmckinley.ie/jobseekers/career-advice