How do I sound passionate about accounting?
December 30, 2008
taram asked:
I need to get a job, I have a Bachelor’s in accounting. I enjoy accounting and taxation, but when the interviewer asks: Why do you want to be an accountant, what do I say? I could say that I like business and math, so accounting is a combination, but what will impress them?
I need to get a job, I have a Bachelor’s in accounting. I enjoy accounting and taxation, but when the interviewer asks: Why do you want to be an accountant, what do I say? I could say that I like business and math, so accounting is a combination, but what will impress them?
January 2nd, 2009 at 5:35 pm
exactly what you just said..i need job and enjoy accounting short sweet goodluck!!
January 3rd, 2009 at 12:08 am
You cannot sound passionate unless you are passionate. If they ask why do you want to be an accountant tell them why. Be honest and never make something up to sound good.
Sincerely,
Ken Seavert
January 5th, 2009 at 12:38 pm
Good question.
You will need to have a good gauge about the interviewer as to how you should answer the question. It is a generic open ended question that typically isn’t intended to get the golden answer (which doesn’t exist).
Remember that they’re looking to gather more info about you and if you’d be a fit in their group/crew/posse/peeps/department. So you need to read them, if you feel that you don’t know enough about them, explain that and turn the question around on them to have them give you more info…pick up on the hot topic/buttons..and this will help you build your best answer..response to the generic question.
Notice I had you redirect the question …to gather more data. It is a great communication tool for you as you want to have them do most of the talking…you’re trying to learn about them more than them about you (in a sense).
Also, never give generic responses. Continue to push the hot buttons that excite them…if you want to join that team.
So you also have to consider time…do they want 30sec or 5min response? — probably the latter. So you can’t really go into Enron or Worldcom nor hedgefunds in generic terms. –but if you’re up on current affairs and have a way of highlighting what keeps you interested in accounting…the technology/automation or the ethic/integrity required of it..you can add to your answer based on the info they give you in advance…—only then will you have the best answer for the generic question. If you can intertwine your interest in getting into management in a few years…after you’ve learned all the ropes and paid your dues..you might add value to your image.
One last thought, keep in mind..not everyone interviews well…not everyone knows how to make you feel comfortable or at ease. Don’t take it personally, just keep moving ..eventually someone is going to hire you..and hopefully it will be the best fit for you.
Good luck..you’ll do fine
January 6th, 2009 at 10:47 pm
Be sincere. I am an accountant. I told my employer that numbers make me happy. I am a detail-oriented perfectionist that likes to see things balance. I do things accurately the first time and am quite efficient. Emphasize that you have a stringent code of ethics and will follow the rules of GAAP.
My employer was sold…but then she got miffed that I was unbending when it came to ethics. I told her that I do not “make the numbers work” and that if they want that kind of accountant, they have the wrong person for the job.