How to Prepare for an Accounting Temporary Agency Interview
Temporary agencies are the liaison between the employer and you, the temporary employee. It is the agency that conducts an initial interview to find out if you meet the employer's requirements. When you prepare for an accounting temporary agency interview, it's vital to be versed in the subject of accounting and your experience in the field. The agency will assess not just your subject knowledge, but also your ability to fit in with the employer's work culture. Be prepared to display not just your knowledge but your people skills to the interviewer.
Instructions
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Brush up your basics. Although specific knowledge requirements will depend on the level of the job, you'll be expected to know the basics of accounting. Make sure you review the fundamental principles of accounting and auditing theory and practices. Most accountant jobs also involve working with a computer and need typing skills. Brush up on these skills.
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Keep track of the latest developments. Read newspapers and Internet articles regularly to keep track of developments in accounting. Whether it's newer accounting software or regulatory guidelines regarding application of laws to accounting, make sure you're aware of what is happening in your field.
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Prepare an effective resume. Read advertisements that appear in the newspaper and on the Internet for the posts of accountants. Find out the qualifications, knowledge, skills and qualities that employers expect in an accounting employee. Once you have this information, study these topics and take part-time courses to equip yourself with the requisite skill set. Highlight these attributes in the resume that you give to the temporary agency. The temporary agency will have received guidelines regarding the characteristics the employer is looking for in a temporary employee. The closer your qualities match the employer requirements, the better are your chances of being selected. Make sure your resume contains details of your hands-on work experience.
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Be prepared with answers. Be aware of the information you've provided in the resume. Anticipate the questions you'll have to face regarding your educational qualifications and work history. Prepare convincing answers to these questions and practice saying the answers aloud.
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Decide how to create a good impression. The agency will evaluate not just your accounting knowledge and experience, but also your communication skills along with the way you carry yourself. So decide which clothes you're going to wear and have them ready in time for your interview. Prepare tactful answers to questions regarding why you left your previous job or how you got along with your previous boss.
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Prepare your questions. Decide what information you need to know about the job -- location, work hours, pay and duration. Frame questions to find out these details. If you have constraints, such as young children to care for or a long commute to the employer's address, prepare to ask about flexible timing options.
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Tips & Warnings
Most interviewers will ask you to provide examples of tasks you handled, so make sure you think about your experiences and plan a response. Make sure the answer covers the situation, the action you took, the outcome and what you learned from the event.
Be truthful about the details you provide during the temporary agency interview -- this information will be used while deciding where to place you. If you're not honest, you could find yourself in the wrong job.
