Job interview tomorrow. Pessimistic.

[Exterous]

Think of an interview more as a conversation, and not just a bunch of questions, even though that's what it is. If you approach it as it being a conversation, and keep natural, it goes better. Just pretend you are going out to dinner with someone you have not seen in a while and they're just asking you questions about what you've been up to. What kind of work you do, what you're good at etc...

I find all the interviews that I've had actually did feel more like a conversation. They'd start off with the typical questions then normally we'd get caught up on one and go into details and it would just turn into a normal natural discussion. They'd ask more questions but it just seems to flow well once you get into the conversation state and not the "omg I'm being tested" state.

This. And if you can do it while speaking confidently, maintaining eye contact and sitting up straight all the better. If you do get caught up on a different story be sure to have it emphasize your strong points (hopefully without being too obvious) For example: When I interviewed we got to talking about my interests and I described the saga of my complete DIY home theater room. I put in some humerous anecdotes (several involved using ingenuity to solve an issue due to budget constraints) but emphasized that I taught myself everything I needed to know to complete the room and that, while it was hard work, I found the work rewarding

but a suit is the standard attire for white collar job interviews.

Agreed. I also find people respond well to an organized appearance.Have extra resumes/references available in an organizer/manila folder/briefcase. Do some research on the company and have a nice notebook with some prepared questions you may want to ask. Make sure some are company specific as it shows interest in the job. Have two nice pens (one available in a pocket or something) That way if one runs out of ink/gets lost/borrowed you still have a backup

 

[XX55XX]

Just had my interview. It went very well (better than my KPMG interview last year, for sure). I wouldn't say I have a 100% lock on this position, but I did put up a very good first impression. The HR lady also asked me to provide three references, and we talked about hours, training, and pay for a while.

If I could do it all over again, I would have forgone the Big 4. It was pushed hard in college and I ended up doing 4 years with PwC before getting into industry. Be open to industry positions - especially internal audit/tax if that's what you like.

I always thought that it was better to grind it out a few years in the Big Four before going into private industry. Don't a lot of private industry recruiters look for candidates with Big Four experience?

Agreed. I also find people respond well to an organized appearance.Have extra resumes/references available in an organizer/manila folder/briefcase. Do some research on the company and have a nice notebook with some prepared questions you may want to ask. Make sure some are company specific as it shows interest in the job. Have two nice pens (one available in a pocket or something) That way if one runs out of ink/gets lost/borrowed you still have a backup

I think I'll pick up a leather portfolio from my university bookstore, then, for future interviews (presuming I get my hands on some interviews for fulltime in the fall).

I'm feeling good about this one, though. If all goes well for the next seven months, I'll grind there as an audit intern this spring and summer, come back to the Big Four for fulltime recruiting in September, get my hands on an entry-level audit position, pass the CPA exam, move out of my parents' house and finally become a real adult at last.

 

[Saint Nick]

...move out of my parents' house and finally become a real adult at last.

God, don't do it. Delay adulthood as much as possible. I have a full-time job but am still delaying it.

 

[XX55XX]

God, don't do it. Delay adulthood as much as possible. I have a full-time job but am still delaying it.

Maybe. My parents are still talking about the day I earn more than $45,000 a year so that we (me and my parents) can pool together our resources and buy ourselves a larger house in the more swanky, upper middle class suburbs a few miles west of where we live currently.

This implies that they (my parents) think I'll probably still be living with them for the rest of their lives if I don't get married.

 

[CountZero]

Maybe. My parents are still talking about the day I earn more than $45,000 a year so that we (me and my parents) can pool together our resources and buy ourselves a larger house in the more swanky, upper middle class suburbs a few miles west of where we live currently.

This implies that they (my parents) think I'll probably still be living with them for the rest of their lives if I don't get married.

Dumb question but are you Asian? I've only ever seen such an idea floated by my Asian friend's families.

 

[the DRIZZLE]

Why no black suits? That seems like a silly requirement. The color of a suit has no correlation with it's quality. Personally, I'm not a fan a flat black suits, but it seems petty to rule out that color.

Black suits are for weddings and funerals, they are not business attire. I've had salespeople in clothing stores tell me this rule isn't true anymore but many people still follow it myself included. I doubt it's going to cost you the job but if you are going to by a suit you might as well due it right.

 

[XX55XX]

Dumb question but are you Asian? I've only ever seen such an idea floated by my Asian friend's families.

Yes.