CAREER PREPARATION
INTERVIEWING
Interviewing Your Potential Employer Is a Must By James J. Caruso, CPA, CGMA
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ecruiters and interviewers use checklists to identify the skills and attributes of the ideal candidate. You should do likewise. What type of organization, team, culture and situation comprise your ideal role? Then craft interview questions of your own, customized to the circumstances and within the context of what you learn from your research.
Purpose and strategy What is the organization’s purpose, mission and vision? Is there a clear strategy to achieve the vision? How is purpose and strategy distilled down through the organization, and can the people you meet articulate the purpose and strategy? How does the company intend to grow? What are the most pressing economic, competitive or regulatory issues? By gaining an understanding of the situation, you can decide whether it is a fit for you.
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CPA2b Spring 2022 | wicpa.org
Culture Ask every interviewer to describe the culture and office environment. Ask which corporate value resonates most with them and how culture and values are demonstrated throughout the organization. A sense of work-life balance can be gained from questions about culture. Expect to hear only positives from people trying to attract you to the position, but note if the responses are consistent. The corporate values should seem authentic and more than just words on a website.
Organizational structure Go beyond questions about direct reporting relationships to understand the broader organizational dynamics. To what extent is the company centralized or decentralized, and how are the various functional areas organized across business units or locations? What are the dynamics of the team you will be joining or leading?
