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lusid · New User Joined: 23 Jul 2008 Posts: 6 Career Advice: +0/-0

New Register, read all your links and great resource!

So my question:

Background - Have my accounting degree, been in a public CPA firm for close to two years.

I found a job posting on a local county gov site. Alright to the guts of the story.

1st meet = Got a call, was asked to come in for a computer test, this was pretty extensive which included a budgeting question, bank reconciliation, and internal controls question.

2 days passed, and I received a call, "hey you passed your computer test, can you come in for an interview, you will meet with me and the accting supervisor." Okay cool!

2nd meet = I show up in a suit, greet the lady with a smile and hand shake. So we go to the conference room and we get down to the Q & A instantly. Grueling 11 behavioral questions, ranging from "give me a time you had to think outside the box? to how do you communicate with colleagues?"

I asked these 4 questions:
Can you describe an ideal employee?
How long have you been with the county?
How would you describe the culture or spirit in a county setting?
What kinds of Computer equipment & software does the county use?

1 day passes, I get a call, great! I want you to come back, and the next interview is 7/25. So I asked who will I interview with now? her response is the Director of the Department in addition too the two ladies I also interviewed with.

So now what can I expect from this point forward? More similar behavioral questions? or more will I fit in with the department questions? Also - what other questions can I ask the director? Is it okay to ask similar questions I've used? or do I want to change it?

Thanks for reading this long post, and I appreciate all the responses!

lusid · New User Joined: 23 Jul 2008 Posts: 6 Career Advice: +0/-0

The questions below are the ones I'm planning on asking during the 3rd interview.

I know the probation period = 6-12 months, during that time what kinds of things are you looking for?

What would be an example of a first project that I would encounter?

What happened to the person who previously did this job?

How well do departments interact with each other?

How will performance be measured in this position?

What do you like about working for the county? How would you compare it to others you have worked for?

If I am offered the position, how soon will you need my response?

Mark McCormick · Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2008 8:36 pm Post subject:

Hi lusid,

It depends on the individual company on whether they will have a third or additional round of interviews. However, I believe you have the right strategy of expecting to get more behavioral questions and "feel" interview questions. My best advice would be to prepare for those questions and be less worried about the questions you ask them. With this said, I don't have a problem with anything on your list.

Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

Best,
Mark McCormick
Behavioral Interview Questions

lusid · New User Joined: 23 Jul 2008 Posts: 6 Career Advice: +0/-0

This is the final interview. So we'll see how it goes and I'll report back on what I get asked!

lusid · New User Joined: 23 Jul 2008 Posts: 6 Career Advice: +0/-0

Exactly what I prepared for!

A lot more intricate questions, ranging from

What is your biggest weakness?
What could your boss do for you to stay at the company?
How do you get along with your co-workers?
What would your friends say about you?
Do you get your work done on time?

Exactly what i expected, the interview was a non-stop grilling for 25mins. Was short but difficult, and got straight to the point. The main person I was interviewing with DIDN'T SMILE ONCE! which was odd, but the other two ladies were all nodding there heads more than a bobble head could!

Overall I feel good now that the process is now complete!

Mark McCormick · Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2008 4:38 am Post subject:

Hi lucid,

It sounds like you were not surprised by anything in the interview. I do not know if you will get the job, but it sounds like your preparation has definitely helped. If you have not done so already, be sure to send them your thank you letter.

Best,
Mark McCormick
Sample Interview Questions

lusid · New User Joined: 23 Jul 2008 Posts: 6 Career Advice: +0/-0

Hey Mark,

You are right about not being surprised as I went into the interview expecting Armageddon. Smile

In any event, I got my thank you letter made and it's in the mail.

So I'll update if / when I find out more!

lusid · New User Joined: 23 Jul 2008 Posts: 6 Career Advice: +0/-0

Question - During the interview they asked for references which I provided them with. And after I handed the references off to them, they asked me to briefly explain each reference, is this a common practice?

Thanks!

Mark McCormick · Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2008 9:49 pm Post subject:

Hi lusid,

It depends on what you provided to them on your sheet of paper. Usually, the reference should include what was the relationship is anyway. I also know some companies will sometimes require a certain number of the references to be work references. So maybe he was looking at from that angle or may be he/she was just trying to get a feel for who the contacts were in relation to you. Bottom line: I really would not read too much into those questions.

Best,
Mark McCormick
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