Job Interview

[rafzuh]

Hello all,

Currently I'm in Finance, mid-level management. I was hired straight out of university and moved up one level to management. I'm 24, turning 25 this year. However, I applied for this job within my company and this job was a level higher then where I am now. Nobody I know, or have encountered is in this 'higher' level at the age I'm at (I would guess they're minimum 32-33).

I applied with little hope, as I just wanted to see what would happen. I got a call for an interview a week ago for end of April. I'm not too experienced, but I would say I'm smarter then average, and average on the social scale.

Now, I'm not sure if they know I'm this young. I really want the position (its in Finance and planning field btw). Anyone on the board who has this experience (upper-management/Directors) that can give me some advice on beating out my competition? My competition are probably over 7-10 years experience, MBA, or CA/CGA/CMA designates; (I have honours in business, and recent CMA designation)

Any advice would really help! Oh, and I will be taking a 'test' to show my skills in finance. Any idea what this would include considering its a job in finance and planning? The HR lady didn't know what would be on it.

Thanks in advance gentlemen!

 

[shack]

I would say I'm smarter then average, and average on the social scale.

Thanks in advance gentlemen!

What if a female has some input?

Keep working on those social skills.

 

[rafzuh]

My apologies, didn't mean to exclude members of the opposite sex.

Female opinions most welcome!

By average social skills, I meant I can hold up a conversation with a complete stranger, but I'm not the type to yell out at a party with a bunch of people I don't know.

I'm pretty good with my social skills

 

[shack]

My apologies, didn't mean to exclude members of the opposite sex.

Female opinions most welcome!

By average social skills, I meant I can hold up a conversation with a complete stranger, but I'm not the type to yell out at a party with a bunch of people I don't know.

I'm pretty good with my social skills

I realize your comment was harmless. I was indicating a type of comment that could be taken the wrong way if you are in a firm that looks strongly at things like political correctness from those that are moving up the ladder.

 

[JohnLarue]

Do not worry too much
Be proud of what you have accomplished and at the same time show a desire to learn and take on new challenges
Ask a lot of questions about the nature of the position to make sure you are comfortable you can be successful in it.
Make sure you can demonstrate / speak to their needs ie. how will the winning candidate make their job easier, better / more successful
Be sure to be yourself

 

[T.O.tourist]

The company may have a policy to interview all internal applicants, many companies do this as a courtesy, or there were only a few applicants so it was decided by HR to interview/test everyone.
With the info you have provided about your age and experience you must be extraordinary in the interview and/or test higher than everyone else.
Hopefully (if the stars align, the gods are smiling down on you and it's a sunny day) the upper echelon may interpret you applying as a sign of confidence and believe that you are the young go-getter who can infuse new blood into the ranks or at least offer you a position between your current one and the one applied for (upper mgmt trainee?) to see if you can hack it.

My advice to you is to pull out your old text books and study also remember everything you have learned about finance since you have been with the company and study study study. It may also help to research the company and it's history, this shows that you care about where you work and consider this a career not just a job.

Your age and experience are the factors that will hurt your chances (are you married? do you have children?), a married employee with children is a much more stable than young single employee.

I wish you luck and remember that even if you do not get this position, the fact that you applied for the position will be a favorable note in your HR file for any future openings.

PS.. Be prepared for a second and third interview
PPS.. This is just my experience in evaluating people for promotions.
PPPS.. Ace that test

 

[Gyaos]

Now, I'm not sure if they know I'm this young. I really want the position (its in Finance and planning field btw). Anyone on the board who has this experience (upper-management/Directors) that can give me some advice on beating out my competition? My competition are probably over 7-10 years experience, MBA, or CA/CGA/CMA designates; (I have honours in business, and recent CMA designation)!

Do you fuck girls? Do you know how to get into Soapland?

Gyaos.

 

[St Nick]

Do not worry too much
Be proud of what you have accomplished and at the same time show a desire to learn and take on new challenges
Ask a lot of questions about the nature of the position to make sure you are comfortable you can be successful in it.
Make sure you can demonstrate / speak to their needs ie. how will the winning candidate make their job easier, better / more successful
Be sure to be yourself

That's pretty good.
Confidence is key.

 

[rafzuh]

Thanks T.O and everyone else, my confidence has really been boosted!

Personality type - The person hiring me will most likely be looking for someone that meets the personality profile (someone they can get along with). Considering the hiring managers stature, and style, what personality type would you look for if you were in his/her shoes (ie. calm, quiet, or speak your mind, loud, etc).

Also, I'm trying to look for a typical 'aptitude test' for finance related positions, but I can't find any good ones. Do you think she/he will be asking me specific accounting type questions for this test, or 'IQ' type questions? what are your experiences with this sort of situation? I never took an aptitude test for my current position.

Once again ladies and gents, thanks for all the advice!

FYI - going overseas soon; will write a report once I arrive (possibly with pics).

 

[Gyaos]

FYI - going overseas soon; will write a report once I arrive (possibly with pics).

Provide the report in your job interview. Explain to them all the options at the MP.

Gyaos.

 

[Thunderballs]

I'm 24, turning 25 this year.

Wow, with mad math skills like that you are sure to get the job! Knowing that 25 follows 24 is the key to all success in finance.

Also, learn the difference of when to use then and than. Than is used for comparison. Then is used as a function of time. For example, being smarter than the average, it then follows that I will get the job.

Lastly, wear a bunny suit. Good luck!

 

[brocko]

If you are an accountant type then they are not going to be hiring you for your personality.

 

[T.O.tourist]

Unless you are a Black Gay Dwarf you aren't going to get it. So relax and try your best.

It would also help to be handicapped/handicapable in some way. Could you rent a wheelchair or some crutches for the interview?

 

[CUTTERBUCK]

Any advice would really help! Oh, and I will be taking a 'test' to show my skills in finance. Any idea what this would include considering its a job in finance and planning?

I understand that being able to manipulate the sum of 1 + 1 is quite an important skill in the field of finance. AKA “creative accounting”

 

[GrandBlasterK]

Oh, and I will be taking a 'test' to show my skills in finance. Any idea what this would include considering its a job in finance and planning?

Do you know how many DIGITS are used in 69? lol

The HR lady didn't know what would be on it.

Is she smoking hot? She might know what she wants in her.

 

[onthebottom]

Do your best, have an aswer to "why are you the best person for this role" , hint, it has nothing to do with your competition.

Remember than even if you don't get this job you have the opportunity to impress people who hire for the next level, if you don't get this one you may be on the inside track next time.

Good luck.

OTB

 

[Captain Fantastic]

Don't forget the secret TERB handshake at the beginning and end of the interview - with both the "HR lady" and anyone else in the room. Once they know that you're a part of the club, you're golden!

 

[69Shooter]

It would also help to be handicapped/handicapable in some way. Could you rent a wheelchair or some crutches for the interview?

What it usually comes down to is which canidate has the nicest tits... he may be at a real disadvantage!

 

[great bear]

If they ask you for your best accomplishment tell them you once tripped over your own dick.

 

[Mencken]

Hello all,

Currently I'm in Finance, mid-level management. I was hired straight out of university and moved up one level to management. I'm 24, turning 25 this year. However, I applied for this job within my company and this job was a level higher then where I am now. Nobody I know, or have encountered is in this 'higher' level at the age I'm at (I would guess they're minimum 32-33).

I applied with little hope, as I just wanted to see what would happen. I got a call for an interview a week ago for end of April. I'm not too experienced, but I would say I'm smarter then average, and average on the social scale.

Now, I'm not sure if they know I'm this young. I really want the position (its in Finance and planning field btw). Anyone on the board who has this experience (upper-management/Directors) that can give me some advice on beating out my competition? My competition are probably over 7-10 years experience, MBA, or CA/CGA/CMA designates; (I have honours in business, and recent CMA designation)

Any advice would really help! Oh, and I will be taking a 'test' to show my skills in finance. Any idea what this would include considering its a job in finance and planning? The HR lady didn't know what would be on it.

Thanks in advance gentlemen!

No CFA's? Seems to me that a CFA would be a better fit in a Finance group than the accounting designations you mention.

So perhaps a quick review of some of the CFA material would be good, if you can get your hands on it.