As a Tax recruiter working in London for a specialist Tax Recruitment firm, we’ve seen countless candidates walk through our doors, each with their unique blend of skills and personalities. One piece of advice we consistently give to candidates, whether they're part-qualified or fully qualified, is this: be yourself in the interview.
Now, I know what you're thinking. "But I'm an accountant. Aren't we supposed to be all numbers and seriousness?" Well, yes and no. While the job certainly requires analytical skills and attention to detail, it's crucial to remember that you're not just a walking calculator. You're a human being with a personality, and that's exactly what employers want to see.
The Balance of Professionalism and Personality
In the world of accounting and tax, we often deal with complex regulations and high-stakes financial decisions. It's true that a level of seriousness is required. However, bringing your character to the forefront can set you apart from other candidates. Remember, if you land this job, you'll be spending a significant portion of your life with these people. They want to know who they're really hiring, not just a polished version of what you think they want to see.
Building Rapport: The Key to Interview Success
One of the most effective ways to showcase your authentic self is by developing rapport with your interviewers. Look for commonalities – perhaps you share an interest in a particular area of tax law, or maybe you both enjoy the same sports team. These connections can help create a more relaxed atmosphere and allow your true personality to shine through.
Tackling Those Pesky Interview Nerves
Now, let's address the elephant in the room – interview nerves. It's completely normal to feel anxious, but there are ways to manage these feelings:
Preparation is key: The more you know about the role and the company, the more confident you'll feel.
Focus on your breathing: Take deep breaths before and during the interview to help calm your nerves.
Reframe your thinking: Instead of viewing the interview as an interrogation, think of it as a conversation about your favourite subject – your career.
Use positive body language: Smile and maintain good posture. It not only makes you appear confident but can actually make you feel more.
The Human Side of Accounting
As Tax recruiters, we've seen firsthand how important it is for firms to hire not just skilled accountants, but team members who can build relationships with clients and colleagues. Your ability to explain complex tax concepts in simple terms, to empathise with a client's financial concerns, or to lighten the mood during a stressful audit – these are all valuable skills that stem from your personality, not just your qualifications.
Striking the Right Balance
Of course, there's a fine line between being yourself and being unprofessional. You don't want to overshare or be too casual. The key is to be your best professional self. Show them your enthusiasm for tax (yes, it's possible to be enthusiastic about tax!), your dedication to accuracy, and your ability to work well in a team. But also let them see your sense of humour, your interests outside of work, and what drives you as a person.
Remember, at the end of the day, employers are looking for someone who can do the job well and who they can envision working with day in and day out. By being authentically yourself, you're giving them the opportunity to see the real you – the person who will show up every day, ready to tackle the complexities of the UK tax system with skill, dedication, and perhaps even a smile.
So, the next time you're preparing for an interview, by all means, brush up on your technical knowledge. But don't forget to also let your personality shine through. After all, in the world of Tax, we're not just crunching numbers – we're building relationships, solving problems, and making a real difference to businesses and individuals across the UK and further afield. And that requires more than just technical skills – it requires you, in all your unique, authentic glory.
