ICAS ICAS logo

Quicklinks

  1. About Us

    Find out about who we are and what we do here at ICAS.

  2. Find a CA

    Search our directory of individual CAs and Member organisations by name, location and professional criteria.

  3. Careers

    Access current vacancies and understand what it’s like to work here at ICAS.

  4. Contact Us

    Get in touch with ICAS by phone, email or post, with dedicated contacts for Members, Students and firms.

Login
  • Annual renewal
  • About us
  • Find a CA
  • Careers
  • Contact us
  • Become a CA
  • CA jobs
  • SCABA
  • ICAS Foundation
  1. Members
    1. Become a member
    2. Manage my membership
    3. Benefits of membership
    4. Professional development
    5. Mentoring
    6. Member rewards
    7. CA jobs
    8. Area networks
    9. International communities
    10. Get involved
    11. CA Connect
    12. CA magazine
    13. Top Young CAs
    14. Career breaks
    15. The ICAS member app
    16. Newly admitted members 2021
    17. CA Wellbeing
  2. Become a CA
    1. How to become a CA
    2. Routes to becoming a CA
    3. CA Stories
    4. Find a training agreement
    5. Why become a CA
    6. Qualification information
  3. CA Students
    1. Studying with ICAS
    2. Timetables and exams
    3. Learning requirements
    4. Learning updates
    5. Learning blog
    6. Totum Pro | Student discount card
  4. Employers
    1. Become an Authorised Training Office (ATO)
    2. Resources for Authorised Training Offices (ATO)
    3. Professional entry
    4. Apprenticeships
  5. Thought leadership
    1. Technology
    2. Trust
    3. Talent
    4. Research
    5. CA Agenda podcast
    6. CA Agenda videos
    7. ICAS webinars
    8. CA Summit
  6. Professional resources
    1. Anti-money laundering
    2. Audit and assurance
    3. Brexit
    4. Charities
    5. Coronavirus
    6. Corporate and financial reporting
    7. Business and governance
    8. Ethics
    9. Insolvency
    10. Pensions
    11. Practice
    12. Public sector
    13. Sustainability
    14. Tax
  7. Regulation
    1. Complaints and sanctions
    2. Regulatory authorisations
    3. Guidance and help sheets
    4. Regulatory monitoring
  8. Governance
    1. At a glance
    2. Charter, rules and regulations
    3. Council
    4. Boards and key committees
    5. Public reporting
    6. Executive team
    7. Diversity
    8. Member research
  9. Contact us
    1. ICAS technical helpdesk
    2. ICAS logo request
  10. Careers
    1. Business centres
    2. Meet our team
    3. Benefits
    4. Vacancies
    5. Imagine your career at ICAS

Interview preparation in five steps

Interview panel Jun 18
  • LinkedIn (opens new window)
  • Twitter (opens new window)
By The CA magazine

25 July 2018

Main points:

  • The CA’s experts share some advice on how to build a successful career in professional practice.
  • You don’t have to switch firms in order to progress (although that works for some) but you do need to be aware of the opportunities that are realistically available in your current firm.
  • Partners increasingly need to think like entrepreneurs, and the ability to develop new business is critical.

“I’ve got an important interview coming up. What should I do to prepare for it?” Interview nerves? There’s no need to panic if you follow Leading Figures’ action plan.

1. Start by researching the organisation and the role

The organisation’s website is a natural starting point. Check out, for example, their About Us, Careers and News pages for up-to-date information that might arm you for the interview. Blogs and YouTube clips from key personnel may provide deeper insight into the organisation and its culture.

You can also supplement your knowledge with pointers from people you know who work (or have worked) there. Researching your interviewer’s LinkedIn profile is a subtle way of letting them know you’ve been doing your homework – but don’t send them a connection request just yet!

Revisit the job description (if there is one) and match your strengths/weaknesses against each component so that you can bridge any glaring gaps during the interview.

2. Review your interactions with the organisation to date

You may be asked something that you referred to in your initial application(s) so make sure you re-read it to remind yourself what you wrote. If you’ve attended prior stage interviews or assessments, you may be asked what you learned from them.

3. Prepare for the interview questions

Write down 10 to 12 tough questions, from those you would prefer not to be asked to simple but searching questions such as “Why do you want to work here?”

Rehearse your responses and then ask someone in your support network to simulate the interview with you, after they’ve also familiarised themselves with the organisation. This will leave you better prepared and (with practice) more confident. Be concise and, without being contrived, provide a link to your skills, experience or reason for joining the organisation.

You may be given the opportunity to ask any questions, which are worth preparing in advance.

4. Look the part

Corporate wardrobes can range from casual for firms with dress-down policies to more conventional business attire. Speak to your recruitment consultant, do your homework and dress appropriately.

5. Check your mindset

Enthusiasm for the organisation and the role can be a defining factor. Faced with two strong candidates, an interviewer is more likely to select the candidate who demonstrates a genuine desire to work for the organisation. This isn’t a time to hide your light under a bushel.

Don’t overdo it, but be positive. Remember that you are choosing the organisation as much as the interviewer is choosing you. This can be a powerful thought to keep in mind.

Finally, ensure that you know where the interview is being held and plan your journey with one eye on the weather. Arrive in good time. Breathe deeply and draw confidence from your meticulous preparation.


Thomas Chalmers and Russell Borland are coaches for the ICAS Executive Coaching Programme and partners in consultancy Leading Figures.

Find out more about support for CAs and career-related resources.

2021-04-lendingcrowd 2021-04-lendingcrowd
ICAS logo

Footer links

  • Contact us
  • Terms and conditions
  • Modern slavery statement
  • Privacy notice

Connect with ICAS

  • Facebook (opens new window) Facebook Icon
  • Twitter (opens new window) Twitter Icon
  • LinkedIn (opens new window) LinkedIn Icon
  • Instagram (opens new window) Instagram Icon

ICAS is a member of the following bodies

  • Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies (opens new window) Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies logo
  • Chartered Accountants Worldwide (opens new window) Chartered Accountants Worldwide logo
  • Global Accounting Alliance (opens new window) Global Accounting Alliance
  • International Federation of Accountants (opens new window) IFAC
  • Access Accountancy (opens new window) Access Acountancy

Charities

  • ICAS Foundation (opens new window) ICAS Foundation
  • SCABA (opens new window) scaba
ICAS logo

Our cookie policy

ICAS.com uses cookies which are essential for our website to work. We would also like to use analytical cookies to help us improve our website and your user experience. Any data collected is anonymised. Please have a look at the further information in our cookie policy and confirm if you are happy for us to use analytical cookies: