Let’s be brutally honest – when it comes to elite accounting and finance roles, nobody is coming to save you from grueling interview processes.
Learned this harsh truth early on after one too many interviews where I naively prepared just my technical finance and accounting knowledge, only to get pummeled by brainteasers, behavioural simulations and situational crises that exposed my lack of wholistic readiness.
It was a wake-up call that complacently relying on my academic training, credentials or certification wouldn’t be enough. If I wanted to ascend to leadership ranks in this demanding field, developing mental toughness, integrity under fire and unflappable communication skills were non-negotiable.
Based on my hits and misses across this interview obstacle course, here are some key dos and don’ts for finance warriors actively battling to level up:
The Dos:
✅ Interrogate the company’s leadership principles and prepare to personify them
✅ Practice articulating complex scenarios concisely yet with contextual depth
✅ Prepare insightful questions highlighting sincere interest beyond the role
✅ Roleplay communication breakdowns and crisis scenarios to avoid deer-in-headlights moments
✅ Study and rebut examples contradicting points you’ve previously made
The Don’ts:
🚫 Don’t try winging it assuming your experience alone will impress
🚫 Don’t shy away from confidently acknowledging areas needing development 🚫 Don’t make unnecessary risky jokes or asides that could get misinterpreted
🚫 Don’t get flustered or defensive when pushed outside your comfort zone 🚫 Don’t forget to send personal thank-you notes reiterating your key strengths
Because here’s the truth – interviewers at elite levels want far more than just technical specialists. They’re carefully evaluating the full gamut of executive skills: leadership capabilities, integrity under pressure, communication mastery and strategic visioning.
Ultimately, you have to wade through the impact buckshot on your own merit and conviction. Nobody will parachute in to rescue you from this trial-by-fire process.
So prepare to take some hits, course-correct and persevere. Because the sweet victory of earning a highly coveted role awaits only the battle-hardened finance warriors.