Professional Year Program

Accelerating Interview Success

(AIS)

Interview Preparation Guide

Student Name: YUBRAJ TIWARI

Student Number: 35947

Trainer Name: Hanna

Date of Subject: 25 August

Please complete this guide as per your trainer’s instructions. Your trainer will review your
progress and sight the instrument for assessment purposes. Once complete, please upload
to eGrad for record-keeping.
We recommend students retain their guide as a reference tool for future interview
preparation, particularly the WIL placement (‘internship interview’).

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 Day 1 – Introduction to the Interview Process
Telephone Screening Preparation
Job title of position: Tax Accountant

1. Can you tell me a bit about yourself?

Provide a 30 second response that follows a clear structure.

Hello, I am Yubraj Tiwari. I have a Bachelor degree in accounting from Victoria University. I am actively
looking for a job to set out my career in Accounting sector.

2. Why have you applied for this particular position?

Provide a brief, concise explanation that demonstrates you understand the job role.

I am interested in Accounting sector and wish to make my life long career on it. Bright Wealth Accounting
offers a unique opportunity to engage with clients, and enhance my financial and advisory qualities. As a
graduate accountant, I will be responsible for preparing financial statements, tax returns and strategic tax
return. I am seeking a challenging but rewarding position, which is why I was naturally drawn to this
opportunity as a tax accountant.

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 3. What specific qualifications or experience do you have that makes you a
good candidate for this position?
Outline your relevant qualifications & experience briefly and in a logical sequence.

I have completed my bachelor in Accounting from Victoria University this year. Apart from this, I have an
experience of working in a tax firm for a year. As a Tax Administrative Assistant, I was accountable for
leading a team of 5 and carrying out a wide range of commercial processes such as data entry and
tax returns. It was a great opportunity to get an insight into Australian corporate culture.

4. Are you working anywhere at the moment?

Briefly outline your current employment circumstances.

Currently, I am working with Royal Agricultural Society of NSW, Olympic Park. I work as an even assistant
leading a group of 5 people.

5. Why did you leave/are you considering leaving your job?

Briefly outline your key reason for leaving – putting a positive spin on it – without
making negative comments about your current employment situation.

I was contracted for a year with MG Associates. I had successfully completed a year with them, and am
seeking for an exciting and more challenging role.

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6. If we were interested in bringing you in for an interview, when could you
make yourself available? Offer 2-3 options, demonstrating some flexibility where
possible.

I have a really important work to do this weekend. I am available anytime on the weekdays. How about
Monday , the 4th of September.

7. If we were interested in offering you a position, how soon would you be

available to start? Nominate a possible start date, giving consideration to current
employment commitments.

I have signed a contract where I am entitled to notify my employer two weeks before leaving the job. Thus, I
will be able to start two weeks after the interview.

8. What is your salary expectation for this position?

Nominate a range and indicate that it is based on market research for the role
(pitched slightly below if an inexperienced candidate).

I have researched government sites and figured out that the base salary for this position to be $55,000. My
salary expectation from Bright Wealth is around $ 55,000 to $ 60,000 including superannuation.

9. According to the job advertisement, what other things do you think you
might be asked? Create a list below:
Candidate asks appropriate question(s) for any additional information or clarification.

I want to know what type of accounting software do you use in Bright Wealth Accounting. I am asking this
question because I want to enhance my skills to keep myself up to date with the job role.

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 Day 1: Telephone Screening Self-Reflection
Reflect on your performance. Write key points on your strengths and areas of
improvement in the spaces provided.

Reflection Strengths Areas for improvement

1. I spoke clearly and - Clear and loud voice - Speed of speech delivery
was easy to understand. - Greeting and timing was good

2. I answered questions - Logical sequence - Very direct when answering the

directly and didn’t notice period
- Clear reasoning
ramble. - long pauses

3. I sought clarity when - Not being afraid to ask for None

I didn’t fully clarity of the question.
understand something.

4. I used intonation to
make myself sound
enthusiastic and
interested in the role.
- Able to speak loud and clear Maintain same level of intonation
throughout the interview
- Use of excitement words like
“fantastic”.

5. I felt well-prepared - Know job role - prepare for better introduction

for the telephone - Able to make the interviewer - practice it to uplift confidence
screening. excited.

6. I used appropriate - Use of thank you, how are you - Avoid pauses
telephone language. and polite tone.

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 Day 2 – Interview Skills in Practice
Activity 2.7: Interview Preparation and Practice
1. “Can you tell me a bit about yourself?”
Provide a 45 to 60 second response that follows a clear structure: Origin –
Education – Work Experience - Overcoming Obstacles – Strengths – Ambitions.
Personal Details. Example: Where are you from? When did you come to Australia?
Why did you come?

Hi, I am Yubraj Tiwari. I was born in Kathmandu, Nepal. I’ve been in Australia for around 3 years now. I
came here to study Bachelor’s degree in Victoria University, Sydney.

a) Facts. Education and Qualifications (including achievements)

I have completed Bachelor Degree (Accounting) from Victoria University, Sydney in 2018. Apart from this, I
have successfully completed Diploma in International Business from Martin College.

b) …and any work experience in Australia (including achievements)

I have worked for an accounting firm MG Associates, Sydney for a year. I worked as a Tax Administrative
Assistant and was responsible for preparing monthly statements, tax return forms and dealing with
customers. Currently, I am working for Royal Agricultural Society of NSW as an Event Assistant. Our team
was able to achieve a 20 percent growth in sales during the 2017/18 financial year.

c) Three key strengths that match the job advertisement.

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I have worked in customer service roles in different Australian business and gained an experience of
dealing with customers. Apart from this, I have a strong knowledge of technical skills such as MS Word,
Excel and Pivot tables. Lastly, I have strong analytical skill which will give me an additional push to be
more suitable for the role.

2. “Why do you want to work for our company?”

This video clip gives tips on how to best answer this question before writing your
own answer below: Interview Skills – Why do you want to work here?
Professional expert answer (Antony Stagg)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8Hk19u89A0

Bright Wealth Accounting is a growing business with enormous opportunity for personal development and
career growth. Apart from that, the job role seems to be more challenging and interesting at the same time.
My keen interest on exploring new challenges and desire to achieve more in a limited time frame, draw me
towards this company.

3. “What are your key strengths?”

The interviewer wants to know what you are particularly good at and how this would
fit into the role. Choose a few of your key strengths that are required for the role and
give examples of how you have demonstrated them successfully in the past.

I have a great track record of leading a group. I am leading a team of 5 people in Royal Agricultural Society
of NSW and have achieved 20 percent growth in sales as compared to last year. Despite this, dealing with
number is my strength as I have successfully completed a year preparing financial statements, tax returns
and monthly calculations. Lastly, able to work under pressure is a key strength that I can use in Bright
Wealth Accounting.

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 4. “What are your weaknesses?”
Watch the following video clip, which gives tips on how to best answer this question,
and then create your own answer below.
Interview tip: "What is your biggest weakness?" (Firebrand Talent)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oyj2PCWHPHc
“In the past, I struggled slightly with…..

In the past, I struggled slightly with stress management.

However, I’m good at….

However, I’m good at working in a group during stressful situations.

The way I’ve tried to overcome this weakness is by…

The way I’ve tried to overcome this weakness is by taking deep breathe, doing yoga in the morning and
getting the help of colleague.

(Then give a concrete example of a time when you overcame this weakness)

I was successful in dealing a stressful situation during the busiest time of year (Easter) by organizing the
work load and working in a group.

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5. “Why should we hire you for this role?”
a. Choose a key task feature that you are good at

b. Choose a key quality and highlight it

c. Choose a key added benefit outside the job advertisement and highlight it

6. Behavioural Question: “Tell me about a time when you achieved an

important goal.”
Situation – Provide context by using a real-life situation you’ve faced.

Task/Objective…..or Obstacle – Explain the issues or define the problem.

Action - What actions did you take?

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 Results – What were the results of these actions?

7. Situational Question: “How would you handle a customer who isn’t happy
with your service even though you’ve done nothing wrong?”
Remember to use the second conditional correctly when answering situational
questions.

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8. “Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?”
Have a clear and definitive goal.
The interviewer wants to see if you plan to work for them for a long period of time; as
they likely want someone to settle, stay and get a good return on their investment in
training. Demonstrate to the interviewer that you’ll stay and you’re a committed
prospective employee. Do not say “I want to sit in your seat!” Try to strike a balance
being between ambitious but not too over-confident.

For example:
‘If successful, I would like to initially learn as much as possible about the role I’m in.
It’s important to me to gain the respect of my peers, to know I’m doing a great job
and becoming a reliable professional and dependable employee. I would also like
opportunities to develop my skills and work further towards a higher position in the
company’

9. “Have you got any questions for us?”

Watch the following video clip, which provides tips on how to answer this question.
Then write three possible questions in the space below.

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 Interview questions: Do you have any questions for us? (Education Fundas)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoTh0klxdqk
Also, look at the following website which gives you the ‘Top 12 best questions to ask
at the end of the job interview’ - http://biginterview.com/blog/2011/08/best-questions-
to-ask-end-interview.html

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1.

2.

3.

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 Day 2: Interview Practice Self-Reflection
Reflect on your performance. Write key points on your strengths and areas of
improvement in the spaces provided.

Reflection Strengths Areas for improvement

1. I made a positive
first impression

2. I developed a rapport
with the interviewer
(e.g. friendly, engaged
in small talk etc.)

3. I clearly
communicated my
suitability for the role.

4. I sought clarity when

I didn’t fully
understand something.

5. I used intonation to
make myself sound
enthusiastic and
interested in the role.

6. I used the answering

techniques taught in
class.

7. I had good body

language.

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