What single accounting accomplishment are you most proud of? Why?

(pride in work, going beyond the basic requirements of the job)

What interests you most about accounting? What areas of accounting do you find most challenging? How have you dealt with these challenges in your current job?

(dedication to field, job knowledge)

What steps do you go through when an account (or spreadsheet, checkbook, etc.) doesn’t balance? Give an example of a specific event where this has happened.

(analytical)

Explain how you incorporate into your work schedule additional tasks or taking on additional responsibilities. Give a specific example, whether it was a new responsibility or a special project and how you approached it.

(flexible, organized, team player, extra effort)

Explain how you have successfully worked with co-workers outside your department. Inside your department. (What kind of contact, encouraging a co-worker to provide you the information to enable you to do your job, etc.)

(communication skills, ability to work with others)

Explain a time when you have had a conflict in your job duties (2 or more individuals needing immediate attention on differing tasks, duties asked of you outside the scope of your regular duties, etc.). How did you manage the situation, what was the outcome?

(assertive, communication style)

Give an example of a difficult experience you have encountered with a co-worker. What was the situation, how did you manage, and how was it resolved? Also same question for an external customer?

(personable, ability to work with various personalities)

What one characteristic do you offer a company that sets you apart from other applicants? How have you demonstrated this in your current job - give specific examples.

(work ethic, motivation, pride in work)

Explain your method of organization in your current job. How do you plan for unexpected interruptions - give an example of such an event.

(organization, detail-oriented, dedication to work assignments, flexible)

Explain a time where your direct assistance or actions turned what could have been a difficult situation into a positive event.

(dependable, extra effort and/or time, dedication)

Have you had any job experiences where it was necessary to coordinate several components to bring a project (job duty) to conclusion. Explain, giving details.

(understanding processes and scheduling)

Have you been in a situation where others involved were upset and not receptive to your ideas, solutions, or comments? How did you resolve?

(thick-skinned, able to accept, resolve, or re-direct angry customers)

Explain a time where your job required you to be able to switch duties/priorities with little to no warning. How did you ensure all aspects of the job were accomplished?

(flexible)

When have you been required to take information you heard and transfer the information to written form? Explain.

(detail-oriented, accuracy in relaying details, concise)

How have you demonstrated an extra effort in your current job? Give a specific example and explain.

(ambitious, work ethic, team player)

Tell me about a time when you were involved in several projects in various stages and locations. Describe how you prioritized as well as organized yourself and the projects.

(time management, organizational abilities)

Describe a project where you were not only involved in the initial design but also involved in implementing the plan. Describe the process.

(ability to apply technical knowledge)

Tell me about a time when a design was being implemented and a problem surfaced, forcing the plans to be modified. How did you manage the problem? Were time frames met?

(solution-oriented, time management)

How have you coordinated the many different phases in making a plan operational? How have you managed interruptions? Give a specific example of a time when problems occurred outside your control, i.e. with a contractor, supplier, etc.

(flexible, problem solving, communication style, ability to work with various people)

Explain your involvement with others within your company, i.e. sales, R&D, accounting, etc. How have you managed disagreements, conflicting time frames, etc.? Give specific examples.

(ability to work with co-workers, solution oriented, communication style)

Have you had a position where you were required to key in data? If so, what was your biggest accomplishment (name an event), what was your biggest challenge (what was consistently trying)?

(detail-oriented, accuracy, speed, keyboard familiarity)

Give an example where you were involved in a job or activity driven by time-frames. What steps did you take to ensure the deadline was met. Give a specific example with what your duties were.

(time frame-oriented)

Give an example when you were given a job or assignment already in process where the preceding work had not been completed successfully. What did you do?

(understanding processes, investigation abilities, thoroughness)

When has it been necessary for you to change someone’s opinion or position on a matter. How did you do it?

(negotiating abilities, persuasive, persistent, diplomatic abilities)

What is your preferred communication style? least? How do you use these in your current job?

(communication skills-- written and verbal)

Talk about the various personalities you have worked with and how/if you change your communication style or approach in consideration of the personality.

(communication style, the ability to work with various people)

Tell me how you prefer to start new projects (to include the amount of support, direction, interaction etc.).

(initiative, self-starter, creative)

How do you handle differences of opinion when implementing a marketing project (this could include style, creative ideas, method, etc.)? Give specific examples where this has occurred with a client. With a co-worker.

(flexible, solution oriented, open-minded)

How do you gather information to enable you to develop the marketing materials in support of a product? What resources do you utilize? Give specific examples of when you have done this, describing the project.

(knowledge, resourcefulness, willingness to learn)

What actual experience best shows your writing skills. Explain: What event are you most proud of that demonstrates your verbal abilities? Give details.

(written & verbal skills)

Explain how you are able to influence others - give a specific example of a time where you have been met with resistance and how you turned the situation around.

(ability to negotiate, work solutions)

Explain a time where you were instrumental in adapting a technical concept into a workable plan.

(ability to cross from lab to practical application)

Give an example in which it was necessary for you to compromise what you "knew to be right" to reach a solution.

(flexible, open-minded, ability to adapt)

Give an example, of a policy, procedure, etc. changed due to your persistence.

(tenacity, patience)

Explain how you keep current with technology and how you have demonstrated this in your current job.

(willingness to learn, industry knowledge, dedication)

Give an example of a project you have been involved in with others. What was your role, what kind of interactions, how were differences of opinions managed, etc.?

(ability to work with others, communication style)

Give an example of a project you managed independently, specifically the steps you went through. What was the result?

(analytical, independent worker, problem solving)

When you have several projects going, how do you organize yourself to ensure the timeliness of projects? Give an example of a time when this was a challenge to accomplish. Explain.

(setting priorities, dedication to the job, time frame oriented )

How do you stay current with your field/technology? Give an example of a time where, due to this effort, you acquired useful information you could apply to a current project.

(dedication, willingness to learn, ambitious)

Tell me when you have been asked to communicate a technical matter into layman’s terms (both verbally and written). Give a specific example.

(ability to communicate with others, written skills, verbal skills)

Tell me about a time when, meeting with a potential customer, you discovered your product was not necessarily the best product for the customer - what did you do? Provide a specific event.

(listening ability, ability to salvage something if possible, integrity)

Have you ever needed to research or study a topic (product, culture, environment, etc.) prior to actively soliciting a prospective customer? Give an example on how and what you did prior to contacting the customer.

(thoroughness, dedication, knowledge)

Tell me your emphasis - new business or retention. How have you demonstrated this in your current job?

(motivation, successfulness)

Tell me your strongest skill/ability enabling you to acquire new accounts? Retain present accounts? Give specific examples of both.

(style, communication, persistence)

What one single event has been your biggest accomplishment in the area of sales? Why? What has been the most challenging experience? Why?

(experience, enthusiasm)