Beating the odds: financial executives surveyed meet an average of five candidates before filling a job - Interviewing - Artículo Breve

Hispanic Times Magazine, Fall, 2002

MENLO PARK, CA -- What are the chances you'll get the accounting position you interviewed for? According to a recent survey, about one in five. Chief financial officers (CFOs) polled said they interview an average of five applicants for a job opening before making a final hiring decision.

The survey was developed by Accountemps, the world's first and largest temporary staffing service for accounting, finance and bookkeeping professionals. It was conducted by an independent research firm and includes responses from 1,400 CFOs from a stratified random sample of U.S. companies with more than 20 employees.

CFOs were asked, "On average, how many candidates are interviewed for an opening in your accounting department before the position is filled?" The mean response was 5.

"Companies may receive dozens of resumes for open positions, from which they must narrow the field to a few qualified candidates who will be called for interviews," said Max Messmer, chairman of Accountemps and au thor of Managing Your Career For Dummies[R] (Hungry Minds, Inc.). "Typically, these finalists are all strong contenders for the position."

Messmer added, "To set themselves apart, job seekers must focus as much or more on making a favorable impression during the interview as they do in preparing their resumes." He offers the following tips:

* Avoid rushing the process--Take your time when you enter the office, and greet the hiring manager with a warm smile and a handshake. Wait for an invitation before taking a seat.

* Let the real you shine through--Don't be afraid to be yourself. Most employers like to come away from an interview with at least a general sense of your personality.

* Tone down the charm. Don't overdo a good thing. If you focus too much on winning the interviewer over, you will appear insincere.

* Keep it simple. Avoid lengthy replies to questions. Your responses should be brief, clear and to the point. Instead of trying to fill the silence, let the interviewer ask the next question.

* Show them how good you are. If things go well, volunteer to do something--solve a problem, write a report, work a day for free--that will demonstrate your interest and initiative and let the interviewer know you have what it takes to do the job.

Accountemps has 330 offices throughout North America, Europe and Australia, and offers online job search services at www.accountemps.com.