Remember the entry in November 2008 where I signed off with a vague “I got an interview with a CA firm later”? Well enough time has passed that I don’t feel so bad and can write about it.
Not only was it the first job interview since graduating, it was the biggest job interview of my life. I mean an interview with an approved CA training office, if I get the job I’m set. You should’ve seen me, my hands were shaking, my teeth were clattering. I probably walked in circles for 10 minutes trying to calm myself down before heading to the office.
I meet the interviewer and we get started. “So tell me about yourself” he asks. That was easy enough to answer, probably the first question asked in any interview. But looking back now I laugh at the answer I gave. It was rehearsed and stiff. *Wishes I can go back and slap myself silly*
A few more pretty general questions about taking the subway, that C+ on my transcript, and when I plan on taking the UFE. But then he goes on a 10 minute speech about the firm, their experience with previous CA students, and their clients. Wait, what’s going on? I’m just sitting there listening to him talk, commenting when I get the chance. I ask the questions I’ve prepared at the end, shake hands and leave.
That was it!? In and out in 15 minutes, with questions that I would basically deem as small talk. Is this how smaller CA firms do it? Is it because they don’t have an actual HR department to conduct a proper and rigourous interview so therefore it’s more casual and based more on personality? Or is it because they’ve hired tons of CA students year after year and gotten so good at it that they know who’s CA material just by looking at them and their resumé? The former seemed to be the general opinion I got from a few of my friends. Still, something didn’t seem right.
A few weeks go by and no word. So I call them. The receptionist picks up and I ask for the interviewer. She puts me on hold. A few seconds go by and its the receptionist again…uhoh. It seems the interviewer is in a meeting and I should leave a voicemail. “It’s ok, I’ll call again later.” She insists on leaving a voicemail. Oh…is that how it is? I get it now. I leave my voicemail and went to grab a shovel to bury my pipedream.
The rejection letter arrives a week later. No chance for feedback.
So what happened? Dunno. Was it me? Dunno. Was it them, did they already know who they were hiring? Dunno.
Lessons learned: Calm down, be natural, don’t sound rehearsed.
