Four Steps to a Successful Interview
Click each of the steps below to learn how to have a successful interview.
- Do your homework
- Attend any events where the firm will be present, such as Meet the Firms, on campus
presentations, or open house events to get to know our people and culture
- Research the firm online to learn about the services we offer, firm initiatives and firm history
- Locations
- Decide on the BDO office location(s) where you’re interested
in working
- Prepare questions for the interviewer (three or more)
- At the time of the interview, having specific questions to ask is very important. It not only
shows that you’re interested, but it also ensures that you have all the information you need to make
an informed decision if you get an offer. Think about what’s important to you when joining a firm.
Is it the people, location, clients, size? Whatever it is, be sure to ask all the questions you
have so that you can make an informed decision about whether the firm is right for you.
- Think about what you don’t know already about the firm. You already have a lot of information
from searching on the website and meeting people at events, but what else do you want to know? Maybe
you want to hear more details about some of our initiatives or how a specific office is
participating in those initiatives. Maybe you want to hear more about the future direction of the
firm and how an office of interest to you is contributing to that goal. Whatever it is that you want
to know more about, this is the time to ask.
- Prepare answers to the questions you will be asked
- Prepare examples of when you demonstrated:
- Teamwork
- Leadership
- Good customer service
- Organization skills
- Working with difficult people
- Be prepared to answer questions about past decisions and future goals in your life:
- Why did you select FILL IN BLANK as your major?
- Why did you select FILL IN BLANK as your school?
- What are your short-term and long-term goals?
- Does this company fit your ambition and your career goals?
- Know your résumé
- If it’s on your résumé, be prepared to be asked about it.
- Practice, practice, practice!
- Practice in front of a mirror or while driving. Hearing yourself speak out loud helps you
prepare.
- Role play with someone you know who has been successful in the business world
- Notice bad habits and correct them (Videotaping works great for this.)
- Business professional attire is always recommended
- Your introduction is important. Be sure to shake hands firmly (but no death grips!) with everyone
you meet and make good eye contact. Body language and non-verbal communication can be very telling
during an interview. To show that you’re interested and happy to be there, sit up straight in your
chair and practice positive non-verbal cues (nodding your head when listening, smiling, refraining from
crossing your arms and legs, and as minimal amount of fidgeting as possible).
- Be clear
- Don't speak too fast
- Avoid slang, profanity or acronyms
- Avoid informal or cliché expressions
- Be concise
- You only have 30 minutes. Avoid rambling.
- Be conversational
- Not over-rehearsed
- Show your sense of humor. Be yourself!
- Be honest
- Ask the questions that you prepared ahead of time. It’s perfectly okay to have them written down in
front of you.
- If you’re genuinely interested in the firm, be sure to express that interest before you leave.
- Follow-up with a thank you email or, better yet, handwritten notes to each interviewer.