Interviewing Tips

Here are some tips to prepare for and conduct your interview with BKD.

Build a Killer Resume

• Organize your information
• Highlight your strengths and experiences - include the extra skills you've gained along the way
• PROOF it! Clerical errors can be costly

Prepare for the Interview

• Find out as much as you can about BKD from:
  • Our web site
  • Your placement office
  • Faculty
  • Interns, students and BKD employees

• Get psyched!
• Check out books and videos on interviewing skills and appearance
• Review examples of questions likely to be asked of you
• Why public accounting
• Why BKD
• What courses did you enjoy most, least
• Grades and achievements
• Other college activities
• Work experience - how has it prepared you
• Career goals
• Practice answering those questions
• Be prepared with questions you should ask of BKD
• Firm growth
• Industry trends
• Variety of experience
• Average promotion time
• Work atmosphere
• Organize your thoughts
• Attend pre-interview functions:  career fairs and socials
• Introduce yourself
• Ask questions
• Show interest
• Gain experience
• Interview with other public firms and private companies
• Improves your skills
• Widens your perspective

The BKD Campus Interview

• What the interviewer is looking at:
• Enthusiasm
• Verbal and nonverbal skills
• Study and work habits
• Degree of interest in firm
• Your appearance

• Look polished
• Look neat, clean & pulled together
• Stay away from fads
• Maintain good eye contact & have a firm handshake
• Focus on the interview & interviewer
• Be yourself - we expect you to be nervous!
• Get a good night's sleep
• Leave cell phones & pagers out of sight

• Your role
• Ask questions
• Try to decide if this is the type of firm you want to work for

The BKD Office Interview

• Same tips apply as on campus
• Have a professional attitude, especially in social situations such as meals
• Remember eye contact & your body language express your self-confidence
• Don't be shy about your accomplishments
• Be positive about yourself but also...
• Be honest
• Give complete answers without telling your life history
• Remember this is your opportunity to size up BKD while we're putting our best foot forward

After the Interview

• Send a thank-you note - a detail that can make the difference between you & someone else
• Review your impressions - is BKD the firm for you?

The Offer

• Read it carefully
• Follow up with the BKD recruiter
• Communicate your decision process to the recruiter
• Think it out

The Big Decision

• Only you can make this decision
• Look at the big picture
• Think about:
• Office culture
• Firm culture
• Personalities
• Travel
• CPA exam
• Career path
• Office growth
• Firm growth
• Your overall expectations & BKD's expectations

Good Luck!