I just graduated 1.5yrs ago, but have gratefully made my way into a Sr. Accountant position at a ~120 saas company managing books, p&ls, 606 rev recs, powerbi analytics, & all things finance for our 20MM of revenue. I feel like I’ve already reached my growth limit here and the next position up is my boss’s CFO position. I’m trying to break into big tech as a fin. analyst or rev rec specialist, but they always want someone with more experience. What should I do / any recommendations? 70k comp.
If you start to feel overwhelmed or intimidated during an interview, take a deep breath and try to relax. Remember that the interviewer is just another person, and they are likely to be just as nervous as you are. Stay professional and polite, and focus on giving clear and concise answers. If you need a moment to collect your thoughts, don't be afraid to ask for a break.
Exactly this. IME, most interviewees understand it can be intimidating and are usually polite enough to ignore any signs you might be uncomfortable.
Stay professional by keeping a positive attitude and being respectful. Try to focus on the person's qualities and what you can learn from them. Avoid coming across as nervous by staying calm and speaking clearly. You got this!
The best way is to be prepared. Do your research on the company and the person you are interviewing with, come up with questions to ask, and be confident in your abilities. Stay calm and respectful, and remember that the interview is just a conversation.
Try to focus on their professional achievements and accomplishments. Remind yourself that they are likely just a regular person, just like you, and deserve to be treated with respect. Avoid letting your nerves get the best of you, and stay polite and professional.
Being prepared makes all the difference in the world. Know your questions, know potential answers and follow-ups. If they have filmed interviews available, check a couple out to get a feel for how they communicate.
Act like you belong there, that's the biggest thing. People who have power and influence over others usually let it go to their heads, and they think they can push others around. But nothing deflates their ego quicker than someone who refuses to be intimidated. So just picture them as being at the exact same social level as you are; it's not what they expect.
I work for a very highly regarded author, so people have asked me this before. What I tell them is that everyone in the world has their own fields of expertise; and no matter what you might believe when you talk to someone who seems to have it all together, there are some topics they know NOTHING about. Case in point: my employer can write a best-selling novel but can't change the tire on her car (I know firsthand, believe me).
If you practice your questions ahead of time, that is the best preparation you can have. Most of the responses people give to interview questions have been planned out ahead of time I think; and if they throw a curveball at you, saying something you did not expect, just remember that it makes the situation more interesting for others who are watching or reading about your experience.