Everytime I ask the “advisors” at my school or my friends/classmates, they all say to just talk about volunteer work, big accomplishments, extracurriculars, etc. Unfortunately, I’ve been going to school full-time and working full-time doing non-relevant jobs (cashier, dishwasher, and mail clerk) so when I do get free-time, I prefer to just play video games or watch netflix which I’m well aware is lazy, but it keeps me sane. With that being said, I’m not sure how to “sell myself” on what makes me “special” or what “unique” factors I could use to differentiate me from the other qualified interviewees. So I’m curious if anyone can give me ideas or ways to give the illusion that I’m “better” than my competition.
Telling the truth is the way to go. Don’t stress your video games/netflix (everyone is allowed to relax – you can’t be lazy and go to college while working full time)…stress how you are working full time while going to school, how it working for it makes you really appreciate your opportunity to get a college education, perhaps how working in these jobs fuels your desire for a professional career etc.
Don’t worry about being “better” than others, just present yourself in the best light.
From your posts, it sounds like “you wouldn’t hire yourself.” Bottom line, this needs to change. You need to believe in you. Stop apologizing for not having the best grades or being at the best school or having great work experience.
Don’t worry about your classmates. Sell your work ethic, enthusiasm and interest in the subject matter.
Don’t sell you work experience short, try to relate some aspect of it back to accounting. “Despite not working in an accounting function at Bill’s Pizza, looking back I now see several ways they could have improved internal controls surrounding the handling of cash.”
Good luck!
I definitely agree that I have that pessimistic attitude towards myself, I just can’t get it out my head of being inferior in the industry because to me it’s unrealistic to think I’m the only one interviewing with a passion for the subject. Unfortunately, I’ve done numerous interviews and got the reply of “we’ve decided to choose someone else” and all of the practice interviews I’ve done at my school have ended with tips for me to try and find things I have a passion for outside of accounting.
Basically, as I said in the OP, I really suck at answering the “Why should I hire you?” or “Why should I hire you instead of someone else, what makes you unique?” because all I can ever think about saying/talking about is my passion for the field and my hard work ethic of working full-time while going to school full time.
@arc918 I guess it’s kinda hard to not blame my grades, school name, work experience, or extra curriculars, after having such miserable luck this past year (had 2 internship interviews and 11 PT job interviews).
The job market can be tough, but just keep being positive and keep interviewing.
The best way to get an accounting job is to say “I love excel more than anything”. LOL. Clearly, it should also be true.