A job interview is one of the most important phases of the job search process. An accounting candidate’s resume and cover letter are simply tools to get them to the interviewing stage. The interview is their opportunity to convince an employer that they are the right person for the job. As an employer it is your job to evaluate the match between the job you have to offer and the candidate’s skills and interests.

Congratulations! You just received a call and have been invited to interview for your dream job. You’ve probably worked hard to get to this point in the job hunting process but, the work is not over yet. You need to invest some time to make the most of this opportunity.

Lately, I have noticed the internships have been getting a bit of a bad rap. Students view them as “working for little or no money,” and only envision themselves fetching coffee and making copies. It’s important not to be so short sighted. The National Association of Colleges and Employers reports that: 60% of paid interns and 37% of unpaid interns are offered a job at the conclusion of their internships. In industries like finance and accounting, where competition for positions can be fierce, an internship is a great way to get a competitive edge. But, internships deliver much more. The following are five reasons why college students and graduates should consider completing an internship.

One of the most misunderstood aspects of the hiring process is the phone interview. In an effort to save time and resources, many employers use phone interviews to help screen out candidates that might not have the skills and personality fit for the position. However, many candidates underestimate the importance of a phone interview, thinking of it as just an administrative step in the interview process. But make no mistake, a phone interview is a “real” interview and if you do not complete it successfully, you’ll never move forward in the process.

As accounting professionals look to the New Year, they have a lot to celebrate. The unemployment rate for accountants stands at around 3.9 percent and Forbes recently listed accountants and auditors at No. 2 on its list of Top Jobs. Iinitiatives in business, government, and nonprofit organizations to cut costs and improve productivity have resulted in increased demand for accountants. And it seems things will only get better.