Interview Questions

Questions at interview always seem to be a big draw on the blog. So without further ado, here’s some true questions as posed to Audit Monkey at a recent interview with my answers and tips.

Q. Tell me about your achievements from your employment as an Internal Auditor?
A. Easy one to answer. Just tell the interviewer about some of the audits you’ve done and the improvements you’ve identified, while trying not to breach client confidentiality. The bigger the f’up, the better. A sprinkling will suffice.

Q. Do you like working in a team or solo?
A. Mmm. Never like this question as it’s difficult to judge what the interviewer actually wants. Do they really want someone who can work independently or someone who can work with colleagues in a team. I tend to go for both and say I can do either or. If anyone knows a better answer, please let me know.

Q. What are your strengthens? Where could you improve?
A. Not going to tell everyone my standard strengthens that I rattle off but obviously always going to be those that show me in the best light. As for weaknesses, I talk about my career objectives, how they are unfulfilled and need fulfilling!

Q. What do you know about this firm?
A. Easily enough. Read the Annual Report and take note of the firm’s products, the market segments, the turnover, etc.

Q. This was more of a statement – Our audit methodology will take time to understand.
A. Leave it out. It’s bog standard wherever you go; it’s plan, test, conclude, report out. There’s nothing too it. There may be different starting points in the planning process, e.g. obtain the Risk Register, the Operational Errors log, Procedure Notes but essentially it’s the same.

Q. What do you do in your spare time?
A. Obviously boozing and making the love aren’t the appropriate answers. Something intellectual always goes down a treat.

Q. What are you doing later today?
A. Watching Wimbledon!

So there you have it, Internal Auditor interview questions. Nothing too strenuous or probing. Obviously coming from an Internal Auditor I’m not too sure whether to be concerned about the lack of depth or unsurprised! Could have been worse, could have got technical and I might have got a kicking. That would have been a different story…