Career Research Interview Project Part 2

Submitted by:
Leah Harwell
Salt Lake Community College
Communication 1010
February 26, 2015

Document #1 Interview Schedule

My Interviewee
I interviewed Rachel Gilmore Hamilton, Senior Accountant with Supplemental Health Care in
Park City Utah. I messaged her on Facebook to request an interview. I selected Rachel to
interview as I met her at DMC mining when I worked as a temp in their HR Department. I liked
her friendly and positive attitude, and she holds a position Im interested in exploring.
I conducted the interview with Rachel at Tosh Ramen in Murray Utah as Murray is located
between our respective locations of Park City and West Jordan.
Career Research
I selected my major in Business as I have been working in office environs since my twenties. As
a thirty-six year old I struggled with the assigned task of selecting a career. At this age I still
dont know what I want to be when I grow up.
I thought of Accounting as I have performed some variation of this task throughout my career in
both Property Management and as Administrative Assistant. I still find the work interesting and
challenging, and will provide me with a stable position in an office working Monday through
Friday, and typically 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
With this interview I want to learn more about the educational requirements and perhaps
personal attributes one need have to be an accountant, what the various responsibilities of an
accountant are, and a typical day in the life would be like.
I completed a self-assessment tool at www.centraltest.com, (as careergames.com was
unavailable) to determine if I had an aptitude for accounting, and was able to determine that my
expertise is in investigative fields, but had to pay to see the full results. I suspect I would be a
great candidate for the accounting field.
Opening
Hi Rachel. Thank you for taking time out of your schedule to meet with me today. Ill be asking a
few questions regarding your experience as an accountant for my Communications class. Well
be chatting for approximately 30 minutes so I wont keep you too long. Do you mind if I record
our conversation? The information obtained during this interview will help me determine if the
Accounting field is one I should pursue. Do you mind if we get started?
Summary of Interview Questions

I targeted questions of characteristics, skills, interests, and attributes that are important to be a
successful accountant, as well as company culture, benefits, pay scale, time off, and a typical
day. For a full list please see below.
1. What are the most important skills, characteristics or attributes that you feel are
necessary to be successful in the accounting industry? (Primary, Open)
a. Why is that attribute important? (Secondary, Closed)
2. What attracted you into becoming an accountant? (Primary, Open)
a. Do you still feel the same way? (Secondary, Open)
3. How many hours a week do you typically work? (Primary, Closed)
a. Do you feel this is too much, or not enough? (Secondary, Open)

4. Do you have a typical work day? (Primary, Open)

a. Would you like more of, or less of a routine? (Secondary, Open)
5. How would you describe your company culture? (Primary, Open)
a. How does that make you feel? (Secondary, Open)
6. What do you love about your job? (Primary, Open)
a. What do you dislike about your job? (Secondary, Open)
7. Do you feel you are properly compensated for you experience and education? (Primary,
Open)
a. Why, or why not? (Secondary, Open)
8. How long did you hold your position before you felt proficient? (Primary, Open)
a. How long did you hold other positions before you felt proficient? (Secondary, Closed)
b. Did your employer provide you with enough time on the job to learn their methods?
(Secondary, Open)
9. How important is technology in your field? (Primary, Open)
a. What software do you use on a regular basis? (Secondary, Closed)
b. What skill level is required for operating these systems? (Secondary, Closed)
10. How important is communication to your position? (Primary, Open)
a. What is your preferred mode of communication? (Secondary, Open)
11. How long have you been in your industry? (Primary, Closed)
a. What is something you know now that you wish before you entered accounting?
(Secondary, Open)
12. Have you ever been asked to do something you felt was unethical? (Primary, Closed)
a. How did you handle that situation? (Secondary, Open)
Continuing Education

1. Are there any CEU or additional training that is required or recommended for your position?
(Primary, Closed)
a.

Does your company support you in your training? (Secondary, Closed)

Clearinghouse question: The interviewee's turn

1. What advice would you impart to me as someone looking into joining your field? (Primary,
Open)
2. Do you believe I have the qualities necessary to be a successful accountant? (Primary,
Open)
3. Do you have any questions for me? (Primary, Open)

Closing
Thank you so much for your time, its really been a pleasure meeting with you. I certainly have
learned a lot and this information has definitely helped me with my decision. Here is the survey I
mentioned beforehand, please complete it and email a copy to my instructor as well as to me.

Document #2: Interview Analysis

DATE: 2/26/2015
TO: Paul White
FROM: Leah Harwell
SUBJECT: Interview Analysis Project Part #2, COMM 1010
Summary of Interview
Rachel has worked as an accountant for 20 years, since she was 14. In that time she has been
asked to do unethical things, sometimes due to ignorance by other parties, but still she outright
refuse. She currently works for a reputable company, who has a family oriented atmosphere,
although that occasionally makes her uncomfortable when hugs are involved.
As a tax accountant she does not have a typical day because during tax season it can be hectic,
or monotonous in the off season. Though she does not a daily routine, her hours are 8-5
Monday through Friday. For someone who is starting out as an Accounting Clerk they can work
anywhere from 8 to 16 hours daily, depending on whom the work for.
Being able to clearly communicate is key as not responding in a timely or effective manner can
have financial and/or legal repercussions. Many accountants can be introverts, so you have to
be able to draw them out of their shells while respecting professional boundaries. Being
proficient in computers and multiple software programs is also key as you will be using them on
a daily basis.
Accountants in Utah receive a higher annual income than the national average, and as an
employee for a health care company she receives excellent benefits. Obtaining time off is fairly
easy, although can be more of a challenge during tax season.
Analysis of Accounting as my Career Choice
Before meeting with Rachel I was moderately interested in the Accounting field. To be honest I
pursued this area of interest only as part of this assignment, and envisioned myself maintaining
my position in roles of Customer Service Rep. and Administrative Assistant until I was either
ready to start a family, or retire.
After meeting with Rachel however, I became genuinely interested. Rachel mentions during the
interview that a candidate for Accounting should love a challenge, and the minutia of the daily,
monthly, quarterly, and yearly tasks. She also mentioned a sub category of Accounting I was
unfamiliar with that intrigued me, Forensic Accounting. Forensic Accountants investigate the
possibility of fraud or crime in individuals or companies and often present their findings in court.
The aptitude test I took said I would be proficient in this area, and I thoroughly enjoy going back
through documents to find verification of facts that support my statements. This position would
provide me with the challenge I need to keep me stimulated while working, and the enjoyment of
using my natural abilities to succeed.
Analysis of my Interview Process

As an interviewer I feel I am able to make people feel at ease with me almost instantly. I have
conducted a number of interviews due to previous positions in Property Management and
Staffing where I interviewed people for both housing and jobs. These can be very stressful
situations for others, but I help to calm them that we may focus on the task at hand.
I reviewed my questions beforehand, and brought my phone to be able to record our
conversation if I received her permission. I brought a small notepad in case I needed to take
notes, but was able to leave it in my purse as I did receive her permission to record. I was glad
for this fact as I did wonder how I was going to balance eating, interviewing, and, taking notes.
Simply not eating wasnt an option as I love to eat, and it wouldve been awkward to leave Mrs.
Gilmore eating by herself.
In my interview with Rachel, our interview progressed as more of a conversation rather than a
consultation. I feel it was fluid, and organic, allowing Rachel to open up about Accounting, and
in particular her position. Because of our rapport I felt I was able to ask her about personal
questions like the amount of time she takes off for family and illness, though not so comfortable
as to inquire about her annual income. I also felt comfortable enough to ask her to remember
me should I ever be seeking employment in future.
While putting others at ease is my strong suit, I also fear it may could be a weakness as I
wonder if interviewees perceive a lack of professionalism in my friendly demeanor.

Document #3: Letter of Thanks

Leah Harwell
3975 South 900 East #51
Salt Lake City, UT 84054
(801) 815-7864
February 2, 2015
Rachel Gillmor-Hamilton
1640 West Redstone Center Dr. Suite 200
Park City, UT 84098

Dear Rachel,

I appreciate you taking the time out of your busy schedule to meet with me, and to complete the
survey. I feel I learned a lot during our interview about the Accounting field and it would be a
good fit with me. Without your assistance I do not know if I would have made this discovery.
Thank you for helping me on my journey.
Sincerely,
Leah Harwell

(I sent a small Thank You card, and space was limited so my message was brief.)