Please note that the below script is an example to be used as a guide. You can adopt the concept or create yours.
- Tell me about yourself.
Well I began my career in Telecommunication Company/Accounting Firm where I supporting the Tech teams/Accounting department, we coordinated xxxxxx, performed xxxxx and xxxxxx, but a few years ago, I was drawn to the Financial Institution/XXXXXX space where I used my skills to determine whether IT controls protect corporate assets, ensure data integrity and are aligned with the business’s overall goals.
I’ve always been skilled at troubleshooting IT systems, identifying the weaknesses and recommending possible solutions. I have spent the last 6 years developing my skills as an IT Auditor for both financial and healthcare Industries, where I have won several performance awards plus promotions. I love managing teams and also in the decision-making process that will impact the company’s overall goals.
I have championed and involved as a team member in different audit projects, PCI DSS, SOX Compliance and HIPAA
Outside of the office, I’m an avid reader and I love to play board games. On weekends, you might find me playing chess or spending time with family.”
Although I love my current role, I feel I’m now ready for a more challenging assignment and this position really excites me. ||| My contract is about to end and I am open for new opportunities plus this role fits my skills sets.
Why Work for Company XYZ?
There are some key elements that I personally look out for prior to joining a company, and that is , Understanding the companies reputation, admiration of product/services, training programs and the companies cultures & Values.
Protivity was named 100 best companies to work for 2019
Your services/solutions aligns with my interest, my skills and my experience
Protivity is a subsidiary of one of the largest staffing firm – staffing that is the best
I respect your values which Integrity (IT Auditor), Inclusion (Team work) & Innovation (New ideas and Training)
- What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses?
Strength - Integrity – Integrity requires confidence, as well as balance. At any point in time, I maintain moral standards and ethics. Those managers who are said to have integrity are honest and fair, and abide by laws and regulations. If we want employee to abide by rules & regulations, we should also be able to lead by example.
- Relationship-Building – One of the most pervasive objectives across all internal audit functions consists of cultivating trust and respect with other professionals throughout the business. The need to develop healthy, deep relationships with all levels of the business takes time and cannot be over emphasized. Fostering this credibility helps:
- Reduce resistance during the auditing process;
- Increase the speed and volume of information that business partners can deliver in response to internal audit requests; and
- Encourage the business to understand and embrace the role of internal audit.
- Teamwork – As a Snr IT Auditor, I understand that its important to fosters collaboration between individuals and teams. I should be able to communicate clearly, have confident in my team, respectful to others and also willing to delegate.
Weakness – Shyness , I don’t have much patience when working with a team
am incredibly self-sufficient, so it’s difficult when I need to rely on others to complete my work. That’s why I’ve pursued roles that require someone to work independently. However, I’ve also worked to improve this weakness by enrolling in team building workshops. While I typically work independently, it’s nonetheless important I learn how to trust my coworkers and ask for outside help when necessary.”
I have trouble asking for help
It can be difficult for me to maintain a healthy work/life balance
I get impatient when projects run beyond the deadline
I focus too much on the details
“My greatest weakness is that I sometimes focus too much on the details of a project and spend too much time analyzing the finer points. I’ve been striving to improve in this area by checking in with myself at regular intervals and giving myself a chance to re-focusing on the bigger picture. That way I can still ensure quality without getting so caught up in the details that it affects my productivity or the team’s ability to meet the deadline.”
Public Speaking.
- What professional accomplishments are you most proud of, why?
Introducing (Entrust IDG) two-factor authentication to all financial applications while I was with XXX company. This went across more that 1500 users. 2. I trained 3 new hires at xxxx company, and today they are so much independent and very knowledgeable on how the system works. - What specific skills do you possess that relate to this position?
The Sr IT Auditor conducts IT audit assignments evaluating the risks and internal control effectiveness of Company’s IT environment. The skills I posses that relates to this role will be ;
- • Auditing • Internal Controls •Compliance • Access Management• UAT • Security & Log Reviews • Assessments • Post Implementation • MS Excel Reporting • Application Support • ITIL
- How does this opportunity align with your future goals?
Customers seeing a company with secured technical processes including their credit card management or payment gateways establish trust.
My long-term goals involve growing with a company where I can continue to learn, take on additional responsibilities, and contribute as much value as possible to the team. I love that your company emphasizes professional development opportunities. I would take full advantage of the educational resources available. - Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
In five years, I want to be growing professionally by increasing my responsibility and taking on new challenges. I hope to acquire new skills while updating pre-existing ones based on the demand of the environment.”
Why do you want to leave your current job?
“I have been at my company for three years now and have learned a lot from working with some amazing Auditors. I worked my way up to a lead IT Auditor where I supervised different teams and my department has so far beat our audit target in terms of compliance & Internal control by at least 25% each quarter since.
My contract has ended so I am open for new opportunities
However, I am starting to feel like I need some new challenges. This position really appeals to me because it would allow me to manage a bigger team and provide recommendations to management where changes are needed.”
What do you do to ensure error free work?
Giving full attention in what you are doing, if im in doubt I ask questions, I make a checklist and I review or get second set of eyes.
Tell me about a time when you received difficult feedback. How did you react?
I do remember when I first started working after college and I wasn’t used to negative feedback. The first time I ever had a boss criticize me, even though it was constructive criticism, I was convinced it was the end of my career. But I think what made a big difference to me was coming in the next day, trying my hardest, and then receiving compliments from this exact same boss telling me that I was doing a great job.
I realized that all criticism is usually a sign that something needs to change, and that all criticism is only temporary. No one likes criticism so there is always a little bit of stress, but I don’t let it affect my work or energy level anymore. I learn from it and move on and if anything now I fond it is a good motivator.”
Detail is critical in our industry – what makes you a detail oriented person, and why?
My careful attention to identifying risk & vulnerabilities prevented a major audit last year.
What sort of work culture do you find most appealing and why?
I succeed when given clear, concise direction and find a balance of solo effort and working alongside a team is when I’m most productive
Questions to Ask Interviewer?
-Can you tell me more about the day-to-day responsibilities of this job?
-What do you think are the most important qualities for someone to excel in this role?
- What are the biggest opportunities/challenges facing the company/department right now?
- What do you like best about working for this company?
Steps of SOX Compliance
Starting the project.
Risk assessment and scoping.
Documenting internal controls.
Compliance testing.
Evaluating and reporting.
