What are your goals in the future interview question

[japped187]

In an interview, if the interview asks you what your goals are for the long term, is it alright if I tell the truth even if it doesnt involve the actual company?

For example, if I were to interview w/ a big 4 firm, and I say after I get my CPA, I'd like to utilize my accounting knowledge and go into equity research, would this send red flags or would they not care considering they pretty much know the majority of ppl r there for the short term?

 

[Alexandrov]

Yes, i am in the same boat. I will be applying this september and have been warned.

1. They know you are there for the short term because of their 80% turnover rates.
2. They aren't idiots and they've heard of just about every creative lie there is out there, since people who get interviewed, generally aren't stupid.
3. I don't have a specific answer for you, but the safest routes are to claim you have interests in auditing and SOX. Elaborate on something to say within those groupes, maybe even tax. It also depends on which big 4 you are applying to, maybe ER could come in handy. The reason i say those specific fields is because they are generally in high demand and not many people want to do them. So if you lie, make sure you have a good reasoning as to why you want to get in them, and the marks in the appropriate courses to back you up.