Sample report

A full report, section by section.

This is an example for a fictional candidate, Sam, who practiced a hiring-manager interview with Nora for a staff accountant role. Your own report follows the same order.

Example report. The candidate, the answers and the scores are made up to show the format.

Example

SamStaff accountant

Hiring manager · NoraAbout 10 minutes · 10 questions

76Almost there

Cal, your coach

Your examples are real and specific. Now lead with the result, so Nora hears it before the details.

Content76
Delivery82
On camera70

On camera

You looked at Nora only 58% of the time. Look into the camera when you answer.

Three things to work on

1
Lead with the resultStart with the outcome in one sentence, then the two or three steps that got you there.
2
Put a number on itTwo of your best stories ended without a number. Days saved, errors found, accounts reconciled: say it.
3
Look into the camera when you answerYou looked down at your notes for long stretches. Put them right next to the camera.

Question by question

BehavioralCommonly asked84

Nora asked

Tell me about a time you found an error in the books close to a deadline. What did you do?

Cal: Strong, specific story. One change: say the result first.

Details

Watch your answer (on your device only)

Your answer

So, um, last year during the quarter close I was reconciling the accounts payable subledger and I noticed that, like, a vendor invoice had been entered twice. I traced it back, found the duplicate, reversed it and told my manager before we filed. After that I added a duplicate check to our close checklist.

Highlighted words are fillers.

148 words / min
2 fillers
0 long pauses
63% looking at Nora

What worked

A real, concrete example from your own work.
You named what you did yourself and what you changed afterwards.

What to fix

Lead with the outcome: the error was caught before filing, and the checklist stopped it happening again.

Structure

Situation
Task
Action
Result
A number in the result

A stronger answer

I caught a duplicate vendor invoice two days before our quarterly filing and fixed it before it reached the report. While reconciling the payables subledger, I saw the same invoice entered twice, traced it to a manual re-entry, reversed it and told my manager the same day. Then I added a duplicate check to our close checklist, and we haven't had a repeat since. It saved [your number] in overstated expenses.

Built only from what you said and what's on your résumé.

ScenarioFrom the job posting71

Nora asked

The role involves month-end close. Walk me through how you'd plan your first close here.

Cal: You covered the steps. Make it about this team: who you'd talk to first, and what you'd check.

Details

Watch your answer (on your device only)

Your answer

I'd start by getting the close calendar and the checklist, then I'd shadow whoever owns each part. I'd focus on reconciliations first because that's where things usually go wrong, and I'd ask lots of questions in the first month.

162 words / min
0 fillers
1 long pauses
58% looking at Nora

What worked

A sensible order: calendar, owners, then reconciliations.

What to fix

Name a control you'd check and how you'd know your first close went well.

Structure

Situation
Task
Action
Result
A number in the result

A stronger answer

In my first close I'd learn before I change anything. In week one I'd get the close calendar and checklist and meet each owner, starting with whoever handles the bank and payables reconciliations, since that's where errors usually show up. During the close I'd own [one area] end to end and keep a short list of where the timeline slipped. Afterwards I'd bring that list to you with one or two fixes, so the next close is [your number] days shorter.

Built only from what you said and what's on your résumé.

MotivationCommonly asked58

Nora asked

Why do you want to move from your current firm to an in-house role?

Only partly answered

How it could land: Saying you want “less pressure” can sound like you're avoiding hard work.

Cal: Make it about what you're moving towards, not what you're leaving.

Details

Watch your answer (on your device only)

Your answer

Honestly, um, the hours at my current firm are a lot and I'd like a bit less pressure. I also think it would be, you know, nice to see one company's numbers up close.

Highlighted words are fillers.

131 words / min
2 fillers
2 long pauses
53% looking at Nora

What worked

Honest, and you named something you'd like about the role.

What to fix

Lead with what draws you to in-house work, and connect it to a skill you've built.

Structure

Situation
Task
Action
Result
A number in the result

A stronger answer

I want to go deep on one business instead of seeing many from the outside. At my firm I've closed the books for [your number] clients, and the part I enjoy most is fixing the process behind the numbers. In-house I can do that over time, see the results quarter after quarter, and work with the people who use the reports.

Built only from what you said and what's on your résumé.

+ 7 more questions in the full report

Before the real interview

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How we score

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