How do you prepare for a quality audit interview and showcase your skills and experience?

There?are?three?qualifications?that?an?auditor?needs?to?be?able?to?show?proficiency?in. They?are:?technical?proficiency,?objectivity,?and?audit?procedures. To?be?impartial?and?unbiased,?auditors?must?be?independent of?the?area?being?audited. They?should?be?familiar?with?work?documents,?data?collection,?and?problem?identification?as?well?as?standard?business?processes.

In quality audit interview you should domenstrate 2 factors which are very important and success factors for auditing process - your competences as an Auditor like your competencies in managing hard situation, your communication skills, languages that you can use, your competences in writing fair reports and presentations and how can you behave in a diplomatic manner to handle different situations with the audittees and for what extent you will be flexible in accepting changes in the auditl. All the previous competences should be supported with actual situations -Your technical experience about the criteria or standards that you will working on, legislations, code of practices and experience about the industry that will be audited

Beside being competent Auditor either technically or at certification level, you need to understand the auditee’s perspective of being audited. While you are at audit opening meeting you need to make auditee comfort and relaxed and convinced that whatever audit results is, that will be in their favor. The main problem we usually encounter is the auditee’s resistance of sharing required or accurate information. Auditor shall be sharpened enough with effective communication skills and shall realize the auditee’s culture and background of Auditing process. The better investigation auditor skills will help him in extracting all required information smoothly and provide better audit results. My quote here “Smile while Inquire”

Auditors should also understand - or be able to understand - the processes being audited. For technical auditing, e.g. Quality, Clinical or EHS, experience in the field is highly desirable. This gives the auditor not only experience of the work being reviewed, but also insight into where or how problems and issues might arise.

One should possess several soft skills, like strong articulation, active listening, confidence, body language, preparedness, problem-solving attitude, honesty and integrity, and team representation. Strong articulation involves presenting clearly and concisely. Active listening involves paying close attention to the auditor's questions and comments. Confidence is demonstrated through maintaining eye contact, maintaining a steady tone. Body language conveys professionalism and openness. Preparedness involves understanding the company's performance metrics, culture, and relevant skills. Effective team representation highlights the strengths and contributions of colleagues, demonstrating their contributions to success.

Audit reports are confidential (and sensitive) documents and it is very likely that they cannot be shared outside of that organisation. To do so without permission of your current management (and possibly the auditee) may put you in breach of your terms / contract of employment. It may also raise concerns about your professionalism with the organisation to which you are applying.

I prepare to discuss significant achievements, such as uncovering fraud, improving internal controls, or implementing cost-saving measures. For example, I could mention how I identified a significant control weakness in the loan approval process that, once addressed, reduced processing errors by 25%, enhancing both efficiency and compliance.

Before your interview, carefully review your resume and portfolio to ensure they emphasize your pertinent skills and quality audit experience. Be prepared to articulate your roles, accomplishments, and challenges in previous audit projects. Consider having samples of your audit reports, checklists, or plans available to demonstrate your work's quality and professionalism. If requested, be ready to share these materials with the interviewer to showcase your capabilities effectively.

Your audit approach and methodology, the planning and execution of audits, your strategies for addressing nonconformities and implementing corrective actions, how you communicate with auditees and stakeholders, and how you maintain audit skills and knowledge are some of the questions that might be asked. Examples of successful audits, experiences dealing with challenging or complex audit situations, encounters with resistant or uncooperative auditees, and constructive feedback are all behavioral questions. Provide specific and measurable examples to illustrate your points with the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method.

I practice responses to questions, For instance, I discuss a complex audit involving cross border transactions, detailing how I coordinated with international teams, navigated different regulatory requirements, and successfully identified and addressed key risks.

I'm a firm believer in role play. If you can't find someone immediately to hand then just record a video of yourself answering the questions. You will be the best judge on your performance. The more you practice, the better you get!

Practice and rehearse both your answers and presentation skills before the interview. Consider using a mock interview service, enlisting a friend's help, or seeking advice from a mentor to improve your performance. Dress professionally, arrive on time, and bring copies of your resume and portfolio. Throughout the interview, maintain an air of confidence, politeness, and enthusiasm. Be sure to pose relevant and insightful questions about the organization, the position, and the audit standards. By adhering to these guidelines, you can effectively prepare for a quality audit interview, effectively demonstrate your skills and expertise, and make a favorable impression on the interviewer, thus improving your chances of securing the job.

I prepare to discuss how I’ve used my soft skills in various scenarios. For instance, I explained how I led a team of auditors through a high-pressure audit, ensuring clear communication, maintaining morale, and delivering a comprehensive audit report ahead of schedule.

Personal experience is a valuable skill that should be utilized during any audit. Personal opinion on the other hand should be left at the door. As a Quality professional that has participated in or conducted well over 100 audits in several industries, the audits that go sideways are almost always based on personal opinion injected by the auditor. While it is encouraged to develop a repour with the auditee, wait for the request for examples of best practices in areas the auditee may be deficient. Most auditees want a compliant Quality Management System and have some level of sweat equity built into their system. Besides auditing, you should be an SME that can help them improve their QMS.

Asking insightful questions demonstrates your genuine interest in the role and the organization. I prepare questions such as “The biggest challenges your audit team is currently facing?” and “Does the organization support continuous learning and professional development?” e.t.c This shows that I am proactive and interested in understanding how I can contribute effectively to the team.

Be prepared to demonstrate your approach. In my case, in my first interview for a job as auditor for QMS, I was asked on what my approach would be to a situation. I explained my approach using a turtle diagram and I think that clinched the interview, apart from clear understanding of the clauses and its application.

Exposure to diversified industries enables you to handle any situation during the audit assignment. Focussing on audit area and its criteria is the key and the exceptional communication skills in terms of handling the ongoing situation during the audit and exceptional creative skills in presenting the findings in audit report.