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SENIOR LEVEL

Tell me about a time when you had to influence and engage team members or external stakeholders.

Tax Director Interview Questions
Tell me about a time when you had to influence and engage team members or external stakeholders.

Sample answer to the question

In my previous role as a Tax Manager at XYZ Accounting Firm, I had the opportunity to lead a team of tax professionals in a complex tax consulting project for a multinational client. To ensure successful completion of the project, I had to influence and engage my team members and external stakeholders. I organized regular team meetings to discuss project updates, assigned tasks based on each team member's strengths, and provided ongoing support and guidance. Additionally, I held meetings with key stakeholders to align expectations and gather input. By actively involving team members in decision-making processes and effectively communicating with external stakeholders, I was able to maintain a high level of engagement and ensure the project's success.

A more solid answer

In my previous role as a Tax Manager at XYZ Accounting Firm, I had the opportunity to lead a team of tax professionals in a complex tax consulting project for a multinational client. The project required a high level of coordination and collaboration, and I knew that effective communication and engagement with my team members and external stakeholders were crucial. To ensure smooth progress, I organized regular team meetings where we discussed project updates, addressed any challenges, and shared best practices. I assigned tasks based on each team member's strengths and provided ongoing support and guidance. Additionally, I held meetings with key stakeholders to align expectations, gather input, and address any concerns. By actively involving team members in decision-making processes and effectively communicating with external stakeholders, I was able to maintain a high level of engagement and ensure that everyone understood their role and responsibilities. This resulted in successful project completion and client satisfaction.

Why this is a more solid answer:

The solid answer expands on the basic answer by providing more specific details and demonstrating the candidate's skills in communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills. It clearly explains how the candidate influenced and engaged team members and external stakeholders, leading to successful project completion and client satisfaction. However, it could benefit from further elaboration on the candidate's problem-solving and organizational skills.

An exceptional answer

In my previous role as a Tax Manager at XYZ Accounting Firm, I successfully led a team of tax professionals in a complex tax consulting project for a multinational client. The project involved analyzing the client's tax positions in multiple jurisdictions and developing tax planning strategies. To ensure efficient collaboration and engagement, I implemented a structured project management approach. I created a detailed project plan outlining specific objectives, timelines, and deliverables. I assigned team members with complementary skill sets and provided them with the necessary resources and support. To foster effective communication, I introduced regular check-in meetings where team members shared their progress, raised any challenges, and brainstormed solutions collectively. Furthermore, I facilitated open dialogue with external stakeholders, including the client and tax authorities, to understand their requirements and manage expectations. By actively involving team members in decision-making processes and proactively addressing stakeholder concerns, we were able to gain buy-in from all parties. As a result, we delivered high-quality tax services within the designated timeframe and exceeded the client's expectations.

Why this is an exceptional answer:

The exceptional answer provides a comprehensive and detailed account of how the candidate influenced and engaged team members and external stakeholders. It showcases the candidate's exceptional skills in communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills by implementing a structured project management approach, fostering effective communication, and proactively addressing stakeholder concerns. The answer also highlights the candidate's ability to deliver high-quality tax services and exceed client expectations. It could be further improved by including specific examples of problem-solving and showcasing the candidate's high level of tax technical and research skills.

How to prepare for this question

  • Reflect on past experiences where you had to influence and engage team members or external stakeholders, and prepare specific examples to showcase your skills.
  • Highlight your communication and presentation abilities, emphasizing your experience in effectively conveying complex tax concepts to different audiences.
  • Demonstrate your problem-solving skills by describing how you approached challenges and found innovative solutions that positively impacted the project or organization.
  • Discuss your ability to organize and manage multiple tasks and responsibilities, providing examples of how you successfully balanced competing priorities and met deadlines.

What interviewers are evaluating

  • Communication and Presentation Abilities
  • Influencing and Engaging
  • Problem-Solving
  • Organizational Skills

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