Category: Job Search & Career Advice

Undoubtedly, job recruitment practices have changed and adapted over time – so too has job search etiquette. However, there are still some unwritten rules that have withstood the test of time. And, in the realm of accounting and finance where attention to detail is essential, adhering to these job search etiquette rules will ensure you leave no stone unturned. Let’s dive into the three rules to keep in mind before, during and after the job search process.

Before the Interview

Research. Before the interview takes place, it’s crucial to gain insight into the company you’re interviewing for. While it can be time consuming given all the positions you’re potentially applying to, coming into the interview with a few tidbits of insight in your back pocket holds benefits that are twofold. One, by taking the time to learn about what the company does, it shows your high-level of interest in the position. And two, it helps prepare you for the interview by learning about the company’s culture and values. 

So, when it comes to researching the company, where can you start? The company’s website, social media accounts and any recent news articles are all great jumping-off points. The key is to collect information about what the company does, their goals and their values. During the interview, connect what you’ve learned in your research back to you in a way that feels natural. Doing so successfully will highlight your qualities, show you did your research and create a connection between you and the company: a win-win-win.

During the Interview

One piece of etiquette that is often overlooked by the candidate, yet rarely missed by the interviewer: bringing your resume. While some candidates may feel it’s unnecessary to bring a copy of their resume to an interview, doing so has greater benefits than not. 

“I always recommend my candidates bring a copy of their resume to the interview, ” notes Deanna Gutman, Senior Director of Executive Recruiting. “Even if the hiring manager already has a copy on file, it shows them they are prepared and professional.”

Additionally, bringing your resume allows you the opportunity to reference specific details, making it easier to discuss past experiences. If possible, bring a few copies of your resume – that way the interviewer has the opportunity to share it with other members of the team should they want to. By printing them on high-quality paper and placing them in a portfolio, you’re adding to the sense of professionalism you bring to the interview room.

After the Interview

An attitude of gratitude goes a long way after an interview. Sending a follow-up email can make a significant impact by showing your high-level of interest in the job. In the email, thank the interview for the opportunity, reiterate your interest and mention one specific detail from the interview that you’re appreciative of. 

A follow-up email helps you stand out from other candidates and serves as a great reminder to the interviewer of your skills and qualifications. It proves you’re professional and can communicate effectively. 

Looking for more job interview hacks? Check out our tips on interview behavioral cues that hiring managers always notice.

Starting a new role is twofold: exciting and nerve-wracking. It’s an experience likened to being a new character on season four of an ongoing television series. Everyone seems to be in a rhythm and you’re trying to catch up. It’s no surprise that many new employees feel overwhelmed — or even unsure — about their new role. In fact, around or before the six month mark, many begin to question if they’ve made the right decision in accepting the job offer. However, before you consider jumping ship, it’s important to give yourself time to acclimate. Here’s why.

Patience Is Key

Statistics show that it can take one to two years before an employee reaches their full productivity potential. What does that mean for you? It means that patience is key during this time. Give yourself a grace period. Starting a new role can be uncomfortable — especially within the first year as you’re taking everything in. During this initial period, you’re going to face a learning curve as you familiarize yourself with company policies, procedures and culture.

It takes time to get acclimated, build relationships and understand the ins and outs of your new role. In fact, it can take up to six months for the “light bulb” to turn on — or for things to start clicking — and for you to begin to feel comfortable in your new role. “

Acclimating

It’s also crucial to remember that every company operates differently. No two workplaces are alike, which can take some time to adjust to. By giving yourself the full six months to acclimate, you’ll be able to reflect on whether or not this company and role align with your long-term career goals and work style. From there, you can make a more informed decision on whether or not to stick with it.

Building Your Resume

Another important consideration: your resume. Leaving a job too soon can potentially have negative consequences on your professional reputation. Future employers may see a pattern of consistently leaving jobs after a short period as being flighty, which can be a red flag for hiring managers.

Plus, leaving a job early on doesn’t allow you enough time to build valuable resume-building skills and experiences that can be beneficial in the long term. So, take the time to learn, grow and gain valuable experiences before jumping ship. In doing so, you’ll give yourself the best chance for long-term professional success.

Are you considering making a career move? Submit your resume today to connect with one of our recruiting experts.

If you work in the finance or accounting space, you know all too well how emphasized career growth is in this field of work. But — as broken as the record may be — climbing the proverbial ladder and reaching senior positions can unlock a number of benefits, including better job security and an increase in earning potential. In accounting, following the traditional career progression path from junior accountant to senior accountant is a well-trodden route; and it’s not without reason. Let’s dive into why pursuing a senior accountant role should be your next big step.

Greater Responsibility and Accountability

Perhaps the most obvious benefit of moving into senior accounting roles is the increase in responsibility and accountability. Senior accountants typically oversee teams of junior accountants and undertake more complex accounting responsibilities. As such, their decision-making skills are honed over time, making them valuable assets to any accounting team. Being a senior accountant also means more rigorous work and facing greater scrutiny, but with these comes greater satisfaction for a job well done.

Diverse Experiences

A senior accountant role can unlock a world of diverse experiences, depending on the industry, size and nature of the organization you work for. For example, you could work for a large corporation and then move on to a nonprofit charity organization. Having senior experience broadens your skillset to adapt to different environments. You’ll gain more insights into how different industries work, be better able to adapt to sophisticated accounting systems and build diverse networks.

Increased Earning Potential

Let’s talk about earning potential. Logistically, a more senior role comes with a higher salary, which makes a considerable impact given the demanding nature of the accounting profession. Senior accountants can more easily command higher wages given the high value they provide to a team. Generally speaking, senior accountants can expect a salary anywhere from $64,000 to $107,000. Ultimately, the pursuit of senior accounting roles is not without financial reward.

Frequently Asked Questions

What skills and qualifications do I need to become a senior accountant?

The qualifications and requirements for becoming a senior accountant vary based on the employer and the specific role. Typically, a bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance or a related field is required. Additionally, you’ll likely need to obtain a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) certification to increase your chances of landing a senior accountant role. 

Where can I find open senior accountant roles?

If you’re in the process of searching for open senior accountant roles, check out our jobs for our newest accounting and finance opportunities near you.

If you didn’t get the promotion you worked so hard for, you’re likely feeling a palpable sense of disappointment. The good news? There are ways to use this situation to your advantage and move forward. Here’s how to handle not getting the promotion you wanted. 

Take Time to Reflect

A wave of unexpected emotions is likely going to come into the picture. And that’s normal. Once that wave settles, however, take some time to process what happened. Ask yourself questions like: “Is there something I can do differently next time?” and “What can I learn from this experience?” Try to keep a level head so that your emotions don’t cloud your judgment when making decisions moving forward. Once you have a bit more mental clarity, the next step will be to gain some outside perspective. 

Ask for Feedback

Once you’re emotionally ready, it’s a good idea to follow up with your manager. When they initially communicated that you won’t be receiving the promotion, you likely weren’t in a clear mental headspace. Once you are, pack some questions into your back pocket that will help you better understand the situation, and ultimately help you reframe this situation as an opportunity for improvement.

• Ask why: “Would you be able to talk me through why I wasn’t right for the promotion this time around, so I can work toward getting there?”
• Ask for specifics: “What specifically can I focus on in the next six to12 months that will make me more valuable in my role?”
• Ask how to best upskill: “Are there any trainings that would make me better-prepared for the next promotion?”

Additionally, consider meeting with a professional mentor. Unbiasedly explain the situation and ask them to weigh in.

Finally, it’s important not to settle for being passed over for a promotion — keep looking for other opportunities within or outside of your company that could help advance your career even further. The good news is that the financial industry typically plays host to a lot of opportunities. There may be new roles available or open positions at other companies worth considering; just make sure they align with both your skill set and long-term goals.

Consider Other Opportunities

Getting passed over for a promotion can be discouraging — but with the right perspective, it can lead you toward the next great opportunity in your career. Take some time to reflect on what happened and focus on honing your skillset while looking out for other opportunities that could help further advance your career. 

Check out our latest jobs nearest you.

Networking can be a key part of success in the financial industry. It’s important to network strategically and ensure you’re making a good impression every time you meet someone new. Here are some tips on how to do just that.

Ice Breakers

Ice breakers are a great way to start the conversation when networking with people you don’t know very well. Come up with some open-ended questions ahead of time like “What do you like best about working in finance?” or “What would be your ideal job?” These types of questions can help get conversations flowing and increase comfort levels among those involved in the discussion. Plus, answering these types of questions will help potential contacts gain a better understanding of who you are and what value you could bring to their organization.   

Talk About the Event

When networking at an event, it’s important to start off on the right foot. Talk about what brought you together — the event itself! Ask someone if they like the venue, find out what brought them there, or chat about an interesting topic that the speaker mentioned. Let the event serve as a common interest between you and the person you’d like to talk to.  

Come Prepared with a Story or Two

Starting a conversation can be intimidating, especially if you’re trying to think of what to talk about on the spot. To avoid this situation, come prepared with some stories or experiences related to your field so you can share them when appropriate.

For example, if you recently had a successful business transaction that went particularly smoothly due to excellent teamwork, tell them! This will give the other person insight into your competencies and accomplishments while also giving you something interesting to talk about.   

Alternatively, you could start the conversation by sharing a story from your personal life – something your kids did, for example. This could lead into a bigger conversation where your end-goal is to talk business.

Listen

Often overlooked, listening is one of the most important aspects of networking. People want to feel heard and understood — not just talked at — so make sure to focus on actively listening whenever possible instead of formulating your response while they’re speaking. Not only will this show respect but it will demonstrate your ability to think critically rather than relying solely on memorized responses and talking points. Moreover, by really listening, you can learn more about the other person which could result in increased trust between both parties as well as additional opportunities down the road! 

Networking is essential for success in many industries — especially finance. At its core, networking isn’t just about making business connections — it’s also about building and fostering relationships. And, when done properly, networking can be an incredibly powerful tool for any finance professional looking to get ahead in their career. 

Looking for industry-relevant topics to bring to your conversations? Check out our latest Accounting and Finance Employment Report.

Your digital footprint. It’s something you might not have given much thought to, but chances are your current or previous employers have. In fact, a survey found that 70% of employers “use social media to screen candidates before hiring.”

In 2023, it’s more essential than ever for everyone to keep their online presence clean before applying for jobs or other opportunities. Your digital footprint is the sum of your entire online activity — from the posts you make on social media to the information you store online and even the emails you send. It’s all a part of who you are and how potential employers view you as a candidate. 

Take inventory of your current digital footprint

Having a clean digital footprint can mean the difference between getting hired or not. Employers have access to more information now than ever before, including search engine results and social media accounts, so it’s important to ensure that everything looks professional and accurate. Taking proactive steps to update — and maintain — your digital footprint is crucial in order to avoid any misunderstandings or misrepresentations that could cost you a job opportunity. 

First things first: take inventory. Review all of your online profiles; this includes social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, as well as any personal websites or blogs. Remove anything that could be seen as offensive or inappropriate by potential employers. Something you thought was funny in college might not reflect your current persona. If you aren’t sure about a post, consider archiving or hiding it instead of deleting it. That way, you can remove the post from the public eye without permanently removing it, giving you time to think about it.

Also take into consideration how much information you’d like to be public. Think about who you follow, and are ultimately associated with, in addition to what you’re tagged in. 

Update with positive information

The next step? Add positive information to your digital footprint. And this time of year is the perfect time to do so — your accomplishments are currently top of mind from doing year-end reviews. Update your social media profiles with current information and appropriate, professional photos. 

Optimize your social profiles — it’s important to have a clear and concise profile that accurately reflects your current skills, experience and expertise. Make sure you include any awards or accolades from past employers, as this will show recruiters that you’re dedicated and motivated when it comes to your work. 

Commit to maintaining a positive digital presence going forward. Perform an annual check-in of your digital footprint, including reviewing all posts that you created or were tagged in, using professional language in online communications, and ensuring your LinkedIn profile is up-to-date with your accomplishments.

Here’s a guide to get you started on highlighting your accomplishments.

The job market is always changing, and with the holiday slowdown quickly approaching, it’s now more important than ever to start your job search if you’re looking to get hired before the end of the year. Especially in the accounting and finance field. Here are a few tips that will help you secure your next dream role.

Get Organized

First, make sure to target your job search. This means researching which companies are hiring in your area, and then tailoring your resume and cover letter to fit those specific roles. It’s also especially important to include value-adding achievements to your resume and to make a list of your references and their contact information at this time.

This is also the time to start networking with professionals in your field and attending industry events. Use the holiday season to reconnect with past relationships, such as former coworkers, your online network or college alumni. Word of mouth and recommendations still reign as a top way of finding a new job. Plus, the more people you know, the more likely you are to hear about open opportunities. Stay up-to-speed with industry publications, follow relevant blogs and read up on the latest trends. This will show potential employers that you’re invested in your career and ready to take on new challenges.

Seek Assistance

With a specialized field like accounting and finance, it’s advisable to seek help from others. Find a mentor with whom you can meet to gain industry knowledge and help you create a career plan. Also, utilize the services of career coaches and resume writers to get you ready for that first interview. Additionally, look into recruitment services; they often have visibility into open jobs, often before others. Take a look at current accounting and finance openings nearest you.

Prepare

Finally, practice your interviewing skills. Many employers will conduct several rounds of interviews, so it’s important to be prepared for any question that may come up along the way. Practice answering common questions aloud so you feel confident answering them in an interview setting. Make sure you’re efficient with researching each company — and find ways to tie your research back to your experience.

You’re not alone if you feel guilty and uncomfortable saying no at work. You may believe that others will dislike you, think you are entitled or not view you as a team player. And while those yeses can benefit us and those around us, they can also be detrimental to our overall careers. So, when we’re asked to complete tasks that seem unmanageable, unsuitable or inappropriate, we need to know how to say no. It is critical to set boundaries for yourself, especially in a professional setting.

How to Say No

Saying no may appear simple, but it is far more difficult in practice. To say no in the workplace, assess the situation and explain yourself honestly. Offer solutions to help others, and remember to refrain from coming off rude. Some advantages of being capable of saying no at work involve improved time management, reduced stress, setting boundaries for yourself and productivity gains. Even though you’re saying no, it’s essential to thank them for the opportunity. Explain your reasons for saying no calmly, or ask what other tasks you can delegate to make room for this. Because simply saying no without offering a solution may be perceived as unprofessional by some, you should always be prepared to present an alternative option.

When to Say No

Saying yes most of the time shows positivity and a willingness to participate, but sometimes saying no is appropriate. When a task is assigned to you at work that is outside your job description and could be completed by the person asking for it with ease, politely decline. It is essential to say no at work because it earns you respect. Saying no when you aren’t being paid to do something demonstrates your commitment to your role and the value of your time. There are occasions when you should push yourself, but some requests may be far beyond your capabilities. Also, consider if you have the resources and time to follow through on a request. It is simple to say yes, but do you have the capacity to complete the request to the greatest extent of your abilities? You never want to do something that requires only half the effort.

A significant portion of the workplace today is based on excellent teamwork. And we all want to be appreciated and respected by our coworkers. Saying no can feel like a betrayal of team values. However, there are a few key points to remember: Overexerting yourself causes burnout, which impacts both the individual and the company. You can prioritize your work by considering your goals, expertise and time constraints. Furthermore, being more effective and productive with a strong work ethic will benefit you and those around you. If you are constantly overloaded with work that interferes with your work and personal life, it is time to say no.

To learn more about how you can boost your career performance and goals, check out these work life hacks.

Going into a job interview uninformed is like going into a test unprepared — you’re setting yourself up for failure. But, a little bit of research can go a long way in helping you ace your next job interview. The key to a successful interview is twofold: doing your research and drawing connections. Here’s what you should know before your next job interview.

Start by researching the company

There are two reasons it’s important to research the company – inside and out – before your interview: 

1. It will help you understand if this company is aligned with your personal values
2. It shows the interviewer that you’re serious about this opportunity 

The good news? There are many easily accessible resources for you to start your research. Here are some ways to start gathering information.

1. Social Media: In today’s world, social media is a powerful research tool. LinkedIn and Glassdoor can be especially helpful in seeing what current employees are saying about the company. Here’s one way to make a connection from your social media research:
   • Example: “I was looking at the company’s Glassdoor profile and I saw that many employees appreciate the diversity of thought throughout the organization. That’s something that I highly value. In your opinion, how does the company maintain that value so well?” 
2. Company Websites and Industry News: Explore the company’s website and get to know their products or services. Read through their “About Us” page and see what their mission and values are. Additionally, stay up-to-date on industry news, especially if you’re interviewing for a position in a rapidly changing industry like finance. Our 2022 Q4 Accounting and Finance Employment Report will give you a good foundation of knowledge to draw from during your interview.
3. Review the Job Description: What experience is the company seeking? What kind of personality would fit well with the team? Use this information to prepare examples of times when you’ve excelled in similar situations. 

Connect it back to you

Think about what the interviewer is looking for in a candidate. Often, they need someone with the right resume, but ideally that person would also be highly passionate and excited about the company. That’s why it’s important to consider the company’s mission statement – does it resonate with you? Are there recent initiatives you can relate to on a personal level? Draw on those connections during your interview. In fact, tie these concepts into your interview answers. 

For example, “I saw that the organization’s mission is to continually serve the customer. I personally resonate with that mission, and during my last role, I had an opportunity to exceed the customer’s expectations.”

Also consider the company’s products or services: try to understand what sets them apart from their competitors. This can also lead to a great interview conversation.

Ultimately, conducting research before an interview will help you be more prepared for the interview, it will show that you’re excited about the opportunity and it will help you understand if the company is a good fit for what you’re looking for. For additional interview preparation, check out this article on acing behavioral interview questions.

There’s an ongoing discussion over what is more significant: job title or salary. After all, both are critical elements in one’s career development and trajectory. Title helps set the pace for your professional identity to further your career, and pay is vital to your everyday life. Before requesting a title change or a pay raise, remember that each has advantages and disadvantages. To make the best decision for your career, you must analyze the pros and cons of each option. Here are a few things to consider before making this decision.

Behind the Pay

Salary is an essential aspect of an employee’s job satisfaction since it directly influences an employee’s performance and incentive to work. Salary ranges at larger companies are typically established in advance. And if you reach the top of that range for your specific position, the only option to receive more money is to change your title. Start-ups and smaller organizations tend to hand out high-level titles, while the pay may not be as noteworthy unless the company is turning a profit. The salary you receive is a direct reflection of your market value. As a result, candidates with a higher salary but a lesser title can use that to earn a better title for future positions to advance their careers. On the other hand, a senior salary and a junior title may result in you undervaluing yourself on the job market.

Behind the Title

Job titles are important because words have great power. They provide us with the confidence and feeling of purpose we require to navigate through our professional lives. Getting a job with a high-level title can be difficult. These roles are sought-after because they can boost your résumé and position you for success in the future. Companies are aware of this and can use it to their advantage by combining a top rank with a low wage. Sometimes company recruiters get fixated on titles, and candidates that don’t have the right one can find it more challenging to get suitable roles. A good title may lead to greater opportunities, but only if the organization has a solid enough reputation that your position there can lead to a comparable job elsewhere. Just be sure your decision will assist you in achieving your long-term career goals.

The Most Value for You

People have diverse job objectives, and few strive to figure out what they want to achieve long-term. The first step in making this choice is to determine what your job role and pay mean to you. Making the proper decision might be tough at times, and sometimes we must do what is necessary. We advise you to keep your current position in mind and examine your circumstances to determine which of these two desires should take precedence. To learn more about salary information in your area, download our 2022 Salary Guide for accounting and finance professionals.