Category: Job Search & Career Advice

After landing a new job, the gears that once propelled you through the application and interview process start to shift. Now, you should be zeroing in on how to be successful in this new role.

The first 90 days of a new job are crucial for making a good impression. During this time, you need to be focused, productive, and take advantage of every opportunity to learn and grow. Here are some tips for conquering the first 90 days of a new job like a pro.

Define Your 90-Day Goals

When starting a new job, it’s important to establish some goals for the first 90 days. In fact, this exercise should be your top priority. The 90-day goals you set will act as your true north as you navigate this new position. 

Meet with your manager to understand what is expected of you, and then develop a list of what you’d like to expect of yourself. During this time, ask:

• How can I best deliver results/contribute to the team?
• How do I want to develop professionally during the first year, and what can I do during the first 90 days to set myself up for success?

Become a People-person

If first impressions are lasting impressions, as you meet new colleagues, ensure your first impression is a good one. In a virtual environment, this may seem harder than it previously was. That’s why being proactive is key. You may need to go out of your way to meet with new team members, even if just for 15 minutes, to introduce yourself and get to know them better. Hone in on the organizational chart, and learn who you can go to for what – this will help you traverse future projects.

As you meet with fellow teammates, be intentional about asking questions. Remember, the 90-day window serves as a grace period for questions — there are questions that you can ask during the first 90 days that may seem off-putting to ask after that 90-day period. So, not only should you be asking questions about how this new team operates, new terms that you might not be familiar with, or each colleagues’ work style, but be sure to take notes.

Lean into the Learning Curve

The first 90 days of a new job are exciting, but can also be overwhelming. Trying to memorize new names, new titles, new processes — all while trying to master your new role can prove to be a huge undertaking. In fact, data has shown that new employees only have a 25 percent productivity rate during the first month on the job. In fact, it’s not until after that 90 day period that a new employee reaches their full-productivity capacity. That’s why during the first 90 days it’s especially important to be patient with yourself. Listen, observe and absorb information. Once you pass the 90 day mark, then you can start to form opinions and begin implementing changes.

Read on about developing important soft skills to help you thrive in your new work environment.

When applying for jobs, many make a big mistake – they believe their resume only serves to outline their previous responsibilities. Truth is, it’s more than that. If your resume doesn’t show the value that you’ve brought to past employers, you’re missing the mark. In a sea of applications, stand out by including these value-adding achievements on your resume.

Highlight Ways You Increased Revenue or Reduced Spending

Generating revenue and cutting costs are key goals of every business. So ask yourself, what was your role in working towards those goals at your previous workplace? When it comes to increasing revenue, be specific. Be sure to include dollar signs and figures. The main point here is to connect the dots: If a project you worked on resulted in an increase in revenue, make note of that. After all, you were part of the team that made it happen.

Same goes for saving money. If you identified ways the company was overspending, highlight them on your resume. Calculate percentages that show the impact these changes had in reducing spending.

Here is an example from Zety.com of what this could look like for a financial analyst: “Saved [company name] X% by identifying [the exact number] of low-margin projects.”

Showcase Systems or Procedures You Introduced, Developed, Optimized or Implemented

The ability to identify and overcome current or potential problems is a valuable skill for any employer. What ways have you creatively tackled a problem at hand? Perhaps you found a way to simplify an overly complicated process, or maybe you identified a new system that will alleviate the team workload. These are things that add value to your employer, and should certainly be included on your resume.

But how can you quantify these examples? You can calculate hours saved or use numbers to show how the process was simplified.

Here is an example: “Implemented a new system that allowed two people to do the same amount of tasks that previously took four people.”

Include Awards You’ve Won

If you’ve won an award, it’s definitely worth noting on your resume. The value-add? It shows your future employer that they’d be getting the best in the business. And it looks good to their customers and future job seekers to know that the team is highly qualified.

Now that your resume is ready to go, check out these tips for acing behavioral interview questions.

If you’re in the market for a new job, you may find yourself preparing for behavioral interview questions. Including behavior-based questions is quickly becoming the standard in the interview process — and for good reason. By understanding how you handled situations in the past, hiring managers can get a better sense of how you may handle situations in the future. We’ll tell you what behavioral interview questions are, in addition to common behavioral questions and how to answer them.

What Do We Mean by “Behavioral Interview Questions?”

If you’ve been in an interview and heard the words, “Describe a time when,” or, “Give an example of,” then you’re likely familiar with the concept of behavioral interview questions. Unlike other interview questions that may be looking for answers that are more factual or informational, when interviewers ask behavior-based questions, they’re wanting to hear you tell a story of a previous experience. Sound intimidating? Well, it doesn’t have to be.

Key Behavioral Interview Questions to Prepare For

The hiring manager will likely tailor behavioral interview questions to the specific job you’re interviewing for. Read through the job description and think of potential behavioral questions and relevant examples from your previous experience.

Need some inspiration? We’ve scoured Glassdoor to find out what some of the top accounting firms are asking:

• • Ernst & Young (EY): Tell us about a time you stepped up as a leader.
  • Deloitte: Talk about a time when you felt the most collaborative.
  • PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC): Describe a time when you influenced someone senior to yourself. 
  • Klynveld Peat Marwick Goerdeler (KPMG): Give an example of a time when you failed and what you did to overcome that failure.

How to Answer Behavioral Questions

Regardless of what behavioral question is being asked, you can ensure a successful answer if you follow this formula: 

1. Explain the situation.
2. Detail how you handled it – be sure to alternate between “I” and “we” to balance how you come across as both a team player and a leader.
3. Emphasize the results of your actions.

Remember to focus on the positive side of the story. While some of the questions may be on the topic of past failures, highlight the lessons you learned from those experiences. 

Troubleshooting: If you find yourself telling a story where you responded to a situation that didn’t quite work out, it’s okay. The best recovery is to tell the interviewer how you would handle that situation with the knowledge you have today. That shows growth.

Are you nearing the end of the interview stage? Read this article to learn how to manage multiple job offers like a pro.

In this labor market, it’s not unusual for skilled candidates to juggle multiple job offers at once. A fortunate conundrum, yes — but still a challenge that professionals must learn to navigate.

We share our top tips to help you weigh each job offer, so you can identify the right opportunity for you and keep your professional integrity intact.

1. Get It in Writing

Oftentimes, employers or hiring managers verbally extend job offers as a way to gauge the prospective employee’s excitement for the role. Before you can officially make a decision, however, it’s important to get an estimate when the company will be providing an official offer in writing, so you can use it to compare — or negotiate — the terms with competing job offers.

2. Respond Positively to All Offers

Even if you’re waiting on an expected offer or need time to consider, you should still communicate your enthusiasm for the opportunity in a timely manner. There are several ways to properly handle this without having to immediately accept, such as expressing your appreciation for the opportunity and asking for time to properly review the letter. It’s also in your best interest to ask for a timeline of when they’d like a response by, so you can coordinate evaluating your other opportunities accordingly.

3. Review Your Options

This part can get complicated, as it requires you to fully examine your career aspirations and determine how each opportunity stacks up against those goal posts. You can develop your own system for comparing and contrasting job offers, but assessing the following key factors can be a great starting point: job title, core responsibilities, compensation and benefits, growth/training opportunities, company culture and work/life balance. Use this experience to either negotiate a better offer or to provide some clarity on what ultimately matters most to you in a career opportunity.

4. Act Promptly

No matter where you land in the decision-making process, it’s imperative you respond to all parties within their preferred timeline, and either accept or deny their job offer. Always be appreciative in your message and thank the hiring manager for their time and interest. You never know when another opportunity may arise, so you want to keep your working relationship positive and professional.

Are you looking for a new career opportunity? Submit your resume today to connect with one of our recruiters.

When you find yourself achieving all your goals, feeling ready to face new tasks and wanting to focus on new initiatives, it might be time to ask for a promotion. It can be a daunting process, but knowing when and how to make the request can make things easier — and certainly help your career.

Before approaching your manager, remember that you must first define your goals. Now is the moment to be your biggest supporter. Take some time to make a list of your most significant professional accomplishments in the last year. Use your three most notable achievements as the foundation of your case for a promotion. Once you have locked down why you deserve it, use the following steps to get prepared:

1. Avoid Being Vague About Your Value.

It’s natural for many of us to be modest. But there’s a significant difference between being modest and underselling yourself. Consider the fact that what seems ordinary to you could be extraordinary to someone else. There is no such thing as an insignificant achievement, so make a list of them.

2. Plan to Meet Face-to-Face.

Emailing your proposal does seem more convenient, but it can also be significantly riskier. This ask is undeniably a face-to-face discussion (whether virtual or live), and you should schedule it sooner than later. It may feel it’s easier to express things that you would generally be afraid to address in person via email, but you also miss out on opportunities when you forego a conversation in favor of digital communications.

3. Practice Asking.

Asking for a promotion is the type of discussion that should be rehearsed. Once you’re satisfied with your script, we recommend going over the conversation numerous times with friends or family. Practicing means being more comfortable talking about yourself and your talents, as well as proactively prepping for inquiries or even obstacles that may emerge. If you get nervous, remember that most of the negation work is done before you ever even ask.

4. Don’t Wait to Be Recognized.

The most obvious opportunity to inquire about a promotion is during your review. It is an established chance for you and your boss to evaluate how you’ve been doing and where your career is heading. However, you should not sit around and wait for the promotion to be delivered to you. Instead, take the initiative and begin talking to your manager as soon as possible. Of course, don’t expect them to be able to read your thoughts. If you want more responsibility, a more prominent role or believe you’ve proved increasing value to the business in your existing capacity, it’s critical that you speak up and let them know.

Browse our blog for more career advice and insider tips.

An accounting certification helps increase earning potential and qualify financial professionals for more opportunities. If you’re thinking about getting a certification, looking into some of the more common options will help you determine which one is right for you. In this article, we’ll go through four of the most popular accounting certificates, how to get them and how they benefit your career progression.

Of course, continuing education is an investment of both time and money — and your employer may be able to assist you in making a case for credentials. Each has its own set of school and work experience requirements, as well as concentrations on particular abilities. But knowing which one is best for you depends on your professional path, expertise, qualifications and financial means. Here are four of the most prevalent accounting certifications:

1. Certified Public Accountant

A CPA is the most prevalent accounting credential, and is necessary for many professions in the field. It tests your skills in risk management, taxation, forensic accounting and other essential accounting skills.

Prerequisites include five years of higher learning, a minimum of 150 continuing education credits in business and accounting and verifiable relevant experience. The CPA exam takes approximately a year to pass; exam and license criteria differ by state, but most state agencies demand one year of accounting experience before granting the license.

2. Certified Financial Analyst

A financial professional’s knowledge and talents in asset management, economics, professional ethics and investment analysis are verified by holding the CFA designation. The CFA Institute is the organization that sponsors the certification.

Prerequisites include a bachelor’s degree and four years of relevant experience. Total certification time can be completed in 18 months, but most people take over two years.

3. Certified Internal Auditor

For those wanting a job as an internal auditor, the CIA certification is the only globally accepted credential. It shows that you can work well with both internal and external clients. It also denotes risk and control, as well as information technology skills.

A bachelor’s degree is required in addition to two years of internal auditing experience. One year of experience can be replaced with a master’s degree. Certification can take anywhere from a year to 18 months.

4. Certified Management Accountant

The CMA validates capability in cost management, internal auditing skills, decision analysis and forecasting. The Institute of Management Accountants is the sponsor of the certification. A CMA exhibits comprehension of essential accounting and financial management abilities from an internal, managerial, or generalized standpoint. If you want to work for a major, international corporation, most accountants would secure their CPA and CMA certifications.

Candidates are required to have a bachelor’s degree and two consecutive years in financial management or management accounting. Time to certification is one to two years.

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