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Job Search Tips and Advice
50+ Applicant & Entry Level Jobs
Conducting a Finance Job Search
Entry Level Resume Techniques
Interviewing For Your Accounting Job
Search for Accountant Jobs
50+ Applicant & Entry Level Jobs
With many 50+ aged workers re-entering the accounting and finance fields, there are a multitude of entry level accounting positions being filled by them. Some may have a lot of prior experience, but none done recently. If a worker hasn’t been in the field for a while, how do they handle themselves? Here are some tips:
Resume preparation is the most important since it is the main way to get noticed. Here are some rules to follow:
Keep your resume to no more than two pages. Potential employers do not want to read a book disguised as a resume. They usually scan resumes, and the more you can express in fewer words, the better.
Update your resume. Do not have dates older than 10 years on them. No one likes getting a resume that has not been updated since 1980.
List your accomplishments. If you helped the local Girl Scout troop increase their cookie sales by 35%, state that. Your stated accomplishments need to be somehow related to your applied job, though. No one will care that you won the backgammon tournament at your local Rotary.
Include a Skills & Qualifications Section. Place this section under your Objective statement. Bullet point your items here. *Increased local Girl Scout troop cookie revenue by 35%.
Read industry publications. Keep abreast of industry changes and how they affect the position you are applying for. This shows initiative.
Network. By communicating with other 50+ re-entering the workplace, you will feel better.
Being a 50+ entry-level accounting person is something you need to be proud of. Good luck to you!
Conducting a Finance Job Search
There are a variety of ways to obtain a job in the finance field. Other than having a current resume on hand and reading each finance job listing that seems like a good fit, these are listed in no particular order.
In order to find a job in the finance industry, applicants must first prepare a resume highlighting their skills, education, and work experience. Always have a current resume available, even when not seeking a new position.
Apply online to businesses seeking applicants for finance positions you are qualified for. Many businesses now prefer online application submission versus snail mail. Be sure to also prepare a competent cover letter explaining why you are the person for the position.
Network with other professionals. Network with nonprofessionals. Do this both online and offline. Join local chapters of professional organizations, volunteer for causes you believe in (you never know who you are going to meet).
Read trade journals. Read the classifieds. If any positions sound interesting, send off a cover letter and resume.
Read the classified section of local newspapers. Apply for interesting finance positions. Even if the qualifications are not exactly what you have, apply.
Staffing agencies like AccountPros specialize in placing financial professionals. With national expertise in accounting and finance, AccountPros can conduct a finance job search on your behalf.
Read the Wall Street Journal. Besides having a variety of available finance positions described, it is a wealth of information about business happenings. That leads us to...Stay current with industry happenings.
Entry Level Resume Techniques
Searching for jobs in accounting without prior experience can prove to be difficult. Resumes for entry level accounting job applicants differ from resumes for higher level accounting applicants. The difference lies mainly in rearranging and highlighting various areas. Here are some suggestions to obtain the greatest results with your entry level accounting resume.
Skills & Qualification - Highlight your skills and put this area near the top of your resume. Let your potential employer know about your great keyboard skills, your ability to organize, your receiving the highest test scores – whatever your unique skills and/or accomplishments are – put them in this section. Use bullet points for highlight. Do not put all your skills into one long paragraph. Things have a tendency to run together.
Internships - If you have interned anywhere, state this along with the position title and date. Describe what you did and what you accomplished for the entity (or organization). If you have volunteered anywhere (in a related field as your applied job), state what you did, when, and what you accomplished. Many internships lead into full-time employment.
Volunteer work - If you have volunteered anywhere (in a related field as your applied job), state what you did, when, and what you accomplished. Some applicants have volunteered working in the administrative office and maintained company records, maintained membership records, etc. This experience can be used to your advanced. Let your potential employer know about it. Potential employers can get a sense about your attitude, drive, and desire to succeed from this section.
Remain positive – State only the positive side of everything on your resume. Never use negative language. Do not highlight the downside of anything.
Use action-oriented words – Do not word your resume in a humdrum, boring manner. Let it spark your readers interest.
Whatever your accomplishments and background, you have unique experiences to bring to your entry level resume and potential employer. Let them know about it with confidence. Good luck!
Interviewing For Your Accounting Job
The interview process is a two-way street. The company wants to know if you will be a good fit with the company values, attitude, and qualifications needed. The interviewee (applicant) wants to know if the company will be a good match with their values and qualifications. The only way to make the most of the interview process is to be prepared to ask and answer questions.
Be prepared with questions of your own. Research the company in advance to prepare your own list of questions. Take this list of questions with you to the interview. Conducting research involves both prior to and during the interview.
Prior to the interview:
Read the company’s annual report. Understand this report. This contains a wealth of information to prepare you for the interview. Perform some ratio analysis for your own benefit. If done correctly, this will reveal important information about the company.
If the company is publicly traded, research the stock information and notice trends. How many shares of traded? What is the stock price? Have there been any noticeable fluctuations in the stock value? Why? Any recent stock options offered? Any stock splits? By being prepared with stock research, you will gain insight into the company. Having your questions answered to your satisfaction will also give you satisfaction of the company’s competency and honesty.
Read about company news. Keep abreast on what is happening with the company. Any new products or services offered recently? Any personnel changes such as new positions added? Many times company public news can include executive turnover. This is important to know. There are underlying reasons behind this trend. You need to be aware of this before accepting or rejecting a new position.
Prepare your reference list. Have at least three references available. To be safe, have two references be work-related. One reference will be a personal reference. Check with your references beforehand for inclusion onto your list. Include name, title, and phone number.
Research during the interview:
Ask about your superior’s method of management. You need to find out if the person believes in a closed-door policy or open-door policy. This means, can employees feel comfortable knowing they can approach the superior without making an appointment (“open door policy”)? Or, do they need to schedule an appointment to speak with their supervisor (“closed door policy”)?
Be observant to the office culture and worker’s personalities. Is the office one exhibiting quietness or is the atmosphere one of throwing paper planes while yelling across cubicles? (Don’t laugh...this happens in some administrative offices.) Is the office well lit and clean? Notice the dress code. Is it to your liking?
Listen to what is said about your potential position. Is there a history of high turnover? Why is the position open? Ask if you are not told. High turnover signifies something is wrong. Is the job description to your liking? Is there a chance for advancement? What is the review process? What is the salary range? Is travel involved? If so, how much? Is overtime mentioned? If not, find out. Ask diplomatically what the average hours are for this position.
Notice the interviewer’s demeanor. Would you like to work with someone like this? Do they seem easy to talk with? Are you comfortable (as can be during an interview)? Are they making good eye contact? Do they speak clearly and in non- demeaning terms? This section is important since the interviewer is a reflection of the company.
Ask about the company benefits, and its future plans. Listen to what is said. Do you like it?
Ask about findings from your ratio analysis. How are these questions answered? To your satisfaction? Why, or why not?
Search For Accountant Jobs
Searching for employment in the accounting and finance fields is time consuming and challenging but there are a variety of avenues to pursue for your ultimate success. One of the best ways to begin your career search and land an accountant job is by becoming involved with a professional staffing company like AccountPros. With nearly 20 years experience in helping candidates land the ideal position, AccountPros’ is a highly reputable staffing agency. Professional staffing companies have made life easier for many job candidates/seekers by providing candidates during their career search with:
- Industry expertise in accounting and finance
- Access to America’s top employers
- Recruiters have insiders’ perspectives
You can also leverage your own job employment opportunities. First on the list: network, network, network. This particular method of finding new opportunities cannot be emphasized enough. Talk to people you meet about your career search. Join local business networking groups – most towns have them. Join social networking groups like the Association of Business Women or Business and Professional Women. Both are national organizations that help members succeed and prosper both personally and professionally. Another important networking option involves professional organizations. This includes the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA), and the AICPA (American Institute of Certified Public Accountants). Whatever your professional specialty, check into being a member of its organization.
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