Have you heard about the CPA Recruiting process changing? Well its true and its happening right before your very eyes. Ironically, this is indicative of the only constant in the accounting field and that is….CHANGE!
No sense in reminiscing about how things used to be with CPA Recruiting! We now have a NEW NORMAL that is evolving right while you read this very BLOG. Here are 10 things you need to consider to prepare for both the known and unknown aspects of CPA Recruiting over the next several months during your academic journey.
1. Know The Firms And Their Processes
You will often hear people say, “All the firms are the same!” Don’t believe it! They truly do vary in the way they talk about themselves, their clients, their values, their services lines, their community involvement, their mentoring process and more than ever before…their hiring and on-boarding process.
The onus rests squarely on each student to begin the process of researching the nuances of each firm and incorporating that into your approach to pursuing them for an employment opportunity. There are several ways to do this including networking, Google, information interviews, business media, LinkedIn profiles of both companies and individual firm staff and of course their social media platforms.
2. Prepare Your Personal Brand
Your brand is a combination of what is displayed when you present yourself in person, online or on paper. Preparing a consistent presentation of your personal story, strengths, relevant skills, successes and passion for your new career path all represent your personal brand. Devising what your message will be and exercising your due diligence to make sure your branding is consistent on all fronts is an intentional act that will raise your professionalism to new levels. Reviewers and recruiters are truly impacted when they seei written documents that are formatted consistently, a business card that displays the same quality and the voice and tone within written documents that match what was displayed in person.
3. Attend As Many Events As You Are Able To
Every individual has to decide how many events they will attend without sacrificing other very important things. Maintaining academic strength and financing your education are worthy reasons to say, “No” to any event. However, you will need to say, “Yes” enough times to begin creating, building and maintaining relationships in your new field and with the firms you may one day work for. Relationships produce many benefits and “fit” is determined largely by the connections we make. Be sure to go to events with others and learn how to join a circle of people talking to a firm rep , learn to insert your input professionally and get and give business cards as you are able. Learn the skills of event networking and watch your sphere of knowledge and influence grow into something that brings your career dreams to life.
4. Perform Effective Follow Up
Rapid is best when it comes to follow up but quality must also be part of the effort or the proper investment in your career success could be less that necessary. A well-written and timely email, LinkedIn Message or thank you card all display good client interaction skills and make a secondary impact following every event when done well. Every person that helps along the way is deserving of some form of thank you and is valuable enough to make every effort to follow up directly after connections are made. Network contacts, references, interviewers and people that gave referrals should all be connected with following an initial point off contact.
5. Construct A Professional Resume
The written form of YOU will either precede your contact with any firm rep or will follow after connections have been made. Each section of the resume is of utmost importance and must be able to display your strength under each heading. Formatting, margins, font size, text placement are all important areas to be considered for optimum visual impact. The order of the sections should display the best of what you are presenting to them from most valuable to least. For DAP students, the usual order begins with a profile and is followed next by the education section which is ‘new and fresh’ and a great part of your preparation for your new career field. Be sure to review resume samples on the Sauder Career Success Cycle Step 4 and use these as templates to create your documents. Your bullets under each role you have played are where the value truly lies. Where you were, what you did and the results should be displayed in each bullet using the best self marketing words you can muster. Always remember, “Past Performance = Future Behaviour!”
6. Create A Compelling Story For Cover Letters and Online Questionnaires
Differentiating yourself is done best here. The cover letter or online version of your story gives you an opportunity to connect the best of you with what the firms value most. A strong start, a solid main body and a closing that leaves a lasting impression are some critical components of a great cover letter. Referencing specific people, events and words that inspired you will add value to your story, skills and experience. This is your place to show them how you fit, have made connections with their people, match their posting and display your knowledge of the firm. The impact of a specific well written cover can not be understated, They just simply receive more invitations to interview.
7. Assemble Well-Prepared Application for Review
A successful application begins with doing exactly what each firm wants. Ensure you know what each firm requires of their candidates and follow their process explicitly. Again, research will help you prove that you truly know each firm and will bring greater returns for all your hard work.
An application form, resume, cover letter and transcripts in PDF format will make up your application for most firms but you must remain aware of the variations of what each firm wants and when each item should be submitted.
Often firms receive the largest percentage of applications in the final hours of the final day and they would prefer it otherwise. Keep in mind the closing date is not when the application is due but rather the last moment one can be submitted.
8. Understand And Practice Online Career Assessments
As the market continues to move toward technical and behavioural assessments, it will be important for you to understand what they are and how to perform well if and when the time arises. Online research can be one of the best forms to prepare by locating practice tests, case questions and technical assessments.
9. Devise Your Interview Answers
Whatever format you choose to deliver your answers with, it will be important to speak to each core competency of accounting and to demonstrate where you best modelled that skill with results. Preparation for behavioural answers, open-ended answers, Tell me about yourself , and value based answers will make you ready for any approach the firms may choose to employ. The firms are quite interested in “where” you were, “how you responded to the objective” and “what happened” as a result. Of course, no interview will be without an opportunity for you to ask questions. Here you can again display your knowledge of the firm and show your desire to make a difference when your feet hit the ground.
10. Entertain Offers
In the past, employment opportunities arose for students largely during the month of September. Now in the “new normal” they will simply arise at the will of each firm in relation to what works best for their own needs, addesses what they desire and what their business model determines. Even though, you may receive multiples offers, or possibly would have, you should keep in mind that saying no to one offer in hopes of receiving another is VERY risky. Each student is going to have to pursue the firm of their dreams with an understanding that they may quite happily accept an offer from a different firm. This part of the process is never easy and often requires a discussion with a coach to examine the specifics of each situation.
On a final note, be sure to attend each campus career preparation worksop to learn further details concerning each of the points above. Consistent effort and quality will result in the best practices you can model producing results for you now and/or in the future.
Good luck!
Russell
Russell Garrett is the Owner of Protocol Business Solutions, a Certified Career Consultant and your DAP Career Coach. Russell will be delivering the Career Workshops throughout the summer in partnership with the Business Career Centre as well as events for DAP student only. He will be on campus throughout the summer and fall preparing students for CPA Recruiting, In-person coaching opportunities can be booked through COOL and Russell is also available to DAP students for online coaching appointments set up through email.
Contact Russell at dapcareersupport@sauder.ubc.ca.