Category: Job Search & Career Advice

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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It’s time to jailbreak your job search. Cut the time, unanswered leads and barrage of resume send-outs with the addition of a key player who knows the process like their career depends on it. Because, well, it does.

Enter: the recruiter.

They can help simplify the job hunt process and get you noticed by the right people — all while providing personal support along the way.

1. Recruiters have established relationships with employers.

A strong professional network and landing the perfect career opportunity go hand-in-hand. Why not get a boost on the competition by leveraging a recruiter’s lengthy list of established relationships to your advantage? “We’re very well connected,” Century Group explains. “We know who to put the resume in front of, even if we haven’t worked directly with them.”

2. Recruiters streamline the job search process.

One of the biggest complaints job seekers have about finding a new job is the time — a luxury most people don’t have. That’s where the recruiter comes in. “We’re doing the work,” Century Group says. “At zero cost to you, we’re managing the entire process and scheduling multiple interviews with different companies on your behalf.”

3. Recruiters bring a personal touch with support and coaching.

A recruiter’s role is two-fold: supportive cheerleader and unflinching realist. It’s in their best interest to make your best interests a priority — even if that means giving you honest feedback and coaching during the job search and interview processes. From resume revisions to helping compose a memorable thank-you note, a recruiter will partner with you to find the right job that meets your individual qualifications and needs.

4. Recruiters give you access to exclusive positions.

Remember that insider’s knowledge that comes with the territory? Recruiters not only have their finger on the hidden job market, but can share valuable information about the company you’re interviewing with. “We also have the ability to market your background to companies that aren’t necessarily hiring and get you an interview,” Century Group adds. “We can get candidates into the positions they want.”

5. Recruiters add you to their talent network.

When you’re in, you’re in. Recruiting firms keep an up-to-date log of candidates they’ve worked with in the past, and use their respective tracking systems to match skill sets to positions. This allows recruiters to keep you in mind for new opportunities throughout your career. And when you’re ready to make a move, there’s already someone in place to help you in your search.

Submit your resume and connect with one of our recruiters today!

To some, the most important element in a job is how much money they make. Others are more interested in what they get in addition to the money, such as good benefits, training and opportunities to learn new skills. The truth is that both salary and perks matter when evaluating a job offer or potential career move.

What is most important to you in a job offer or potential career?

In order to decide which factors of a compensation package are most important for you, consider your current salary vs. the salary being offered, the type of work environment you’re looking for, and what additional benefits are offered in the compensation package. 

It’s important not only to consider these things before accepting an offer, but also be sure your future employer knows what is most meaningful to you so there aren’t any surprises down the road.

The amount an individual is compensated for their work can have a direct impact on how much effort they devote to their career. That’s why it’s no surprise a study done by Achievers found 52% of employees are either actively looking or would consider leaving their company because of compensation. 

So what exactly is compensation? Compensation can be broken into three key factors. To determine which factor is most important to you, consider how each will affect your life:

• Salary: The salary offered by an employer typically acts as the employee’s main source of income. This includes the monetary value you’re willing to work during normal business hours in addition to any overtime rates, if applicable.
• Benefits: The benefits structure is an important factor that often varies widely depending on company culture and performance. Benefits are defined as indirect compensation beyond your determined salary and annual raise. Some traditional benefits to ask your potential employer about are insurance (both health and life), paid time off, training or educational opportunities, childcare, remote-work stipends, workout resources, on-site snacks or meals or additional workplace perks.
• Promotions: One element of the compensation package that many overlook is the opportunity to be promoted within the company. In some cases, it may be worth accepting a slightly lower-than-anticipated initial salary if there is an opportunity to quickly advance in the company.

How does this compensation package shape up compared to industry standards?

Three words: research, research, research. Determine the cross-section of your worth and current, local industry standards when considering your compensation package. Make a list of what skills you could be bringing to this position including your experience, training and education. Then, find out what is common for someone with your level of expertise to be compensated. Lastly, ask yourself if that salary range and benefit package level would satisfy your willingness to excel at this job. If not, this last question is for you.

Have you brushed up on your negotiation skills?

Knowing what you want out of a job is just the beginning — you need to know how to ask for it. There are three key components to successfully negotiating your compensation package: know your worth, stick to your number and back it up with stats. Learn how to negotiate your salary with ease by reading our Best Practices to Negotiate Your Salary.

You did it! You aced the first interview in the hiring process. Now that you know more about the company and what they do, it is time for round two. The first interview likely gave you a general introduction to the company and the role; it also served as a brief opportunity for the company to get to know you better.

The second job interview will likely take a deep dive into your previous work experience and allow you to demonstrate your knowledge and preparedness for the role. But don’t let going to a second round of interviews sound intimidating. Here are four helpful tips on how to ace your second interview with confidence.

1. Prepare Answers to Situational Questions

During the second round of interviews, you might encounter the age-old “what would you do” type of questions. These questions provide interviewers a chance to see how you react in certain scenarios. In order to have confidence in situational questions, you need to prepare. After all, a second job interview is only as intimidating as the questions being asked. Deftly answering situational questions will show interviewers that you are capable of succeeding in the role and is an excellent opportunity to highlight your strengths or skill sets.

2. Be Confident and Keep Your Responses Professional (and Honest)

Be confident, polite and friendly when answering questions or completing tasks in front of interviewers. Remember, the company wants you to succeed. If needed, ask clarifying questions. Honesty throughout the interview process is paramount –  if you don’t know the answer to a question, it’s always better to admit that than make up an answer.

3. Ask Questions About the Company

Remember, the interview process is twofold: it allows the company to get to know you, and vice versa. During the second job interview, ask intentional questions that will help you determine if this position is a good fit. Questions such as  “What are the company’s current goals?” and “How has the company evolved over time?” will give you a better understanding of what it might be like to work there.

*Also, don’t forget that answers from past interviews may lead to questions for this interview! Be sure to review your notes from the first interview and think of relevant questions.

4. Arrive Early

Arriving early to the second job interview shows that you are taking this opportunity seriously. Upon arrival, take a moment to collect yourself: inhale deeply and be reminded of all the preparation you’ve done to get to this moment. Arriving early holds true for virtual interviews as well. Doing so will allow enough time to ensure your technology is properly working.

Has your job interview gone virtual due to COVID-19? Here are more tips for a successful video interview.

As the job market tightens, skilled candidates are once again in high demand — and back in the decision-making seat.

Use this as an opportunity to find the best job match for you. A resourceful way to do this? Informational interviews. A riff on the traditional job interview, these meetings put you in the interrogator position—allowing you to get real insight into a role, company, industry and more. We share 5 reasons informational interviews are key to your job search strategy, and how to best approach the process.

Connect with People Doing the Work

Once you know the industry, role or career you’re interested in exploring, don’t be afraid to reach out to your professional network, friends, family or acquaintances to find an appropriate contact. Using a warm connection often makes this task easier, but LinkedIn or general company searches can also yield favorable results. The goal is to engage someone who has actual professional knowledge in the field or position, so you can gather thoughtful intel you couldn’t learn from a simple Google inquiry.

Interview without the Pressure

Oftentimes, the stress of a formal job interview prevents candidates from asking the important questions to help them understand if a career opportunity is right for them. For informational meetings, you have complete control and can steer the conversation to cover the topics most relevant to you. Touching on areas like salary, benefits and other pertinent queries considered taboo during the initial job interview are fair game.

Build New Relationships

People can sense when someone is being disingenuous. Go into this process with the intention of learning — and that’s it. A real job interview may come down the road, but focus on the information exploration. Make sure to continue nurturing your new connection beyond the initial conversation, as it’s always beneficial to grow your professional network.

Develop Your Interview Skills

View these meetings as an opportunity to sharpen your interviewing skills. It’s important to remain professional and go into the informational interview prepared and considerate of the other person’s time. Know the name of the person you’re speaking with, as well as some basic information about their title and job history. It’s also good practice to have a road map of the questions and topics you’d like to cover to help guide the conversation and the get the most from the experience.

Ask the Right Questions

Part of your interview prep should always include research — and this is no different. Be thoughtful of the type of questions you want answered. Try to go beyond what can be found online, such as detailed descriptions of the individual’s day-to-day duties, career path and ask for any advice or tips they can share. You can be as specific or as broad as you’d like, since this is your informational interview. Keep a detailed account or notes on file, so you can build an outline and refer to it as you continue your job search.

Are you open to new career opportunities? Connect with one of our seasoned recruiters!