Are You Getting Noticed? How to Stand Out in Your Job Search

Landing a job interview requires more than just a top-notch cover letter and resume. Your skills, experience, and qualifications likely align with other in-demand candidates.

This is why you need to add something that makes you stand out to hiring managers. They want to see how your contributions and results differ from other candidates’ contributions and results. Showing the unique value, you can offer a company increases your odds of being contacted for an interview.

Implement these tips to help secure your next accounting and finance interview.

Include a Pain Point Letter with Your Resume

Rather than a cover letter, submit with your resume a letter discussing a company pain point you noticed. Include a challenge the organization is facing and how you would solve it if you were hired. This shows you understand the company and are able to add value to it. Hiring managers appreciate candidates who are proactive problem-solvers.

Share Your Professional Portfolio

Create an online portfolio of your professional qualifications and work examples to submit with your resume. This may include a copy of your resume, transcripts, reference letters, or copies of your licenses or certifications. You also may want to add financial statements, variance reports, or financial analyses you created. Make sure your work examples tie in with the highlighted items from previous job postings you applied to. Change the numbers to avoid sharing confidential information.

Consider using information specific to the company you’re interviewing with to create financial documents. For instance, if the business is publicly traded, analyze the online financial statements to create different financial ratios and analyses. Then, use the information to prepare recommendations for the company. This may include paying down debt, reducing inventory, or increasing collection efforts. This shows proactive investment in the company’s success.

Secure an Employee Referral

Find out whether you know an employee at the company you want to work for. If you do, talk with them about referring you to the hiring manager. Include how your skills, experience, and qualifications make you well-suited for the role. Provide your resume as well. You’re more likely to land an interview with a referral than without one.

Partner with a Recruiter

Listing your skills, experience, and qualifications in your cover letter and resume likely isn’t enough to land an interview. You need to show how you stand out from the other candidates and can provide unique value to the organization. Submitting a pain point letter with your resume, sharing your online portfolio, or securing an employee referral can help.

You also can partner with a recruiter from Casey Accounting & Finance Resources to increase your odds of landing an interview. Contact a recruiter or submit your resume today.

Should I Accept an Interview Even if I’m Not Looking for a New Job?

Perhaps you have a quick commute, the most amazing boss ever, and absolutely love the work you do. Because you are happy with how your job is going, you may not want to even consider changing. Even so, remain open to the possibility of an even better opportunity coming your way. You will not know what might be unless you accept an interview even if you are not looking for a job. Here are some hidden benefits you could uncover.  

Expand Your Network 

The more interviews you accept, the greater your network expands. Having meaningful conversations with employers, recruiters and industry leaders means gaining access to one-on-one time you may not have received through a networking event or other circumstances. You gain the professional’s undivided attention as you discuss your job, employer, goals and the market. Even if you do not end up working for the company, by connecting with the individuals on LinkedIn and cultivating relationships, you set yourself up for future opportunities. 

Enhance Your Interview Skills 

Even an interview for a job that does not interest you provides practice for future interviews. Taking part in a variety of settings with different personalities and questions provides valuable exposure to help prepare meet with the company you want. Putting your extensive practice time into a real interview lets you test out your answers and figure out how to improve your performance. You are able to take inventory of what you do each day, what you have accomplished in your role, and what you would like to do next  

Gain Insider Information 

Every interview you participate in provides insider information on what employers are looking for. By focusing on the specific questions asked about your background and skills, you gain a sense of what is most important and what to talk about. Similarly, if an interviewer is confused by a specific part of your resume, you can update that section before sending it out. Plus, you learn information about how the company does things, such as what systems the team uses or how they have been dealing with recent changes in the field, you may be able to take back to your current role.   

Find Your Dream Job 

Going to an interview may lead to your dream job. Perhaps the office is gorgeous, the colleagues amazing, and the vibe just what you are looking for. Even if the job description sounds less than thrilling, you may be able to perform work you love with a brilliant, fun-loving team. Or, even if the pay is not what you would like, you may able to give back to the community by working with a nonprofit organization.   

Find Accounting or Finance Work in Chicago  

Find work in Chicago with help from Casey Accounting & Finance Resources. Our seasoned recruiters can help you find the accounting or finance job of your dreams!