CPA_Practice_Advisor_June_2020 - 9

you can do to better prepare for
your interview and, ultimately,
secure your dream job.

SHELTER IN PLACE MEANS
YOU CAN KEEP LEARNING
Yes, you're a degree-toting scholar
who's up on all the latest accounting
software, but employers are always
looking for candidates who are committed to continual professional
development. What are some new
skills you can learn while you have
downtime? Are you prepared for the
nuances in corporate culture that
are learned on the job like reporting, process management and team
collaboration? Are you prepared to
exhibit all of those with confidence
in a remote-work setting? Some
candidates are deprioritizing
upskilling - but that's a mistake,
as doing so can help tip the scales
in your favor.
Here are a few ideas to take
charge of your own personal growth
while you wait for that call back.
* R e m ot e w ork c u lt u r e: M a ny
companies that are hiring have
transitioned to remote work. The
good thing about it is millennial and
Gen Z candidates have a reputation
for being very tech-savvy - but it
also comes with a cost. This could
be a big adjustment if you're the
kind of worker who thrives in social
atmospheres. For more introverted
individuals, on the other hand,
it may be the perfect recipe for
success. Research tips for remote
working culture and start practicing
them now. The more you expose
yourself to these potential challenges, the less intimidating they
will be when they arise on the job.
* Adaptabilit y: Ever y employee
reacts to change in the workplace
differently. Some employees have
difficulty dealing with changes,
while others create solutions to
adapt. Which one are you? Employers appreciate an employee who
is flexible to change, especially in

times of adversity. Learn new skills
that complement your accounting
degree, acquire certifications and
put them into practice by tapping
into your network and offering to
work for free for friends and family.
Use their feedback to further expand
your portfolio. Additionally, you
can pivot your core skills toward an
essential job, for instance, in finance
and banking positions. As we've seen
time and time again, change is the
only constant in today's post-digital
workplace.
* Ef fect ive t ime management :
Knowing how to organize your daily
priorities is crucial to any task you
take on - both in and outside of
work. If you can master this at home,
you'll see a great improvement to
your work-life balance, which in
tur n, can make you even more
productive at your job - especially in
a remote capacity. Attempt to master
prioritization and scheduling specific
tasks throughout the day. Solidify
your habits by practicing them as
a part of your day-to-day routine.
* Critical thinking: Critical-thinking
skills allow you to visualize and
solve problems, which is a form of
self-management under pressure.
Obtaining these skills can help
you see solutions to problems that
may not be immediately obvious
to everyone else. If you're not a
naturally analytical person, don't
fret, as it's a skill that can be taught.
This article will help you improve
your critical-thinking skills: https://
tinyurl.com/yagclo94.
* Effortless collaboration: Your ability
to work well with others could make
the difference between loving your
job and finding it frustrating and
unenjoyable. Keep an open line of
communication, and as you work
on expanding your portfolio, stay
plugged in with your clients using
the latest collaboration tools like
Google Hangouts or Zoom. This will
improve your ability to collaborate
in a digital environment.

75
PERCENT

of students with jobs
have already seen
them canceled,
delayed or shifted to
remote work.
BE PREPARED FOR TOUGH
QUESTIONS DURING
VIRTUAL INTERVIEWS
Years of schooling led to this very
moment: an interview for your
dream job. However, when it comes
to connecting with a prospective
employer, many people end up
freezing. Fifty percent of Americans
say they've done a job interview
that they felt completely unprepared for. After all, poor preparation and out-of-control nerves can
be a tough combination. But if you
prepare ahead of time, you can
avoid wasting all those years you
spent training and crunching for
exams. Here's a list of some of the
most commonly asked interview
questions to get familiar with before
your next interview.
* What a r e you r st r eng t h s /
weaknesses?
* Why should I hire you, what value
will you bring to the company?
* Tell me about yourself, what soft
skills make you a good employee?
* Why do you want to work here?
* How do you handle tight deadlines?
Thinking through questions like
these ahead of time can calm your
nerves and prevent you from getting
caught by surprise. Practice your
answers with a friend so you can
sharpen your responses. Rehearsing
your answers in advance also helps
you build up a mental reservoir of
past examples to pull from during

JUNE 2020 ■

the interview. The more you prepare
and practice, the less likely you'll
be to panic when asked a tough
question.
Another factor to consider here
is the virtual setup. Make sure to log
in at least ten minutes ahead of time
to ensure you have a steady internet
connection and resolve any technical issues before the call. This will
make you appear serious, engaged
and excited for the opportunity.
Also, try to have good lighting,
wear presentable clothing and limit
distractions as much as possible.
As states begin to reopen,
businesses across virtually every
industry will begin bringing their
workforces back to work. When
searching for accounting roles, read
through the job descriptions and
be honest with yourself - do you
meet all the necessary criteria or is
there room for improvement? This
will help you determine where you
can start when it comes to refining
your skillset. Another great way
to land your dream job is to work
with a staffing firm that specializes
in accounting to help match your
strengths to a position best-suited
for you. By doing your homework
ahead of time, you allow potential
employers to see you at your best,
both in-person and virtually. In the
words of Bobby Unser, "success is
where preparation and opportunity
meet." Best of luck, graduates! ■
As Group President, Randstad Professionals, Randstad Life Sciences
and Tatum, Jodi Chavez
oversees the field organization and provides strategic
direction for Randstad
Life Sciences, Randstad
Professionals and Tatum.
With more than 20 years'
experience in the staffing industry, Jodi's
entrepreneurial drive and strong business
acumen have enabled her to consistently
increase revenues, grow profits and deliver ROI.

www.CPAPracticeAdvisor.com

http://www.tinyurl.com/yagclo94 http://www.CPAPracticeAdvisor.com

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