How to Dress at Accounting Career Fairs

Males Wear a suit and tie. Make sure the suit fits and my personal recommendation on the tie, is a Windsor knot (check out the video below). I’d also recommend not dressing like the next Gordon Gecko (if you don’t know the reference, Google it and watch the movie, not the one with Shia Lebouf). Basically, nothing too flashy. Also, don’t wear a backpack! It is tacky and makes you look like you are back in high school. [fve]http://youtu.be/ZQQr09Ja1zY[/fve]

How to Prepare

Research Most career fairs at universities have a website where you can find the companies that are attending. This is a REQUIREMENT if you’re going to the career fair. You need to make sure you’re prioritizing the firms you want to see before you arrive. Many companies will have a 30-40-80 person line, and if that’s your top choice, you don’t want to show up in the last hour. You also need to check out the website of the company you’re looking for. Look for them in media publications such as goingconcern.com (above). Find out what charities they’re involved in, major clients they serve in your area, and what type of programs they offer for someone like you (training, tours in other countries, summer leadership programs, etc). This can make great conversation starters if there is something you’re curious about and will show you did your research.

Clothing Make sure your clothes are ironed and ready the day before. You can’t get dry cleaning done the same day as the career fair, most places close around 6:00 pm. If you’re worried about your look, ask a couple of friends or even send us a picture at Andrew@thebeancounter.org. You don’t want to walk in with something that doesn’t fit, is outdated, sloppy, and doesn’t match.

Buy on Amazon

Be sure it’s polished before you show up. Try and print on some special paper to make it stand out a little bit. There should be no spelling errors and it should be consistent all the way through. Print 50 copies of your resume before you attend and make sure the paper is unique. See the amazon link to the right where you can buy weighted paper to give your resume that extra pop. There are so many things to consider on your resume and look out for future resume podcasts. If you’d like to check out our resume services, head to our Resume webpage.

Detailed Portfolio No need for the career fair as you won’t have enough time to go through it. Let’s save it for the interview!

Cover Letter Consider it if a specific company required it, however, that is very rare for a career fair.  Save the cover letter for online resume submissions and just go for the one-page resume. If you would like more information regarding cover letter services, check out our Cover Letter web page.

Business Cards Business cards will only make you more of what you already are. If you’re disorganized, poorly dressed, poorly presented, and your picture is on the business card, that thing will be scanned and sent to the whole office before you get to bed. However, if you’re clean, polished, fresh, it can really help you stand out.

Elevator Speech You need to make sure that when you walk into the career fair, and you make eye contact with that first person, you’re ready to smile, and calmly and confidently walk up to them and start chatting: “Hi, how are you? I’m happy to meet you as I wanted to make sure I talk to as many people as I can from “X company”. I was checking out your website and saw that you are one of the companies that offers summer leadership adventures and want to talk to someone about what the experience is like, and what I need to do to apply?” If you’d like to check out our elevator speech coaching, Head to our Coaching  webpage. Then, they may ask for your resume and you’ll exchange pleasantries. Maybe they are a school alumni and you lived in the same dorm, were part of the same fraternity, or had a common professor. Be calm, playful, make eye contact and as I always say, be Enthusiastic, Curious, and don’t be Weird!

Looking for more?

Check out Get Hired By Big 4 Accounting Firms with a podcast and eBook for the career fair! We also have a 5 part interview series, interviews with recruiters who share exactly what you need to know, and 5 resume templates which you can use that I have handcrafted and are proven to work!

The post Comprehensive Guide to Accounting Career Fairs appeared first on The Bean Counter.

Click here for the short version of 42-page “The Interview” eBook or the full version.

“Office Visits”

Before we get into the exact accounting interview questions they’ll ask, as I mentioned in the podcast, the office visit isn’t what I originally thought it was when I first started in accounting. When I heard “office visit” I thought, Nice! I’ll get to walk around the office, see the place, see what they do, and they’ll tell me a little bit about the company. Just like when I did that group office visit with that business organization I am in.

WRONG!

This is an interview and a brutal one at that. It lasts almost 24 hours and if you’re not ready for this knock-down, drag-out battle then you may have your resume pulled right out of the pile.

Pre-Interview Social

Typically with office interviews there is a social, or meet and greet, the night before you go into the office. I must stress: THIS IS PART OF THE INTERVIEW. Don’t take this lightly and make sure you’re on your “A” game. Dress is usually more casual than a suit and tie, but make sure you reach out before to determine the setting, dress, location, and time the event begins.

Hotel

If you’re from another city, or live far away from the office, the company will arrange a hotel room for you. Make sure you’re treating this as a business trip–no raging parties in the hotel restaurant ;-). I would also recommend against making an all-night event with the other interviewees as I have seen that go wrong a few times. Remember, they are your competition.

APPLY: Find the CPA Exam Requirements By State and Apply

The Day of the Office Visit

Be prepared for at least three interviews as that is how a typical office visit goes. You may also be waiting around for 15 minutes to an hour beforehand where you need to be ready to mix and mingle with HR without showing signs that you’re rattled.

Now the interviews. The company will generally have you meet with manager level employees and above, usually a few partners. The interviews can last 30 minutes to an hour. Some interviewers will drill you on the checklist of questions and take it very seriously. Others may sit back and just want to “shoot the shit” for an hour. Either way, you need to be prepared. If you’ve brought a portfolio/resume and want to show it off to the interviewers, be ready to pivot and just have a conversation if a partner doesn’t seem interested. Try to get a sense of how it’s going during the interview. Watch the interviewers’ facial expressions and gestures, like if they look at their watches. If you’re seeing negative signs, try to change the subject or bring up the enthusiasm a little bit.

Lunch

The interview is not over at lunch, I repeat, it’s NOT over! A good friend of mine had a 100% chance of landing a job–he built many relationships at the company, did great in the interviews, and had all of the necessary qualifications, but he imploded at the post interview lunch (have a listen to find out why).  The lunch is meant to be more relaxed. The firm will usually send you out with the lower level staffers like Senior Associates, and Associates. Don’t let this fool you, they are still in the process of evaluating you and once that lunch is over, a decision will be made.

Keep your enthusiasm high even if you’re exhausted. You need to still have several of questions to ask: How long have you been with the company? Where are you from? Where did you go to school? For which clients do you work? In what industries do you specialize? You know, I was speaking with “X person” during my interview and he mentioned… what you your experience with that?

Questions they WILL ask you during the interview

Now for the meat, what questions will they ask you? Try to stay calm and relaxed. Keep your shoulders loose, keep your back straight (no slouching), stay engaged, and have a light and confident smile. This is the time, more than ever, to have enthusiasm, curiosity, and don’t be weird! It’s okay to pause at any given time and say, “You know, that’s a great question, let me think about that for a moment.” Prepare before the office visit by spending some time thinking about your responses to all of the questions below!

Have a listen to the podcast for my analysis and advice on each question, although I warn you, it’s a long one!

Interview questions you may be asked

1.     Tell me about yourself.

2.     Why do you want to work at “X” company?

3.     Why is “X” firm your first choice?

4.     Describe a situation where you felt challenged and had to overcome it.

5.     Do you have any questions for me?

6.     Who else are you interviewing with?

7.     Do you have any other offers?

8.     Describe a time when you had to work exceptionally hard to provide great service to a customer or client. What did you do and what was the outcome?

9.     What accomplishment are you most proud of?

10.    Give me an example of how you successfully dealt with someone who was difficult.

11.    Why are you interested in this particular area of the firm?

12.    Give me an example of a time you failed.

13.    Give me an example of a time you succeeded.

14.    What’s the most difficult thing you’ve ever had to do?

15.    Give me examples of how well you work under pressure.

16.    What are you looking to get out of a job/internship with a public accounting firm?

17.    Where do you see yourself in five years?

18.    What city do you want to live in?

19.    What are your strengths?

20.   What are your weaknesses?

21.    Why have you had “X” number of jobs over the years?

22.    Discuss a specific accomplishment you’ve achieved in a previous position that indicates you will thrive in this position.

23.    Tell us about a time when things didn’t go the way you wanted, like a promotion you wanted and didn’t get or a project that didn’t turn out how you had hoped.

24.    What are your thoughts on the increase demand of quality by the PCAOB (Public Company Accounting Oversight Board) and how would you face such demands in your first year?

25.    Tell me about a time when you had an idea but your team was not willing to accept it. How did you go about presenting this idea and trying to persuade them to accept it?

26.    Why should I hire you?

27.    Describe some situations where you’ve had to use technical writing skills.

28.    What makes you stand out?

To listen to the full podcast where I answer each question and the exact response you should give the recruiter, check out the course Get Hired From Big 4 Accounting Firms, or email me at andrew@thebeancounter.com.

The post 28 Interview Questions the Big 4 Ask Before Hiring You (Q&A eBook Included) appeared first on The Bean Counter.

Good afternoon Andrew.

I listened to your webinar yesterday, it was really great. I love it.

One of my issue is “I don’t know how to dominate an interview” I get nervous.

I’m confident I can get the job done and learn the methodology of the core business. When I get to talk to the employer for some reason I can’t convince them that I am the right fit for them

Gustav

Good news… you are n0t alone.

Being a good interviewer isn’t something we are all born with.

You have to be intentional about improving your skills. I know I did.

The best interviews are conversational, not question answer.

That being said, you have to be ready to answer these 28 interview questions.

Next I would start with the basics:

Have you practiced the questions with your friend or spouse?

Have you recorded your responses?

Have you videotaped how you physically look?

Are your clothes dry cleaned?

Are you clean shaven?

Would you want to talk to you?

Do you appear curious?

Do you appear enthusiastic?

Are you appropriately and authentically excited about this opportunity

Do your clothes fit?

Are you asking the interviewer *at least* 3-5 questions about the company.

If you have…

Prepped the questions you will be asked

Practiced multiple times with friends and family

Know the questions you will ask about the company

There is only one thing left to deal with….

Your anxiety.

I need you to take an afternoon, go on a walk, lay in bed alone, or whatever you can do to relax.

Have a conversation with yourself.

What are you afraid of?

Because let me tell you a little secret: This interview really doesn’t matter.

Remember how much you stressed out about your freshmen year accounting 101 final?

Does that really matter now? No.

We work ourselves into a frenzy about things that in the long run (and not even that long) really… and I mean REALLY do not matter.

You will fail. You will succeed. You will be okay.

I interviewed 5 or 6 times before my first offer with PwC for a summer leadership conference. I was straight up rejected by Deloitte multiple times.

It happens.

Now I look back and laugh about it. I actually went on to win Deloitte’s National Speech Competition… TWICE!

The best revenge is success.

So to overcome this axiety, you need to look back and ask yourself:

Why did I fail in the past?

Why do I have anxiety?

Overcome those two questions *honestly*, and do the basic preparation steps I mentioned above.

You be hired in a few short weeks!

The post I Have Serious Interview Anxiety appeared first on The Bean Counter.

• Diversity Big 4 Internships
• Part-Time Jobs
• Small Internships
• Summer Leadership Conference
• Internship
• Part-Time or Full-Time Job (while passing CPA or getting Masters)
• Full-Time Offer

Diversity Big 4 Early Internships

To the best of my knowledge, these internships are done only by the Big 4. They were created to find talented accountants who are at a very young age, mostly freshmen and sophomores, and most of the firms are limited strictly to “diverse students” (meaning students of non-US backgrounds or heritage). These aren’t your traditional internships and were created due to the restrictions that many universities put on internships. Many universities won’t allow firms to recruit their students until a number of specifications are met (these often vary by university but can include the following parameters: junior or above, has attended a career fair, has taken certain classes). The universities have done this to ensure firms don’t offer a student a position before they’ve had the chance to see all of their options.

These internships tend to be a little different in that they aren’t normal “client facing” internships. They are typically internal firm roles and they typically are only for the summer. If you land one of these internships, it’s not guaranteed you’ll receive a “standard internship” (which we’ll discuss shortly), however it’s very likely. These internships typically occur the summer after your sophomore and junior years. Then in your senior year you have your “client facing internship.” The different nature of the internship and the fact that they don’t offer you a position for a full-time job at the end allows companies to get around the rules and lock students in earlier than normal.

If you’re a freshmen, sophomore, or early junior and you are interested in this internship option, email me at andrew@thebeancounter.com and I can try to help you out with the best strategy given your situation!

Best strategy to get this position:

• Apply at your University Career Fair
• Reach out to a partner or firm employee and ask to go out for coffee/lunch
• Email 20 companies where you’d want to work using this method and see if they have openings (even if none are posted)

Part-Time Jobs & Other Small Internships

The part-time jobs could arguably be before the “Early Big 4” internships and they should be if you’re serious about getting those internships. This way you’re more presentable to the firms when you’re applying for the internship. Even if you don’t plan on applying, this work is essential. It’s highly competitive when you’re up against everyone else for the internship you need to convert to a full-time offer. This applies whether or not you’re thinking of going Big 4, or even public accounting. This internship pads your resume; it gives you an understanding of what it’s like to work (whether or not it’s in an office) at virtually any job. Also, if you’re not interested in going into public accounting, this is the best way to land a position at a company.

Best strategy to get this position:

• Apply at your University’s job site
• Apply on Craigslist
• Email 20 companies where you’d want to work using this method and see if they have openings (even if none are posted)

Summer Leadership Conference

For lack of a better way of explaining this, unless you’re a “minority,” this is the first opportunity you have to make a connection with public accounting firms. There are tons for firms that do summer leadership conferences including international (Big 4), national (firms like BDO, McGladrey, Grant Thornton), regional firms (like Moss Adams, Larson Allen, etc.), and local firms. If you’re committed to working in this profession, there is no excuse for ruthlessly pursuing these opportunities. We’ll have other podcasts that will help you work towards these goals, but for now, know that it’s important. If you’re going after these conferences, know that the heaviest time of recruiting is in the spring, for the same year of the summer. If you have any questions before I release my “Comprehensive Guide to Obtaining a Summer Leadership Conference,” email me at Andrew@thebeancounter.com.

Best strategy to get this position:

• Apply at your University’s job site
• Reach out to a partner or firm employee and ask to go out for coffee/lunch
• Go to the career fair

NOTE: Want a FREE resume template to apply for these positions? 

Internship

The internship is far more important than the summer leadership conference. There is a big myth out there that if you don’t obtain a summer leadership conference, you will most likely not obtain an internship. Now I will introduce you to my “50% rule of recruiting” (this is by no means proven, definitive, or researched, it’s based solely on my experience). The “50% rule of recruiting” is that approximately 50% of the people who are hired at the firms come from the “normal process” (meaning summer leadership -> internship -> full time) and about 50% of them come from somewhere else.

For example, 50% of interns come from summer leadership and 50% come from career fairs, referrals, etc. And for full-time positions, approximately 50% come from internships and the other from career fairs, referrals, etc. This is great news for you! What it means is that you’re just as likely to receive a position if you are in the “normal track” than if you’re not.

Best strategy to get this position:

• Apply at your University’s job site
• Email 20 companies where you’d want to work using this method and see if they have openings (even if none are posted)
• Go to 10 target firm’s offices in a suit and drop off your resume (I’ve seen this work)

Part-Time or Full-Time Job While in University

Let’s say you’ve now completed your internship (or never did one) and are still in university finishing up your 150 hour requirements, Masters, or sitting for the CPA. It doesn’t matter if you’re still looking for your full-time position or are just waiting for your start date on an offer you’ve already accepted! My recommendation is that you should be working 30+ hours a week in an accounting role and preferably a full-time 40-hour a week role. The reasoning for this is simple–if you want to be a top-rated new hire when you start full-time, you must be able to compete and defeat your peers.

But if someone worked for a year before starting and you didn’t, how can you possibly expect to compete with them? They know more about Excel, office politics, accounting, office relationships, and much more. If you’re serious about succeeding when you’re finished with university, don’t wait until you’re finished university, get in the game now!

Best strategy to get this position:

• Apply at your University’s job site
• Apply on Craigslist
• Email 20 companies where you’d want to work using this method and see if they have openings (even if none are posted)
• Go to 10 target firm’s offices in a suit and drop off your resume (I’ve seen this work)

Full-Time Offer

Now, for the full-time position; the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow (although it probably won’t feel that way). You’re lucky that you chose accounting as it’s one of the few majors left that’s worth the investment to go to college (unless you spent 70-150K, then it really only makes sense for doctors!). While your first few years are tough, if you’ve committed to the process we’ve discussed in this post, you probably have a job with lots of opportunity and a great starting salary and compensation package. If you haven’t gone through this process, you may be in a more challenging position, taking a 30-40% lower starting salary than your fellow graduates!

Best strategy to get this position:

• Apply at your University’s job site
• Email 20 companies where you’d want to work using this method and see if they have openings (even if none are posted)
• Go to 10 target firm’s offices in a suit and drop off your resume (I’ve seen this work)

Want to hear the podcast analysis of each of these parts of the hiring process? Check out the course Get Hired By Big 4 Accounting Firms.

The post The Ultimate Step-by-Step Hiring Process Guide for Public Accounting appeared first on The Bean Counter.

This is an excerpt from the course Get Hired By Big 4 Accounting Firms.

1. Poor personal appearance.
2. Lack of interest and enthusiasm.
3. Not knowing the company’s information or website.
4. Over emphasis on money. (Interested only in best dollar offer).
5. Condemnation of past employers.
6. Failure to look at interviewer when conversing.
7. Limp, fishy handshake.
8. Unwillingness to fill-out application or go where sent.
9. Late for interview.
10. Failure to express appreciation for interviewer’s time.
11. Gum (Bubble Gum) chewing.
12. Having a cell phone or pager on.
13. Not asking questions about the position, the company, or the industry.
14. Vague responses to questions.
15. Over-aggressive and conceited with superiority or “know-it-all” complex.
16. Inability to express self clearly.  (Poor voice, diction, and grammar).
17. Lack of planning for career.
18. Lack of confidence and poise.
19. Failure to participate in activities.  (Narrow interest).
20. Unwilling to start at the bottom; expects too much too soon.
21. Makes excuses, is evasive and hedges on unfavorable factors in record.
22. Lack of tact.
23. Lack of courtesy or ill-mannered.
24. Lack of maturity.
25. Lack of vitality or appears lazy.
26. Indecision.
27. Sloppy application blank.
28. Merely shopping around or wants job only for a short time.
29. Cynical.
30. Low moral standards.
31. Intolerant. (Strong prejudices).
32. Inability to take criticism.
33. High-pressure type.
34. Not sending a “thank you” note/letter by email.
35. Rescheduling an interview that was already confirmed.

Want a free resume template to help you actually get an interview? Sign up here.

The post 35 Little-Known Reasons Why People Fail Accounting Interviews appeared first on The Bean Counter.

When I was around 6 years old I used to daydream that someone would come and save me. The first dream happened when I used to swim. I would swim in a pool with many people around and would try to have perfect form. I believed that someday, someone would see my great form and pick me up to be the next great swimmer. I wouldn’t have to worry about being successful because this person would make it happen.

The second daydream was for a suitcase to fall out of the sky and hit me on the head. It would fall to the ground and I would pick it up. Inside would be a million dollars.
I would no longer have to worry about money.
Neither of those things happened.

Looking back, these stories remind me of some of the great stories that have captured us over the years. In  Harry Potter, Hagrid comes along and takes Harry to an incredible world where he happens to be an absolute superstar with magical powers.
The instant heroism can be said for all of the following characters:

1. Luke Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi
2. Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz
3. Ender from Enders Game

When I got older I realized one simple fact of life that changed everything:

 No one is coming to make my adventure.

That doesn’t mean that people don’t mentor you and guide you through life and its challenges.

However, it does mean that there was there is no one that can fundamentally create the life you want other than yourself.

While this message may be slightly depressing, consider this:

Once we accept the facts that:

1. Nobody is coming to save us and;
2. We only have the skills and abilities that we choose to work for, something interesting happens….

We can realize that everyone else who has achieved something great was human just like us. They didn’t have any super powers, and most likely weren’t swept up by Obi-Wan Kenobi.

This is further substantiated by the fact that >80% of new millionaires are first generation millionaires. Nobody gave them everything they wanted, and they weren’t born with superpowers.

Now to what I’ve made for you:

This course will get you hired by the Big 4 accounting firms (and any other major firm), but it won’t do the work for you. This is for go-getters, hustlers, and hard workers. People who are making their own future.

I want to finish with this promise: If you implement this advice and it doesn’t work, I’ll give you twice your money back. That’s right, you’ll get $500 back from a $250 purchase.

If you have any questions, you can give me a call between 8am and 7pm EST at (813) 468-3735. If I don’t answer, wait 5 minutes and call me again. If I still don’t answer, leave a voicemail and I will call you back within 24 hours. This offer extends to after you have purchased the course. Everyone’s situation is a little different and I am more than happy to provide you with the help you need to start a career you love.

Regards,

The post Every trick I’ve learned to get hired by the Big 4 Accounting Firms appeared first on The Bean Counter.

In fact, I received an email yesterday from someone on this very topic:

Over the last few months I’ve been trying to find a job with the Big 4 and now I finally have an interview! The problem is I am still confused on how to reply to this question efficiently: “Tell me a time where you were faced with a challenge and we’re able to overcome it”

I’ve been advised to reply with an example from work experience rather than university experience by fellow students and a professor. But I don’t have any experience, I don’t see how I can appropriately reply.  I am struggling to come up with a response as I’ve been a full-time student. How should I respond?

Sally Student

Challenging dilemma. You want to show you’ll be great at working for the company but you have no previous work experience to try and convince them.

Luckily, there’s a work-around.

The company is looking to see if you will be a great employee, but they are really looking for something deeper, how you handle pressure and face obstacles. Good news for you is that work is hardly the only area of our life where we face challenges.

Here is an excerpt from my 42-page eBook, The Interview which details

• How to prepare for accounting interviews
• What to wear
• The differences in an on-campus interview & office visit.
• Over 15 questions they will ask you and exactly how to respond
• 15 questions you need to ask company representatives
• Exactly how to follow-up after the interview
• And more.

Excerpt here:

5) Describe a situation in which you felt challenged. How did you handle it?

The key to answering this question is twofold. First, you must identify an actual situation in which you were challenged.  Do not be tempted to pretend that you have never been challenged or discuss a situation where others around you were challenged and you were not. Everyone is challenged at times, so think of a time you were.

The second key to this question is presenting your solution to the challenge. You should identify how you rose to the challenge in a responsible manner and handled the problem.  A good example is a challenging class assignment that you had to do some extra research to complete.  Another example is a team project in which there was a conflict between members of the team.

Make sure that whichever example you use, you were the one who came up with the solution. It shouldn’t be a situation where you simply alerted someone of the problem and he or she fixed it or called someone else. It must display that you are the problem-solver.

Simple. I didn’t even mention a work example. It can be school, project based, a community organization such as Beta Alpha Psi, or a community service group.

Note worth mentioning: I’ve heard people use personal life examples with family or boyfriends/girlfriends at times. Try and stay away from that, it can get a little awkward…

But my favorite part of the excerpt above (and what most people forget) is the it’s important to display that you were the problem solver. If you explain this big problem in a group assignment and say that the whole team did something, that’s not as powerful as if you were the white knight.

The whole point of the question is for you to display through a past action, how you overcome strife. Don’t waste this opportunity by sharing the credit for your triumphs with someone else.

The question I get the second most inquiries about is:

“Do you have any offers from other firms.”

That’s tough to answer, either way:

If you have another offer shows your in demand (but they may be wasting their time) or if you don’t (maybe you aren’t very good).

For the detail response to each scenario and more, the 42-page eBook the Interview is right up your alley.

The post Most challenging interview question (Shocking: don’t respond using boyfriend examples) appeared first on The Bean Counter.

Back in the olden days, you’d send a letter and who knew if they ever received it.

Unfortunately, even today, if you use Gmail, or Yahoo, you still don’t always know.

But now you can change that.

Will some very sneaky and FREE technology, you can see:

• Whether the recruiter or firm contact opened you email
• How many times they opened your email
• What they clicked on, including attachments

The post Fall Recruiting Hack: Did the recruiter click on my email? appeared first on The Bean Counter.

1) Beef Up Your Resume

The best resumes don’t have a 4.0 GPA and a listing of the classes you took. The BEST resumes have work experience, community service involvement, relevant work experience, and organizational involvement (i.e. Beta Alpha Psi).

So this summer I want you to pad the resume and here’s how:

• Sign up for your state CPA society (most are very inexpensive for students) and attend at least one event
• Reach out to the leader of the accounting club or Beta Alpha Psi and ask how you can help plan the fall semester
• Get an internship (even if it’s not paid) and get it in accounting.
• Do some community service

2) Make a list of all of your “targets”

We all have our dream firm or company, what’s yours? I don’t even care if these companies recruit at your school, or attend your career fair. I want you to sit down and make a list of the top 15 (at least) companies you want to work for. Here are the top 100 CPA firms, in case you’re getting into public accounting. If you specifically interested in Big 4, you need to review my course Get Hired By Big 4 Accounting Firms.

Then, once you’ve got your list, now comes the exciting part.

3) Get the HR Manager or Recruiters Email

I want you to go to LinkedIn and look into signing up for a premium account. If you’re already on LinkedIn, you most likely have already received an invitation from LinkedIn for a free 1 month trial. If so, use it. Sign up for the “Recruiter Lite” account which is approximately $99/mo.

With this “free trial” version, you are going to research who the HR Manager is for each of your Top 15 companies in at least 2 cities (Note: DO NOT request to connect with them unless you actually know them).

So here is an example of how I found the Deloitte Campus Recruiter in Atlanta:

3) Step 1: Search City on LinkedIn

3) Step 2: Search City on LinkedIn

3) Step 3: Search for the “Human Resource” Function

3) Step 4: Find someone with the right title

Boom, right on the first page, campus recruiter from Deloitte! Yes, that’s “Jill” (real name blurred, but this is an actual Deloitte recruiter)

3) Step 5: Get or guess the email

Now comes the trick part. She didn’t have her email on her LinkedIn, and I don’t want to connect with her, because, I don’t actually know her…

So….

I turn to google to find out how Deloitte structures their emails…

On the second page, I found what I needed!

While I’ve blurred out this persons name, I can now tell that Deloitte uses the first letter of the first name, and the last name (even though you can’t see that). Now I can structure two potential emails for my target, “Jill Argue Richardson”. I’m guessing she is married because she has two last names which is making this tricky for us. Since I blurred out her name, let’s image her LinkedIn name was Jill Argue Richardson. Here would be my best guesses:

jargue@deloitte.com or jrichardson@deloitte.com

I would send an email containing both of those emails. Then, if I received errors messages, I might try other combinations like jarichardson@deloitte.com. But you get the point. All the information you need to find the recruiters at your top firms is RIGHT AT YOUR FINGERTIPS!

4) Prepare your resume, cover letter, and emails

I know this may seem anal, but if you’ve chosen 15+ companies to target, and research all the contacts you need to email, this has taken you some serious time. But hey, this is you CAREER. We’ve got more to do.

I want a beautiful resume, a consistent cover letter, and drafted emails to each target.

The cover letter should have the targets name, office address, and email at the minimum. This shows you’ve done your research and you are talking directly to them, this IS NOT spam, and when their name is on it, they will feel compelled to respond.

Note: If you want help preparing a cover letter and resume, email me here, I am happy to help out.

Once you’ve finished the cover letter and resume, save them as PDF’s and attach them to your emails. Save the emails as drafts and send them all the day after the Career Fair.

If you met the firm at the career fair, only send the resume to the hiring manager, but email everyone you spoke to thanking them and expressing your excitement about the firm. For more on the career fair, check out my full career fair strategy.

If you didn’t meet the firm, this is your chance to get in with them. You have the contact, email, and an individualized email and cover letter! Do that 15+ times, and you WILL get interviews… It’s just a numbers game.

5) Practice the close AKA the Elevator Pitch

If you have a good resume, cover letter, and email, you will get interviews. I want you to practice with Mock Interviews, but that can wait until the actual dates are set. However, the elevator pitch CAN’T wait.

You need to be ready to sell anyone you see on WHY you are the best candidate for them, starting today. You might see someone on campus tomorrow, or at a restaurant next week. You will certainly start to see them the first few weeks of class.

The point is, the resume, cover letter, and email only get you so far. Now YOU need to be impressive.

What is unique about you? Why are you interested in accounting? This takes some practice and it’s very unique to the individual. For more detailed information check out my eBook on the Elevator Pitch.

Conclusion

This is not something to take lightly. Approximately 45% of college grads move back in with mom and dad after college.

But I bet it’s even higher than that. And uh, wouldn’t that suck.

If you’re reading this email, you already doing one right thing. Now it time for you to take the BOLD action necessary to take control of your life and your future. I can’t wait to hear your stories!

Questions?

Email me at andrew@thebeancounter.com.

The post Your Summer Action Plan To Get An Accounting Job This Fall… Oh, and Jill from Deloitte in Atlanta. appeared first on The Bean Counter.

Hello Andrew,

I’m a new listener to your podcast and I have had the chance to only listen to a few of your episodes, but the ones I did listen to have really helped lead me in the right direction and have given me ideas about things I have not considered yet. Thank you for that. I am glad I found them it is very detailed and enjoyable and it’s great that is specifically tailored to the Accounting field.

I am writing to you today because I had a question in regards to Business type Boot Camps. Our school offered a week long Business Boot Camp which talks about the Insurance, Banking and Financial Services during the summer and I was wondering what you thought about them. Are they beneficial to attend? Do you have a chance to apply for jobs there or is it strictly listening to speakers? Do you need to dress up like you would to a job interview i.e. dress pants and blazer (I am a woman)? Should you bring some resumes with you?

I know you must be busy but it would be great if you could find some time to respond. Is there a good website I can use to do more research on this topic? Also, what is your though on portfolios, are they really necessary or it is just a bonus to have one?

Best Regards,

Loyal Listenerette

The post Mailbag: What to wear to an business event & do I NEED a portfolio? appeared first on The Bean Counter.