Make Your Résumé and LinkedIn Work for You: A Guide to Accounting Recruiting Season

by Benjamin Warren

Recruiting season is here, which means it’s time to prepare for all the career fairs and Meet the Firms events your school is hosting. You need to be ready for interacting with firm recruiters whether it’s a quick chat or conversation over a cup of coffee or an informational interview and your résumé and LinkedIn profile are two of the most important tools in your toolkit.
 

Your Résumé Is Your Calling Card

A résumé may not get you a job offer, but it can determine whether you get the opportunity to interview. Think of your résumé as your “calling card,” something that makes a recruiter want to meet you. Before recruiting events begin, take some time to give your résumé a serious review.

1.     Put Your Best Stuff Above the Fold

Recruiters may only spend a short amount of time reviewing each résumé, so don't bury your strongest qualifications at the bottom of the page. Make sure the most relevant information appears in the top third of your résumé. Your education, accounting-related experience, relevant skills, and other qualifications should be easy to find. Don’t forget to include when you’ll be eligible to take the CPA Exam.

2.     Ditch the Objective

Instead, consider using a short summary statement that gives recruiters a quick picture of who you are and what you bring to the table. A good summary should be short, about two or three sentences, and highlight the skills and experiences that are most relevant to the position you're pursuing.

3.     Tailor Your Résumé to the Job

Don't use the exact same résumé for every accounting firm or job opportunity. Do your research on the firm and find what they specialize in or read the job description and look for recurring keywords and skills. Then make sure your résumé accurately reflects the relevant experience and abilities you possess. Don't worry if your experience doesn't come from an accounting job. Engaging in student organizations like Beta Alphi Psi, community service, or other work experienced, especially in leadership positions, can demonstrate valuable skills. Your goal is to show recruiters what sets you apart and how you can contribute.

4.     Proofread Before You Hit Send

It seems obvious, but many people skip this crucial step in the process. A great résumé can lose its impact because of something as simple as a typo. Before submitting your résumé or handing it to a recruiter, proofread it carefully. Look for spelling, grammar, punctuation, formatting, and consistency issues. Get feedback from a couple of people or go to a writing lab at your school, even changing the size of the font (don’t forget to change it back!) or reading the résumé from bottom to top, front to back can reset your eyes and help you catch things you may have missed.

Your LinkedIn Profile Is Part of Your Résumé

Your résumé isn't the only thing recruiters may see. Your LinkedIn profile is another opportunity to show employers who you are professionally. Think of your LinkedIn profile as an extension of your résumé, not simply a digital copy of it. Plus, it’s a great way to build your network and learn more about the firms attending the career fairs and Meet the Firms events.

Start by reviewing the basics:

• Professional photo: Use a clear, professional-looking photo.
• Headline: Don't settle for simply listing “Student.” Identify what you're studying and the direction you're interested in pursuing, especially if your goal is becoming a CPA.
• Education: Make sure your school, degree and relevant academic information are current.
• Experience: Include internships, jobs, leadership positions, volunteer work, and other experiences that demonstrate your skills.
• About section: Use this space to tell your professional story. Like your résumé summary statement, keep it concise and specific. You can also use LinkedIn to showcase professional interests, articles, writing samples, projects, or other accomplishments. 

Once your profile has been set up and looks good, do a quick Google search of your name to see what comes up. Recruiters and hiring managers are probably going to do this, too, so it’s a good idea to know what they might find. Keep professional and personal social media separate and consider making personal accounts private.

Now it’s time to do some research and networking before the career fair or Meet the Firms event even starts. Most events usually post what firms are going to be present which allows you to check out their websites and LinkedIn pages. Find the firms that really interest you and make a note of them so you remember to prioritize talking to them at the event. You can also see if the firm recruiter is on LinkedIn and take a look at their profile. They might have posts about the firms or internship programs or what they look for in new hires. Then, when you meet a recruiter at the event, you'll have something more meaningful to talk about than simply asking, “What does your firm do?”

Finally, follow up after the event with any recruiters you spoke to. Connect with them on LinkedIn and send a personal message thanking them for taking the time to chat with you. This can be an opportunity to learn more about the firm and the accounting profession and a great way to expand your network.

If you are going to your school’s accounting career fair or meet the firm event, be sure to stop by the WSCPA table and say hello! We’re always happy to answer questions about the accounting profession and the path to the CPA license including CPA exam eligibility requirements. WSCPA Student and CPA Candidate members can also stay engaged with us and other members through WSCPA Circle.

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