Hope everyone is enjoying their summer and making
the most out of it considering how we all will be craving for it in about 15
weeks.
We are also approaching 2013 fall recruitment and
this blog hopes to help you prepare for it. But even if things may not happen
as you would have hoped for, I will also go over what you can do over fall 2013
& winter 2014 in order to get back on track in another blog at a later
date.
It is a nerve-wrecking time of the year but believe
me that many like you are on the same boat. So first thing first, throw out all
the preconceived notions, paranoia and fear that you may have and approach the recruitment
season with confidence and the desire to do your absolute best in order to
secure your dream job! Once you really believe that the comfort zone that you
currently dwell in doesn’t really exist and that there is more to life, then
things will really start to work to your favour.
So with that, here are the key aspects to focus over
the next month:
1. Brush up your Cover Letter:
A cover letter is your one page mean to really tell the recruiters why you
instead of the other applicants. This may be really daunting but start on it
right away. Let your personality shine through your work, volunteer experience
and more. Tell them how all of your experiences have given you the highly
sought after softs skills such as leadership, communication, interpersonal, organizational,
team-building skills and more. Make sure you follow the proper standard and salutation
when putting it together along with correct date, address of the person you are
writing to etc. Some may want you to direct the CL to a particular recruiter while
others may require a generic approach. Make sure you do you research and know
their respective requirements.
Also try to incorporate why you
would be a great fit for the firm you are applying to. Do not choose the
generic route but rather genuinely convey what you enjoyed about them and how
you can further add value to their organization.
Finally after you have a draft, do
plenty of proof-reading with friends, career centre or professionals you may
know until you are confident with the CL. A simple spelling mistake or
grammatical error can really sabotage your chances.
2. Perfecting your Resume:
Another key component for your fall application. Make sure to keep it to a page
and a maximum of 2 pages. Go for the latter only if you have solid information
that requires more than a page. As with cover letter, make sure it has no
grammatical error or spelling mistake. Also do not just list your experience. Try
to clearly but briefly explain how they are related to the job you are applying
for. Make sure you clearly mention your GPA (even though a more extensive
version would be present under your transcripts) and expected date of
graduation should be clearly mentioned.
3. Social
Media presence: By now you should be a master when it comes to social
media. However if you are not, here are a few tips to really improve your
online presence:
·
Facebook:
Some of the things we share over here can easily cross into the territory of
being, “too much.” It can be obscene, offensive, lack professional attitude….you
get the gist. So brush up your Facebook by privatizing contents that can do
more harm than good. Also keep away from complaining.
·
Twitter: As much as many just love to
hate this platform, one simply cannot underestimate its power. All of the Big 5
firms have majority of their recruiters now using twitter in the hopes to
connect with students like you and also represent their firm. Do not take it
personally if you do not get a follow back, what matter is that you get such an
amazing platform to communicate and also show who you are. If you are the
complaining type on social media then maybe twitter is not for you. Remember
that social media is representing you to a much larger audience than you could
imagine. Being a little careful would not harm anyone.
·
LinkedIn:
This is your professional networking site that you should really look after.
Put up a professional picture, explain what you have done so far in your
university life (Because anything before that may seem a bit outdated) and then
go onto connect with professionals you have met during networking events.
4. Reconnect:
with Professionals that you have met in the past. Start with a simple email
asking about their summer. This time of the year is less stressful, so ask them
if they could possibly meet for a coffee. If they cannot find time, do
understand that they have hectic schedule regardless of the time of the year.
If they are able to meet then really do your research about the person, the
firm they are working at and ask questions you do not have answers for.
5. Final Preparation Tips:
·
Connect with friends who are also in
Accounting. It’s always nice to go out to events together considering how you
will have someone you know be present with you. However if I were you, I would
rather go out to the events alone and make new friends. It will really help you
to get out of your comfort zone.
·
Dress/Suit Up like you are already a
professional. Being well-put together will build your confidence and exude the
same sentiment with your peer and professionals at the networking events.
·
Make sure you are aware about all the
necessary deadlines for fall applications for each of the Big 5 firms and other
Chartered Accountancy Training Offices. You do not want to miss out on any of
them.
Create your own luck by doing the best you can. Do
not leave out anything on chance. Especially if it is something you can
directly control. I wish you all the very best and know that everything happens
for a reason and a mere setback is not worth putting yourself down. It’s rather
an opportunity to put up a fight and making yourself that much stronger!
Connect with me on LinkedIn or Twitter if you have
any queries or email me at shadib.newaz@yuapaa.com.
Shadib Bin Newaz
Senior Board of Ambassador
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario (ICAO)
Join APAA Today!
No comments:
Post a Comment