How to Prepare for Recruiting Season?

So I wrote this blog about 3 years back. Thought it would be nice to share it again - still applies to a great extent.

Here's the original blog under the accounting association I was able to write this blog under:

http://yuapaa.blogspot.ca/2013/07/how-to-prepare-for-september.html

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!