So now job interview processes are becoming gamified? I’ve been hearing & reading about how gamification is transforming job interviews in 2025, making them more engaging and skill-focused. By incorporating game-like elements—puzzles, simulations, or coding challenges—companies create dynamic assessments, but the approach requires balance to ensure fairness. Here’s why gamification is reshaping hiring and how professionals can navigate it. 
A 2025 AmplifAI [...]
So, it’s time to move on to your next career chapter with another firm. Ever wonder when’s the right time to push for a salary above the posted range? I’ve seen candidates try it at the end of the hiring process and that can make for a disastrous outcome. In 2025, more folks are negotiating—44% of hiring managers say so (Robert Half, Dec [...]
Ever wonder what’s behind an interviewer’s silence either before asking a question or following your answer? Is it a thoughtful pause from someone who speaks slowly, or a deliberate test to see how you hold up? I’ve seen both during the CPA & finance exec hiring process—here’s how to handle either one. 
First things first. Don’t let it shake you it might [...]
Awareness is important in job interviews. Self-awareness is even more important. With years placing finance & accounting execs, I’ve seen how personality types—introverts, extroverts, and ambiverts—shape success differently during the interview process. Leveraging your personality type can turn a potential hair-raising grilling into a big win. 
Introverts, about 36% of U.S. workers (APA, 2025), excel in focused settings—one-on-ones are their turf—but group [...]
Interviews can veer into the absurd—after 25+ years recruiting & interviewing CPAs and finance leaders in Tampa Bay, I’ve got stories. Some candidates stroll in with resumes or PowerPoints, one once showed up with ice cream for the hiring manager. Others bring a sideshow. 
Picture a CFO candidate I once interviewed. We got to the end of our introductory interview, and I [...]
Layoffs are continuing into 2025. Major behemoths like Starbucks, Boeing, Warner Bros and UPS have announced massive layoffs at the national level. Nationally, it’s grim—1.8 million layoffs hit in December 2024 alone - heading into 2025 (BLS, Feb 2025). Tampa Bay is feeling the heat with cuts at major local employers like Pfizer, Coca Cola, e-Telequote and Stryker among others. For CPAs and [...]
Congrats on nailing that job interview! But here’s the catch—your work isn’t done yet. A thoughtful follow-up can set you apart from the pack, while forgetting or overdoing this phase could undo your hard work. While thank yous are common courtesy, they aren’t all that common. Let’s break down a few of the dos and don’ts of job interview follow-ups, backed by some [...]
You’ve landed that big interview. Are you ready? Most interviews are scheduled during the workday, squeezed in between your everyday work responsibilities. That said, make certain to prepare your thoughts the night before and calm your mind as you head into the appointment. But how to handle those tough interview situations and/or questions? They can come in many different forms. 
As a [...]
Here’s a (relatively) new concept in hiring & recruiting. And with evolving AI technology, the problem might only get worse. The issue is Deepfake Candidates. This sophisticated use of AI technology to impersonate job applicants can lead to costly and damaging consequences for organizations. 
Recent insights reveal that hiring a deepfake candidate could cost companies millions, not just in financial terms but [...]
You’ve navigated the interview process (whew) and accepted the offer. Now its notice time. How long should you make that notice period? NewCo wants you to start ASAP but you want to be professional and don’t want to leave your current teammates hanging. Let’s dive into the topic of notice periods and see what’s minimum, what’s appropriate and what is overkill. 
According [...]