Networking for Certified Public Accountants

Central Florida has a number of job opportunities for certified public accountants but that doesn’t necessarily mean you have the same odds as others in securing your ideal role. After the recession of 2008, companies are finding that people are working harder to keep their jobs. Productivity has skyrocketed. The applicant pools for most positions have never been deeper including both internal and external candidates.

That can be a headache for hiring managers posting ads for CPA jobs throughout Central Florida. Many times companies and hiring managers often don’t post ads. Even if they only spend six seconds per resume, they receive 250 on average, notes Glassdoor and it takes half an hour just to scan. That’s simply too much time given the screening & interview process and subsequent onboarding.

Candidates looking to stand out can of course improve their resumes, write compelling cover letters and so forth. In an ideal world, though, candidates need to be able to attract the hiring manager’s attention or better yet be introduced to her before the floodgates of resume and applicant paperwork are opened.

The most effective strategy for this is knowing or having a connection to a key individual in advance. That means continually reaching out and actively expanding your circle of professional contacts. The first step? Eliminate the use of the word contact. Those professionals are people too, and just like the hiring managers, having common friends. Being professional, friendly and having a willingness to reciprocate with introductions are great ways to stand out among other candidates. Where to start? There are professional groups throughout Central Florida that could lead to CPA jobs in Tampa, Orlando, Lakeland, Sarasota and elsewhere throughout the state. Depending upon your interest and industry there are groups that cater to CPAs, M&A professionals, CFOs as well as groups that serve public companies, PE backed companies and also VC backed companies.

LinkedIn has become a standard “go to” and certainly it can be a solid option. However many profiles have stodgy pictures, the same information as one’s resume and few, if any, detailed accomplishments with concrete numbers. LinkedIn profiles which stand out include (but not limited to):

• Specific accomplishments – made/saved/achieved;
• Professional headshot photos
• Recommendations with actual comments from co-workers, not just friends and family, and
• Those who contribute to discussions in relevant groups keeping it polite and proper.

The secret of success here is that many different types of networking are important and those are only two. According to Jobvite referrals from outside recruiters are five times more effective for getting CPA jobs in Central Florida than just applying through a career site like Indeed. Ask yourself – are you taking advantage of people whose entire work day is spent networking, recruiting and placing qualified people in their desired roles? If not you should consider developing a confidential relationship with a recruiter who understands your career goals and has a network which aligns with your projected career path.

The best job opportunities always seem to come through mutual acquaintances and referrals. Candidates/professionals frequently say that it’s easier to find a job when you have a job. That is very true if you are well networked. Dig your well before you are thirsty – as the saying goes. Begin or continue to expand your professional network today using the strategies mentioned above!