10 Ways to Find Your Next Accounting Job Completing a Seasonal Position
Highlight Your Tax Season Work
Although your work as a tax preparer may have only been seasonal, be sure to highlight it in your job inquiries. This is your most recent job experience and if you have been out of work for a little while, your potential employer will want to see what you’ve been up to. Additionally, the work you do during the tax season can be easily applied to other instances in accounting and finance positions.
Display Your Skills Effectively
When you are crafting your resume, be sure to highlight both hard and soft skills necessary to get your job as an accountant done. For instance, many accountants need to have good communication and teamwork skills as they will work with other individuals within the organization. At the same time, they will need to display an understanding of the accounting systems used at the company and how to use them to solve problems. Be sure to display these skills by sharing experiences or stories from previous positions where these skills served you and your employer.
Communicate
Show off your communication skills during the application process. Be sure to communicate in an effective manner when you inquire about an open position. Stay on top of follow-up and see if there is a way you can highlight your communication skills on your resume. Communication is key when it comes to hiring and holding an accountant position.
Use Technology
In this day and age, there are so many ways to connect with other accountants and find work. Use technology to your advantage. Tap into accountant groups on social media and find ways to make yourself more known online. It will help you gain the attention of top employers and the attention of your colleagues as well.
Be Adaptable
Just about every position you apply to, accounting or not, requires a certain amount of adaptability. However, you should be able to talk about how you have been adaptable in the past and been able to continue performing for your employer.
Determine Your Specialty
Many businesses will be looking for someone who has accounting experience in their specific industry. For instance, if your employer is an insurance company, they will want to know that you have had experience in accounting for other insurance firms.
Network With People in the Industry
Find ways to network with other people in the industry. Tax season keeps most accountants busy around the clock, so once the busy time of the year slows down, put more emphasis on networking with other accountants. This can help you find out what companies are hiring and information about the culture with the organizations as well. That information can help you make a decision about where you’d like to focus your job search.
Join a Mentorship Program
Mentorship programs can be another great way to network with others and gain more knowledge about the industry as a whole. Find someone who is a seasoned professional accountant who you admire and see if they would be willing to take you under their wing. You may also consider going through a mentorship program to find someone who is a good fit for you. These things can help you continue to learn about the industry and stay relevant while looking for something outside seasonal work.
Continue Your Education
Beyond mentorship, you may also want to take the time to continue your education. Accounting software and systems are constantly being updated. So, at the very least, you will want to stay updated on the latest systems out there. Some companies may even want you to have a master’s degree to be able to work with them. Consider what your career goals are and whether or not continuing your education in this manner would serve you well.
Work With a Staffing Agency
Last, but certainly not least, it is important to connect with people who are already plugged into the industry you want to work in. Employing the help of a staffing agency or recruitment firm can help you identify companies and jobs looking for someone with your skills set. They can help you highlight the experience and skills employers are looking for in your applications. More importantly, they are already in touch with other individuals and businesses in the industry who may be looking for accountants year-round.
Looking to Take the Next Step for Your Career? Get in Touch Today!
When you partner with a recruiting firm, you can get “insider” information about what jobs are available and what companies you might be a good fit for. Burnett Specialists can assist you in finding an accounting position after working as a seasonal tax preparer. See what kind of accounting and finance jobs are available by reaching out to us today!
