Experience counts for a lot, but in a tight economy and competitive job market, it can be difficult to convert your work history into current employment. A solid accounting resume helps you stand out from the crowd of candidates and can mean the difference between scoring an interview and being relegated to the wastebasket. Here are three resume tips you can use to encourage employers to give you a call.
- When writing your accounting resume, you need to have a specific goal. Obviously, you want to get a job or promotion, but the goal should be more defined. A resume used to apply for an accounting management job should look different from one used to apply for an accounting analyst position. Each job requires different skill sets. You may be qualified to do either job, but your resume should highlight what makes you an excellent candidate for the job in question. When you understand what your goal is, your accounting resume will be more concise and helpful to the reviewing recruiter. Employers are likely receiving dozens, if not hundreds, of resumes from accounting professionals. Stand out from the crowd by creating an easy-to-read resume that specifically addresses the job you want.
- According to a recent whitepaper from specialized staffing firm Robert Half, there is a growing demand for specialized professionals. Although accounting is a specialized area, companies are seeking finance professionals with specific knowledge and experience in certain industries or niches. For example, healthcare and insurance regulations create unique challenges within the medical field, so an accountant with previous hospital or health-related financial experience is more likely to be hired by a healthcare organization. Keep niche-based requirements in mind when writing your accounting resume to ensure your specialized experience is readily apparent to employers.
- Creating a winning resume is often about balance. Specialization is important, but a recent survey of CFOs indicates that general business knowledge is valuable too. Accounting and finance managers want professionals who can move throughout the organization. In many companies, accounting staff participate in strategy, implementation, and decision making. Being able to deliver specialized accounting skills alongside general business knowledge makes you a more valuable team player. Make sure your accounting resume allows potential employers to see that you are a balanced professional with the ability to work in multiple areas.
Applying these three resume tips to your accounting resume might take some work. You may even need to create more than one resume to apply for different jobs. It's worth a bit of extra effort to get your accounting resume noticed by potential employers, but make sure you follow through by making your professional skills apparent in any interviews.
(Photo courtesy of Ambro / freedigitalphotos.net)
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