By: Jeremy Thompson
A career in accounting can be very rewarding
and make for a comfortable living. In today’s economy however, it can be very
difficult for recent accounting graduates to find employment opportunities in
their chosen field. The best way to overcome this problem is by making contacts
through networking.
Some people
shudder to think about networking because they often feel they are at a serious
disadvantage. However, keep in mind, when done properly, networking can help
you land accounting
jobs
that you may never have been aware of.
It is important to remember that networking opens doors.
Let’s face
facts: It is far easier to meet new
people if you are actively networking. Accounting is a competitive field and
when you are searching for jobs, being able to connect with those who are
making decisions about those jobs can put you in the driver’s seat.
Since many
job openings are never posted in want advertisements, recruiters may be using
personal contacts to find those seeking accounting jobs. If you are taking the
time to connect with people, your prospects of landing jobs improve
dramatically. The predicament this leaves you with is how to make the most of
networking opportunities.
You
have to be there
Of course when you attend a networking event you are
physically there, but there is far more to “being there” than simply showing
up. Some of the tactics that are effective for networking include:
- Avoid using your cell
phone – don’t keep your phone turned on when you are networking. This gives
people the impression you are waiting for a call and not paying attention to
them.
- Focus on the person –
avoid scanning the room for other people to meet. Pay attention to the person
you are engaged in conversation with.
- Spend your time
effectively – not that you should ignore people whom you already know, but the
purpose of a networking event is to meet new people. Make the most of the
opportunity.
- Hand out a business
card – you never know when someone will know someone who has access to
accounting jobs. Hand out your business card to anyone you meet at an event.
- Strategic seating – when
you are looking for a place to sit, make sure you search out people you may not
already know. Introduce yourself and don’t forget your business card.
- Follow up matters –
after attending any networking event, make sure you follow up with people you
met. Let them know you are interested in learning about the field.
Networking
is not always face-to-face
Keep in mind many of us simply do not have the time
for one-on-one networking. Efficient networking often means online networking
versus face-to-face meetings. Here are some easy tips for online networking:
- Keep your profiles
updated – the first rule of effective online networking is a professionally
written profile. However, you must keep your online profiles current. Make sure
you have a LinkedIn profile and seek connections in companies where you wish to
seek finance jobs.
- Reach out to people –
if you have met someone previously, try to connect with them through LinkedIn
or other social networking sites. Keep in mind, each connection may have
contacts that you do not have direct access to. This may help you find the
right connections for potentially lucrative accounting or finance opportunities.
- Keep up with industry
leaders – don’t forget to take advantage of those recruiters who maintain blogs
and reach out to them via their comment sections. When they post relevant
posts, comment so they get an idea of who you are. Follow up by connecting with
them through LinkedIn and thank them for their insights.
Today’s markets are more competitive than ever
before. This means you stand a far better chance of landing jobs in the
accounting field if people know who you are. Do not wait for jobs to be posted
in the classifieds, take control of your future by learning how to make the
most of your networking opportunities.
Are there any other effective networking methods you engage in besides the ones mentioned above? Do you prefer face-to-face or online networking?
Jeremy Thompson is a Toronto based
blogger with twenty years of experience in human resources and career building.
For those looking for accounting jobs he suggests visiting accountingprincipals.com.
Photo credit:
StockMonkeys.com via
photopin cc
If you enjoyed this post and want to see more from Noir CPA, subscribe and receive every new post in your inbox!
