With Postings Dropping Soon…Here Are 5 Things To Increase Your Success
Russell’s High Five
As of November of last year, Public Practice Accounting Firms began the process of connecting with students through events and active networking. Then, at the writing of this letter, firms and campus activities for Spring recruit are well underway. You can expect more announcements to come as things ramp up heading into the May “application phase” and the June “offer phase” of this year’s Spring Recruit. Here’s is what you can do to increase your success.
ONE – PAY ATTENTION
Sorry, was I yelling? I was simply trying to get your attention! Makes sure you are following the companies you are interested in on LinkedIn and their other social media platforms. Check COOL on a regular basis. Watch the regular DAP blog posts and the weekly emails. As well, be sure to watch firm websites and take advantage of anything CPA BC does to support you during Spring recruiting.
From these you will lear about info sessions, networking events and online social events where you can learn about the firms and connect with their staff. But if you are not paying attention, then you will find out too late and the events will be full and unavailable to you. In this case, those who act quickly will benefit.
Then be sure to reach out to the people you meet and request coffee chats (information interviews) to leverage any original connections and learn more about the company. Get advice from each person’s journey and perspective whether they be Partners, Senior Managers, Staff Accountants, HR Recruiters or Campus Ambassadors. Each person can add value to your approach to each company. Its pretty powerful when more than one person knows you at the table that is selecting candidates to interview or make offers to. This is on you!
TWO – SPECIFIC APPLICATIONS
Too often, candidates try to send the same (or very close to the same) cover letter to each firm they are applying to. The problem with this approach is the firm reps can easily identify a general letter – and they don’t like them. There is just so much missing.
To make sure your resume and cover letter are not general, gather information you can use in your letter while you are connecting with firm staff and doing your research. You should not be able to simply change a few lines or swap out firm names and send that letter to someone else. That is a general letter. Specific letters should be so specific that they cannot be given to anyone else but the company and people you are writing them to. As well, a specific letter is a reply to the wording on each and every posting. Recognizing expressive words like; Demonstrated skills in, Excellent…, Superior…, Proven…, are just a few things that show what is important to the company you are applying to. Your letter should be an answer to the “we desire” job posting, with an “I have” response.
Of course, this “cover” letter should be covering something very well prepared. It is the paper version of you…your resume! Ensuring this document is ready for a business and accounting environment is necessary. Your past resume will likely be a draft for the new professional version. New layout, format, accomplishments, relevant skills, quantitative and qualitative information should all support the new personal brand you are creating. In the DAP context, you will have 1-2 pages to do this.
As well, you will need to prepare your transcripts as they will be required as part of your application.
THREE – SOLID INTERVIEW PERFORMANCE
You can expect a combination of recorded video, video conferencing and possibly even in-person meetings if restrictions are lifted. (I’m not holding my breath – so to speak). You will have both structured and conversational interviews as well.
Each candidate needs to plan for the following:
Greeting, Small Talk
Introductions (for you…Tell me about yourself…)
Open-ended questions (like…Why should be choose you?)
Behavioural questions (looking for examples of past performance)
Value-based questions (like…Where do you see yourself in 5 years?)
Challenging questions (like…a time you failed or something about your weaknesses)
Questions (2) for the employer (so much better than initial networking questions)
Closing (finding out what is next showing interest, getting names, contact info)
FOUR – A SOLID GPA/PERCENTAGE
Obviously academics are important and you should try your best to keep your marks high by remaining focused, getting support/help and not taking on too much. Most hiring happens above 75% during PPR and some firms prefer over 80% (although their history has proven they do hire below that when they like a candidate).
So don’t lose track of this important piece, but also know that they are very interested in your performance success and client-facing abilities aside from your GPA, and may hire those with lower percentages as a result. So, you must make sure to do some solid self-marketing around these area to raise their interest in you. I can say, I have known a several that have landed jobs during PPR with 75-80% but precious few that have landed jobs under 70%.
FIVE – FOLLOW UP
Every act of job searching should have a component of follow up. Every person that you connect with should hear from you a minimum of one more time, and for many, several more times between the first contact and the interview phase. Nurturing contacts into relationships is the challenge. Although it might seem so to many, it is not impossible or insurmountable to do this during a couple of months. Create, build and maintain relationships that will become future professional colleagues and information sources now. Much like networking, follow up is your ability to keep them engaged and increase their interest in you through your professionalism and creativity.
These are my PPR HIGH FIVE and they are a must for student applicants participating in Spring Recruiting. Keep in mind that PPR is not for everyone, and that is okay. Reach out to me if your percentage is lower than average or if you are wondering how to pursue work outside of PPR.
As well, here are a few additional items to help you:
Once the postings go public, get your application ready to have it reviewed to evaluate your approach, content and presentation. Getting your PPR Application reviewed is critical to making sure your application is ready for submission. I get it that you are a capable adult learner and can take control of your own career, but my experience is, as capable as you may be, you could use some help! You probably have a few blind spots that I can help you see on your road to PPR success.
The PPR Recruit application process in the Spring will take place from May-June with opportunities for you to get career support during the process through both workshops and individual career coaching between noe and then. Sometimes, I meet students that ask me to give them feedback on their applications after they have already submitted them to some firms. By then it’s too late. Earlier is always better!
Here are some things to consider:
- Get some advice – Attend the PPR Preparation Workshops by registering through COOL. There are upcoming workshops for Application Preparation and Interviewing. Here you will gain specific advice to put together your best application. This information you receive there has been taken from years of experience helping students obtain interviews, and for many multiple interviews.
- Get a review from your career coach – I have met so many students that thought their application was ready, only to realize it wasn’t, and/or it had errors or needed improvement. The best review experience you will have will take place when you have a “real” application in hand for a review. Real applications can receive real feedback. There are some career coaching opportunities open right now as well as more coming. Register quickly before they are gone. If these dates do not work for you, send me an email and we can set up a random appointment. Further support for interview preparation will take place later in May with an Interview workshop coming as well. If these time slots do not work for you, an online appointment may be an option worth considering. To set up online appointments email dapcareersupport@sauder.ubc.ca
- One final consideration – Getting help is not an admission of weakness but a good way to protect the time investment and finances you have made to get to this stage of your life where you are pursuing your next career move. Even if it is a final check…I am sure you will be thankful you did!
Best of luck!
Russell
Russell Garrett is the Owner of Protocol Business Solutions, a Certified Career Consultant and your DAP Career Coach. Be sure to attend all the PPR Spring Recruit Workshops which will be posted on COOL for registration. Russell will be delivering workshops for DAP and BCom students in collaboration with the Business Career Centre staff and is available to DAP students for online coaching appointments set up through email requests and for in-person coaching appointments posted in COOL. You can contact Russell at dapcareersupport@sauder.ubc.ca.