Are you fresh out of college and looking for your first accounting job? Well, look no further. The good news is that accounting is a great field with plenty of CPA jobs and opportunities. In today’s article, I am going to be breaking down how to find your first job as a CPA.
Have a Personalized Resume
Think about this step for a moment. If you are like all of the other resumes that the company looks at, what makes you think that they should hire you? This is why you must personalize your resume. The company has to see you as a great fit for their culture. If you don’t have a ton of experience in the field, you could even refer back to school projects that you did or possibly even leadership roles that you held. In the end, every resume that you send to an employer should be directly tailored for that employer. This goes for your cover letter and career statement as well.
Networking is Key
If you think about it, all business is relationships and providing value in those relationships. As the old adage goes, “it is not what you know but who you know” and that is exactly what it is like for many business majors. If you are in college now, start networking like crazy with your classmates. One might know a CPA and get you in the door. Seek out great internships that may have a place for you upon graduation. In the end, network every chance possible. You never know who you’ll meet and what they have to offer.
Persistence
Once you apply for a specific job, follow up with the firm. This shows the company that you care and have a genuine interest in them. Also, it can help differentiate you from other applicants. Be polite and show manners when you call, for it can play a huge role in whether the company decides to hire you or not.
In the end, becoming a CPA is hard, but the career and relationships outweigh the cost to become one. I hope this article helps you on your accounting journey.