Step #5 Get Hired: A Great Job Offer Starts Now!

Step #5 – Get Hired: Be the Grad Every Employer Wants to Hire

The job market for new grads and others seeking employment after the shutdown continues to gain momentum, so that’s the good news. The bad news is that many job seekers fail to use effective strategies to make themselves more competitive, an oversight that could prevent a coveted job offer.

The best way to protect the time and money invested in your education is to begin immediately – even if you’re still in high school – to focus on your future career … and position yourself to be the grad every employer wants to hire.

My CAP Resource Guide

RG-Step-5

My ‘College Action Plan’

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Throughout your academic career, take these simple steps to ensure you are the grad employers want to hire. Based on what you learned in Step 5, you may also want to re-evaluate your career objectives, the colleges you selected, etc. This is an ongoing process and won’t take a lot of time, but could be the difference between success and failure in the job market.
You won’t need to complete all these questions right now, but it can also be beneficial to begin exploring the job market. Keep in mind that employment trends and prospecting strategies will continue to evolve and change, so periodically go back and review your decisions, make adjustments, and reassess your ability to receive that coveted job offer upon graduation.

Which of these strategies will you explore to become more marketable once you graduate?
What’s your Credit Score? How can you improve it?
Most employers will use it when selecting the best candidates
Never looked. I didn’t realize this was important, so I’ll watch it in the future. Great point!
How can you improve your health and fitness now to demonstrate you are not a health risk to employers once you graduate?
It is a key factor they use today for new hires.
Already work out at the gym, play sports with my friends, so don’t think I’ll have to do anything different. Didn’t know this was something employers look for so already shared this tip with some friends.
What are you posting on Social Media? When prospective employers see it, how will they view you as a professional candidate?
OK… better change a few things. Hadn’t thought about how it might look to employers. Already deleted a few posts.
Will you gain experience as an Intern? If so, where? How soon should you begin?
Yes, I hope to intern at a local CPA firm during the summers. Started putting out the word, and will begin connecting with key plays at major firms in the area that I might want to work for. Hope this will impress them and it’s a good way to see what the people are like.
Begin building contacts on LinkedIn? Which companies and positions will be your best sources? Specific LinkedIn Groups are a great source of contacts and information. Which ones will you join?
Now that I know which CPA firms where I might want to work, I’m already connecting with Managers and Partners there. They are easy to find on LinkedIn. It’s probably the only Social Media site I’ll use. No time for others.
Local networking is another great way to establish contacts? How will you begin? Are there any groups you can join to meet the right people?
Yes, the local state CPA society. They have a ‘student’ membership, so will join once I switch to the university.
Continue researching your career field: What’s new? Any significant changes?
Good growth prospects but will continue to watch it.
Where are the best jobs located?
Right here – good market
Which companies are actively hiring?
All of the big CPA firms are
Are there new skills employers are looking for in your chosen field? (Review ads for these positions on Monster, Indeed, ZipRecruiter, and others.) How can you build those skills?
I’m going to take a few courses in writing, spelling, grammar and others. Those I’ve talked to have said those skills are very important as a CPA. I’ll keep looking for other free online courses to improve my skills.
After reviewing the Steps in #1 above, here are some simple steps to take your Senior year.
Which companies would you like to work for?
Already know – top 10 firms
Who are key contacts?
Partners & Managers of each
Latest news about the companies?
I’m starting to college and save news in a folder.
Are they growing/hiring?
Yes – definitely
What’s the turnover rate?
High – typical of a CPA firm, but the good people stay
Do they hire new grads?
Yes
How can you write a resume that will grab their attention and reflect their needs?
I’m going to play with some ideas, but I don’t think they are looking for flash.
Which job posting sites will you use?
I’m going to contact them directly. They also interview on campus. I’ll also connect with them on LinkedIn.
What can you do to stand out as a potential prospect?
Good tips in this step. Keep doing what I’m doing, Internship, connect on LinkedIn, join the State Society, go to networking meetings my senior year, and more.

Step #5 Get Hired: A Great Job Offer Starts Now!

Step #5 – Get Hired: Be the Grad Every Employer Wants to Hire

My CAP Resource Guide

My ‘College Action Plan’

Which of these strategies will you explore to become more marketable once you graduate?

After reviewing the Steps in #1 above, here are some simple steps to take your Senior year.

My Toolkit

New College Related Trends