Finance and accounting jobs in SMEs, corporates and multinational companies often see high numbers of applications. Therefore if you want to get shortlisted for an exciting new role, it’s important to be able to differentiate yourself from every other applicant in the market.
Below we outline how you can improve your employability, on paper and at interview to increase your chances of getting your dream finance role.
Tailor Your CV
The CV is often the first impression potential employers will get of you, and therefore it’s essential to show yourself in the best light. Tailoring your CV to the job description and highlighting the skills asked for in your work experience will already put you ahead of most of the market, as many people do not do this for each job that they apply for. Making a bespoke CV for each role may seem like a lot of work but will dramatically improve your chances of being shortlisted for interview.
Highlight Your Soft Skills
In a market where there are a lot of people with similar skillsets, an area that can set you apart is your soft skills. Highlighting your soft skills such as being personable, a team player and good at getting the best out of other people can be worth their weight in gold to an employer. They want a new starter to fit in and get on with other employees, so highlighting these qualities can sometimes push you towards an offer compared to someone who has similar professional skills but is not as approachable or personable.
Networking
The saying ‘it’s not what you know, it’s who you know’ can ring true when it comes to a job search. Going to finance and accounting networking events can be a great way to meet people in the industry who may turn out to be future employers. Meeting a finance professional in a networking setting and engaging in interesting conversation with them can be a big foot in the door if you are looking for a new position. Check out Meetup to find networking events in your area.
Prepare
If you fail to prepare, you prepare to fail. When it comes to preparing for interviews, make sure you do your due diligence and find out as much about the company and the role as possible. Look at the company website, read industry news and even look at the hiring manager’s and interviewer’s LinkedIn profiles. Knowledge is power and if the interviewer sees that you have taken the time to really get to know the company, they are more likely to believe you really want the role. It may even be worth having a conversation with your recruiter as they may have insider information that could help you during the interview.
Keep Up to Date with Trends in Finance
Showing potential employers that you are up-to-date with key trends in the world of finance and accounting is a great way to demonstrate that you do not rely only on internal processes and training, but also are proactively keeping your skills and knowledge fresh. Employers want people who can improve the work that their team is doing, by showing that you keep up-to-date with the latest news and innovations brings another level of expertise into the company.
Commercialism and Business Acumen
Demonstrating that you are commercially aware can be a great way to separate you from the pack. Showing that you can make decisions in difficult business situations based on your experiences, knowledge and by working with others can help show you can handle the autonomy that a role may require.
Improving your employability with the tips outlined in this post could be the difference between finding your perfect role or not. If you need any more information on improving employability, and finding your next role in finance and accounting, get in touch with our team on 01252 718 777 or email info@howett-thorpe.co.uk.