Accounting Resume Advice

Enjoy the following guest post from Mark - tips for crafting the perfect resume for your Accounting job search.

Accounting Resume Advice 

Jobs in accounting are increasing faster than average in the current job market, and many aspiring accountants are ready to fill those positions. To stand out above the throngs of other candidates for the job, one should be sure to present the best possible image of themselves to their prospective employer. An excellent resume is the way to get the interview and get ahead of the crowd. Here are some tips for impressing hiring managers who read your resume.

Maintain An Eye For Detail

Errors in punctuation, grammar, or spelling will make any resume look worse. On accounting resumes, even the smallest errors could undermine the rest of the presentation--hiring managers don't want inattentive accountants on staff when they're crunching numbers that represent big money to the company. Read, re-read, and have a friend review it as well to ensure that your resume is not ruined by something so easily prevented.

What Accounting Employers Want To Hear

Always remember what hiring managers want to see on your accounting resume. Keep in mind skills, accomplishments, and certifications in your accounting areas of expertise. The employer will want to be able to clearly see that qualifications for the job are well-met by the employee, and that they will be worth interviewing. Remember to use the language of the accounting profession; the proper lingo can go a long way in creating an image of somebody who meets the qualifications and fits in at the job.

Accounting-Related Skills

List all of your computer and technical skills that are used in the accounting profession. These can include computer programs you have mastered, special skills you have taken courses in, and unique specialties gained through experience in a previous job. You can look at accounting resume examples for ideas on what to write about.  Be colorful in describing value you imparted in past job accomplishments--make them interesting to further set you apart in terms of your value as an accountant.

Lifestyle & Character

Employers will prefer somebody who is lively and passionate, not just a boring number-cruncher, so it can be valuable to mention one's hobbies and activities outside of work. Mention any volunteering experiences as well. This helps to paint a picture of somebody who is well-rounded and active, who is more likely to show initiative and be a joy to manage and work with. Take the time to emphasize your social skills, leadership abilities, and more to show just how valuable you can be to the team. However, be wary of divulging info that gives away race, age, or religion--a prospective employer might respond by trashing your resume to avoid being accused of discrimination in hiring.

Testimonials

Testimonials from past employers can go a long way in impressing hiring managers. The praise of a former boss or prominent member of the community could improve your status significantly in the eyes of a prospective accounting employer. Listing references on a resume has become less common, which makes the tactic of including a written testament initially even more effective by comparison.

Social Networking Info

These days, online social networking is ubiquitous and practically everyone is online--including accountants and their employers. With this in mind, profiles and online utterances should be kept in line with what you would want current and future employers to hear. You should strive to keep a professional image on sites like Facebook and Twitter to avoid sabotaging your accounting career. If you've kept everything clean and are comfortable, you may wish to include LinkedIn or even other social networking site handles on your resume so prospective employers can further check you out. If you list your email address, make sure it is a professional one that reflects well on you as a potential employee.