Making a job change is one of those decisions you will confront at one time or another during your professional life. It’s a decision that most people are hesitant to make since change is always uncomfortable at first. If you are an accounting professional seeking a new job, there are a number of adjustments you may need to make in order to increase your chances of being hired. The following tidbits of advice can help make your new job search a fulfilling, if not adventurous, experience.
1. Establish Whether Leaving Your Current Employer Is Your Best Option
Any job change you make should work out for your benefit. It’s therefore prudent to analyze your current job and list all its advantages first. After that, compare it with your job change options to establish whether it’s advisable to change your career. It could be you are just bored or fatigued, in which case you could take time off work to recharge and rest.
2. Determine What You Want in a Job
What is it you are looking to accomplish with a job change? Your motivation here is crucial. Getting a better-paying job is nice, but so is job satisfaction and opportunities for growth. Ideally, you should go for a job that provides it all. But if you have to choose one or the other, then you will have to decide what is most important to you.
3. Do Your Homework and Conduct a Self-Assessment
Research employers that offer your dream job. Finding a career that fits you is easy if you know where to look. While doing your research, consider your greatest strengths. What do you do exceptionally well while at the same time enjoy doing? For instance, if you love socializing and doing research, you might consider looking for consultancy work. While looking for a new accounting job, let your passion drive your search.
4. Find out What New Skills You Need
You may need to acquire new skills to be considered for a new job. Technology has made it easy for anyone with internet access to acquire requisite skills in almost any field of specialization. Enroll for online courses in a subject related to your desired career. Always aim to have a competitive advantage over other candidates through continuous training and education.
5. Revamp Your Resume and LinkedIn Profile
Many employers and career recruiters are increasingly relying on LinkedIn to head-hunt professionals. You should, therefore, make sure that your LinkedIn profile accurately portrays your skills, qualifications, and expertise. You could also let recruiters know that you are looking for a job change by updating your headline (the text below your name) to reflect this. For instance, you might change your headline to “Recent Accounts Graduate Looking for New Opportunities.” This tells career recruiters and especially accounting recruiters that you are interested in finding a new job.
6. Join and Participate in Group Discussions and Forums
Joining and actively participating in group discussions that are relevant to your desired job exposes you to recruiters. If you are constantly offering help and answering others’ questions on these groups, you get to stand out as the go-to person.
7. Consider Seeking the Help of a Professional Recruiter
Working with a professional accounting recruiter is highly advisable since they specialize in helping people just like you to change roles. A professional recruiter will give you invaluable advice on how to go about finding a new job you’ll love. Once they understand your career goals and life’s passion, they will guide you in looking for a job that’s a right fit for you. They will also help you optimize your CV and online profiles to make you more visible to employers.
A professional recruitment agency can help you find accounting career opportunities that are ideally suited for you.