career advice

Effective Interview Communication

When you're interviewing for that next role, it’s tempting to come prepared with perfect, polished answers. But here's what often gets overlooked: 💡 Scripted responses don’t resonate. Authentic dialogue does.💡 In 2025, hiring decisions for senior finance leaders hinge on more than just technical expertise. Companies are listening for how you think & communicate, not just what you say. They want to hear [...]

2025-06-11T09:43:55-04:00June 11th, 2025|

Standing out in the Executive Job Search Field

CPAs, CFOs, Controllers, and Finance VPs looking for their next opportunity, likely have noticed this already: competition is fierce. Every open role attracts a wave of high-achieving, experienced, and well-networked professionals—many with similar credentials, track records, and leadership experience. Never mind the wave of unqualified candidates who apply to these roles. All in all this creates a quagmire of resumes which hiring execs [...]

2025-06-02T09:30:37-04:00June 2nd, 2025|

Working Through a Prolonged Job Search

Job searching, especially for CPAs and financial professionals, can feel like an endurance race. The key to success lies in maintaining motivation & persistence despite rejections or silence. Setting small, achievable goals—like applying to three tailored roles weekly or connecting with two industry contacts—creates momentum and a sense of progress. A 2025 article from The Muse emphasizes breaking tasks into specific, manageable steps, [...]

2025-05-27T11:21:59-04:00May 27th, 2025|

Feelings of Guilt When Leaving a Job

As a recruiter, I often speak with professionals & potential job seekers wrestling with guilt about leaving their roles, even when it’s clear a move is essential for career growth or personal well-being. This emotional tug-of-war is common, but clinging to loyalty can stall your career. Understanding yourself and this phenomenon is important in making empowered career decisions. 🤔 A 2025 Indeed study [...]

2025-05-13T10:35:00-04:00May 13th, 2025|

Signs That it’s Time for a Job Change

Often, it’s the subtle cues that signal it’s time for a career shift vs waiting for an event or statement to hit you between the eyes. In today’s dynamic job market, staying proactive is key to moving ahead or avoiding stagnation. Here are five clear indicators, backed by some recent insights, that it’s time to explore new opportunities in 2025. 🚨 ➡️ First, [...]

2025-05-09T11:02:22-04:00May 9th, 2025|

Building & Maintaining Your Professional Network

I saw a meme yesterday that resonated: “Don’t leave your coffee for too long and then be surprised when it’s cold. I’m not talking about coffee.” It brought to mind one of my old favorite books - Harvey Mackay’s Dig Your Well Before You’re Thirsty. While master networker Mackay didn’t necessarily have job seekers in mind as the target for this book, the [...]

2025-05-07T09:12:00-04:00May 7th, 2025|

How to Make Aggressive Salary Negotiations Pay Off

So, it’s time to move on to your next career chapter with another firm. Ever wonder when’s the right time to push for a salary above the posted range? I’ve seen candidates try it at the end of the hiring process and that can make for a disastrous outcome. In 2025, more folks are negotiating—44% of hiring managers say so (Robert Half, Dec [...]

2025-04-22T10:19:46-04:00April 22nd, 2025|

New Collar Jobs

First there were blue collar and white-collar jobs. Ever come across "new collar jobs"? Coined by IBM’s former CEO Ginni Rometty, it’s the buzzword for roles blending technical skills with hands-on know-how—no four-year degree needed. In 2025, it’s reshaping work across industries. So, what’s behind this phenomenon? 🤔 These jobs—think cybersecurity analysts, cloud technicians, or advanced manufacturing—prioritize ability over credentials. The U.S. Bureau [...]

2025-04-16T11:11:49-04:00April 16th, 2025|

Pregnant Pauses

Ever wonder what’s behind an interviewer’s silence either before asking a question or following your answer? Is it a thoughtful pause from someone who speaks slowly, or a deliberate test to see how you hold up? I’ve seen both during the CPA & finance exec hiring process—here’s how to handle either one. ⏸️ First things first. Don’t let it shake you it might [...]

2025-04-08T09:09:28-04:00April 8th, 2025|

Candidate Ghosting

Ever wonder why candidates vanish mid-hiring process? It’s a growing headache—40% of recruiters now report no-shows for interviews (Recruiter, April 2, 2025), up from 28% a few years back (Indeed, 2021). What’s fueling this trend? ⛽ The numbers hint at frustration—65% of candidates dread virtual-only interviews (SHRM, April 3, 2025). One possible contributing factor? Endless Zoom calls (virtual) wear thin. On top of [...]

2025-04-04T10:32:27-04:00April 4th, 2025|
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