career change

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|

Interviewing Using Your Personality Type

Awareness is important in job interviews. Self-awareness is even more important. With years placing finance & accounting execs, I’ve seen how personality types—introverts, extroverts, and ambiverts—shape success differently during the interview process. Leveraging your personality type can turn a potential hair-raising grilling into a big win. 🏆 Introverts, about 36% of U.S. workers (APA, 2025), excel in focused settings—one-on-ones are their turf—but group [...]

2025-03-18T10:16:39-04:00March 18th, 2025|

Interview Follies

Interviews can veer into the absurd—after 25+ years recruiting & interviewing CPAs and finance leaders in Tampa Bay, I’ve got stories. Some candidates stroll in with resumes or PowerPoints, one once showed up with ice cream for the hiring manager. Others bring a sideshow. 🎪 Picture a CFO candidate I once interviewed. We got to the end of our introductory interview, and I [...]

2025-03-13T10:10:31-04:00March 13th, 2025|

Etiquette of Resignation & Notice Periods

Resigning in 2025? Your notice period is more than a countdown—it’s your final play. With 25+ years placing CPAs and finance leaders in Tampa Bay, I’ve seen smart exits open doors and sloppy ones slam them shut. Two U.S.-focused articles nail it: Glassdoor’s “Notice Period: Definition and What to Expect” (updated 2025) and Foundit’s “What is Meant by Notice Period for Resignation?” (Jul [...]

2025-03-11T09:34:46-04:00March 11th, 2025|

Job Search During Layoffs

Layoffs are continuing into 2025. Major behemoths like Starbucks, Boeing, Warner Bros and UPS have announced massive layoffs at the national level. Nationally, it’s grim—1.8 million layoffs hit in December 2024 alone - heading into 2025 (BLS, Feb 2025). Tampa Bay is feeling the heat with cuts at major local employers like Pfizer, Coca Cola, e-Telequote and Stryker among others. For CPAs and [...]

2025-03-06T09:52:18-05:00March 6th, 2025|

Interview Follow Ups

Congrats on nailing that job interview! But here’s the catch—your work isn’t done yet. A thoughtful follow-up can set you apart from the pack, while forgetting or overdoing this phase could undo your hard work. While thank yous are common courtesy, they aren’t all that common. Let’s break down a few of the dos and don’ts of job interview follow-ups, backed by some [...]

2025-03-04T10:06:22-05:00March 4th, 2025|

CPA Firm Changes in 2025

How’s your career moving along? As we progress through 2025, many CPAs are reassessing their career trajectories. Two primary drivers of this trend are shifts in firm leadership and persistent career or salary stagnation. For CPAs seeking professional growth and financial reward, now might be the perfect time to explore new opportunities. 🔍 Leadership changes due to acquisitions or retirements can reshape a [...]

2025-02-25T10:32:39-05:00February 25th, 2025|
Go to Top