If you’re in the United States, you’re already well-aware that the economic climate is not ideal for recent college graduates. About 14% of college graduates are unemployed in the United States right now. Many students struggle with the fact that in high school, we’re taught that all good jobs come to those with college degrees, but now, all that most of us have to show for it is a piece of paper and a heap of debt.
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There is a bright side: this is a thing that many graduates of accounting don’t have to worry about so much. There will always be a need for accountants and this is one of the few industries which depends up on entry-level hires to grow and improve – many other positions require several years of experience before even being considered. However, if you live in a bustling city like NYC, the competition is, of course, going to be a bit more fierce, especially if you’re aiming high by applying to some of the top firms. It’s always worth a shot, though, and these tips can help.
The Recruitment Process for the Big Four
In an interview with a recruiter for one of the top firms in the Big Apple, he let us in on some little secrets – many of which made the hiring process seem more accessible to students. He starts the recruiting process on college campuses and gets to know the younger students. They offer programs in which students can work for a few days, then certain students are offered internship positions if they fit the bill. If they’re still doing well after the internship, many are lined up to get hired once they graduate. The lesson? Seek out recruiters at career fairs and never turn down an internship.
Tips for the Application Process
If you took the previous bit of advice about taking internships, you should have a fairly beefed-up resume by this point. However, one thing that recruiters and hirers hate seeing is a trite cover letter. Make your cover letter unique to the position and company you’re applying for, and don’t just sum up your resume in your cover letter. Provide information that is concise but useful – remember, being in such a densely-populated city, an accounting firm in NYC is bound to see hundreds and hundreds of resumes. You want yours to stand out.
What Interviewers Look For
So you want to be an accountant – it’s pretty self-explanatory that you should be good with numbers. However, many accounting firms consider it a huge plus if an applicant is multilingual, so maybe you don’t want to pass up taking those French classes when you’ve got the opportunity. They also pay a lot of attention to your GPA in accounting courses. It’s understandable that you might get a D in a drawing course, so if that brings down the entirety of your GPA, separate it out from your accounting GPA on your resume. Don’t be afraid to include other experiences, such as studying abroad or leading a club at your school, on your resume, as it rounds out your character and gives an interviewer better insight about the person they’d be hiring.
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T Mendleson is a recent college grad who wrote about her job search tips
