With hiring freezes and longer job tenures, today’s job market is saturated and more competitive. Aspiring CPAs might be wondering if the CPA designation will still open doors. The answer is a resounding yes – CPA continues to be highly respected and in demand, but landing the role you want will take preparation and strategy.
That’s why CPABC teamed up with recruitment professionals to share insider tips to help you stand out and get hired: Lauren Fuerderer, manager of campus recruitment at MNP; Ben de la Fosse, division director, accounting and finance at Strive Recruitment; and Vlad Gavrilov, employment relations officer at CPABC. Here’s what they had to say.
Don’t overlook these things when job searching
It’s important for candidates to have clarity – know what you're aiming for and where you want to work and grow. For example, do you want a corporate setting or a role with diverse tasks? Research organizations and explore their LinkedIn presence. Also, don’t overlook temporary contracts. They’re great for gaining experience, proving your value, and often lead to permanent roles. Even three to six months in a role can boost your chances for future opportunities. Other ways to get ahead include building your resume early, seeking volunteer opportunities that round out your experience, and focusing on networking.
Another thing to keep in mind is, how you tell your story matters – in your resume, cover letter, and in an interview. This includes demonstrating a good attitude and energy and being prepared to show how your previous experiences match with the opportunity you’re applying for.
Tap into the hidden job market
Is there a hidden job market? Absolutely, and it’s accessed through connections. If you're new to BC or building your network, try the following:
- Use LinkedIn and your online presence – show that you’re open to work.
- Connect with recruiters at firms and agencies.
- List your top 10 employers and follow them. Connect to people who work there, drop them a message, comment on their posts, go to their events.
- Attend in-person networking events and put yourself out there at places like the board of trade, chamber of commerce, Toastmasters, and job fairs.
- Try recruitment firms – they are a free service. It’s ok to be with different firms because they work with different clients and can help you cast a wider net.
Make your resume stand out
Clean, well formatted resumes are best – avoid flashy templates. Other things include putting a tailored ‘key skills’ section at the top and quantifying your experience – don’t just say, ‘high volume AP.’ Instead say, ‘I do 800 invoices a month.’ Also add a brief company description for past employers to give context to your experience.
Job interviews: What to focus on
Before the interview, do your research: Look at the company and their recent news. Be ready to offer informed thoughts and ask well-researched questions.
During the interview, relay your past experience to the job responsibilities and use examples – help the interview panel imagine you in the role. Prepare for behavioural interview questions like: Tell me about a time when you had a challenge with a colleague or needed to manage multiple deadlines. Practice your answers – they reveal your soft skills. To clearly describe your process, try the STAR method to frame your answers:
- Situation (give brief context)
- Task (what task were you completing)
- Action (what action did you take)
- Result (what was the outcome)
Demonstrate that you’re interested in the role and be conversational – ask about their experience with the company. Avoid logistical questions (if the role is hybrid, how many vacation days it includes, etc.) until after you’ve shown genuine interest in the company.
After the interview, follow up. Send a thank you message. If you haven’t heard back in a few days, send a polite email to reiterate your interest.
Read more:
- How to make a successful career pivot into accounting
- Ace your next career fair: Essential tips from a career expert
- How to stand out in your next job interview as a CPA
Maximize how you work with recruiters
To get the most out of working with a recruiter, be clear about your job search goals and be transparent – communicate if you're interviewing elsewhere. Don’t be shy to leverage recruiter insights, ask about the interview process and tips they can offer. Additionally, respect the process. If you're working with a recruiter, don’t go to the company website and apply directly. Also, invest in your relationship. If recruiters know and understand you, they can best present opportunities to you.
Looking for more ways to put your best foot forward? Check out CPABC’s recruitment events and the career resource library on CPABC’s Careers Site.
Emma Rowbotham is a talent development officer at CPABC.
