Rob Tysver - Audit Senior

How connected are you? A recent survey developed by Robert Half International, the world’s first and largest staffing firm specializing in accounting and finance, suggests that job seekers shouldn’t overlook online networking sites. The survey was conducted by interviewing 150 senior executives from the nation’s 1,000 largest companies.

These executives were asked, “Which of the following technology tools do you believe will be most useful in your firm’s recruiting efforts in the next three years?” Almost two-thirds (62 percent) of the executives believe that professional networking websites, such as LinkedIn, will prove useful in their searches for future employees in the next three years. Coming in second with thirty-five percent were the social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace.

Now, in order to make the most of your online networking, here are some tips from Robert Half to consider:

• Craft your profile carefully - Pay attention to the content of your profile as you would the information on your resume. Make sure to highlight your professional skills, not only your personal interests.
• Ask for recommendations - Most professional networking sites allow for others to comment on your work, these testimonials help hiring managers learn more about your experience and work ethic.
• Build your list of contacts - Invite your trusted friends and colleagues to join your network. You can also ask to be introduced or referred to an interesting person you find in one of their networks.
• Don’t post anything you wouldn’t want an employer to see - Use the privacy settings that are available to you. Make sure that any public images or messages you post don’t detract from your professional image.
• Don’t stop networking once you have a job - Although these networking sites are great job search tools, they can also help you once you have secured a position. They can help you stay up-to-date on industry trends, find mentors that can offer career advice or alert you on upcoming events and educational opportunities.

One thing to remember, embracing technology can be beneficial but job seekers shouldn’t depend solely on the digital world. Max Messmer, chairman and CEO of Robert Half International states, “Tried and true methods such as networking at industry events, submitting well-written resumes and cover letters and diligently following up with hiring managers are still essential to landing the ideal job. Combining personal and online networking offers the best of both worlds.”

To view more on this topic, visit www.rhi.com.

Jenna Montroy - Marketing Intern

You may not find your next job on LinkedIn, but it is an excellent way to start building your professional profile. LinkedIn is a social networking site mainly used by professionals. Although there are less registered members on LinkedIn than Facebook or MySpace, the people on LinkedIn are the right ones. LinkedIn is designed solely to help you make professional connections. You can upload your resume, state whether you are looking to be hired, looking to hire, etc. And with over 20 million registered users, LinkedIn is an excellent place to start building professional relationships and networking.

The search tool on LinkedIn’s website helps you find whoever you may be looking for, this could be people like you, people who might want to hire you, and those who may share your skills. They also offer a Q&A area that allows you to make known your presence by asking others specific career-related questions.

Now, you may be asking yourself - does this site actually work in helping you make connections? Some say it does, but the site is free for all users, so it’s worth a shot!

Randall Cabezas - IT Administrator

Networking is an essential part of building any career, whether it is in accounting or something else. Eighty to ninety percent of jobs available today are filled through networking and are never even advertised. This is why networking is so important when looking for a job. The more people you know the more potential prospects and opportunities will arise.

Though it may seem intimidating, it is nothing more than considering every person you meet, and currently know, as a contact. Keeping a list is the easiest way to keep track of all your contacts, whether it is in a Rolodex, on your laptop, or in your cell phone. To start your list, consider all the people you know, from friends, family, professors, doctors, lawyers, contractors, and so on. And, as you continue to meet new people be sure to add them to your list.

It is easy to make every opportunity a networking opportunity. Attending conferences, tradeshows, and work-related events are ideal for developing new contacts, but any person you talk to for any reason represents a potential contact!

Here are some more tips from the AICPA to enhance your network.

Stephanie Sanchez - Audit Staff

When I say the “real world” I am talking about having a career, moving out of the parents house, and, of course, paying all those bills yourself. This all begins your junior, senior, or grad year of college. I began my quest for the “real world” the fall of my grad year. I was attending Georgia Southern University and had no idea where to start looking for a job. A lot of my teachers would talk about something called Accounting Day. It sounded pretty interesting, so I attended. I’m not going to lie, it was a long exhausting day and I really didn’t feel like sitting through three more hours of lecture at this Accounting Day, but I am glad that I did. I got to hear from many firms, recent GSU graduates, and teachers. They lectured on why to go big or small, what should really be on your resume, and what your first year of work will really be like.

Listening to these lectures really helped me get a jump-start on my quest for a job. During Accounting Day, they also offered mock interviews. Since I had never really had an interview before, I thought it would be a good experience that would teach me a lot. Even though it was not a real interview, I was nervous. After the mock interview, my interviewer talked to me about what I did right and wrong. She also gave me great advice for the real thing.

My advice to college students is to really start early. You should attend any event that your school holds that will benefit your future. Scheduling a mock interview, allowing your career service to review your resume, and going to meet-the-firm events are some great ways to get started. Because I was able to get a head start on my quest for a job in the fall of my grad year, I was able to find the firm that suited me best. I secured a job position early and was able to relax, knowing that I had a job waiting for me after I graduated. It is such a great feeling to get a job position early and not have to worry about looking after you graduate.

Laura Snyder - Director of Marketing

Most experts agree that more than 90% of communications is non-verbal. While WHAT you say is obviously very important, HOW you say it is much more powerful. Misunderstandings often occur as a result of inappropriate and/or misinterpreted non-verbal cues. It is vital to understand the role non-verbal communication plays, both in knowing what others are really thinking, and what your own cues tell them about you. Non-verbal signals tell you what others think and feel. If you do not take into account non-verbal language, then you ignore over 90% of what they are saying.

Things to keep in mind: - Facial expression: the face can tell you whether someone is happy, surprised, sad, angry, afraid or disgusted. While they may try to hide these emotions with words, they are “leaked” through the face.

• Eye contact: the eyes communicate intimacy, interest and threat. To show someone you are interested in what they are telling you, be sure to maintain eye contact.

• Gesture: involuntary gestures such as touching the face, scratching, gripping the hands together, or putting the hands near the mouth often indicate intense emotions such as depression, elation or anxiety.

• Posture: posture conveys emotion, social relationship and social status.

• Touch: touch can be a valuable means of reassurance and of demonstrating understanding.

• Proximity: humans are highly territorial and have four spatial proximity zones: intimate, personal, social and public.

If you keep these things in mind, you will better understand others and be sure that you aren’t sending the wrong signals, particularly durning the interview process.

David Wood - Partner

After five years in college, you’ve likely fostered many good friendships. Just because you are graduating, these relationships don’t have to (and shouldn’t) end there. Like you, your friends from college will go on to exciting, successful careers and your paths are bound to cross. If you continue to nurture these relationships, they will payoff in many ways.

I’ve been fortunate to reconnect with and stay connected with several of my college friends over the years. Some of them have ended up as coworkers and others are now clients. Good ways to stay in touch include participating in your local alumni association and becomming active in professional associations such as the Georgia Society of CPAs. I have made it a point to stay in touch with many of my old friends. Our paths have taken us in many directions. It is very interesting to see where different people end up when we all started in the same place.

Carrie Connell - Audit Associate

Reading an article entitled “Careful What You Post Online” at jobsinthemoney.com, I realized how much the online world can have an affect on our professional lives. The article focused on social networking sites and how seemingly innocent comments and photographs could negatively impact our careers. Many prospective employers are searching MySpace and other social networking sites for information on potential candidates. Evaluating how employee candidates handle themselves in social situations plays an important role in the hiring process. What information can prospective employees find out about you by doing a quick Google search? If you have a MySpace page (or other biographical information stored on the web), now is the time to revisit it and eliminate anything that could raise a flag for your future employer.