Provisional Accounting Blog

These days, finding top talent is harder than ever. Since the unemployment rate is hovering around record lows, you have to really get creative with your search. Seattle recruiters can help, but more on that later.i would

If you posted a job, but haven’t been impressed with the caliber of applicants, it’s time to change your strategy. Find out how to shift your hiring practices to connect with the candidates you really want.

4 Ways to Find More Qualified Job Seekers

Write Better Job Descriptions

The best and brightest professionals take their career very seriously. These people have their choice of jobs, so they’re not going to waste their time applying for one with a vague description. Clearly describe the main responsibilities associated with the position and all pertinent qualifications. Avoid having your posting passed up by writing fresh copy every time the job becomes available. Recycling old content can result in false advertising that attracts the wrong people.

Add an Extra Step to the Job Application

It’s never wise to make a job difficult to apply for, but when the process is too easy, it invites the masses. Take your application process beyond the resume and cover letter by including a few required questions. Candidates who aren’t serious about the position will pull themselves out of the running, because they won’t want to take the extra few minutes to complete it.

Seek Referrals

Reach out to your network to see if your contacts knows of anyone who would be a good fit for the job. It’s also wise to get employees involved, as they have extensive networks of their own. People you know and trust won’t recommend anyone they don’t believe in, making this an effective way to connect with quality candidates.

Take on a Staffing Partner

Working with a recruiter is an excellent way to find the best candidates, because they hire for a living. Staffing professionals maintain extensive talent pools filled with people who currently have jobs, but would consider making a move for the right opportunity. Passive talent isn’t checking job postings, so this is the best way to get on their radar.

Discouraged by the quality of accounting and finance talent applying job openings at your company? Team up Accountingpros Recruiting + Staffing. Contact us today to start filling your temporary/contact, contract-to-hire, and direct-hire positions right the first time.

Most people assume peak accounting season is limited to the rush between January and April, but if you’re like many tax professionals, there’s a second round. Individuals and corporations that receive six-month extensions have fall deadlines that can send Seattle accounting temp agencies and firms into mayhem.

No matter which peak season you’re currently dreading, there’s plenty of ways to ease the pressure. Find out how to maintain a sense of balance when your work life is hectic.

Five Ways to Ease the Stress of Your Accounting Job During Peak Season

Eat a Balanced Diet

When you’re stressed, comfort foods might make you feel better temporarily, but they don’t do your body good. It’s important to follow a balanced diet to keep your energy levels up. During peak season, you don’t have a lot of time to cook, so prepare lunches and dinners in batches. Keep your stock supplied by dedicating an hour or two each week to meal prep. When you have healthy fare ready and waiting, there’s no need to grab quick convenience foods.

Make Sleep a Priority

Everything seems more stressful when you’re exhausted. When you’re working long hours, something has to give, but don’t let that be sleep. Instead of coming home late and watching Netflix for a few hours, put yourself to bed, so you can wake up feeling refreshed and ready to take on your busy day.

Find Healthy Ways to Channel Stress

Stress will push you to the brink if you let it. Win the battle by finding healthy releases that allow you to relax and recharge. This is different for everyone, but might involve exercising daily, unwinding with a hot bath at the end of the day, or getting lost in a good book on your commute — assuming you take public transit to work.

Know Your Limits

It’s no secret that life during peak season means a heavy workload, but you’re only human. Everyone has a limit to the amount of work they can handle, so recognize the signs that you’re in over your head. Speak up when you need help, because trying to do too much will cause you to make mistakes and the stress of it all can even make your immune system more susceptible to illness.

Surround Yourself With Positive People

Working long hours means you don’t have much free time, so focus on quality instead of quantity. Spend your free time with supportive family and friends who make you happy. The company you keep can easily lift you up or bring you down, so choose wisely.

If you’re ready to find a new accounting or finance job in the Seattle area, Accountingpros Recruiting + Staffing wants to help. Contact us today to connect with top employers looking for talented professionals like you to fill temporary/contract, contract-to-hire, and direct-hire openings.

Chances are, you have LinkedIn account. What you might not realize is this social networking site could be the ticket to your next great accounting hire.

The world’s largest professional network has more than 562 million users in over 200 countries, so there’s clearly plenty of people to choose from. The best Seattle accounting recruiters know the site is a fantastic place to connect with top talent, so find out how to use it to your advantage.

Three Ways Hiring Managers Can Find Accounting Talent on LinkedIn

Conduct a Search

LinkedIn allows you to set custom search parameters, so take advantage of this feature. Review the results for a match, and when a profile catches your eye, send a request to connect. Include a message introducing yourself and explaining why you’re reaching out. This is a savvy way to find candidates who otherwise might not see your job posting.

Additionally, if you discover a shared connection with any candidates you’re interested in, reach out to ask for an introduction. Sending a message yourself is perfectly acceptable, but this personal touch will add extra weight.

Share a Status Update

Let your network know you’re looking for accounting talent by posting an update. Not only will your connections be able to see it, but when any of them like or comment on it, it will be visible to their own connections. This is a savvy way to get the word out there and quickly receive referrals who could turn out to be your next amazing hire. Be sure to include a link to the job posting in your update, so it’s easy for interested candidates to apply.

Join Accounting Groups

Top accounting professionals are passionate about their work. More than just a job, many of these people enjoy connecting with their peers on LinkedIn. You can often find them in accounting groups, networking and discussing the latest trends impacting the industry. By joining these groups yourself, you’re able to connect with them and get the job at your company on their radar.

Searching for a new accounting or finance professional to join your Seattle-area team?

Accountingpros Recruiting + Staffing wants to help you hire right. Get in touch today to find a temporary/contract, contract-to-hire, or direct-hire professional who checks all your boxes.

It’s a great time to be an accountant in Seattle. Demand for accountants and auditors in the U.S. is expected to increase 10% through 2026, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, compared with 7% for all occupations.

Combined with the Seattle area’s low unemployment rate of 3.8% — as of June 2018 — this is an ideal time to seek new accounting opportunities, because it’s a job seeker’s market. When you work with top accounting recruiting agencies, the odds turn even more in your favor, because they have access to exclusive opportunities that never reach the general market.

Five Ways to Boost Your Seattle Accounting Career

Become a CPA

It’s certainly no easy feat, but you’ll be handsomely rewarded for your efforts. To take the CPA exam in Washington, you need at least 150 semester hours of college education and have a bachelor’s degree in accounting — or be within 120 days of graduation — from a school recognized by the Washington State Board of Accountancy.

Join a Professional Association

Who you know in the accounting industry can be monumentally helpful to your career. The Seattle area has plenty of professional associations — i.e., Washington Association of Accounting & Tax Professionals, Washington Society of Certified Public Accountants, and the National Association of Black Accountants, Inc. — to meet like-minded people who can help you navigate the field.

Earn Your Master’s Degree

Going back to school is a major commitment, but if you’re willing and able, it can open new doors in your accounting career. A master’s degree in accounting or an MBA with a concentration in accounting can allow you to qualify for high-level jobs that require an advanced degree.

Work Your Way Up

Achieving manager or partner status doesn’t happen overnight. If you want a spot at the top, you have to start in an entry-level job and work your way up. This will probably mean doing your fare share of grunt work, but if you’re willing to do what it takes, you’ll write your own ticket to success.

Go the Extra Mile

Accounting jobs hold a lot of weight, so you have to prove you’re up to the challenge. Make a habit of exceeding expectations to show your manager you can handle anything that comes your way. Volunteer to work on extra projects, stay late when needed, and maintain a positive attitude to show you’re equipped to take on more responsibility.

Ready to start a new chapter in your accounting career? Accountingpros Recruiting + Staffing wants to help you connect with top employers in the Seattle area. Get in touch today to start