Provisional Accounting Blog

When interviewing candidates for an open position on your team, it’s easy to forget what it’s like to be in the hot seat. Job interviews can rattle the nerves of even the most confident people, so it’s important to display empathy.

As one of the top accounting staffing agencies in Seattle, Provisional Accounting can’t emphasize enough the importance of doing your best to put anxious candidates at ease. Not only is it the right thing to do, you’ll also get better responses if the person isn’t on edge. Here’s how to help interviewees relax and show their true colors.

Four Ways to Make a Nervous Candidate Feel More Comfortable

Get Them in the Loop

Not knowing what’s in store for the interview can really grate on a candidate’s nerves. Ease the pressure by letting them know how the interview will go from the beginning. If you have a series of events planned, share the itinerary with them before getting started. Even if you’re just sitting down and talking with them, let them know you’ll ask questions first, and when you’re finished, you’ll open the floor to them.

Start With Easy Questions

Boost candidates’ confidence by kicking the interview off with basic questions you know they’ll be able to answer. Getting a strong start will break down their barriers and make them feel like they’re in control. By the time you’re ready to ask more challenging questions, they’ll feel secure in their ability to impress you.

Don’t Be Unnecessarily Tough

Asking difficult questions is a crucial part of finding the right candidate, but there’s such a thing as going too far. Thought-provoking inquiries are great, but there’s no need to deliberately try to confuse people. Finding the best person for the job shouldn’t involve mind games. The only thing this will achieve is placing undo stress on candidates.

Remember to Smile

You’re carefully evaluating candidates’ body language for clues about their fit for the position, but they’re also watching you. If you appear stone-faced throughout the interview, you’ll make them even more anxious. Smiling frequently will help people feel calm in your presence.

Looking for Accounting or Finance Talent to Join Your Seattle Area Company?

Provisional Accounting is here to guide your search. Contact us today to fill your temporary/contact, contract-to-hire, and direct-hire positions with the right fit every time!

You have a team of great employees, but even the hardest workers need an extra push sometimes. People get discouraged when they make mistakes or can feel intimidated when faced with a major project they’re not quite sure how to tackle. As the boss, it’s your job to pick them up, and motivational quotes are an easy way to send a strong message.

As one of the top accounting staffing agencies in Seattle, Provisional Accounting understands the importance of maintaining a productive workforce. Use these motivational quotes to rouse your team into action when they’re feeling a bit sluggish.

10 Motivational Quotes to Share With Your Team

1. “Individual commitment to a group effort — that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.” – Vince Lombardi

2. “When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.” – Henry Ford

3. “Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision. The ability to direct individual accomplishments toward organizational objectives. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results.” – Andrew Carnegie

4. “You can’t let your failures define you. You have to let your failures teach you.” – Barack Obama

5. “Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.” – Helen Keller

6. “Success is a lousy teacher. It seduces smart people into thinking they can’t lose.” – Bill Gates

7. “Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.” – Vincent Van Gogh

8. “You can’t put a limit on anything. The more you dream the farther you get.” – Michael Phelps

9. “It’s not what happens to you that determines how far you will go in life; it is how you handle what happens to you.” – Zig Ziglar

10. “Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.” – Albert Einstein

Searching for Ambitious Employees Who Take Pride in Their Work?

Provisional Accounting has it covered. Get in touch today to fill your temporary/contract, contract-to-hire, and direct-hire accounting and finance positions with top talent every time!

Achieving professional advancement is hard work, so guidance from someone who’s been in your shoes can be hugely beneficial. If you’re about to start searching for accounting jobs in Seattle, having a mentor in your corner can be a game changer.

Of course, simply having a mentor won’t cut it — you need the right one. All mentors aren’t created equal, so learn how to choose the best fit for you.

Four Tips to Find a Mentor

Know Where You’re Headed

It’s hard to choose the right mentor if you haven’t clearly mapped your career path. Your mentor will help you get on track, but first, you have to decide where you want to go. The destination you choose will largely dictate the type of mentor you need, so figure this out before taking any additional steps.

See If Your Company Has a Mentoring Program

Finding a mentor might be easier than you think. Many companies have in-house mentoring programs that pair seasoned employees with junior-level peers who can learn from their expertise. You might even be able to find someone who previously held your job or a similar role, which could be very beneficial.

Don’t Get Stuck on a Job Title

If you have your sites set on a certain job title, you probably think you have to find a mentor currently in this role or who has held it in the past. This can certainly be advantageous, but it’s more important to find a quality mentor who has the time, energy, and desire to help you. You’ll get more from this type of relationship in the long run, than you will from someone on your exact career trajectory who is unable or unwilling to offer the kind of guidance you need.

Do Your Research

Conduct background research on potential mentors to learn as much about their career as possible. This will help you narrow down your top choices before reaching out and will allow you to ask educated questions during your initial meeting. Having a strong knowledge of the person’s career history will also allow you to create a strong, personalized pitch explaining exactly why you think the two of you would make a great mentor-mentee pair.

If you want to take your career to the next level, Provisional Accounting is here to assist. Contact us today to find your fit with a Seattle area employer looking to hire temporary/contract, contract-to-hire, or direct-hire talent like you!

A new year is a perfect time for reflection. You’ve been thinking about searching for a new job for a while now, but something keeps holding you back.

When you’re comfortable in your job — even it’s far from fulfilling — making the decision to move on can be difficult. There’s no shortage of accounting work in Seattle, so it’s time to stop fearing the unknown.

Still need a little convincing? Keep reading to motivate yourself to finally launch that job search.

Five Reasons to Find a New Accounting Job in 2019

You’ve Mastered Your Current Job

There’s something nice about showing up to work each day and knowing exactly what to do. You’re the person everyone else comes to with questions, because you have all the answers.

Being secure in your job is great, but at this point, you’re not learning anything new. Staying put is stunting your professional growth, so it’s time to find a challenging new position.

You’re in a Toxic Work Environment

If you dread going into the office each day, you need to make a change. Work shouldn’t break your spirit and leave you feeling frustrated every day. Dealing with a bad boss or terrible co-workers can take a major toll on your well-being, so get out of this situation now.

You’re a fantastic worker with a lot to offer. Stop wasting your talents on a company that doesn’t appreciate you.

You’re Currently Underpaid

Money isn’t everything, but it does dictate your standard of living. Use wage data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to gauge average salaries for your field in your local area. If yours is notably less, and you know your current employer has no intention of bumping your pay up to this level, it’s probably time to move on. You work hard and you deserve to be paid fairly for your contributions.

Your Job Lacks Flexibility

These days, flexible work environments have become commonplace. If you want more freedom to control your schedule, but your employer won’t budge, find another company willing to meet your needs. The ability to work from home — at least sometimes — or set your own hours can have a hugely positive impact on your personal and professional life.

You’re Ready to Move Up the Ladder

As an ambitious person, you have big dreams for your career. You’ve been at your current job for quite some time, and you’ve finally realized there’s no upward mobility. Until now, you’ve been delaying a job search, because you like both your colleagues and the company, but the time has come to stop treading water and start making moves.

Ready to Take a Risk and Find a New Accounting Job this Year?

Provisional Accounting is here to assist. Get in touch today to connect with top Seattle area employers searching for a temporary/contract, contract-to-hire, and direct-hire talent like you!