Provisional Accounting Blog

When you’re gainfully employed, searching for Spokane accounting job opportunities is simultaneously exciting and nerve-wracking. You’re eager to see what the future has in store, but you’re anxious that your current employer will discover your intent to leave the company.

Losing your job — and the paycheck that comes with it — before you find a new one isn’t an option, so discretion is the key to success. Use these tips to keep your search under wraps.

Five Ways to Discretely Look for a New Job

Don’t Search at Work

You might think you can get away with searching the Internet for jobs on your lunch break, but that’s playing with fire. Someone might see your computer screen, or unbeknownst to you, it’s possible your boss monitors your search history. Do yourself a favor and leave your job search at home.

Keep Your Resume Off Job Boards

Many candidates post their resume to job boards as part of the search process, but this isn’t exactly a covert move. These boards are public, so your current employer could come across your resume. It’d be pretty be hard to explain your way out of that one, so just don’t do it.

Work With a Recruiter

Taking on a staffing partner is an excellent way to maintain a confidential search. Simply tell your recruiter you need to practice discretion, and they’ll exercise caution every step of the way. This is an incredibly common request, so staffing agencies are experts at protecting candidates’ privacy.

Try to Schedule Interviews During Off-Hours

Job interviews can be tricky when you’re currently employed. If you take a few hours off work for an appointment once or twice, your boss probably won’t think anything about it. However, you’ll likely raise eyebrows if this becomes a regular occurrence. Therefore, it’s best to try to schedule job interviews before or after work. This might not always be possible, but try to use this practice as a general rule of thumb.

Choose References Wisely

It’s common sense that you should never ask your current boss or colleagues to serve as a reference. However, you also need to be mindful when asking co-workers from your past. Don’t ask anyone who has close contacts at your current company or with a gossipy nature, as they might not be so discrete about serving as a reference.

Ready to Take the Next Steps in Your Accounting Career?

Provisional Accounting wants to help you get ahead. Contact us today to find temporary/contract, contract-to-hire, and direct-hire opportunities with top Spokane and Seattle employers!

Fantastic accounting careers in Spokane are built on relationships. Of course, these days, many business contacts are made digitally. This is great, as it allows you to meet more people, but it can also cause lead to a network filled with virtual strangers.

Technically speaking, you can do all your networking online. However, you won’t be able to establish the same quality relationships you share with contacts you’ve actually met in person.

Therefore, it’s important to keep attending networking mixers and job fairs and continue making lunch dates to touch base with connections you haven’t seen in a while. If you’re still hesitant to take this route, here are a few reasons to invest the time and energy into it.

Four Benefits of Face-to-Face Networking

Put a Face to a Name

It’s much easier for people to remember you — and vice versa — when they’re able to put a face to a name. This increases the chances they’ll remember you if they hear about a job you might be interested in.

Build a Stronger Connection

Building relationships through online chat or email is difficult. Conversations are typically brief and centered on certain topics, so it’s hard to really get to know the other person. On the other hand, when chatting face-to-face, it’s much easier to get a fun banter going. Shifting the discussion a bit away from business allows the two of you to really bond.

Let Your Personality Shine

When networking online, it’s hard to relay your true personality. This puts you at a disadvantage because potential employers and contacts who could help you get ahead don’t get to see the real you. Face-to-face networking is much more valuable because anyone who meets you is obviously going to like you.

Avoid Digital Misunderstandings

Non-verbal cues add just as much — or possibly even more — to a conversation as words alone. Since they aren’t a factor in online networking, it’s easy for misinterpretations to occur. This can cause you to inadvertently offend the other person, because your point was lost in translation.

Searching for a New Accounting Job in Spokane?

Provisional Accounting wants to help. Contact us today to find a temporary/contract, contract-to-hire, or direct-hire position that checks all your boxes.

When hiring accountants in Spokane or Seattle, it would be nice to mention cash bonuses as a perk of working for your company, but right now, that isn’t in your budget. Thankfully, there’s plenty of other ways to entice candidates and make current employees feel valued that don’t cost a thing.

Thoughtful and creative, non-monetary bonuses are a win for everyone. Your team gets showered with appreciation and you’re able to do this without spending a dime. This is a great way to boost morale, and show employees how much you appreciate all the hard work they do for the company.

Here are three ideas guaranteed to be a hit.

Designated Prime Parking Spot

It rains a lot in Washington, so scoring a coveted parking spot is a huge win. On a weekly or monthly basis, choose an employee who has gone above and beyond expectations to reward with the parking spot. This is a great way to show appreciation to your top achievers, while motivating the rest of the team to do their best work.

Handwritten Thank You Notes

Beyond taking notes in a meeting, you probably haven’t used a pen and paper for much in recent years. These days, most messages are sent through email, which makes handwritten notes really special. When an employee does something outstanding, show appreciation by sitting down and actually writing a note. This kind gesture will almost certainly catch them off guard, and make them feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

Extra Vacation Days

If you have the coverage to manage it, rewarding employees with an extra vacation day(s) — paid, of course — will be a huge hit. No matter how much they enjoy their jobs, everyone appreciates a little extra leisure time. This can be a bonus given to your entire team or something you dole out on an individual basis to celebrate notable successes.

Searching forTop Accounting or Finance Talent?

Provisional Accounting has the contacts needed to help you find the right fit in both the Spokane and Seattle areas. Contact us today to fill your temporary/contract, contract-to-hire, and direct hire positions with motivated candidates who can’t wait to join your team!

When hiring accountants in Spokane, you’ll likely encounter candidates of all ages. This is great because different generations each have something unique to bring to the table.

As a manager, it’s important to understand and embrace the tendencies of each generation. When you’re able to recognize both the strengths and weaknesses of different age groups, you can lead the team to success. Here are a few tips to make this happen.

How to Manage Employees From Different Generations

Understand Their Unique Needs

Every generation has a set of defining characteristics, and this hugely impacts the way they work. From communication preferences — i.e., face-to-face conversations vs. email — to desired work style — i.e., group or individual work — it’s important for you as their boss to recognize these differences and adhere to them.

Pair Them Together

Contrary to popular belief different generations can successfully work together. In fact, they have a lot to learn from one another. Help them recognize each other’s strengths by creating multigenerational pairings to work together on projects. For example, a millennial could teach a baby boomer about social media, and the baby boomer can pass on some of the industry knowledge they’ve acquired from decades on the job.

Meet in the Middle

Every team has its own set of norms, so structure yours to fit all generations represented. This will help employees of all ages learn and grow because they’ll be forced to try something new. Since no generation will have to completely conform to the ideals of another, this should increase job satisfaction and create a stronger team bond.

Set Each Person Up to Shine

Employees from different generations can definitely expand their horizons — often times more than you’d ever expect — but every age group still has their own unique strengths. Keep this in mind when assigning work, to ensure the entire team is given projects tailored to their skill sets. This will help everyone to be happier and achieve better results.

Ready to add new accounting or finance talent to your Spokane or Seattle team?

Provisional Accounting is here to help fill your temporary/contract, contract-to-hire, and direct-hire positions.  Contact us today to start your search!