Author: Dianedelgadolemaire

Updated List of Accounting & Finance Job Openings – dlemaire@cfstaffing.com

Posted on by Dianedelgadolemaire

Here is what we are working on this week! dlemaire@cfstaffing.com

  • Small company Accounting Supervisor
  • Senior Accounting Analyst (public accounting required)
  • Construction Staff Accountant
  • JIB Senior Accountant
  • Director FP&A with CFO track
  • Tax Manager (big 4 needed)
  • Tax Senior – Big 4 required
  • Staff Accountant
  • Senior Property Accountant
  • Senior SEC Accountant
  • Staff SEC Accountant, CPA
  • Reinsurance Analyst
  • AP Manager
  • Senior IT Auditor
  • Internal Auditor – 40% travel
  • Internal Auditor – 60% travel
  • Internal Auditor – 30% travel
  • Staff Tax Accountant – Industry
  • Senior Tax Accountant – ULTRA high net wealth clients
  • Senior Insurance Accountant
  • Payroll Admin
  • AP Specialist
  • AR Specialist
  • Division Assistant Controller
  • Audit Senior public accounting

Small Company Accounting Supervisor – West Houston – dlemaire@cfstaffing.com

Posted on by Dianedelgadolemaire

Overview: 

  • Supervise AP & Staff Accountant
  • Cash & Bank Management
  • Manage Month End Close
  • Review Financial Statements
  • Oversee monthly bank reconciliations
  • Review AP and AR coding
  • Assist in year end audits

Requirements: 

  • Accounting Degree
  • 1 plus years of supervisory experience
  • 4 to 8 years of General Accounting
  • Excel and major ERP

This map shows what $100 is really worth in your state via http://www.businessinsider.com/

Posted on by Dianedelgadolemaire

Your dollars go further in some states than others.

The Tax Foundation released a map showing the relative value of $100 in every state compared with the national average using the data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis.

In expensive states like New York, you can afford comparatively less than average; in less expensive states like Mississippi, you can buy relatively more.

“Regional price differences are strikingly large; real purchasing power is 36 percent greater in Mississippi than it is in the District of Columbia,” the Tax Foundation wrote.

“In other words, by this measure, if you have $50,000 in after-tax income in Mississippi, you would have to have after-tax earnings of $68,000 in the District of Columbia just to afford the same overall standard of living.”

Here’s the map:

$100 Map state 01Tax Foundation

The states with the largest relative value of $100 were:

  • Mississippi ($115.34)
  • Arkansas ($114.29)
  • Alabama ($113.90)
  • South Dakota ($113.64)
  • West Virginia ($112.49)

The states with the smallest relative value of $100 were:

  • District of Columbia ($84.67)
  • Hawaii ($85.62)
  • New York ($86.43)
  • New Jersey ($87.34)
  • California ($88.97)

Handling rejection like a pro viahttp://cfstaffing.blogspot.com/

Posted on by Dianedelgadolemaire

It’s the call you’ve been anxiously awaiting, but unfortunately it’s not the outcome you had hoped for: you didn’t get the job. You might feel defeated or even a bit lost, but remember that this can happen to the best of us. Rejection is an unavoidable part of the job search process, but it’s something you can learn from. Our recruiters have shared their expert advice on handling job search rejection like a pro.

Be Professional

You shouldn’t take things personally. Nicole Hicks, Staffing Manager of CFS Seattle, reminds us that the company is not rejecting you as a person. Your skills simply don’t match up with what the company needs right now, but not necessarily what they’ll need down the road. This is why it’s crucial to always thank your interviewer and maintain a professional relationship. You never know what opportunities may arise in the future.

Stay Positive

It may be cliché but it still remains true. There is a reason we end up where we do and it’s important to remember that. Ron Ramey, Executive Recruiter of CFS Columbus, explains that more often than not it will come down to two people, and in the end one person simply has a little more experience than the other. In this scenario, Ramey says it’s important to focus on the positives takeaways from the interview process. What did you do well? How did you present yourself? Were your answers relevant and concise? Utilize this experience to your advantage and form a game plan for your next interview. You don’t want to overthink a job that “wasn’t meant to be”.

Ask for Feedback

Self-evaluation is the first step to improvement, but honest feedback from someone else is especially helpful! If you have the opportunity to ask your interviewer for feedback, then you should take it. Not only will you gain an outsiders perspective, but it will make you a stronger candidate in the future. You can utilize their response of why you were rejected and put it to good use.

Don’t Dwell on It

You won’t be able to move on if you constantly think about it. In addition, you don’t want to speak about any of your past rejections in an interview and give a prospective employer reason to think you’re not a desirable candidate. As Hicks says, when you go on a first date it’s not common practice to speak about an ex, and the same idea applies for a job interview.

Always remember that the interview process will be filled with trial and error. It takes time to find the perfect job. That’s why it’s called a job hunt! In order to succeed you need to get yourself out there and not be afraid of rejection- the right job for you will come along.

Looking for your next job? We’re here to help!

Find the closest location to you here.

Director FP&A – CFO TRACK – dlemaire@cfstaffing.com

Posted on by Dianedelgadolemaire

This position is a key member of the finance leadership team.  They are responsible for making recommendations to enhance financial policies and procedures in addition to providing strategic leadership and advice to the overall finance team.

  • Ensure timely and accurate preparation and analysis of the annual budget, forecasts, and financial data on both a regular as well as ad hoc basis.
  • Manage a team of financial analysts to ensure data integrity and reliable reporting and analytics.
  • Build collaborative relationships with the partnership, executive management, and internal departments.
  • Act as a consultant to communicate in-depth, independent analysis to management so they understand the financial impact of business decisions so they can act accordingly.
  • Organize and direct the preparation of analysis and forecasts for senior management in internal operational reviews and strategic planning
  • Measuring and monitor performance against budgets and targets.
  • Profitability analysis
  • Identifying target areas for improvement based on key business metrics
  • Develop and implement procedures and systems to improve the budget preparation process to ensure the budget and other financial models are accurate, complete and aligned
  • Advise and assist senior management in the implementation of business strategies.
  • Analyzing current and past trends in key performance indicators including all areas of revenue, cost of sales, expenses and capital expenditures

Required: 

  • MBA
  • 10 plus years of financial analysis, budgeting and process improvement.
  • Advanced written, verbal and interpersonal skills

SEC Accountant – North Houston

Posted on by Dianedelgadolemaire

Responsibilities:

 

SEC Reporting

  • 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K preparation, roll forward word document, maintain document support binder
  • Prepare supporting schedules, checking for reasonableness, consistency and errors
  • Prepare quarterly analytics to facilitate MD&A
  • Assist with the preparation of GAAP and SEC quarterly checklists
  • Assist with information requests for internal and external audits
  • Assist with the preparation of accounting memos as necessary
  • Maintain the financial reporting process for compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
  • Respond to lender due diligence requests
  • Assist with the preparation of financial slides for CFO presentations
  • Assist with the preparation of the Company’s goodwill impairment analysis
  • Assist in the review of quarterly reports prepared for the Company’s lender

Qualifications:

  • 3+ years of financial reporting experience in a public accounting – or big four public company financial reporting experience.BS in Accounting/Finance. CPA and/or MBA preferred.
  • Accounting Degree; MBA and CPA a plus

 

CareerNews   Do These 3 Things and Build a Successful Career Written By Leah Arnold-Smeets

Posted on by Dianedelgadolemaire
Link to Article

There’s no recipe for success. What works for your career might not work for your neighbor’s, and vice versa. But, there are a few things that most successful people do, regardless of their industry or goals, that help them achieve their dreams.

success

(Photo Credit: Death to Stock Photo)

1. Never stop learning and growing.

The best way to continuously advance your career is to always be learning and growing as a professional. For example, if you’re acivil engineer looking to boost your career and earnings potential, then you may want to consider obtaining your Professional Engineer (PE) license or another certification to distinguish yourself in your field. Likewise, if you work as a project manager, then the next step would be to obtain your Project Management Professional (PMP) certification to advance your skills and knowledge.

You can also advance your chances at career success by keeping up-to-date with news and influencers in your given industry (and the world, for that matter). The point is, the people who get promoted are the ones who are aggressive and proactive about honing their skills and furthering their education.

2. Maintain an open network.

“According to multiple, peer-reviewed studies, simply being in an open network instead of a closed one is the best predictor of career success,” says best-selling author and entrepreneur Michael Simmons in his post on Medium. Simmons concluded this after interviewing many of the world’s top network scientists on his “quest to understand how networks create competitive advantage in business and careers.”

In order to understand what an “open network” is, it’s important to understand what it is not. Simmons says, “Most people spend their careers in closed networks; networks of people who already know each other,” therefore there is a level of trust, understanding, and common ground that exists among the group – it’s easy and comfortable. An open network is one where you’re meeting and introducing new people to add to your network, rather than sticking with the same, safe crew.

Constantly interacting with the same people with the same ideas doesn’t do much for expanding your network or exposing you to new opportunities and challenges – it’s just the same thing over and over again, rinse and repeat. On the other hand, by stepping out of your comfort zone and opening up your network, you’re opening yourself up to new experiences, new people, new ideas, new challenges, and new opportunities.

3. Learn to be a leader, not a follower.

Regardless of whether or not you wish to end up in a leadership position down the line, it’s important to think, act, and respond like a true leader. A huge part of being an effective leader is having the ability to inspire and influence others to achieve a common goal, together. Career success should be viewed the same way: as a joint effort, not a lone journey to the top.

Think about the impact leaders and influencers have had on your career so far. They’ve provided articles, books, seminars, and podcasts divulging the secrets to their success so that others may experience the same triumph for themselves. Therefore, don’t be stingy, greedy, or egocentric as you try to climb the ladder, because you never know whom you’ll meet again at the top. In the wise words of Francis of Assisi, “For it is in giving that we receive.”

July 2016 Newsletter for Accounting Professionals

Posted on by Dianedelgadolemaire

Industry News and Updates:

I thought I would do something a little different this month. I am a huge proponent of certifications. The CPA (www.aicpa.org) has become the most important certification an Accountant can get! But what other certifications are out there????

Here is a brief list of the most popular ones I have seen:

  1. CMA – Certified Management Accountant imanet.org
  2. CFE – Certified Fraud Examiner acfe.com/
  3. CIA – Certified Internal Auditor https://na.theiia.org/
  4. CISA – Certified Information Security Manager http://www.isaca.org/certification/cism-certified-information-security-manager/
  5. CTP – Certified Treasury Professional ctpcert.afponline.org
  6. CPP – Certified Payroll Professional americanpayroll.org
  7. CFP – Certified Financial Planner – cfp.net
  8. AVA – Accredited Valuation Analyst –  nacva.com
  9. CFFA – Certified Forensic Financial Analyst http://www.nacva.com/certifications/
  10. CRP – Certified Risk Professional bai.org
  11. EA – Enrolled Agent naea.org
  12. CA – Chartered Accountant cica.ca
  13. CFA – Chartered Financial Analyst cfainstitute.org
  14. Certified Bookkeeper aipb.org

And there are many more! Here is another resource: http://www.newaccountantusa.com/newsfeat/ip/ip_profcerts.html

See you again in September 2016!

Local Statistics:

  • National Unemployment Rate (June): 4.9 (last year 5.3)
  • Houston Unemployment Rate (June):  5.5 (last year 4.4)
  • Labor Participation Rate: 62.7% (last year 62.60%) – All time high January 2000: 67.30%
  • Manufacturing Index: 45.8 (last year 46.1) – from what I have read 50 is the magic number!
  • Oil Rig Count: 417 (last year 861)
  • Price of Oil: 41.14 (last year around 59)
  • Industries hiring: Consumer Products / Service related companies, Construction, Real Estate, Non Profit, Public Accounting Firms!!!!
  • Positions in demand: Staff &  Senior Accountants, Tax, Audit,

Interesting Articles:

Current list of openings:

Galleria area:

  • Bookkeeper / Office Manager to 65K
  • Associate Manager / Manager – Professional Services Firm – Consulting on high profile projects – full time role – need at least 2.5 year of public accounting and maybe a splash of industry to qualify
  • Senior Federal & State Tax Accountant
  • Senior Internal Auditor – low travel
  • Reduced work week hours: Tax Manager or Supervisor – small public accounting firm
  • Treasury / Credit Manager
  • Non Profit Senior Auditor
  • Tax Staff Accountant
  • Tax Senior Accountant – High Net Wealth
  • Staff Auditor – Public Accounting
  • Senior Auditor – Public Accounting
  • Shared Services Controller

North Houston:

  • Senior Accountant – NW Houston
  • Senior Insurance Accountant – NW Houston
  • Staff Accountant – NW Houston
  • Accounting Manager – Real Estate – Woodlands
  • Payroll Administrator
  • AP Specialist
  • AR Specialist
  • SEC Senior Accountant
  • Staff Auditor
  • Controller, CPA – 100K

Downtown/Central:

  • Senior Auditor, Downtown, 40% travel
  • Property Accountant – Lead
  • Property Accountant Staff
  • Senior IT Auditor – Galleria
  • International Accounting Manager
  • Treasury Analyst, DT, Must have Big 4 Audit
  • Billing Specialist with Elite
  • SEC Reporting Manger
  • SEC Senior Accountant

Southwest Houston/Energy Corridor:

  • AP Manager
  • Audit Senior – 60% travel
  • Senior Accounting Analyst – Special Projects
  • Staff Job Cost Accountant
  • Compensation Analyst

Consulting & Temporary Roles:

  • Bilingual Staff Accountant
  • Intercompany & FX Senior Accountant
  • 4 Fixed Asset Accountant – West
  • Senior Staff Accountant – Woodlands
  • Bilingual Timekeeper – Woodlands
  • AP Clerk – Galleria
  • IT Auditor – ITGC – North
  • Payroll Manager – Ceridian / Ulti Pro

 

dlemaire@cfstaffing.com

www.linkedin.com/in/dianedelgadolemaire/

www.facebook.com/CPARecruiterHouCFS

 

6 Ways to Fight off Interview Nerves Written by Alan Carniol

Posted on by Dianedelgadolemaire

http://www.interviewsuccessformula.com/

Going to a job interview requires confidence, courage and preparation. However, it is normal to feel anxious knowing that you’re a couple of minutes away from a possibly life-changing interview. The last thing you need is to let your nervousness ruin your performance and cost you the job. To avoid this, consider these tips for combating your nerves before the interview.

Keep in mind that your employer thinks you’re qualified for the job. The fact that you were called in for an interview should help boost your confidence. It means that you have a shot at being chosen for the position you’re applying for. Remember that employers are very busy, and if they take the time to call you in for an interview, that’s generally a good sign.

There’s never a perfect candidate. You may think that other candidates for the job are better at giving perfect answers to interviewers. However, this is not necessarily the case. Don’t aim for perfection, but instead strive to show who you really are as a worker and as an individual. Most applicants don’t give flawless interviews, so don’t be so hard on yourself.

Have some control during the interview. Though you may think you’re the one who needs something from them, it is still possible to have some control over the conversation while knowing your limits. You do have some power in this situation, and it’s never wrong to ask questions to help you decide if the job is right for you.

Going to an interview is similar to a business transaction. If you think of the interview as a business transaction, there’s really no need to feel intimidated. Try to view it as collaboration that can benefit both of you. When you view it in this light, being called to an interview need not feel like an interrogation.

Assume that someone may have gotten the job ahead of you. This is a mental trick you can play on yourself to help you relax during an interview. If you feel like you’ve got nothing to lose, you can feel at ease and respond without hesitation. Try it and you might be surprised at the results you get.

Understand that your employer probably doesn’t realize how nervous you are. If you think you’re completely transparent to the interviewer, think again. It’s entirely possible that the interviewer has no clue what you’re feeling inside. Therefore, you have an opportunity to make him or her think that you’re confident and self-assured.

Following the tips above should help you calm your nerves whenever you go in for an interview. Try these ideas out, keep those jitters at bay, and give yourself a shot at acing that interview.

Alan Carniol

4 tips for transitioning from college to career by Dana Manciagli | Jul 18, 2016

Posted on by Dianedelgadolemaire

Home

Since job seekers can apply to a job with just the click of a button, job searching has become increasingly competitive. And it’s especially challenging for college students and recent college grads whose work experience primarily consists of student jobs, like unpaid college internships and part-time or on-campus jobs.

According to a recent study, employers spend an average of six seconds scanning your resume. About 80 percent of that time goes to reviewing your current and previous job titles and a few other professional key points such as position start and end dates and education level.

So how can college students better prepare themselves for the job market following graduation? To answer this question I spoke with Matthew Stewart, entrepreneur and co-CEO of College Works Painting.

College Works Painting is a unique college internship that gives college students the opportunity to run their own house painting business during the summer. According to internal surveys conducted, 90 percent of College Works Painting’s alumni find college-grad-level jobs within three months of obtaining their degrees.

Here’s what Stewart suggests for students looking to make the most out of their college career:

1. Get a challenging internship

According to Stewart, the solution for college students is to increase job experience while still in school. This means obtaining a hands-on internship every summer while in college.

“College students should be looking for experiences that will challenge them,” says Stewart. “When they get out of school they will be competing with thousands of other graduates.”

Stewart suggests the following to identify, qualify for, and get the best internship for you:

  • Start with detailed career research: Where do you really want to be? What kind of job do you really want?
  • Will the internship offer you real experience that will separate you from your peers?
  • Will the internship be a good cultural fit for you? In order to do well at anything you need to enjoy it.
  • What is the track record of the intern’s supervisor? Does he or she have proven skills to teach you?
  • What are the job functions of the internship? Will you gain transferable skills from this job or is it mindless work that will not help build your resume?
  • What is the industry recognition of the company? Have other college students benefited from the internship?

2. Treat your student job or college internship like a career

The easiest way to treat your student job like a career is to ask your boss to mentor you. Under the mentorship of your supervisor, you can expand your basic job functions and start taking your capabilities to the next level.

Since employers prefer potential candidates to quantify the accomplishments listed on their resume, take advantage of the professional relationship you have with your current boss. Work together to describe the quality of your experiences in language that will reflect well on your resume.

“College is not the time to relax, it’s the starting line, not the finish line,” says Stewart. “You need to treat college like it’s your future, and get ready for your life after college,” he says. “College consists of three summers, and by the fourth students should have what it takes to find a career.”

3. Be proactive and take initiative

Going above and beyond in your internship will set the foundation for your career. You’ll gain confidence by taking initiative, which is a core skill in the business world.

“It’s important to set goals. Everyone in history that has been successful was goal-oriented. It’s about setting goals and having a plan of action around those goals,” says Stewart. “I’m a big advocate of all sorts of jobs, and all sorts of internships that lead to the development of substantial work experience.”

4. Seek out promotion opportunities

You can seek out promotion opportunities in a several different ways. If you work for a larger company that posts job openings on their website, set up job alerts so that you get email notifications once a job is posted. At the same time, build a strong relationship with your mentor. Let him or her know how eager you are for more responsibility and advancement, and that you’re up for the challenge.

“Unless you graduate with a significant amount of real job experience, finding a job right out of college will be incredibly difficult,” says Stewart. “Gone are the days when a college degree came with a job offer stapled to the back of it.”

College students today face one of the toughest job markets in history. Entry-level jobs that previously went to recent college graduates now go to job-seekers with years of experience. A college student’s only choice is to graduate with impressive, real-world experience.

 

by Dana Manciagli | Jul 18, 2016

AP Manager – West Houston – dlemaire@cfstaffing.com

Posted on by Dianedelgadolemaire
  • Process vendor invoices, including distributing for coding and approval; Prepare and process vendor payments; Research, analyze and resolve complex payment and vendor issues; Prepare vendor account reconciliations.
  • Assist in the preparation of various reports including those related to audits, compliance and analysis.
  • Provides accounts payable assistance to managers and operations staff; responds to financial questions/concerns to meet business needs.
  • Supervises accounts payable staff, which includes the duties of interviewing, hiring, assigning and monitoring work, counseling, training and performance management
  • Establish and maintain internal control procedures and segregation of duties as necessary to safeguard funds.
  • Preparation of Form 1099 information and returns.
  • Verify the accuracy of A/P data entry and payment batch output.
  • Assist in month-end and year-end close as well as the accrual processes.
  • Participates in design and analysis of new/enhanced finance related systems to ensure compatibility with accounts payable requirements. Coordinates with other Accounting staff and other departments/divisions to determine, develop and implement manual and automated disbursement procedures and processing methods needed to meet current and anticipated requirements for the Company.
  • Monitors invoice payment statistics; follows-up on overdue payments and uncollected credit memos.

The 4 Kinds of Interviewers—and How to Make Them Like You Written by Alan Carniol

Posted on by Dianedelgadolemaire

 

http://www.interviewsuccessformula.com/

Link to article

Kinds of Interviewers

Interviewers have different styles when it comes to assessing an applicant and asking questions. Some do not show any facial expression, while others are more expressive. Some may be kind and accommodating, and some might be very hard to please. Even if you have prepared extensively for the interview and practiced answers to all possible questions, there will still be some uneasiness on your part. You might still get that little twinge of anxiety.

 

Although interviewers and hiring managers have different personalities, you can still prepare for them in advance and make them like you. Here are four of common types of personalities you might encounter:

1. The Statue—or the one who acts as if he or she does not have any emotions at all.

This kind of interviewer won’t give you any hint of how the interview is going. He or she can destroy your confidence if you’re not ready for this. However, you can still make him or her like you even if you’re clueless about whether you’re doing a great job or not.

How? Take your time to think and form your own answers instead on responding based on what you think he or she wants to hear. Impress your interviewer by showing how knowledgeable you are in the field or position you’re applying for. Most importantly, don’t forget that you are also interviewing him or her, so get past that poker face and ask him or her thoughtful questions regarding the company, including his or her experiences there.

2. The Interrogator—or the one who has a lot of questions.

The Interrogator is the type of interviewer who is eager to see proof or certification for every skill that you have in your resume. He or she is also interested in every move you make in real life and even in your social media activities. How do you turn this inquisitor into a friend?

Carefully listen to every question he asks, and be sure to give a complete answer that will address his concerns. Pick up clues from his questions, and figure out what the company values and needs. Prepare by bringing the materials (portfolio, certificates, diploma, etc.) that he might ask to see. If you forget anything, give him assurance that you will immediately send the information or proof that he needs after the interview.

3. The Persecutor—or the one who always looks intimidating.

Some interviewers tend to intimidate and get carried by the power they have over the interviewee. It’s either because they’ve been in the job for so long that they have already forgotten what it feels like to be an applicant, or it was an existing personality trait that developed during their years in the position. This interviewer will be a tough one, so you’d better prepare for this type, as well.

If you feel pressured, don’t let your guard down and avoid looking anxious. Show him that your knowledge of the industry covers a wide range. Make it clear to him that you can be an asset to the company. If he is hardly impressed by your accomplishments, you can still get back on track by expressing your interest in learning more about the job and the company.

4. The Unprepared—or the one who looks like he or she doesn’t care at all.

This one is the unorganized type of interviewer. He may not have known that he will be conducting interviews right at that moment. In other words, he isn’t prepared. In the end, you might just be the one doing the interview.

However, don’t let this situation quash your hopes of acing that interview. Because he isn’t prepared, he might end up asking you a lot of questions, which is actually advantageous for you. Explain your background, education, areas of expertise, and future career plans carefully. If the interviewer’s unpredictability raises red flags, listen to your intuitions. The interview is a chance for you to get to know the company too.

Always remember that whoever your interviewer is and whatever type of person he or she may be, you need to be professional and fully prepared. Show up early and be polite. Stay confident and never let the pressure affect your mind and body. If you follow these guidelines, it would be a mistake not to hire you.

Written by  Alan Carniol

Key Economic Indicator – Greater Houston Partnership: EMPLOYMENT

Posted on by Dianedelgadolemaire

Metro Houston added 5,500 jobs in June, bringing total nonfarm employment to 2,998,700. The sectors recording notable growth in June were leisure and hospitality (+9,000 jobs), manufacturing (+1,900), and professional and business services (+1,600).

The sectors reporting the largest losses in June were government (-6,500) and construction (-4,400). The declines in government were driven by the temporary shedding of jobs in public education during the summer months.

Houston’s unemployment rate increased from 4.8 percent in May to 5.5 percent in June. Unemployment rates typically increase from May to June as it reflects the temporary decline of jobs in public education.

 

 

 

 

Fall in Love With Your Resume Again Written by Alan Carniol

Posted on by Dianedelgadolemaire
 http://www.interviewsuccessformula.com/job-search-advice/fall-in-love-with-your-resume-again.php

 

Feel like your resume is not as impressive as it used to be? Here are some tips on how to make a resume upgrade that will help you stand out among the rest.

It may feel like your original resume is a perfect reflection of what you’ve accomplished in the past. But it’s important to update it from time to time in order to build your personal brand effectively —a resume isn’t designed to stand the test of time.

Here are some tips to help you take your resume to the next level:

Highlight Your Career Achievements

Review keywords and match them with the job description. Sharing your achievements and what impact they had on the companies you’ve worked for is a great advantage. This will give recruiters a better understanding of what you can do for the company and how your efforts will make an impact on the organization.

Customize your Personal Brand

Know what sets you apart from the rest of the applicants. This means you have to know yourself, and determine what skills or experience will make you a better candidate.

Once you have that info, put it into your resume. Know your target and match your skills to what the company is looking for. Tailor your content to the appropriate keywords and phrases as much as you can.

Skip the Objective Statement

Today, including an objective is a waste of time, as well as resume space. Employers don’t consider them anymore.

Write Interesting Content

It is important to keep the content of your resume interesting to avoid creating a resume that’s just like everyone else’s. Perhaps you can use phrases that will set it apart from the others. If you need help, you can always hire a professional resume writer or search online for ideas.

Keep It Current

Add new skills or certifications you may have that aren’t in your resume. Update whatever you need to update and remove skills that are no longer relevant. Less is more, especially if you’ve been working for over a decade.

Proofread

This should be obvious. Your resume should be free of errors. You can ask a friend or mentor for assistance if you need a fresh set of eyes to evaluate and proofread your resume. Do not skip this step — a major typo can mean your resume gets quickly deleted or thrown away.

Though it can be easier to reuse the same resume over and over again, nothing surpasses an updated resume. Follow the steps listed above, review your accomplishments and get a picture of where you stand currently in your career to craft the right resume for your job search.

Alan Carniol

Alan is the creator of Interview Success Formula, a training program that has helped more than 40,000 job seekers to ace their interviews and land the jobs they deserve. Interviewers love asking curveball questions to weed out job seekers. But the truth is, most of these questions are asking about a few key areas. Learn more about how to outsmart tough interviewers by watching this video.