Author: Dianedelgadolemaire

Lessons of a job search

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Lessons of a job search

Written by: Tatiyana Cure, Executive Recruiter, CFS New York

A very important lesson in your job search is to remain positive. It’s easy to get discouraged when things do not go as planned- perhaps you don’t get the job offer, or if you do get it, it’s not what you would have hoped it to be. Remember, misery loves company but a positive attitude attracts positive results.

Here are some additional lessons of a job search:

  1. Be open to all opportunities, even when you least expect them.
  2. Make a plan and laser focus on your goals.
  3. Nobody is a professional interviewee; the only way to get better is to practice.
  4. Seek out feedback on how you can improve as a job seeker- on your resume, interview skills, etc.
  5. Be more prepared for your next interview. Use the questions that stumped you in your prior interviews in preparation for the upcoming ones.
  6. Learn as much as you can and ask more questions during your interview.
  7. Do not get caught up on titles or salaries, but rather consider the big picture of your career growth.
  8. Expand your job search beyond sending your resume to the black holes of ads posted on job boards.
  9. Consider what problems of an organization you can solve and offer the solutions rather than only looking for a job.
  10. Be confident in your skills and do not get discouraged based on the ad – go for it!
  11. You will end up spending more time at work than you do at home. Don’t pick a job where you can’t stand your boss or the people you would work with.
  12. Don’t be someone you are not throughout the interview, as it will become exhausting to not be yourself once you get the job.
  13. Do not settle or over-compromise. Focus on making a smart long-term career move rather than simply obtaining another job.
  14. Never stop networking and do not underestimate anyone you meet or who they may know.
  15. You can always expand your expertise. Consider furthering your education, obtaining additional certifications, or seeking out mentorship.
  16. Stay humble and grateful for any assistance. Appreciate the time someone may take out of his or her schedule to interview you or to hear you out.
  17. Do not give up on finding the perfect next move!

Have more questions about your job search? Comment below! You can also reach out to one of our expert recruiters. See a full list of CFS locations here.

Posted by Creative Financial Staffing at 3:18 PM

10 Ways Highly Successful People View Life Differently

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10 Ways Highly Successful People View Life Differently
Here’s what you can learn from how ultra-successful people live their lives and run their businesses.
Link to Article

BY PAUL GROSSINGER
Entrepreneur, investor, and speaker

 

Have you ever wondered what drives self-made, ultra-successful people to such incredible heights?

Why are they different?

Ultra-successful people view life differently from other people, and its reflected in how they live, work, save, invest, and give.

Here are 10 highlighted ways ultra-successful people view life differently and behave differently, many of which you can successfully incorporate in your life.

1)      They think big

Ultra-successful people look at problems and think about big solutions. They don’t look for incremental ways to solve minor problems, or shy away from big challenges because they look too difficult, or require too much risk.

Tim Draper, the famous venture capitalist, hit this point on the head at a recent lunch, where he explained to young entrepreneurs that he only invests in people solving huge problems, because only major issues lead to real change and incredible opportunities.

2)      They bring the best talent around them

My friend Katherine O’Neill, who runs Jumpstart New Jersey Angels, often says of founders pitching us: “do they want to be king or do they want to be successful?” A desire to be surrounded by great talent, rather than be king of an unsuccessful and sycophantic sandbox, often separates those who truly are successful from those who merely wish to be.

3)      They take huge but calculated risks

Calculated risk is very different from gambling. Often, you read that ultra-successful people “take risks,” which is true but often belies the deeper truth: they are clear eyed about assessing the challenges, risks, and benefits and then are willing to take the risk if it is worth it.

Steve Jobs is a perfect example. In the late 1990s, it was a huge risk to return to Apple, and risk his reputation – again – on the company that had unceremoniously thrown him out and was on the edge of collapse. But Jobs assessed the risks, decided he could turn it around, and dove in headfirst.

4)      They execute

Being ultra-successful requires being good at follow through. You can’t just have great ideas, or be a great talker. Most ultra-successful people are capable not only of having good ideas and identifying opportunities, but galvanizing others behind them.

5)      They read

Great minds like to read what other great minds think, and do, and learn from them. The first lesson that one ultra-successful person taught me years ago was: “sure, I know what I don’t know, but I want to learn as much of it as possible – and there are others who can teach it to me.” Ultra-successful people are life-long learners and respect the knowledge others have in their domains and what they can learn. The mantra among most I know is: ‘if you know everything, you learn nothing.”

6)      They negotiate hard–but smart

There is an old adage that wealthy people didn’t make it by spending it. This is certainly true. Although many ultra-successful people are incredibly philanthropic and generous of time and money, in business they tend to be shrewd negotiators with great attention to detail. Indeed, as they grow more successful, this tendency appears to increase, rather than lessen, despite their reduced need to sweat the details.

7)      They have routines

Most ultra-successful people have clear, repeatable routines that they can vary when necessary but tend to stick to whenever possible. Continually changing routines upsets the body and creates added stress, which can in turn reduce rest and complicate decision-making. Using routines to increase your comfort level can help increase your success.

8)      They focus on relationships, not transactions

Ultra-successful people, particularly the most successful entrepreneurs, typically develop a relatively small set of highly valued relationships with people they work with again and again. Once mutual trust is built, it becomes much easier to have repeat success together.

Indeed, many of the most successful startup teams have worked together on multiple projects, and went to the same group of investors for each one!

9)      They cluster

Ultra-successful people usually want to be around other people who they feel are similar. Those clusters of individuals then tend to build more meaningful relationships and work together with more frequency and success.

10)   They care

Just yesterday, I brought a project to an ultra-successful investor who told me, “this seems very compelling, but I’m not going to do it because I can’t bring myself to care.” Mercenary reasons rarely ever work. Ultra-successful know they need to care and have passion to be engaged enough for something to be successful.

The opinions expressed here by Inc.com columnists are their own, not those of Inc.com.
PUBLISHED ON: MAY 23, 2016

10 reasons that your interview technique is failing and costing you the best candidates. | Sarah Socha | LinkedIn — Randy The Recruiter by Randy Schwartz, Executive Recruiter

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via 10 reasons that your interview technique is failing and costing you the best candidates. | Sarah Socha | LinkedIn

via 10 reasons that your interview technique is failing and costing you the best candidates. | Sarah Socha | LinkedIn — Randy The Recruiter by Randy Schwartz, Executive Recruiter

New Openings this week…..

Posted on by Dianedelgadolemaire

jobs 22

NEW!!!! 

  • Senior Tax Accountant or Supervisor – Family Office – Downtown
  • Senior Accountant – Small Accounting Team – Fast Paced Environment – Midtown
  • Senior Staff Accountant – GL, Month End – SW Houston
  • Staff Accountant – 0 to 2 years of experience – Downtown
  • Assistant Controller – 5 to 8 years of experience – Small company – Galleria
  • Internal Auditor – Staff or Senior – Galleria

Still HOT!!!!

  • Corporate Director FP&A – Downtown
  • IT Audit Lead – West Houston
  • IT Auditor – Galleria
  • E&P Tax Manager or Director – Downtown
  • Controller – Start Up – Greenway Plaza
  • High Net Wealth Tax Manager – Greenway Plaza
  • Internal Audit Senior – 40% Travel – Downtown

 

 

Senior Staff Accountant – SW Houston – dlemaire@cfstaffing.com

Posted on by Dianedelgadolemaire

jobs 22

Job Responsibilities:

  • Prepare, analyze and/or review various internal and external financial statements, reports, depreciation schedules, and variance analysis in accordance with GAAP, with a high level of accuracy while ensuring deadlines are met
  • Ensure accurate and timely close process through preparation or review of monthly close schedules, journal entries, reconciliations, etc.
  • Assist in the coordination and completion of annual financial audits and preparation of audit schedules
  • Prepare reconciliations as necessary to ensure the accuracy of the books
  • Prepare bank reconciliations on a monthly basis
  • Develop and implement procedures by analyzing current processes and recommending changes; monitor the implementation and maintenance of internal control procedures
  • Ensure financial records are maintained in compliance with accepted policies and procedures, including document storage for reports and working papers
  • Provide excellent customer service to both internal and external clients

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Accounting
  • Strong financial background including two or more years of work experience,
  • Strong Excel skills including pivot tables, v-lookups, interest calculations, present value calculations and other advanced formulas

Career development beyond office walls via http://cfstaffing.blogspot.com/

Posted on by Dianedelgadolemaire

Career development beyond office walls

One could argue that when it comes to advancing your career, it’s not only what you know, but who you know. While networking is very beneficial, there are other ways to develop professionally and help take your career to the next level:

Take a class:

Whether you sign up for an online course or decide to enroll in a certification program, you can never go wrong with continuing your education. Educational development shows a desire to continuously better yourself and illustrates that you are taking steps towards your future career. By expanding your knowledge base, you enhance your skills and give your resume a boost.

If you feel that you don’t have the time or the extra cash to enroll in a course for credit, there are many websites that offer free classes specializing in a variety of topics. The length of each program varies- some programs only require one class a week! Committing 1-2 hours a week towards something you are genuinely interested in is not a bad deal.

Volunteer:

Dedicating yourself to a cause you are passionate about not only feels great, but it also makes a difference. Whether you have time to volunteer once a week, once a month, or a few times a year, you can always have an impact. You will meet other people who share the same beliefs as you, which is a great way to add to your network as well. In addition, hiring managers agree that volunteer work makes a candidate stand out. It illustrates dedication, philanthropic goals, and passion.

Join a Club:

As life gets chaotic, it can be difficult to do the things we love. Once you carve out the time to join a club though, you become more committed to it since other people are involved- they can hold you accountable. Don’t misinterpret because this commitment should not be seen as a chore. Rather, it’s a chance to escape your hectic life for a little bit and do something you truly enjoy. Employers will see this as you being a well-rounded person with impeccable time management skills. They will even applaud you further if you take on leadership roles within the club. Everything is an opportunity to hone your skill set, whether you are in the office or spending a day on the tennis courts.

Exercise:

As many of us already know, it’s recommended to get at least 30 minutes of exercise each day. What does this have to do with your work life? When you maintain a healthy mind/body, the benefits include lower stress levels, deeper focus, higher energy levels, etc. As you begin to feel these effects, your work will reap the rewards as well. As you become less stressed and more focused on the job, you will get more accomplished in a shorter amount of time, something that managers and colleagues will notice.

What else do you do to develop your career? We want to hear it so please comment below!

Are you on the job hunt for a new career? Our recruiters are here to help! Check out our latest job postings here, or find a CFS office located closest to you here.

May 2016 Newsletter for Accounting & Finance Professionals in Houston

Posted on by Dianedelgadolemaire


 

May 2016

Industry News and Updates:

Boom or Bust? Neither! The first question I seem to get when I speak to both hiring managers and candidates is: “How is the market doing?” My answer is: It’s not 2014 where every company in Houston seemed to be hiring, but it is also not the 80’s bust either (I personally have only heard stories about this time). Houston has come such a long way and has diversified from being just an oil town since then. We are so much more! Don’t get me wrong there are industries in Houston that are truly hurting, but there are also industries that are doing just fine. The price of oil does impact our economy directly and indirectly, but I am so excited to report that it seems to be ticking up every week. Today the price is around $45 a barrel. Most economist will tell you that we need to get to $60 dollars a barrel and a lot of them have predicted we will hit that number by the end of the year.

It is harder to find a job today and you have to use multiple resources. You cannot simply go online, upload your resume to CareerBuilder and wait for the phone to ring. First, you have to make sure that you have a good resume (there are some links listed below with resume writing tips) and then you have to use great recruiters, your network, LinkedIn, networking functions, ads, niche job boards and yes CareerBuilder. One source is not enough in the present job market. The great news is that our unemployment rate is still below 5%; which technically speaking, means that we are at full employment. As you know, I always like to see the bright side of things!

See you again in July 2016

Local Statistics:

  • National Unemployment Rate: 5.1 (last year 5.6)
  • Houston Unemployment Rate:  4.9 (last year 4.3)
  • Oil Rig Count: 437 (last year 976)  
  • Price of Oil: 45.9 (last year around 55)
  • Industries hiring: Consumer Products / Service related companies, Chemical, Real Estate, Non Profit, Legal, Public Accounting Firms!!!! 
  • Positions in demand: Staff &  Senior Accountants, Tax, Audit, Management level roles in Accounting

Interesting Articles:

Local Searches:

Galleria area:

  • Financial Reporting & Consolidations Senior – must have public – Galleria
  • GL Accountant – 59 & Main
  • 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 Compliance / IT Auditor
  • Senior Federal & State Tax Accountant
  • Payroll Manager with PeopleSoft
  • Senior Internal Auditor – low travel
  • Reduced work week hours: Tax Manager or Supervisor – small public accounting firm
  • Senior Accountant, Great Plains preferred 

North Houston:

  • Senior Accountant – NW Houston
  • Senior Insurance Accountant – NW Houston
  • Staff Auditor – Woodlands
  • Senior Staff Accountant – Woodlands
  • Senior Auditor – Woodlands
  • Junior Property Accountant – Greenspoint
  • Accounting Manager – Real Estate – Woodlands

Downtown/Central:

  • Senior Auditor, Downtown, 40% travel
  • Staff Accountant (big 4) – 2 openings
  • Audit Manager – Non Profit – 10M dollar Budget
  • Tax Staff Accountant – Galleria
  • Senior IT Auditor – Galleria
  • Tax Supervisor – CPA Firm – are you a senior ready for the next step?
  • International Controller
  • Director of FP&A (must have MBA)
  • Treasury Analyst, DT, Must have Big 4 Audit
  • Billing Specialist with Elite

West Houston/Energy Corridor:

  • Accounting Director (public accounting background)
  • Payroll Coordinator – Rosenberg
  • Audit Senior – 70% travel – West

Consulting & Temporary Roles:

  • Accounting Assistant – Hospitality
  • 4 Fixed Asset Accountant – West
  • Interim Controller with Dynamics – West
  • Contracts Analyst – Sugar Land
  • Receptionist, Southeast
  • HR / Recruiter – Non Profit
  • Receptionist – Non Profit

San Antonio Openings:

  • Bank Auditor-Top San Antonio Employer (Up to 122k)
  • Staff Bank Auditor- Top San Antonio Employer(up to75k)
  • Audit- Sox with Exotic Travel (Insurance Industry, up to 75k)
  • Tax Analyst- Federal & State Tax, (Renewable Energy, ~70s)
  • Controller- Implement new policies & procedures (Automotive Industry, 120-150k)

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Senior Accountant, Med Center Area, dlemaire@cfstaffing.com

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Mid size and fast growing healthcare related coming is looking to add a Senior Accountant to their team. If you love to have you hands in all aspects of accounting and love a fast paced environment this role is for you!

The Staff Accountant reports to the Accounting Manager.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Prepare and analyze the monthly budget/forecast to actual variance reports;
  • Perform general accounts analysis and reconciliations, including bank statements, fixed assets, employer’s benefit costs, accruals and prepaid expenses;
  • Heavy Excel- pivot tables, v-lookups, if statements, formatting;
  • Assist in the preparation of financial reports such as balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow.
  • Ability to work in and out of 10 different softwares to pull reports when needed.
  • Assist with tax preparation- pulling reports, docs and liaison between CPA firm

SKILLS & COMPETENCIES

  • Strong organizational skills and ability to prioritize workload in order to meet tight deadlines in a fast-paced and dynamic work environment.
  • Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Power Point, especially Excel).

QUALIFICATIONS:

  • 2-4 years of relevant experience (accounting operations and/or audit).
  • Experience in the healthcare industry is a plus, but not required.
  • Must have a degree in Accounting.

Napoleon Hill, Think and Grow Rich

Posted on by Dianedelgadolemaire

“If you think you are beaten, you are,

If you think you dare not, you don’t.

If you like to win, but you think you can’t,

It is almost certain you won’t.

If you think you’ll lose, you’re lost,

For out in the world we find,

Success begins with a fellow’s will –

It’s all in the state of MIND.

If you think you’re outclassed, you are,

You’ve got to think high to rise,

You’ve got to be sure of yourself before

You can ever win a prize.

Life’s battles, don’t always go

To the stronger or faster man

But soon or later the man who wins

Is the man WHO THINKS HE CAN!”

― Napoleon Hill, Think and Grow Rich

Controller for Start Up Company Houston – dlemaire@cfstaffing.com

Posted on by Dianedelgadolemaire

Our client is bringing their accounting in house. They are currently on QuickBooks.  This is a VERY hands on role until the company starts taking off. They are expecting a huge amount of growth in the next 18 to 24 months. Please email me at dlemaire@cfstaffing.com for more details.


Primary duties include but are not limited to the following:

  • Prepare monthly, quarterly and annual internal financial reports, including Profit & Loss Statement, Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Statements.
  • Prepare scheduled and ad hoc financial reports and analyses for internal and external audiences.
  • Financial Analysis & Monitoring. Develop and maintain tools for financial analysis. Keep CFO apprised of existing or developing financial and/or cash flow issues.
  • Accounts Payable – Disbursements. Approve payments, prepare and input AP.
  • Maintain & reconcile cash, balance sheet, and payroll-related accounts monthly and resolve any discrepancies.
  • Responsible for the month-end and year-end G/L close process as well as maintenance of all accounting ledger.
  • Accounts Receivable. Develop receivables policy to keep days receivables to a minimum. Manage preparation of all invoices/billings. Prepare complex billings/invoices. Review and approve invoices in general ledger. Oversee systematic implementation of receivables collection procedures.
  • Cash Receipts. Manage all coding, deposits, data entry, and posting in GL.
  • Develop annual operating and departmental budgets.
  • Recommend benchmarks for measuring the financial and operating performance while paying special attention to the major profit/loss centers in the company.
  • Manage debt balances and ensure proper and timely payments as required, including accrued interest and capital lease accounts.
  • Provide financial perspective and analysis on business decisions including profitability, cost analysis, and cost savings initiatives.
  • Serve as primary liaison for external CPA firm relationship including all financial, tax and consulting matters.
  • Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state and local regulatory reporting requirements and guidelines.
  • Ensure adequate controls are installed and that substantiating documentation is approved and available such that the company would pass independent audits.

 

Qualifications

  • Accounting Degree
  • 10 to 12 years of  accounting experience
  • Strong experience with QuickBooks and Systems Implementations a plus
  • Expert knowledge of Excel
  • Must be able to work both strategically to develop and manage integration plans as well as tactically to develop routine reports to support business operations
  • Experience with professional services billing procedures strongly preferred
  • Experience with SOC 1 and SOC 2 preferred

5 Things on You Should NEVER Say or Do on a Resume

Posted on by Dianedelgadolemaire

MAY 12, 2016 BY

http://bullseyerecruiting.net/5-things-on-you-should-never-say-or-do-on-a-resume/

 

Sometimes when I am reading resumes I feel like I should be a third grade English teacher rather than a recruiter.  Why do I say this?  I am simply amazed by the mistakes made on resumes.  The misspellings, the run on sentences, the formatting, and the blatant lack of attention to detail are simply astounding.  I need a red pen to mark up the resume.  As I have said more than once, even in the age of social media and LinkedIn, resumes are essential in your job search.

Do you know the song by Tim McGraw called “I Like It, I Love It” where he says “I throwed out my shoulder”?  Even if you aren’t a fan of country music, that song has been played on every radio station across America for the past decade.  Every time I hear it, I feel like someone is running their fingernails across the chalkboard.  It is “I threw”, not “I throwed”!  Why, oh why, would he say such a thing?!!  That is EXACTLY how I feel when I look at resumes that aren’t done well.

There are common errors that need to be eliminated.  I want to share with you some of those common errors and hopefully you will NEVER make these mistakes.  After all, a resume is a first impression and you may never get to an interview if your resume isn’t done correctly.

Here are 5 things you should NEVER say or do on a resume:

  1. Apply to a job that you have NEVER done without a Cover Letter or explanation. I am really struggling with this one.  This is my #1 pet peeve.  It is kind of like putting diesel in a car that only takes unleaded.  Why? Okay, if you want to change careers, that is cool, but tell me why you want to make a change and how you are able to do the job. Simple enough?
  2. Never apply to a job without a LinkedIn URL. Why in this day and age would you not have a LinkedIn account?  I just don’t get it.  If you are in the job market, don’t you know I am going to check your social profile? Also, if you want to hear more about how I feel about this, read here.
  3. Never compromise your resume & career by trying to cram everything on one page. The one page rule in my mind is ridiculous.  Who cares?  If you have had an established career and want to highlight what you have done, then please, by all means make it longer.  I think 2-3 page resumes are the norm today.  With all of the technologies and skills that are required of candidates, you better make sure you list the right skills the company is looking for in a candidate.  Do you think they care how long their job description is?  No!
  4. I don’t need your physical address or home phone. Guys, this is not 1995.  Everything is electronic, on social media, or on your mobile device.  I need your e-mail, phone number, blog site, LinkedIn (I’ll say it again), Twitter account, or whatever relevant information you can give me so I can research you.  I need to know what city you live in, but I don’t need to know your physical home address.  I really don’t want your home number either.  A cell is all I want and need.  I don’t need your grandmother answering a phone call and taking down your phone number.
  5. Please tell me CLEARLY what you did at your job (in CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER), what you accomplished, and what skills you have acquired. I don’t need all of your skills jumbled together with your company name and dates of employment at the bottom of your resume!  What are you hiding?  Look, if you have gaps in your employment tell me what you have been doing.  Have you been consulting?  Have you been going back to school?  Just spell it out for me.  I’ll likely pass on your resume if I can’t figure it out in 6 seconds, so make it simple!

Of course I am only scratching the surface here, but this is a good start.  Next week I’ll give 5 more pointers.  Please whatever you do, don’t “throwed” out your shoulder between now and then.

@willrecruits 

 
Read more at http://bullseyerecruiting.net/5-things-on-you-should-never-say-or-do-on-a-resume/#dZ0S27ZIkksZMw8w.99