How to Succeed in a Second Job Interview Written by Alan Carniol

Posted on by Dianedelgadolemaire

 

How to Succeed in a Second Job Interview

Made the first job interview cut? Congratulations! However, it’s not time to celebrate just yet. Remember that you’re still competing with other applicants that are just as qualified.

Recruiters often evaluate your personal style, how suitable you’ll be for the position, and how you would fit in with other colleagues during the second job interview. (This includes your commitment to the company’s philosophy.)

How well can you contribute to the organization? Questions in your second interview will mostly be focused on what you can do for them rather than what you’ve achieved in the past.

What will you do once you’re called in for a second round? This is the time to think about how much you really want the job, whether you will enjoy working with your colleagues, and whether the company’s structure will help advance your career.

Get a Feel for What It’s Like to Work There

Recruiters will evaluate how you meet their needs in the second interview. Make sure that you ask questions. You’ll need to cover all the bases and use the opportunity to get a feel for the company or the position. Do you really picture yourself working there? How do you like the working environment? Ask any questions you have in mind, and be honest when answering their questions.

Here are some questions that will help you get the most information:

  • What are the strengths and weak points of the company?
  • How do you define the company’s current management style?
  • Is the chain of command formal or informal?
  • Does the company encourage employees to attend conventions and seminars to help them improve their skill sets?

These questions will help you look knowledgeable and aware of the current situation and the general attitude of the company. Make sure you listen carefully to the answers you receive.

What to Expect

Hiring managers will often try to challenge you in the second interview. Give strong reasons why you’d make a good hire. Never let your guard down. Be sure to anticipate these questions:

  • What makes you interested in this job?
  • What would you do in the first year to establish yourself if you do get the job?
  • Describe your work style.
  • What do you want from your career?
  • How do you deal with difficulties?

Make sure to find out what happens next as the interview comes to an end. You can politely ask for a timeline and thank your interviewers. You can follow up if you don’t hear from them within a few weeks.

Published in Interview Tips
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.

Corporate Controller – Houston – dlemaire@cfstaffing.com

Posted on by Dianedelgadolemaire

Corporate Controller for $300 million dollar global chemical manufacturing company with subsidiaries in the United States as well as international countries.

Responsibilities:

  • Oversee and manage all aspect of accounting department including general ledger, accounts receivable, accounts payable, fixed assets and payroll, consisting of 6 team members
  • Manage corporate consolidation process for 15 international and 4 domestic entities.
  • Interact with external  tax, audit and banking teams to provide financial data and maintain relationships
  • Work with US and International Controllers to manage financial close process to ensure timely reporting
  • Review minority interest investments’ financials for accuracy and proper consolidation in to corporate consolidated financial statements
  • Manage monthly financial reporting package, expand current reporting package to provide management with more detailed financial comparatives and operational data
  • Assist in creation of global cash management initiative, global tax planning, and cash flow financial forecasting
  • Prepare annual budget, monthly and quarterly forecast, and weekly cash flow forecasting as well as additional ad hoc analysis requested by company management
  • Responsible for annual external audit and tax compliance
  • M&A Due Diligence for CFO/CEO
  • Provide timely and accurate monthly financial reports to management, including income statement, balance sheet, cash flow, KPI measures, and various financial analysis and ratios

Requirements:

  • Accounting Degree
  • CPA a plus
  • Manufacturing experience
  • Oracle & Hyperion experience plus

 

#controller #accountingjobs #houston #hiringnow

6 Out-of-the-Ordinary Places to Look for Job Leads Written by Alan Carniol

Posted on by Dianedelgadolemaire

 

Tuesday, 04 April 2017 01:33

6 Out of the Ordinary Places to Look for Job Leads

With the power of the Internet and various social media platforms, recruiters are trying new things to scout their next recruit. Most applicants are being lured with creative job postings in several places other than job boards.

Candidates today are more selective when it comes to looking for a job, and more recruiters are trying to showcase their company culture by posting through different social media platforms.

Here are some tips on where to find alternative job postings:

Company’s Career Page

This is where you can find job postings together with info on work culture. You can look for links to company social media accounts including Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. These sites are a goldmine.

Hashtags

You can search hashtags on Twitter, Instagram or Pinterest using a job title or any job openings you may be interested in. You may have to search through a lot of different jobs, but you’ll quickly see how companies use social media to promote job openings.

Pinterest

Did you know that companies also use Pinterest to attract potential candidates? You can look for pinboards listing career opportunities and find out if any of the companies you are interested in working for are using this platform.

Instagram

Check if companies are using Instagram—Some keep their accounts active by posting career news to lure applicants. Who says Instagram isn’t useful when it comes to your career?

Facebook

This is a great tool to look for job announcements. Some of your friends or colleagues may be sharing a job posting or a company page highlighting a new opportunity. Make use of Facebook groups, too—It’s an effective way for recruiters to look for applicants.

Craigslist

This site also serves as an alternative to job boards; however—be careful not to share any personal information such as your address or social security numbers online. Don’t forget to check the background of the company and the people you are talking with.

These are just some of the social media platforms where you can look for your next job. You can use them to connect to people working for the companies you’re interested in, and potentially be notified of any job openings. Of course, referrals can increase your chances of getting interviewed. Use the Internet to grow your network as you start your journey to career success.

Spanish Speaking – Regional Controller – Texas – dlemaire@cfstaffing.com

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The Regional Plant Controller supervises plant controllers at four facilities located in Mexico (Reynosa, Matamoros and Valle Hermoso) and is responsible for their overall financial, accounting and analysis output to the Vice President of Manufacturing and the Vice President of Finance.  Annual combined sales of the locations are between $150m and $200ml Sales, as well as Business Unit management. The position can be based from their home, but will require travel to Reynosa, Matamoros, and Valle Hermoso (Mexico) 3-4 times per week.

Key Responsibilities: 

  • Serve as the primary contact for the VP of Finance and the VP of Manufacturing concerning all financial matters of the plants.
  • Support plant management in understanding their financial results and how to impact future results.
  • Develop the combined annual budget for the plants working with the plant controllers.
  • Create combined monthly forecast for the plants of expected results for the month and/or quarter.
  • Develop and manage the capital requisition and acquisition process.
  • Develop, analyze and interpret statistical and accounting information in order to evaluate operating results in terms of profitability, performance against budget, prior year, & forecast, and other matters bearing on the financial and operating effectiveness of the company.
  • Provide the VP of Finance and VP of Manufacturing with ad hoc reporting as requested.
  • Review and understand the month end results along with communicating to the accounting team possible areas of concern and required journal entries.
  • Produce and explain Daily/Weekly/Monthly reporting to plant and Business Unit management.
  • Commitment to continuous improvement of the position and the team of Controllers.
  • Train/mentor and develop the current plant controllers to help their career progression as well as establishing a strong bench for their own position.
  • Hire/Build staff of plant controllers at each location.
  • Own the oversight and enforcement of all accounting policies and procedures at the locations and ensure compliance with the highest levels of fiscal integrity.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

The duties and responsibilities described above are the essential functions of the job. The qualifications below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  • Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance or equivalent experience, Master’s degree and/or CPA preferred.
  • 7 to 10 years’ experience in manufacturing finance and accounting roles.
  • Strong oral and written communication skills, and the capacity to oversee the timely completion of multiple, complex tasks concurrently.
  • Strong decision-making and analytical skills desired.
  • Knowledge of  manufacturing industry strongly preferred.
  • Strong Microsoft Office and PC skills.
  • The ability to work effectively in a team environment will be critical.
  • Familiar with maquiladoras and relevant accounting and legal laws around their processes and existence.
  • Knowledge of Mexican accounting rules and regulations.
  • Ability to develop high levels of credibility and forge solid and positive professional relationships with subordinates, peers, and upper management.
  • Able to communicate effectively, both verbally as well as through multiple forms of media in English and Spanish

Divsion FP&A Manager – Houston – dlemaire@cfstaffing.com

Posted on by Dianedelgadolemaire

Responsibilities:

  • Business Partner to Vice President;
  • Perform due diligence and create business plans for expansion into new areas. Support acquisitions of business unit including financial/administrative due diligence and post merger integration;
  • Develop pricing strategy together with Vice President and Director;
  • Review, negotiate and approve customer and subcontractor contracts. Consult with legal department. Pre and post calculations of large contracts;
  • Act as liaison between the Company and headquarters. Interact with Accounting Director as necessary;
  • Be a proactive partner to the business and offer suggestions for operational and financial improvement
  • Analyze monthly financial statements and prepare and distribute monthly management package to VP’s and Managers including KPIs, Gross Profit Reports, P&L’s / accruals / PoC calculation;
  • Responsible for the monthly reporting and regular forecasting to Headquarters; provide monthly KPIs to Vice President;
  • Prepare and oversee annual planning process for the Company. Work closely with operations to ensure adequate understanding of where the business is headed over the next years.
  • Prepare planning reports and necessary reporting to improve forecasting and analysis of the business. Presentation of Business Plan to management;

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Finance / Accounting/Business Administration and MBA;
  • 5-7 years of Financial Analysis and Business Partnering experience in the service industry or oil & gas industry, international experience a plus;
  • Previous merger & acquisition and post-acquisition integration experience
  • Previous experience developing and giving board level presentations
  • Strong analytical, quantitative and abstract reasoning skills;
  • Accurate and attention to detail, plus excellent organization skills;
  • Able to perform under strict deadlines and with minimal supervision;
  • Strong Excel skills required;
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills;
  • Knowledge of financial software packages (SAP), financial modeling, expert in the use of advanced Microsoft Excel spreadsheets, proficiency with Microsoft Office applications required.

Staff Accountant – Northwest Houston – dlemaire@cfstaffing.com

Posted on by Dianedelgadolemaire

Staff Accountant

Who wouldn’t want to work for company that has been in business for almost 100 years! Talk about stability! This company also offers a laid back environment,  a family culture and is number two in the nation!

Overview:

• Posting, balancing, and reconciliation of the general ledger. Reviews entries to the ledger to assure accuracy.
• Performs bank reconciliation monthly. Verifies all deposits, withdrawals, and wire transfers. Addresses questions and problems from banking institutions.
• Performs account analysis and reconciliation, and sets up new accounts.
• Reconciles daily cash flow to monthly bank statements. Reviews daily cash bank reports and analyzes as required.
• Verifies, posts, and reconciles payroll.
• Assists General Accounting Manager with year-end audit.
• Maintains control over and distributes sales force incentive spreadsheets for all sales divisions.

Requirements: 

  • Bachelors in Accounting or Finance
  • 1 to 2 years of Reconciliations experience
  • Advanced Excel

Contact:

dlemaire@cfstaffing.com

 

Corporate Accountant – Galleria – dlemaire@cfstaffing.com

Posted on by Dianedelgadolemaire

 

 

JOB DUTIES:

  • Responsible for maintaining and reconciling balance sheet accounts: pre-paid and designated liability accounts.
  • Responsible for preparing and distributing roll-forward schedules to other divisions for financial reporting.
  • Assists the Senior Accountant with the review of intercompany billings for completeness and accuracy and collecting proper support for monthly intercompany billings.
  • Processes and uploads monthly PCARD transactions, reviews data for proper coding, missing coding, report suspicious activity or purchases.
  • Assists with monthly review and distribution of department profit and loss statements and actuals vs forecast.
  • Prepares any adjusting entries identified during review process and responses from department heads.
  • Collects and understanding responses from department managers for explanations on unusual items and actuals vs forecast variances.
  • Assists in interim and year end audit requests and schedules as assigned, both external and internal audits.
  • Assists with closing the books, with producing monthly profit and loss statements, and worth preparing, reviewing and submitting assigned Hyperion files.
  • Reviews subsequent disbursements and proposes accruals for month end hard close.
  • Assists with accounts receivables and payables as needed.
  • Stays in compliance with internal financial controls and associated procedures.

REQUIREMENTS

  • Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance and 3 years of experience in finance, public accounting or corporate accounting.
  • Eligible to sit for CPA exam or in process

OTHER

  • Multi-Billion, Multi-National Company
  • 60 to 68K plus 10% bonus
  • Medical, Dental, 401K, PTO

 

Senior Midstream Accountant

Posted on by Dianedelgadolemaire

 

dlemaire@cfstaffing.com
Primary Responsibilities
• Process crude oil payments to operators and owners as established by Division orders
• Identify and drive process improvements related to crude oil inventory controls
• Process all revenue and costs each for all Crude Oil monthly activity
• Provide payment detail to Accounts Payable for all operators
• Coordinate with Crude Trucking, Accounting and Operations, the monthly close process for evaluating and resolving crude gains and losses across the crude lease business
• Provide analytical support for the month end closing process by preparing and analyzing estimate vs actual revenue and expenses. Work with department personnel on explanations for variance
• Prepares multiple routine management reports and provides special reports as requested
• Answers and resolves internal and external customer inquiries, including audit inquiries
• Prepare monthly journal entries
• Prepare monthly account reconciliations
• Develop and maintain a strong working relationship with the Commercial group
• Supports projects as needed and assists other accountants as requested by management
• Prepares regulatory and/or governmental reports monthly, quarterly, and yearly
• Other duties as assigned

Working Conditions
• Works in an office environment
• Approximately 25% travel anticipated to field locations

Education and Qualifications
• Bachelor’s Degree required in the field of Accounting or Finance; CPA Preferred.
• Minimum of five or more years experience
• Strong analytical skills, organization and documentation skills required
• Effective interpersonal and organizational skills required
• Ability to effectively communicate at all levels of the organization required
• Proficient in the use of Excel and Word
• Flexibility to work long hours during peak periods
• Ability to prioritize assignments, deal with interruptions, meet deadlines, and manage change in a fast paced and growth oriented environment

What Recruiters Are Really Thinking When They Hear These Cliche Interview Answers March 22, 2017 By The Daily Muse

Posted on by Dianedelgadolemaire

interview-request

It feels like everyone has job search advice for you when you’re looking. And many of those people mean well. But too many times, their “interview tips” are outdated, stale, or flat-out wrong. For example, my Dad used to tell me not to turn down any job that pays me enough to make rent.

I know this is true because when I was a recruiter, I used to hear the same responses over and over again. And that means there are a lot of well-meaning people out there giving really cringe-worthy tips.

And in my experience, candidates who parrot these lines leave recruiters with no choice but to say, “Thanks, but I have no idea what this guy’s about.”

Here are a few of the biggest offenders:

1. “My Greatest Weakness Is That I Work Too Hard”

 

You Think You’re Saying: “I Work Really Hard”

When I was starting my career, this sounded like one of the perfect interview answers to show a recruiter I had zero weaknesses.

“OK, if I have one area for improvement, it’s that I work myself to the bone,” I’d say. And I’d leave a lot of interviews feeling really good about myself. Why wouldn’t companies want to hire someone who worked so hard that you had to kick him out of the office late at night?

The Recruiter’s Hearing: “I Won’t Own Up to Any Shortcomings—Meaning I’ll Never Improve”

Here’s the truth about this answer—if someone’s insistent on the fact that they’re perfect in every way, many recruiters will assume that you’re not self-aware. And no one wants to work with a person who thinks they’re flawless.

In fact, some of the best interviews I conducted were with candidates who were willing to share their weaknesses and how they’ve worked to improve. And that’s what the recruiter wants to hear from you when he’s asking this question. He knows you’re not perfect and he knows you’ll make mistakes on the job, what he doesn’t currently know is how you’ll handle those inevitable setbacks—and that matters a lot!

2. “I Honestly Can’t Think of a Previous Conflict Because I Work Well With Everyone”

 

You Think You’re Saying: “I’m the Ultimate Team Player”

Here’s another one I assumed that I could simply drop in an interview to impress the recruiter. “This person works well on teams? Well we must offer him one billion dollars to convince him to choose us over the competition!” And sure, most companies want to hire people who know how to work in teams. After all, people who don’t have this skill are typically referred to as “jerks.”

The Recruiter’s Hearing: “I’m Pretty Sure This Is What I’m Supposed to Say”

The mistake here isn’t saying, “I can work well with anyone.” It’s saying that—and then not adding anything else.

Without an example to back it up, it comes off as something you read in an article and decided was a good thing to say. And again, while it’s a good quality to have, hiring managers tend to want to hear a story about how you worked through a tough situation as part of a team.

Because like the above response about weaknesses, this isn’t about you being perfect—it’s about understanding how you work when things don’t go as planned.

3. “I Can’t Imagine Working Anywhere Else”

 

You Think You’re Saying: “I Really Want This Job”

At some point, someone is going to tell you for the 1,000th time that you need to convince the company that it’s the only one for you. And when you come across a job that you actually want, this piece of advice makes perfect sense. After all, nobody wants to work with people who don’t want to be there. So because you know you’d love to join the team, you let your enthusiasm show. Big time.

And the best way to drive this point home? Lay on the flattery so thick that the recruiter can’t help but see that you belong there.

The Recruiter’s Hearing: “I Didn’t Do My Research”

Even though interviewers want to know that they’re not just hiring someone who’s looking for any job, you do eventually have to get into the details. If you don’t mention a specific initiative that the company is working on—or even something that you found about its history on its website—your entire answer sounds like it’s based on an article you read about the company’s free lunches.

Interviews will never be the most enjoyable thing you do. And if someone tells you that a few quick one-liners can make them a little easier to navigate, you can take their tips with a few (or several) grains of salt. Because while you should focus on answering the questions as thoroughly as possible, don’t worry about saying the right thing at every step. Ultimately, your personality and your skill set will win over more recruiters than the pre-packaged answers will.

 

ONRR / Revenue Accountant – North/Northwest Houston -dlemaire@cfstaffing.com

Posted on by Dianedelgadolemaire

 

Overview: 

  • ONRR reporting and payment of federal and Indian royalties
  • Reconciliation of the ONRR reporting with revenue booking and with the general ledger
  • Reconciliation of the  ONRR  royalty reporting with the OGOR  production reporting
  • Monitor regulation changes with federal and Indian reporting of royalties
  • Work with the Director of Operations Accounti ng on ONRR compliance reviews, data mining requests, and audits
  • Monitor ONRR estimated royalty payments
  • Run BRIO reports as needed
  • Upload all royalty payments into Excalibur suspense
  • Upload all applicable journal vouchers into Excalibur
  • Work with Production Department to resolve applicable volume discrepancies
  • Work with Land Department on issues concerning ONRR royalty percentages
  • Accruals – run beginning and ending accrual processes
  • Accruals – research outside operated sales on wells for a series of properties to provide an oil,gas, and ngl accrual on a monthly basis
  • North Dakota oil severance tax – prepare, file, and pay all North Dakota gas production taxes and reconcile any differences

Qualifications:

  • Accounting degree required/ or industry experience equivalent
  • Ten to fifteen years of experience in oil & gas revenue accounting
  • Good communication and interpersonal skills to interface effectively with management, land, state and federal agencies, purchasers, and operators
  • Working knowledge of the various departmental activities in an upstream E&P company and their interface/integration with the Accounti ng department
  • Experience with production severance tax reporting
  • Experience with ONRR reporting for federal and Indian royalty reporting
  • Proficient in Microsoft Excel,Word and Outlook applications

 

Senior Staff Accountant! #fortune500 – Katy, TX – dlemaire@cfstaffing.com

Posted on by Dianedelgadolemaire

Would you like to work for a company that has been in business for over 60 years? How about a company that just doesn’t want a # cruncher, but someone who desires to work with operations? This company truly believes in promoting from within! Proof? Several Accountants who have worked for  this company have moved on to other roles within the Houston division or other divisions around the country!  If you like a more laid back and entrepreneurial environment, this may be just the place for you!

What do you need to qualify?

  • Accounting Degree
  • 2 to 3 years of GL experience and advanced Excel skills
  • A desire to work hand in hand with other departments. Not just Accounting!
  • Seeking an outgoing personality with great communication skills who welcomes collaboration!

Responsibilities:

  • Prepares monthly journal entries
  • Assists with the preparation of monthly financial reports and cash flow projections
  • Verifies accuracy of journal entries and accounting classifications within the financial statements
  • Coordinates accounting matters with other departments within the division
  • Coordinates work efforts with National Shared Services
  • Prepares supporting documentation for the Division’s SOX binders

Other:

  • 55,000 to 60,000 plus bonus
  • Full benefits package
  • Minimal overtime
  • Work hard, play hard culture!

#fortune500 #staffaccountant #construction #top100placestowork #jobs #jobsearch #houston