7 Questions You Should Ask Yourself before Switching Jobs via http://www.social-hire.com/

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7 Questions You Should Ask Yourself before Switching Jobs

by devika

http://www.social-hire.com/career–interview-advice/4013/7-questions-you-should-ask-yourself-before-switching-jobs?utm_content=buffer76a4c&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

When you feel tired of your existing work routine and life begins to look monotonous, many professionals tend to look for a change of scene. Some may think of vacations while others may turn to a more permanent solution like a change of job. The latter becomes even more complex when the individual begins to consider another field of work altogether. For such professionals, it is necessary that you sit down and mull over what you want and what you need. While it is no use to stay on in a rut, a change of career can be a tricky situation, especially if you are not certain of how things will shape up in the future. And since the grass always seems greener on the other side of the fence, it is vital for you to honestly answer these questions before you say good-bye to your existing job.
1. Why do I want to change my job?

You don’t want to jump out of the frying pan to land into the fire.  So you must have a solid reason for the job change. It could be because –

  • You are not interested in the area of work anymore
  • You have served for too long and feel taken for granted
  • You are undervalued and underpaid
  • Restructuring led to a change in your role that you hadn’t settled for
  • You feel you are not progressing
  • You don’t like your manager or co-workers

2. What type of work do I want to do?

Sit and analyze your current job and career. Then think of what you really want to do. Is your present position worth giving up for this aspiration? Try to determine what kind of work will make you happy and your life more pleasant. Rather than rushing the process, you can make less drastic changes and still be happy.

You can look for a different job the same industry, find a similar job in a different industry or simply modify your current profile. But do not try to change all these at the same time.  For instance, if you are a marketing manager with an MBA degree you can even venture into the field of online marketing and social media. It’s all about what prospects you would like to explore. You can either join an IT company offering such services or maybe even start providing freelance services from home which will then give you more flexibility.

Think of what whether you want to –

  • Meet new people
  • Do less paperwork
  • Have fewer people in your team
  • Travel
  • Have flexible work hours or work-from-home option

3. What transferable skills and capabilities do I possess?

  • Organizational skills
  • Detailed research work
  • Teaching or lecturing
  • Fundraising know-how
  • Effectively implementing ideas and initiatives
  • People skills

Transferable skills and capabilities like these help you in career change. Think about roles where you will be able to utilize them and you can decide better. You can even try a sideway move or a consultancy service.
4. What am I expecting?

When you think of a new career, make sure it is something you are passionate about. Think of the reason that is driving you today, will it drive you tomorrow? Even though you are likely to get a fat pay cheque in your new role, let it not be the only reason to fascinate you. You may have to do this work day in day out so look for more reasons to take it up. Also make sure that this profile is in harmony with your core principles and values.
5. Am I prepared to start all over again?

This can happen if you have decided to change your industry altogether. Even if you have agreed for a complete change, you still need to think about your family. Starting from square one may require them to live differently and more humbly.
6. How much salary do I need to earn?

This is probably the most crucial question you ought to ask yourself. Analyze you current finances and write down all expenses. Assess the income, outgoings, extra expenses like your child’s school fee or mortgages. This will give you a clear perspective of how much money you require to earn over a year. See if you can make any cuts to it. Then think of what your new job will provide.
7. Will I regret not moving?

People tend to regret not doing certain things. Will this be one of those decisions? If you think you will be blaming yourself for not moving on at the right time, you should probably go ahead and change what you don’t like. You should not sit down after five years and sulk about having the opportunity and not taking it.

These crucial questions (and their answers) will help you to evaluate your current position, think it through and clearly understand your future prospects. So take your sweet time and choose whatever is best for you!

 

 

9 Affirmations the Most Successful People Repeat Each and Every Day by Jeff Haden

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What you say is often what you do — especially if you say it to yourself.
BY JEFF HADEN
Contributing editor, Inc.
http://www.inc.com/jeff-haden/9-affirmations-genuinely-successful-people-repeat-each-and-every-day.html

A friend of mine is big on daily affirmations and positive self-talk. He spends a few minutes every morning looking in a mirror and repeating, “I’m great. I’m awesome. I’m a superstar.”

He says his daily affirmations work for him but his approach has always left me a little flat. Why? There’s no action involved in his affirmations. He’s great… but what is he going to do with that greatness?

Achievement is based on specific actions, not on general thoughts. The same is true with how we treat people: to others we are what we do, not what we think.

And most importantly, genuine “success” means different things to different people. For some it’s money, for others it’s power and influence, for others it’s the strength of relationships… your definition of “success” is all that matters.

That’s why I like this list of affirmations a lot better. It comes from Mareo McCracken, a Global Growth Consultant and Revenue Leader at Axis Medical Technologies. (You might consider following him on LinkedIn; he often takes an unusual approach to overcoming the challenges most of us face.)

Here’s Mario:

The key driver of self-awareness is what we tell ourselves about our past, present, and future. Our self-talk becomes our personal stories. We believe what we tell ourselves. Self-talk combined with matching action is the number one way to change your life.

While I am no guru, I know that these are the stories you must tell yourself:

1. “I treat others the way they want to be treated.”

By treating others the way they want to be treated, my own personal fulfillment grows. I give respect and provide service. I show love, care, compassion, and consideration. I help others feel appreciated. I let others know they are important, that they matter, and that they are valuable. By valuing others, my confidence increases.

2. “I am ever grateful.”

Gratitude allows happiness to come into my life. I choose to show appreciation for what I have, who I know, what I can learn, and who I can help. I define and talk about the things I am grateful for on a daily basis. I know that the number one way for me to be happy is to choose to be grateful. The more thanks I show, the more my confidence increases.

2. “I am accountable.”

I am reliable. I am responsible. I never blame others, I never accept excuses. I take ownership of my successes as well as my mistakes. I know that my own performance is a direct result of what I think and the actions I take. By taking full-responsibility daily, my confidence increases.

3. “I believe in myself.”

When I fail, I learn. My failures are temporary because my perseverance is permanent. I push forward at all times because I know I can succeed. As I continually believe in myself, my confidence increases.

4. “I am positive.”

I look for the good in all people and situations. My mind is focused on the possibilities. When I think positive thoughts, positive things happen. The more I act in a positive manner, the more my confidence increases.

5. “I have high standards.”

I do not let mediocrity enter my life. I am honest. I do not apologize for striving for excellence. My quality of life is a reflection of my high standards. I rise and lift others with me. By living up to my personal high standards, my confidence increases.

6. “I follow my heart.”

Time is precious and everyone has something that they are passionate about. I do what makes me and those around me happy. The cost of not following my heart is too great, I am going to live life with no regrets. As I follow my heart, my confidence increases.

7. “I trust my gut.”

I value my intuition since it is based on my subconscious-mind and conscious-mind working in harmony. I know what is true, and I know what I want to be true. I trust my gut feelings, my inner voice. As I trust myself, my confidence increases.

8. “I am resilient.”

I have overcome many challenges and will overcome many more. The times that are the toughest, are the times I learn the most. I never back down. I work hard and I push through. As I act in a resilient manner, my confidence increases.

9. “I help people.”

I matter because I make a difference. While I may get tired I am not weary. I share myself and love to serve. By making a difference, my confidence increases.

If we tell ourselves our personal truth enough, it manifests into reality. Our reality and our actions will always match the story we believe.

The opinions expressed here by Inc.com columnists are their own, not those of Inc.com.

 

The Worst US Drilling Drops For 2016 Have Now Passed via www.oilpro.com

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The Worst US Drilling Drops For 2016 Have Now Passed

http://oilpro.com/post/23279/downturn-turns-67-weeks-old-us-onshore-oil-rig-count-sees-rare-ga?utm_source=DailyNewsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter&utm_term=2016-03-21&utm_content=Article_2_txt

 

This downturn is about 67 weeks old. In only 12 of those 67 weeks has the US onshore oil rig count registered an increase. Last week was one of those with the onshore oil rig count leaning into the wind and rising by one unit. This was the first weekly increase seen since December 2015.

While we try not to read too much into the weekly changes (rig moves and other factors can add noise), it does appear that largest weekly declines of the year are now behind us. The recent rally in oil prices doesn’t hurt.

enter image description here

In early-2015, the drilling collapse resembled a massive bell curve spanning January to May. This makes sense as new E&P budgets take effect in the first quarter. Over the 2015 bell curve decline, the US onshore oil rig count came down 815 rigs, an average of -37 per week with the biggest weekly loss seen in late-January (-89).

After that, there was a bit of relief with some weekly increases in the summer followed by a slower trickle in the fall (a pattern that followed oil prices up and then back down).

From January to March this year, we’ve again seen the bell curve shape collapse in the rig count. While a gradual drift lower may continue, we believe last week’s uptick closed out the worst period of the year for rig count pain (a similar uptick book-ended the big decline last year).

Until this week, the US onshore oil rig count had fallen each and every week of the year with the decline totaling 153 rigs, an average of -14 per week (biggest drop this time was -32 the first week of February). Coming into 2016, there were only 516 US onshore oil rigs working vs. the 1,443 rigs entering last year. With just 363 US onshore oil rigs still active today, there just isn’t much room left to fall…

Weekly North American Rig Count Statistics

Last week, the total US land rig count fell 4 rigs to 446. The North America rig count fell 33 units last week. With WTI rallying some 50% over the past 4-5 weeks, the rig count could begin to find some stability, perhaps still drifting lower but not collapsing like it was earlier this year.

table

The Independent E&Ps are cutting capex even more than we expected, and spending declines this year will likely be 40-50% below 2015 in the aggregate. We believe current drilling levels are not sustainable and will translate into a meaningful production response, which we believe will become clear by 2017.

trends

In Canada, the rig count fell 29 rigs to 69 for the week.

cad

A regional summary of rig counts by key basins is below. With 152 rigs working, the Permian is still the most active basin, and it was flat on the week. The Eagle Ford, with 45 rigs running, is the second most active basin, and it was up 2 last week. With 31 rigs running, activity in the Bakken was down 1 rig last week.

Hot Accounting & Finance Openings – dlemaire@cfstaffing.com

Posted on by Dianedelgadolemaire
  • Staff Accountant – entry level (internship experience or clerk exp required)
  • Staff Accountant – 1 to 2 years of gl experience
  • Staff Accountant – 2 to 3 years of gl experience
  • Senior Accountant – 5 to 8 years of experience required
  • Senior Accountant – GL and Sales & Use Tax required
  • Compensation Financial Analyst – Katy – heavy excel
  • Senior Accountant – 3 to 6 years of GL experience
  • Hyperion Systems Manager (Hyperion,HFM administrator)
  • HR Manager – revamp existing HR program

March 15th – New Accounting & Finance Opening! dlemaire@cstaffing.com

Posted on by Dianedelgadolemaire
  • AR Staff Accountant – Galleria
  • HR Manger – IAH area
  • Financial Analyst (Accountant turned Analyst) – Med Center
  • Hyperion / HFM Administrator
  • Senior Accountant – SW Hosuton
  • Payroll Accountant / Processor – Rosenberg
  • SEC Financial Accountant – Downtown
  • Wealth Strategist / Financial Planner (tax background) – Galleria
  • Treasury Analyst (big 4 only) – Downtown

dlemaire@cfstaffing.com

Stop making this career mistake

Posted on by Dianedelgadolemaire

http://cfstaffing.blogspot.com/2016/03/stop-making-this-career-mistake.html

Stop making this career mistake

Whether you are applying for jobs or looking to make progress in your current job, you need to set clear goals for yourself. Yes, it takes a bit of motivation to start setting goals and may seem like a grueling process, but it can be detrimental to your career if you don’t do this. Having goals brings you a sense of purpose and gives you control of your future. They also shift your focus to what’s important and keep you motivated.

Identify

Decide what your main goal is and establish the steps it takes to get there. The main goal seems less out of reach when you focus on the smaller ones first. It doesn’t matter how many different steps it will take, you just need to concentrate on that first little goal, and then the next one, and keep going until you achieve your main goal. Don’t worry how much time it may take- the time is going to pass anyway.

Network

You should be networking as often as you can. Ask yourself where you want to be in 10 or 15 years and then seek out people who are currently in that position. They know what it takes to get there and can be a great resource for setting accurate goals for your career. People are busy, so make sure when you reach out that you’re not being a burden and explain why this person also benefits from meeting.

Evaluate

Once you set your main goal, make sure that it really is feasible to achieve. You need to know the steps you’ll be taking and any roadblocks you might face along the way. Acknowledge your strengths and weaknesses to adjust your goals and objectives accordingly.

Measure

You should assess your progress along the way to make sure you’re still heading in the right direction; you don’t want to deviate from your plan without realizing it. Measuring your progress allows you to see if you need to make changes to your goal and/or the steps needed to get there.

Stay Motivated

You shouldn’t only celebrate once you reach your final goal; you need to acknowledge the small accomplishments along the way! Each time you cross off a small goal from your list you should reward yourself somehow. It helps keep you motivated to keep pushing towards your final goal. You worked hard to get there and deserve proper recognition!

Have questions about career development? We want to hear them so comment below! You can also reach out to one of our expert recruiters- find the closest location to you here.

Posted by Creative Financial Staffing at 3:33 PM

The ultimate Linkedin cheat sheet

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The ultimate Linkedin cheat sheet

Our ultimate Linkedin cheat sheet will help you quickly create the perfect Linkedin profile, maximise your online visibility, build your contact list or get contacted about a new job. Whether you’re looking for slight improvements or starting from the beginning we’ve got you covered!

Did you know a person with a fully optimised Linkedin profile is 40 times more likely to receive job opportunities via Linkedin?! It’s probably a good idea to get a sneaky head start over the job market. After all you are competing against over 350 million users…​

infographic

See more here:

http://www.leisurejobs.com/staticpages/18285/the-ultimate-linkedin-cheat-sheet/

 

Accounting & Finance Openings Houston, Texas – dlemaire@cfstaffing.com

Posted on by Dianedelgadolemaire

Feel free to share with your network! dlemaire@cfstafffing.com

Downtown: 

  • IT Auditor
  • Senior Accountant
  • Financial Reporting Accountant
  • Treasury Analyst (former or current Big 4)
  • Senior Auditor (10% travel)

Galleria: 

  • Consolidations / Financial Reporting Accounting
  • Staff Accountant
  • Senior Auditor
  • Senior GL Accountant
  • Wealth Strategist/ Financial Planner / Tax Analyst
  • AR Specialist Oracle
  • Federal / State Tax Accountant
  • AP Supervisor
  • Non Profit Controller
  • Reduced hour Tax Manager
  • SEC Reporting Manager

Westchase:

  • Staff Accountant
  • Controller – SEC, CPA, Big 4
  • Compensation Analyst/ Financial Analyst
  • IT Audit Lead

Southwest Houston: 

  • Senior Accountant
  • Contract Compliance Manager

West Houston:

  • Senior Accountant
  • Compensation Financial Analyst
  • SEC Reporting Director
  • Corporate HR Manager
  • Campus Recruiter
  • Corporate Recruiter

 

Northwest Houston:

  • Senior Accountant
  • Insurance Senior Accountant
  • Senior Staff Accountant

North Houston: 

  • Accounting Manager (Public Accounting & Real Estate/ Construction / home-building)
  • Spanish Speaking Credit & Collections Manager
  • HR Manager

Small Non Profit Controller – dlemaire@cfstaffing.com

Posted on by Dianedelgadolemaire

Our client is a religions non profit. They are looking for a faith oriented person to join their team.

  • Participates in the development and implementation of the  mission and strategic plans for all entities.
  • Serves as a partner and resource for the major committees, staff, and stakeholders.
  • Manages long-term financial planning as well as annual planning and budgeting
  • Leads and manages the Finance Department staff (5 or 6 people)
  • Sets, reviews, and maintains financial policies and procedures.
  • Oversees the daily duties and responsibilities related to accounts payable, allocations, audits, budgeting, cash management, contributions, general ledger, loan compliance, expense management, payroll, regulatory filings and record management, reporting and reconciliation, tax filings, technology
  • Manages/directs all financial transactions including the last review; finalizes all entries; closes reporting periods; ensures timely, accurate reporting (internal management, state, federal, and others as needed).
  • Handles treasury management; maintains bank relationships.
  • Functions as the information expert on laws and regulations regarding operations of the Foundation (nonprofit, tax, payroll, related issues).
  • Serves as a liaison with Foundation, Audit Committee, other entities
  • Serves as member of the Executive Committee, Finance & Administration Commission, and the Foundation Board.

Qualifications & Experience:

  • BS/BBA degree; MBA a plus
  • CPA a plus
  • Work background in a corporate or non-profit accounting department.
  • At least 5 years of supervisory experience.
  • Strong analytical skills.
  • Proven team player.
  • Effective communicator.
  • Excellent computer skills.
  • Strong verbal and written skills.
  • Belief and passion for non-profit organizations.

Senior Accountant – SW Houston

Posted on by Dianedelgadolemaire

Job Responsibilities:

  • Ensure accurate and timely close process through preparation or review of monthly close schedules, journal entries, reconciliations, etc.
  • 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
  • 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 company’s 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
  • Apply project management skills including creating work plans, scheduling work to meet deadlines, obtaining documentation, preparing work papers, researching / resolving issues, liaising with external audit teams and especially communicating status of projects
  • Provide excellent customer service to both internal and external clients

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Accounting
  • CPA desired
  • Strong financial background
  • Strong Excel skills including pivot tables, v-lookups, interest calculations, present value calculations and other advanced formulas
  • Strong understanding of general ledger accounts
  • Diligence and self-discipline to produce high-quality, well-documented work with minimal supervision and errors
  • Solid analytical skills to resolve increasingly difficult accounting challenges
  • Able to coordinate complex projects from start to finish and highly responsive and committed to results
  • Flexibility to work additional hours as necessary

Accounting Manager – Woodlands – dlemaire@cfstaffing.com

Posted on by Dianedelgadolemaire

Accounting Manager with Public Accounting background needed in The Woodlands! 

  • Supervising a team of Staff and Senior Accountants
  • Supervising month-end close, including preparing and reviewing journal entries, account reconciliations, roll forwards, and financial statements
  • Assist in researching technical topics in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regulatory requirements
  • Ad hoc reporting for Corporate Accounting, Senior Management, others
  • Prepare Budgets, cash flow projections and financial analysis
  • Administration and maintenance of JD Edwards general ledger and job cost applications
  • Undergraduate Degree with major or focus in Accounting
  • Graduate Degree preferred
  • CPA
  • Minimum of 5 to 10 years of accounting experience required. Big 4 or large regional accounting experience is preferred.
  • Real estate industry and project cost accounting experience.
  • Extensive knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word, Access and related products.

What makes a job seeker stand out via CFS

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What makes a job seeker stand out

You submitted your resume and landed the interview, but what next? As you research the company and prepare for commonly asked interview questions, you must ask yourself one thing: How can I make myself stand out? Luckily, some of our expert recruiters here at CFS have some tips to help you do just that.

Be Professional

Have you ever heard the phrase, “You only have one chance to make a first impression?” This saying couldn’t be any truer when it comes to interviewing for a job. It is crucial to arrive 5-10 minutes early and to dress professionally. Our recruiters cannot stress that enough! This means a suit or a dress. Jeans are not acceptable. In addition, have multiple copies of your resume and a notepad and pen to take notes with.

Be Personable

In an interview, you need to turn the interview into a conversation. Ryan Glick, Executive Recruiter of CFS Shelton, remembers people who he connects with on a deeper level. It’s not just about proving that you have the skills necessary to do the job, but that you can fit in at the company. Ryan advises to not only speak about the position but to also be personable.

Be Able to Elaborate

It is crucial to be able to explain yourself. You need to answer each question with poise and provide strong examples with strong details. The interviewer has already read your resume, so now is the time to expand upon your qualifications. Now you can really delve into what you are looking for, why you want the job, and what you can bring to the company. This is your chance to put a face to the name and make a lasting impression.

Diane Lemaire, Senior Managing Director of CFS Houston, highly recommends creating a story with your answers. Be careful not to ramble though. The goal is to create a visual in the interviewers mind. Diane adds that the interviewer wants to be able to picture you at the desk doing the job. If you can accomplish this during your interview, you will have a distinct advantage over other candidates.

Stable Background

The duration of employment under your work experience stands out to a recruiter or hiring manager. Yes, working for a strong company is an added bonus, but a proven track record of staying with a company truly stands out.Randy Schwartz, Branch Manager of CFS Nashville, says that staying with a company and making changes when it advances your career is noteworthy. If a candidate has long-term goals, knows the steps to achieve them, and makes the decisions necessary to do so then they will be successful.

On the other hand, if a candidate has held many different positions in a short period of time, then a recruiter or potential employer will question their loyalty. They will question how long you’ll want to stay at their company and hesitate when it comes to hiring you.

Have Questions

This is a great way to stand out! The question segment of the interview typically allows you to prove that you’ve done your research on the company and is essentially your time to shine. While you should ask some questions that illustrate your knowledge, don’t ask these questions because you have to. Ask uncommon questions as well. An interviewer will remember someone who asks unique questions and will appreciate your intellectual curiosity.

Strong Communication Skills

Aside from interviewing well, you must communicate via email/phone in a professional manner as well. Coleen Trombley, Managing Director of CFS Hartford, says that getting back to your recruiter/interviewer helps you stand out. Taking that extra effort to respond quickly and give feedback to your recruiter will set you apart from other candidates who are not as efficient.

Send a Thank You

Now that the interview is over, it’s time for the Thank You card. Mike Ruben, Managing Director of CFS Fort Lauderdale, says that sending a Thank You note is a crucial step that many candidates commonly overlook. An email is perfectly acceptable, but if a candidate sends nothing then they hurt their chances. If the decision comes down to someone who sent a Thank You and someone who didn’t, the recruiter will lean heavily towards the one who did. In addition, this note is your last chance to solidify why you are the best person for the position. Who wouldn’t want that chance?!

Have questions about how you can stand out in your job search? We want to hear it so comment below! You can also reach out to one of our expert recruiters. Find the closest location to you here.