2013 Recruitment Tip #4: Join the Accounting Club

For an accounting student, there is simply no better way to gain exposure to the industry than by joining your school’s Accounting Club. The interaction with industry professionals while gaining valuable experiences and skills will last a lifetime. Take part in their professional presentations, tours, and networking events. Employers love to see your involvement with school activities, especially Accounting Club. All the benefits of membership in the Accounting Club are magnified when you’re an active member or become an officer!

Here is a list of benefits of joining Accounting Club:

·        Increase your chances of securing a job after graduation

·        Improve your leadership, teamwork, and people skills

·        Receive current accounting job postings via e-mail

·        Enhance your resume and scholarship applications.

·        Be eligible for Accounting Club scholarships

·        Meet new people, make new friends, and get to know classmates and professionals   

Here is a video: Join the Accounting Club presented by Roger CPA Review.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NETL6FFAkrk

2013 Recruitment Tip #3: Attend Meet the Firms/Accounting Career Day

It is important for an accounting student to never understate the value of events that allow you to meet firms and other professionals.  Ranging in size from small affairs to conference hall filling extravaganzas, these events are designed to bring students together with professionals from a variety of public, private and governmental firms. It offers a great opportunity to hear from professionals from a variety of areas. It may allow you to hear about a career opportunity that interests you. Many universities offer these types of events called “Accounting Career Day” or “Meet the Firms.” Numerous professionals from the surrounding areas attend, hoping to find interns or even future employees. Many firms attend during their recruitment process and it gives students an opportunity to meet them before on-campus interviews. You should always bring you resume and business cards because you never know when an opportunity will present itself! Be ready to learn about firms that you find interesting.

Monroe Shine will be attending several events this fall. We hope to see you there!

• University of Louisville - Accounting Social: Thursday, August 29^th
• University of Kentucky - Beta Alpha Psi "Meet the Firms": Thursday, September 12^th
• Indiana University, Southeast- Accounting Career Day: Friday, September 13^th
• Bellarmine University - Accounting Club Presentation: Wednesday, September 18^th
• University of Kentucky - "Diversity In Accounting" Networking Reception: Tuesday, September 24^th
• Indiana University, Southeast - School of Business Golf Scramble: Friday, September 27^th

2013 Recruitment Tip #2: Polish Your Networking Skills

Networking is arguably your most important professional skill. Every person you meet and interact with is a potential employer, contact, colleague, or opportunity. Make the most out of every networking event by practicing your social skills as often as possible.

 Here are a few tips to improve your networking skills:

-  Don’t think of it as “networking,” but that you are meeting a new friend. Networking should be an enjoyable experience, so don’t put too much pressure on yourself.

- Don’t be afraid to approach smaller groups. Sometimes starting at a full room of potential contacts can be overwhelming. You might be tempted to join the largest group but look for smaller groups of people. You stand a better chance of engaging in real conversation.

- Don’t feel like you need to do all the talking. Often people just want someone to listen. So be a listener as well.

- Don’t be afraid to practice your “elevator pitch.” You are trying to connect with people and form new business relationships. Your elevator pitch needs to reflect who you are, what you’re about, and what you can do to help.

Make sure to carry a professional business card everywhere you go. You never know when a chance to network will present itself!

2013 Recruitment Tip #1: Learn How to Write a Killer Resume

Creating your resume may be one of the most important parts of the recruitment process. After all, your resume helps you get an interview, right? Your resume needs to be more than just a piece of paper with your information printed on it. It needs to be an advertisement of your skills, talents and experiences. In many ways, your resume is like an advertisement, you need to sell yourself! You are going to highlight your assets. It should always be written with the employer in mind and answer the most crucial questions about you. For each position you are interested in, you should tailor your resume and cover letter for that specific position. Most importantly, you should always be honest. You should never embellish your experience or job titles.

Do you need help with your resume? Don’t forget to use your school as a resource! Many universities offer resume seminars through the Career Services. You should always take advantage of those! It never hurts to have someone else proofread your resume and give feedback.

 

Here are helpful resume tips from local universities:

http://www.ius.edu/career/resumes-and-letters/resumes.php

http://www.bellarmine.edu/studentaffairs/careercenter/resumeprep.aspx

http://louisville.edu/career/students/job-search/resume-writing

http://www.uky.edu/careercenter/students/resumes-letters-cv

 Good luck!

What Our People Think!!

Hi my name is Lindsey Kilburn and I am currently a senior at Indiana University Southeast. I was a spring and summer 2013 intern in the New Albany office for Monroe Shine. I’ve had such a wonderful experience working here over the past several months. It was incredible to experience tax season at a public accounting firm. Every day was new and exciting! Each day, I had new returns to work on from a variety of industries. I prepared tax returns for corporations, partnerships, trusts/estates, individuals and much more. I can’t begin to put into words all that I learned during tax season. By the end, I was comfortable with any assignment that was handed to me. I learned how to use various tax and depreciation software along with how to interact with staff and clients. After the tax season ended, I had the opportunity to work on property tax returns and go on Employee Benefit Plan audits for several companies.

                Even though tax season is the busiest time of year, Monroe Shine continuously offers great services to not only their clients but their employees as well. Not only do we have a full kitchen and gym downstairs, we also have great events throughout the year. From catered in lunch from Tumbleweed, Milkshake Day, employee games, and holiday/birthday celebrations, we are always having a great time. My favorite event was our After Tax Season Party at the Kentucky Derby Museum this past April.

                My favorite part about working at Monroe Shine has been the relationships that I have formed with other staff. I never imagined the relationships I would develop while working here as an intern. Monroe Shine has the best employees around! From the partners, managers and staff accountants, everyone here has been truly wonderful.

                In my opinion, Monroe Shine gave me the best internship experience that I could have asked for. Not only did I learn so much about this career, I also learned that this is the right career for me. I highly recommend doing an internship because it is truly an experience you will never regret!

~ Lindsey (2013 Spring & Summer Intern)