Give the Recruiters What They Want - 2016 Spring Spectrum

MAXIMIZE YOUR CONVENTION EXPERIENCEGIVE THE RECRUITERS WHAT THEY WANTIt’s no secret. The number one reason that members (and nonmembers) attend their associationconventions is to network. And one of the reasons they network is to find a job in their field or forcareer advancement. The NABA convention is known for bringing together professionals, industryleaders, and recruiters who can help you Accelerate Your Growth and Advancement in accounting andfinance.But to advance your career in accounting, you must be aware that recruiters have moved from simplyhiring an applicant who has the pre-requisite skills to focusing on an applicant who better fits theculture of the organization. Recruiters are looking for individuals who can bring more to the table witha broad range of technical skills as well as solid interpersonal skills.So if advancing your career is why you’re attending this year’s convention, heed what these threerecruiters have to say.24 SPECTRUM | SPRING 2016

Bliss Burton is a member of the • KNOW THE ORGANIZATION THAT YOU ARE Talent Outreach/Diversity Initiatives at Walmart. In this function, she is SPEAKING TO. Do your research prior to the serving as a consultative partner by supporting the recruitment function convention. You should have a pretty good sense of of Walmart while addressing what organization you would like to work for and uniquely diverse talent gaps, and why. Knowing this up front makes the conversation finding resolution through strategic simpler and more substantive, as the recruiter canrelationships. While serving on the Talent Outreach team, speak specifically to your interests, rather thanBliss has placed thoughtful emphasis on intentional providing a broad overview on the company/external partnerships, as well as post-hire engagement agency’s reason for existence.for hires resulting in those partnerships. Bliss reached outto members of her team, who offer the following: • ASK SUBSTANTIVE QUESTIONS TO• SEPARATE YOURSELF. When you are networking RECRUITERS. This help you get the best at a national convention for career opportunities, information possible on what might be attractive competition can be high! Make sure you are to you as a job seeker. If you are interested in a standing out from the crowd by approaching particular organization, you should be prepared companies with a customized professional approach to ask questions relevant to your interests to help that will resonate in their memory. Be professional, decide if both of your needs align. but make sure you are personal at the same time. By making a personal connection, you will force them • FOLLOW UP. Touch on key points from your to remember you! conversation and reinforce your desire for continued• DO YOUR RESEARCH. You likely have an idea conversation. Connect with the organizations’ social media platforms and reach out to the recruiter you which companies are of interest to you, so there’s met with specific questions when you have them. no excuse not to approach each conversation as prepared as possible. “Wow” the company Carly Williams, the U.S. diversity representatives with your knowledge of their recruiting leader at PwC, is responsible industry, and you will be sure to have a competitive for the overall diverse recruitment edge to your credibility in early conversations! strategy. She leads PwC’s efforts to attract, engage and hire diverse full-• BE SPECIFIC. Many future candidates struggle time professionals and interns from nearly 200 universities where PwC with translating their experience in a marketable actively recruits. She drives the strategy way. Work on being specific when discussing your behind PwC’s diverse student programs, such as the Start professional or educational background, your Internship Experience and the Diverse Stipend Program and current work, and also be prepared to review leads PwC efforts at all diverse recruiting conferences such your career aspirations. The more targeted you as NABA, ALPFA, Ascend. Carly advises you to: are in sharing your background, the more specific recruiters and company representatives will • BE SINCERE IN YOUR CONVERSATIONS. be in speaking to you about your fit in to their organization. The best way to be memorable to someone is by showing a sincere interest in the people you meet Michael Rivera is a talent acquisition with and truly listening to what they are sharing specialist, Office of Human Capital, with you. You can make it evident that you are truly Consumer Financial Protection Bureau interested in what they have to share by asking (CFPB). Michael oversees the continued questions around the subject matter. design, development and refinement of passive and active engagement • LEVERAGE SOCIAL MEDIA. LinkedIn is a great strategies tailored to the CFPB’s need to recruit the best. From his perspective, way to connect with individuals you meet as part ofhere’s what you need to do: your follow-up to conversations you have. You never know what the connection may lead to. • PLAN TO BE DRESSED FOR ANYTHING. Plan to dress more professionally during the day (have a blazer, coat, etc.), but be more casual later in the day at a happy hour or networking event. ▲ SPRING 2016 | SPECTRUM 25