Corporate Accounting

Corporate Accounting Management

Financial Analysis

Public Accounting

Corporate Tax

Project/ Temporary

Corporate Accounting

SENIOR ACCOUNTANT  1213

Galleria area real estate firm seeks Senior Accountant to ensure the accuracy and propriety of all financial data and reports maintained and prepared for the properties/projects, tier entities and investors within the Financial Reporting Group.  Salary to $65,000.

BILINGUAL  ACCOUNTANT – 1208

North Houston oilfield service company seeks a bilingual accountant with 3-5 years of corporate accounting experience. Will be responsible for monthly closing process, preparation of Monthly Financials Statements & Quarterly Schedules & reports, Bank and GL Account Reconciliations, etc. Salary to $65k.

REVENUE ACCOUNTING MANAGER – 1142

Growing E & P Company is seeking a senior level oil and gas revenue accountant for a growing and successful oil and gas exploration and production company. Candidates need experience as assistant controller, accounting manager or similar senior-level role. Qualified candidates will have 5-10 years of progressive oil & gas revenue accounting experience.

INTERCOMPANY ACCOUNTANT – 1136

North Houston construction and engineering company seeks a degreed accountant with 1-3 years of intercompany accounting experience in a medium to large sized company. Qualified candidates will have a “ go-getter “ type of personality.

SENIOR CORPORATE ACCOUNTANT – 1147

Successful Real Estate Company in Downtown Houston is seeking a Senior Accountant. Looking for a highly motivated professional. This opportunity will also provide excellent potential for growth and advancement. Responsibilities include – Prepare Partnership financial reporting and account reconciliations, – Maintain New Partnership database– maintain legal documents database, extract Partnership documents to ensure reporting compliance and understand Partnership requirements, and – Involved in Month-end close, financial reporting and coordinating with operating entities. Salary to $75k.

Corporate Accounting Management

CONTROLLER – SEC REPORTING  1214

Galleria area real estate firm has opportunity for financial reporting professional.  Prepare SEC filings – 10-Q, 10-K, 8-Ks, registration statements, etc. Coordinate review of filings with Senior Management and work with SEC counsel on filings and other issues.  Salary to $105 + 20 %bonus

MANAGER CAPITAL REPORTING- 1207

West Houston oilfield service company seeks a 10+ year accountant for a Manager level position.  In this job you will Assist in the review of division capital budgets and requests for funding (AFEs) and recommend the appropriate accounting treatment.  In this role you will ensure accounting rules are followed and enforce the Company’s accounting policies for capitalized items, assist with compliance matters including development of policies and procedures to adhere to SOX requirements as well as company policies and procedures on capital expenditures and fixed assets, review AFEs for the appropriate accounting classification (expense vs. capital) and establish settlement rules for projects, and develop and maintain reports on the company’s capital expenditures, capital expenditure variances to budget, and forecasts of capital expenditures. Salary to $100k plus 15% bonus.

CONTROLLER – 21003

Southwest Houston telecommunications company seeks a Controller for their stable and successful company.  Functions include establishing and maintaining the organization’s accounting principles, practices, procedures, and initiatives. Prepare financial reports, oversee regulatory and tax reporting, and present findings and recommendations to top management.  Leads and directs the personnel performing the accounting and collections activities in the department.   Salary to $100k.

Assistant Controller -1203

Downtown Houston commercial real estate company seeks an Assistant Controller to work with the Controller in maintaining all accounting and financial control process of Regional Accounting and/or Corporate Accounting.   Will be responsible for providing leadership to the department for general ledger accounting, financial reporting, and audit & compliance. Salary to $100k plus 20% bonus.

Assistant Controller – 1210

Small health care services company in North Houston seeks an Assistant Controller. Will assist controller in general accounting, including performing monthly account reconciliations.  Will perform month and year end close, generation of financial statements and first draft of CEO letter. Will perform accounting and reporting process and policy and procedure improvement and supervise 1- 2 staff.   Salary $70k.

Financial Analysis

RISK ANALYST – 21006

Leader in crude and natural gas transportation, gathering and processing has an immediate opening for a Risk Analyst II in our Houston, TX office.  The qualified candidate will be responsible for analyzing, assessing, modeling, monitoring and reporting the financial risk (market price and credit) within the marketing affiliates.  Under direction of the Lead, the Risk Control Analyst will provide oversight and support of the business unit risk management policy including development, compliance and reporting.   Location: Downtown Houston    Salary to $80,0000.

PROJECT MANAGER  – 1209

FP & A Manager for Real Estate Company will play a key role in performing the more complex analytics required of the real estate portfolio. Workload will consist of review of ongoing analytical tasks as well as special projects, as required by senior management.  Duties include day to day management of financial analysis team, review of detailed financial models and analysis of results, interaction with broader fund management team and coordination of projects, and analysis of portfolio investment opportunities.    Salary to $150k plus 20% bonus.

Corporate Tax

TAX  MANAGER -  1205

In this role you will assist with domestic and international structuring of real estate projects held within a REIT; prepare and review domestic tax returns and compliance for US and international partnerships and REITs; review ASC 740 calculations; manage REIT compliance; review provider prepared returns as well as preparing other tax elections, filings and applications; assist with tax research and special projects. Salary to $110k plus 20% bonus.

TAX ACCOUNTANT / SENIOR TAX ACCOUNTANT – 1204

Assist with domestic and international compliance of real estate projects held within a REIT; prepare and review domestic tax returns and compliance for US and international partnerships and REITs; prepare ASC 740 calculations; review provider prepared returns as well as preparing other tax elections, filings and applications; assist with tax research and special projects. Salary to $65k plus 10% bonus.

Internal Audit

SENIOR INTERNAL AUDITOR – 1126

Publicly held downtown Houston company seeks an experience audit professional.  You will plan scheduled audits, perform audit fieldwork and direct support auditors in their performance of the fieldwork, prepare, assemble and organize work-papers , conduct closing conference, and prepare the audit. Qualified candidates will have 3-4 years of broad-based experience with a public accounting firm, or a general commercial, manufacturing or distribution company. Salary to $80k.

SENIOR INTERNAL AUDITOR – 1152

North Houston Company seeks a seasoned 5-7 year internal audit professional for a high visibility role. This position requires 30-50% domestic and international travel. Salary ranges from $80-100k.

Public Accounting

FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING SERVICES MANAGER 21004

Immediate opportunity for an experienced Financial Accounting Services Manager for quality CPA firm.  Will supervise staff on multiple projects including compilations, outsourced accounting work, preparation of models, and GAAP research.  Manager will also function in outsourced controller roles for clients. Qualified individuals will have a degree in Accounting and a CPA license with a minimum of 5 years experience in a public accounting firm and some experience in industry accounting. Good written and verbal communication skills are required. Strong understanding of GAAP and processes within an accounting department are required.  Industry exposure highly preferred:  Distribution, manufacturing and/or oil and gas.   Location 610 Loop North.  Salary to $120,000.

TAX MANAGER – 11998

Large Galleria area local CPA has growth opportunity for tax manager to review compliance work and prepare complex returns.  Expertise with corporate, partnerships and high worth individuals preferred.  Salary to $120,000.

SENIOR AUDITOR -11999

Large local CPA Firm in the Galleria area has opportunities for audit seniors with public accounting experience from Big6, national or large local CPA firms.  Will perform and review audits of client companies.  Industry exposure preferred includes manufacturing, oil and gas, distribution, professional services firms and/or banking.  Salary to $80k.

SENIOR TAX ACCOUNTANT 21005

Immediate opportunity for organized, self-motivated, and detail-oriented Senior Tax Accountants. Individuals will review tax returns and supervise staff as well as coordinate special projects.  Will work closely with managers on consulting and research efforts. Qualified individuals will have a degree in Accounting and be a CPA or CPA candidate along with 2 -3 years of tax experience. In addition, these individuals will have the ability to work well in a team environment and have excellent oral and written communication skills.

Location – 610 Loop North.  Salary to $80,000.

TAX SENIOR/ STAFF – 11993

Greenway Plaza CPA firm seeks a tax senior to join their tax team.  Require 1+ years in public accounting tax preparation for staff level, 2+ for senior level.   Experience in corporate, partnership and individual tax preparation.  Salary to $80,000.

Projects/ Temporary Assignments

Project accounting positions occur on a daily basis.  Call or email for availability;  mday@daywestinc.com

or 713-529-3399.

Looking to change jobs, work on accounting projects, or just keep an eye on the market? Let us know how we can help you.

For 23 years, Day West has worked exclusively with accounting professionals like you.   Call us or email us at 713.529.3399 or mday@daywestinc.com.

Opportunities in this issue:

Internal Audit

Public Accounting

Corporate Tax

Financial Analysis

Corporate Accounting

Corporate Accounting Management

——————————————————————————–

Internal Audit

SENIOR INTERNAL AUDITOR – 1126

Publicly held downtown Houston company seeks an experience audit professional.  You will plan scheduled audits, perform audit fieldwork and direct support auditors in their performance of the fieldwork, prepare, assemble and organize work-papers , conduct closing conference, and prepare the audit. Qualified candidates will have 3-4 years of broad-based experience with a public accounting firm, or a general commercial, manufacturing or distribution company. Salary to $80k.

SENIOR INTERNAL AUDITOR – 1152

North Houston Company seeks a seasoned 5-7 year internal audit professional for a high visibility role. This position requires 30-50% domestic and international travel. Salary ranges from $80-100k.

—————————

Public Accounting

SENIOR AUDITOR -11999

Large local CPA Firm in the Galleria area has opportunities for audit seniors with public accounting experience from Big6, national or large local CPA firms.  Will perform and review audits of client companies.  Industry exposure preferred includes manufacturing, oil and gas, distribution, professional services firms and/or banking.  Salary to $80k.

TAX MANAGER – 11998

Large Galleria area local CPA has growth opportunity for tax manager to review compliance work and prepare complex returns.  Expertise with corporate, partnerships and high worth individuals preferred.  Salary to $120,000.

TAX SENIOR/ STAFF – 11993

Greenway Plaza CPA firm seeks a tax senior to join their tax team.  Require 1+ years in public accounting tax preparation for staff level, 2+ for senior level.   Experience in corporate, partnership and individual tax preparation.  Salary to $80,000.

———————-

Corporate Tax

TAX  MANAGER -  1205

In this role you will assist with domestic and international structuring of real estate projects held within a REIT; prepare and review domestic tax returns and compliance for US and international partnerships and REITs; review ASC 740 calculations; manage REIT compliance; review provider prepared returns as well as preparing other tax elections, filings and applications; assist with tax research and special projects. Salary to $110k plus 20% bonus.

TAX ACCOUNTANT / SENIOR TAX ACCOUNTANT – 1204

Assist with domestic and international compliance of real estate projects held within a REIT; prepare and review domestic tax returns and compliance for US and international partnerships and REITs; prepare ASC 740 calculations; review provider prepared returns as well as preparing other tax elections, filings and applications; assist with tax research and special projects. Salary to $65k plus 10% bonus.

—————————-

Financial Analysis

PROJECT MANAGER  – 1209

Project Manager for Real Estate Company will play a key role in performing the more complex analytics required of the Portfolio Management Group. Workload will consist of review of routine tasks as well as special projects, as required by senior management.  Duties include day to day management of financial analysis team, review of detailed financial models and analysis of results, interaction with broader fund management team and coordination of projects, and analysis of portfolio investment opportunities. Salary to $150k plus 20% bonus.

———————————

Corporate Accounting

BILINGUAL  ACCOUNTANT – 1208

North Houston oilfield service company seeks a bilingual accountant with 3-5 years of experience. Will be responsible for monthly closing process, preparation of Monthly Financials Statements & Quarterly Schedules & reports, Bank and GL Account Reconciliations, etc. Salary to $65k.

REVENUE ACCOUNTING MANAGER – 1142

Growing E & P Company is seeking a senior level oil and gas revenue accountant for a growing and successful oil and gas exploration and production company. Candidates need experience as assistant controller, accounting manager or similar senior-level role. Qualified candidates will have 5-10 years of progressive oil & gas revenue accounting experience.

INTERCOMPANY ACCOUNTANT – 1136

North Houston construction and engineering company seeks a degreed accountant with 1-3 years of intercompany accounting experience in a medium to large sized company. Qualified candidates will have a “ go-getter “ type of personality.

SENIOR CORPORATE ACCOUNTANT – 1147

Successful Real Estate Company in Downtown Houston is seeking a Senior Accountant. Looking for a highly motivated professional. This opportunity will also provide excellent potential for growth and advancement. Responsibilities include – Prepare Partnership financial reporting and account reconciliations, – Maintain New Partnership database– maintain legal documents database, extract Partnership documents to ensure reporting compliance and understand Partnership requirements, and – Involved in Month-end close, financial reporting and coordinating with operating entities. Salary to $75k.

—————————————————

Corporate Accounting Management

MANAGER CAPITAL REPORTING- 1207

West Houston oilfield service company seeks a 10+ year accountant for a Manager level position.  In this job you will Assist in the review of division capital budgets and requests for funding (AFEs) and recommend the appropriate accounting treatment.  In this role you will ensure accounting rules are followed and enforce the Company’s accounting policies for capitalized items, assist with compliance matters including development of policies and procedures to adhere to SOX requirements as well as company policies and procedures on capital expenditures and fixed assets, review AFEs for the appropriate accounting classification (expense vs. capital) and establish settlement rules for projects, and develop and maintain reports on the company’s capital expenditures, capital expenditure variances to budget, and forecasts of capital expenditures. Salary to $100k plus 15% bonus.

CONTROLLER-21002

Galleria area insurance risk assessment and risk management firm seeks a Controller to supervise their accounting division.  Will oversee general accounting and financial reporting for management decision making on the local level and for consolidation to the corporate level.  Salary to $100k.

CONTROLLER – 21003

Southwest Houston telecommunications company seeks a Controller for their stable and successful company.  Functions include establishing and maintaining the organization’s accounting principles, practices, procedures, and initiatives. Prepare financial reports, oversee regulatory and tax reporting, and present findings and recommendations to top management.  Leads and directs the personnel performing the accounting and collections activities in the department.   Salary to $100k.

Assistant Controller -1203

Downtown Houston commercial real estate company seeks an Assistant Controller to work with the Controller in maintaining all accounting and financial control process of Regional Accounting and/or Corporate Accounting.   Will be responsible for providing leadership to the department for general ledger accounting, financial reporting, and audit & compliance. Salary to $100k plus 20% bonus.

Assistant Controller – 1210

Small health care services company in North Houston seeks an Assistant Controller.  Will assist controller in general accounting, including performing monthly account reconciliations.  Will perform month and year end close, generation of financial statements and first draft of CEO letter. Will perform accounting and reporting process and policy and procedure improvement and supervise 1- 2 staff.   Salary $70k. —–

————————————————-

Projects/ Temporary Assignments

Project accounting positions occur on a daily basis.  Call or email for availability;  mday@daywestinc.com or 713-529-3399.

Hiring right is an inexact science.  After all, it involves people.  To help you avoid some of the pitfalls of the hiring process, we look at a few of the common hiring mistakes and how to avoid them.

Spontaneous Hiring

Not to be confused with spontaneous combustion, this is circumventing policies and procedures for that one perfect person.  The results can be pretty volatile as well.  Expedite hiring processes but don’t ignore them in order to grab a good hire.

Attractive

Who doesn’t want to hire an attractive person?  Male or female, a hiring manager is human.  Best to consider attractiveness as icing on the cake, not the cake.

Personable

We have to get along with the people we hire.  They have to fit in with the group.  But don’t hire someone just because they are nice and you think they can get along.  Again, focus on the job description and required skills.  Then hire the nicest person who fits the bill.

Age

Of course you know that it is illegal to deny employment based on age.  And it could result in overlooking some real talent and knowledge that could make a positive difference to the company. But it happens.

Overweight

Not yet a protected condition, overweight is a very common situation.  Unless the position requires agility that this person does not have, it should not be the decisive hiring matter.

Looks like hated cousin

Yes, we have heard them all. One hiring manager in a public accounting firm refused to hire an individual, though qualified, likable, decent image and presentation.  The candidate reminded him of a cousin he detested.

I’ve got a Feeling

Though you can never totally separate your feeling and intuition about a candidate, remember to send everyone through the same traps. Fill out an application (everyone, no matter how high up), multiple interviews, reference and background checks and pre-employment physical (if your procedure).  Always pay attention to what they do, not just what they say. Behavior is usually consistent.

Try to avoid making these hiring mistakes, consistently follow a hiring methodology and your hiring success will increase.

Moritza Day is a career and hiring strategist with over 20 years of experience helping people and companies maximize the career and hiring process. 

I read an article in the local business journal announcing the critical skills that employers found lacking in employees.  All right, now, I have the Holy Grail, straight from the owners of the grail.  Would it say that employers wanted accounting, engineering and technical critical skills?  Not so.  The critical skills that employers said employees lack basic skills we take for granted but do not universally possess.

Skills that employers say they want in employees are:  written skills, verbal skills, interpersonal skills and critical thinking skills.

Let’s discuss interpersonal and critical thinking skills.

Interpersonal skills

About 10 years ago, I did some projects for a local socialite.  She emphasized the importance of sending thank you notes.  She said, “It is so civilized.  And there is so little civility”.  Amen.    Maybe it’s the pace of American life.  Maybe it’s because your mother never taught you.   Either way, say thank you when someone hands you your change or your credit card back.  Say thank you when your boss returns a project to you.  Acknowledge people.   Act interested in the other person.  When I was twelve or thirteen years old, I used to visit my neighbor.  She had kids around my age.  When I arrived, she looked me straight in the eye and said “Hello, I am so glad to see you.  Please sit down and tell me about school and what you are doing”.  And she meant it.  Another adult besides my parents actually asking me about myself.  I was amazed.

Critical thinking skills

Critical skills include the ability to:  form an opinion yourself, find an impartial solution, and identify and question assumptions.  These are skills to be developed in all situations, including education, business, social, political, religion.  Critical skills mean think for yourself, examine the information rationally, determine various alternatives, and do not just go with the crowd, mass information and preconceived solutions.   Some businesses reward “Yes” people who follow like clones.  You may not want to work there.  Think for yourself, develop new ideas and solutions.  Politely discuss them with the parties involved.  They may or not be implemented, but progress comes from critical skills, not duplication or modification of mediocre ideas.

These intangible skills will serve you in your jobs and your career.

Moritza Day | Day West

Business Succession | Accounting Search | Project Augmentation

info@daywestinc.com

Tax Jobs aren’t Hidden

You Just Need to Know Where to Find Them

Accounting  jobs are not all growing on trees, but you can find some low hanging fruit right now.  Tax project jobs are ripe this time of year.  

See this post  below that represents a current position.  For further information, contact info@daywestinc.com.

Tax Preparer – Full Time Temporary

Looking for Experienced Tax Preparer, Federal and State & Local Returns. Full Time Temporary, Nov  – Jan.  Houston, Galleria Area. 

Tax Jobs

Tax positions are probably the most flexible accounting positions in the profession.  Due to seasonal and project nature of tax work, those jobs are well suited to temporary project and contract work.

CPA Firm Tax

Tax returns, especially in local CPA firms, are relatively digestible and finite, so firms can predict with some certainty the volume and complexity of their returns.   Local firms typically notify their clients of deadlines for submission of data, after which the clients can expect an  extension of their tax return.

Corporate Tax

Corporations also utilize contract or project professionals in their tax return preparation.  Due to the seasonality of the work and the increased work load at deadline times, this is a lucrative and resume building work.  

With the increasing desire of professionals to create or maintain balance in work and life, as well as continue to build their professional accounting and tax skills, project or contract tax and accounting work makes professional and personal sense and dollars and cents.

Contact:  Moritza Day, CPA

Day West & Associates, Inc.

713.529.3399

info@daywestinc.com

I visited an elementary school as part of a goodwill program between the school district and the business community.

I was struck by how hard the educators work to engage the students and keep them engaged.  The school I visited has bi -lingual, math, reading, art and even drama classes.

There is a big variety of educational opportunities for the young ones.  And much higher entertainment factor than when I was a child.

The basics may sometime be sacrificed in the effort to attract, entertain and retain the students. So maybe they show up to school, but don’t always get the basic academic grounding needed to build on.

This is not the fault of the principals or teachers.  They are doing the behest of the educational gurus; let the students use figures and blocks instead of writing arithmetic.   When they read, let them type their answers on a keyboard rather than writing.

Schools now compete with each other for students and the dollars that come with the student body.  With the kaleidoscope of educational choices, students pick and choose where they will attend. Thus the marketing of schools to the students and their parents.  More students, more money. For Gen Y, nobody fails, they just get a smaller trophy.

Much like the health care system, we spend more per capita in the US to school our young than other industrialized nations.  And our results are mixed at best.  The US spends, on average, $9,200 per capita per year in educating grades K – 12.  Japan spends an average of $6, 900,       25 % less than the US.  Yet Japan turns out more computer scientists, engineers and other technical professionals.

In 2010, our local school district spent $8021 per student.  For this price, the graduation rate was 68.2%, an astonishing 32% drop out rate.  Japan, with its $6,900 per student expenditure, has a 93% graduation rate.

Numerous articles and education scholars say that after meeting basic needs for education, more money makes a small or no incremental value in the education of young people.

What makes the difference?  Good teachers and student and parental involvement improve educational success. A national emphasis on studying and education.  It takes a village to educate a child.  The parents set the intentions for the students, and the students, parents and schools work together.  Without all the elements, no one wins.

Back to basics and an emphasis on reading, writing, arithmetic at the elementary school level.  Further emphasis on history, English grammar and literature, mathematics, science in the higher grades.   Requirement to master at least one language besides your native language.

It’s nice that the young kids can use computers.  But let’s make sure they know what 7 x 6 equals.   Or when this nation won its independence.  And from whom.  Extra credit if they know the Vice President of the US.  Many bonuses if they know the premier of Germany, the most powerful women in the world.

Elementary students, middle school and high school students are 5 – 20 years away from the workforce.  They need to be ready for the workplace and we need them to ready.  If we want to maintain our standard of living and business competiveness we cannot leave any student behind.  But we can’t drag them along either.

What makes the difference?  Good teachers and student and parental involvement improve educational success. A national emphasis on studying and education.  It takes a village to educate a child.  The parents set the intentions for the students, and the students, parents and schools work together.  Without all the elements, no one wins.

Hat’s off to the principals and teachers in the trenches.  They are working hard to educate our kids.  Let’s all do our part.

Moritza Day, CPA

www.daywestinc.com

Jobs are won and lost in the interview.  Learn the skills of highlighting your skills to get the job you want.

As I was coaching an accountant on interviewing, I distilled this process to its most basic components.

Why do we get hired?

Why do they hired?

What is the rhythm of an interview, really?

• Introduction
• Career Profile
• Key Technical Selling Points
• Key Fit and Motivation Selling Points
• The Close

As they say in accounting, details to follow.

Moritza Day, CPA

Career Guide

Career & Hiring Strategist

Read the rest of this entry »

Reach out and call them – Networking

Technology can assist you in the job market.  Use LinkedIn to identify target companies and hiring managers. Direct contact will get you the job.  Call your friends, business acquaintances, vendors, and associates from groups – professional, civic, political, religious.  Anyone you have every met is part of your network.  Don’t be shy or chagrined to tell them you are in the job market.  People want to help each other and will do so if approached professionally and with a focused request for help.

Direct approach

Contact the person who will say “yes” to you being hired- the “hiring manager”.    This is most often the person who you will report directly to.  Know the title (s) of that person ask for that person.   Ideally, you want to contact the manager or director in the department you want to work. But…if you are sent back to Human Resources by the hiring manager, go there.  Play by the company’s rules if you want to get hired.  Human Resources can be your good friend sometimes because they have access to all the jobs in the company, not just one department.

Follow-up Follow-up

Make sure you call after each resume sent, call again in after 24 hours for every call made that is not returned, and send thank you notes after interviews and meetings.   Following up on the details of the job search can mean the difference between getting hired or not getting hired.

Prepare

Prepare for each interview.  First, at a minimum, review the website of the company.  If no website, go out onto the web and use a search engine like Google.  Search for the company and the individual you will visit with.  Time permitting, do research on the industry and competitors.  Second, practice answering the time tested interview questions you know you will be asked.

Tell Them What You Bring to The Table

Approach your job search and interviewing with an attitude of confidence and enthusiasm.  Speak to employers about how your transferable skills can benefit their company.  Show them how you can solve their problem, not just warm a chair.  Tell them how you have helped your previous employer make money, save money, or save time.

You are the One

You are your own best advocate.  No one knows as much about you and your background, skills, experience and personality as you.  No one can represent you and your achievements as well as you.  No one cares as much about your job search as you.  Except perhaps your mother.  In any case, if you are not working and need a job, don’t hide behind a computer or recruiter.  Get on the phone and get out to meetings and let people know you are available for service and how you can help them or their contacts.

Moritza Day is a career and hiring strategist, accounting recruiter and co-author of 1000 Best Job Hunting Secrets . For over 20 years, she has helped thousands of people improve their careers and find better jobs.

###

Get a Good Job in Tough Times – 5 Best Secrets

This is a tough job market, with thousands of newly unemployed.  Here are some ideas to jump-start your job search.

1. Get a grip on your financial situation.

Determine how many months of savings you have in reserve.   If you have no savings, consider a temporary job to tide you over while you conduct a job search.

If you anticipate financial problems, seek help at a consumer credit counseling group which can help you analyze your financial situation.

2. Map out what you want to do.

Figure out what type of position you want next and where you want to work.  To get a job as fast as possible and preserve all or most of your income, get the same job in the same industry.  Like it or not, the job market thrives on history- your past job record.  So your best bet for a job is to get one much like the one you had before.  The more flexible you are about commute or location, the more options you will have as well.

3. Know what you are worth.

Find out what you are worth in the job market for the transferable skills you offer.  Transferable skills are job skills that another company will want to use, not just knowledge of internal processes from your prior employer.   You may be worth more or less to the current job market – find out.  Get lots of data points to get the range of what you are worth.  The more you make, the wider the range.  Look at salaries.com, talk to recruiters in that area, talk to trusted friends, look at industry or functional area salary surveys.

4. Multi-task

Use a variety of sources to get your next job.  Do not fall into the trap of thinking that you can surf the Internet all day and expect an offer letter to appear in your e-mail.  The Internet is the source of jobs only about 5% of the time.  Use multiple sources such as: networking, targeting companies directly, recruiters, job fairs and trade shows.

5.  Make a plan of action

Getting a job is your full time job.  Treat it like a project and make an action plan.  Determine how many calls/contacts you think it will take you to get an interview.  Decide how many interviews you need to get one offer.  Then daily list the calls you need to make.  Then execute your plan.

Moritza Day is a career and hiring strategist, accounting recruiter and co-author of 1000 Best Job Hunting Secrets . For over 20 years, she has helped thousands of people improve their careers and find better jobs.

Moritza Day

Career & Hiring Strategist

713-529-3399 office

accountingcareerguru.com

daywestinc@mail.com