Five Tips for Cleaning up Your Cluttered Resume

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Before applying for your next role, it’s important to update your resume. Because it may have been a while since you applied for your last role, you want the most current, relevant information to show why you’re the best candidate for the position. Follow these five tips for cleaning up your resume.

  • Narrow Your Career Goal

Be specific about your career goal. Your resume will be more focused and appeal to the employers who fit the criteria you’re searching for. If you have multiple target jobs, customize your resume to each. Focus on no more than three industries so you can more easily share relevant content.

  • Condense Your Opening Summary

Include a qualifications summary near the top of your resume. Explain your background and knowledge in concise and descriptive terms. Focus on what you can do for the company you want to work for. Show how your most recent experience and notable accomplishments make you best suited for the role. Include your core specialty and certifications that are relevant to the position and other pertinent details.

  • Update Your Work Experience

Start with your most recent position and work backward. Focus on your most recent accomplishments that relate to the role you want. Highlight your job titles or promotions and projects you managed. Detail what you accomplished and what steps you took. Include how you increased company profits, quality, efficiency, or customer satisfaction. If you have an established career of over 10 years, summarize your experience in an “early career” section. Focus more on your accomplishments than on your responsibilities. If you can’t back up your information with numbers, percentages, or another quantifiable method, delete it.

  • Emphasize Your Skills

Ensure your skills are current to show you stay updated in your field. Emphasize how your skills have benefitted previous employers and how they can benefit your next employer. Include all qualifications you possess that are mentioned in the job description. If you’re lacking in specific areas, determine how you can gain those skills. For example, you may want to take a class or earn a certification to qualify for more roles.

  • Consolidate Your Education

If you have an established career of at least four years, leave out detailed information about your internships, courses, academic honors, and extracurricular activities. Employers are more concerned about how your recent skills and experience can benefit their company.

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Why Employee Recognition Matters

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Every employee enjoys being recognized for their contributions. When employees feel appreciated for their hard work, they remain engaged in their tasks, continue producing at top levels, and invest more time in moving the company forward. Here are six reasons why employee recognition matters.

  • Positive Work Environment

Employees who believe their ideas and efforts are appreciated feel happier about coming to work and contributing to the organization. As a result, employees are more fully engaged in their work, better collaborate on projects, and increase the cohesiveness of company culture. 

  • Reinforced Behaviors

Leaders can point out the actions, approaches, and accomplishments that most benefit the company so employees know which behaviors to repeat and which to modify. Therefore, employee recognition is a powerful form of constructive feedback.

  • Personal Connections

When leaders and co-workers acknowledge an employee’s contributions to the company, the employee feels valued, appreciated, and respected. As a result, the employee builds rapport with leaders and co-workers. Building rapport helps create stronger work relationships. Because of those relationships, the employee becomes more involved in the organization and wants to continue helping the company move forward.

  • Greater Work Contributions

Employees work hard on cultivating their skills and experience to add more value to the company. As a result, recognition from leaders and co-workers shows appreciation and respect for employees’ efforts. Employees then feel motivated to work harder and provide even greater value to the organization.

  • Increased Employee Retention

The more an employee feels appreciated for their contributions, the more fulfilled they feel in their job. Employees stay more engaged in their work and remain loyal to the company. The longer an employee is retained, the less the company spends on hiring, training, and retention costs.

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For assistance with securing top industry professionals, contact WinCorp Solutions today.

Ways to Assess Candidates for Cultural Fit

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Interviewing for cultural fit is an important part of the hiring process. Candidates who blend well with company culture are more productive and help move the organization forward. Here are six ways to assess job candidates for cultural fit.

  • What Are Your Expectations and Interests in Working Here?

Discover whether the candidate wants to join the company for appropriate reasons. For example, determine whether the candidate possesses the skills and experience for working with a company at its developmental stage. Also, uncover whether the candidate effectively handles ambiguity. In addition, find out whether the candidate can quickly make decisions with limited resources.

  • What Motivates You to Come to Work Daily?

Find out whether the candidate has a substantial amount of energy and curiosity. The candidate will want to learn new things and help out however they can. An energetic and curious candidate knows learning is a daily process and wants to stay informed about the company and the industry. The candidate will also play a significant part in identifying and capitalizing on trends to help the company grow.

  • What Are You Passionate About?

Uncover whether the candidate’s passions align with the company’s mission and values. When the candidate has a personal connection to the organization’s purpose, the candidate will be motivated to efficiently and effectively complete their work and find ways to achieve company goals.

  • Which Person Most Inspires You and Why?

Determine who a candidate’s role models are and what makes them stand out. The candidate’s answer will provide insight into the role models they use for their behavioral patterns and how the candidate may respond to a work situation.

  • How Does Your Reliance on Others Help Improve Your Performance?

Discover how much self-awareness the candidate possesses. For example, notice whether they state that they don’t know everything and are aware of their strengths and weaknesses. Also, see how transparent the candidate is when discussing what they learned from their successes and failures. In addition, determine how much the candidate enjoys individual and collaborative contributions to projects.

  • How Quickly Do You Adapt to Change?

Because the business world is constantly evolving, the candidate needs to quickly adapt to change. Whether change involves a new office, rapidly growing staff or a wider set of work responsibilities, the candidate has to effectively incorporate change into their daily life and evolve at the same pace as the organization.

  • Partner with WinCorp Solutions

These are six ways to assess candidates for cultural fit. For assistance with securing top industry professionals, contact WinCorp Solutions.

The Importance of Employee Motivation

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Employee motivation plays a substantial role in a company’s success. When employees feel motivated, they perform at higher levels and work harder to move the company forward. Here are five reasons why employee motivation is important:

  • Positive Work Environment

Motivated employees help create a positive work environment. They smile more, respectfully interact with each other, and find ways to add additional value to the organization. Employees also support each other when expressing their ideas, collaborate better, and provide a more cohesive company culture. As a result, other top professionals are attracted to the company.

  • Productivity

A motivated workforce is more productive. Employees remain engaged in their work and perform at higher levels. Employees also handle uncertainty more easily, solve problems more effectively and are more creatively innovate. Therefore, leaders need to understand what motivates each employee to perform their best so that they can create strategies to complete projects and increase the bottom line. Key motivation programs may include monetary incentives, recognition and rewards, and programs that support a work-life balance. Also, leaders need to ensure each employee is performing the work the’re best suited for so they remain productive throughout the day.

  • Efficiency

Employees who are motivated display increased efficiency. In addition to possessing the appropriate skills and experience, employees need to be able to complete the tasks they’re given and need to desire to perform their work. When they have the right balance of those elements, employees will efficiently fulfill their responsibilities while lowering operational costs.

  • Goal Achievement

When employees feel motivated, they want to work harder at achieving company goals. Therefore, leaders need to provide the proper resources for completing each project, ensure each employee understands their role, and encourage collaboration among teammates. Leaders also need to answer questions, help resolve issues, and provide constructive feedback on each employee’s performance.

  • Loyalty

Motivated employees remain loyal to a company longer. They understand their role in helping the organization grow, put their best effort into completing their tasks and want to see the company succeed. Loyal employees contribute to a stable workforce, which saves time and expenses related to hiring, training, and retaining workers.

  • Partner with WinCorp Solutions

These are five reasons why employee motivation is important. For help with securing top industry professionals, contact WinCorp Solutions today.

How to Get Ahead in Digital Marketing

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When working in digital marketing, you need to stay ahead of the competition. Because the industry is rapidly evolving, it is important you take steps to remain updated and continue providing value to your organization. Here are five ways to get ahead in digital marketing:

  • Set Career Goals

Set and achieve goals for your digital marketing career. Focus on what you want and what steps you can take to get there. Determine what skills and experience you need to secure your dream job and what roles you need to take on first. Continually seeking opportunities to improve yourself and move forward in your career path.

  • Create a Portfolio

Build a portfolio showcasing your work and achievements. Include tangible examples of projects you worked on and ones that resulted in successful results. For example, you may have increased website traffic, conversion rates, or followers on social media pages. Also, ensure you include a link to your online portfolio every time you apply for a position. Even if your work does not directly relate to the role, it demonstrates your transferrable skills. In addition, save your statistics, feedback, email correspondence, and other documentation showing you are making a difference for companies. You can use the information during interviews to show you can grow a brand and connect with target audiences.

  • Build Your Presence

Create your profile to show hiring managers what you have to offer. For example, utilize social media to participate in industry conversations and comment on articles or blogs. Also, actively participate in professional conferences and events to network with other professionals and stay current in your field. In addition, volunteer as a speaker, sit on a panel, or conduct a workshop to demonstrate your knowledge and leadership abilities.

  • Participate in Self-Directed Learning

Determine which are the most sought-after skills in digital marketing and teach yourself to master them. For example, you can study blogs, magazines, books, and video tutorials or participate in clubs and classes to teach yourself coding. Because of the significant skills shortage, you will face less competition and have a variety of career options to choose from.

  • Network

Always network. For example, join local clubs about coding, web design, and development or a different topic that interests you. Participate in digital round table discussions about the latest marketing techniques or other topics. In addition, you can participate in LinkedIn Group discussions related to your industry by sharing your knowledge and learning from others. You should also take part in seminars, conferences, and professional associations in your field. You will make new connections and uncover opportunities while remaining current with industry news and trends.

  • Partner with WinCorp Solutions

These are five ways to get ahead in digital marketing. For assistance with moving your career forward, contact WinCorp Solutions today.

Questions to Ask Accounting Job Applicants

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When interviewing accounting candidates, are you asking the right questions? Candidates’ answers can reveal insight into their background and uncover their hard and soft skills to help determine which candidate is the best fit for the role. Here are five questions hiring managers should be asking accounting job applicants:

  • What Are Three Top Skills Every Accountant Needs?

This question determines what a candidate believes their three best attributes are. Candidates’ answers should include a mix of hard and soft skills, such as understanding big data concepts and displaying strong communication skills. Candidates should also provide examples of how they developed and used these skills in previous positions.

  • How Do You Remain Updated on Accounting Legislation, Rules and Policies?

This question tests a candidate’s knowledge of the industry and critical thinking skills. Although no candidate can be completely updated on every new development, the top candidate will describe the methods they use to remain as current as possible with major industry news. For example, a candidate may actively read accounting magazines, attend seminars or conferences, or participate in professional organizations such as the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). Also, note whether a candidate provides a specific example of a recent change to accounting standards, especially as it relates to the position, to determine the authenticity of the candidate’s answer.

  • What Criteria Do You Use to Evaluate the Reliability of Financial Information You Are Given?

This question tests a candidate’s relevant skills. Candidates should mention generally accepted standards for evaluating the reliability of data, such as standards offered by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB). Look for terms such as “neutrality,” “verifiability” and “materiality” and how candidates describe how those terms work. For example, “Neutrality is choosing accounting alternatives that are bias-free.”

  • Which Enterprise Resource Planning System Have You Used?

This question determines a candidate’s relevant skills. The top candidate should describe the brand or system they used and how it specifically benefitted the company. For example, the ERP system may have helped produce the annual financial statements 30 days sooner than before. Keep in mind that some companies are switching to cloud technology rather than using an ERP system, meaning a candidate may need additional training. Also, candidates with experience working for smaller companies may have used a more customized or hybrid ERP solution.

  • How Do You Handle Urgent Accounting Deadlines?

This question determines whether a candidate can effectively organize their work to ensure everything is completed on time. For example, a candidate may record all deadlines on a calendar, prioritize projects according to importance and how much time they may take, and complete the most important and less time-consuming projects first. If multiple projects have the same deadline, the candidate may come in early, work through lunch and/or stay late to complete their work. Also, the candidate may mention that they avoid answering phone calls or talking with colleagues unrelated to the project. In addition, the candidate may ask for help from their colleagues or manager or request more time if the deadline cannot be met.

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These are five questions to ask accounting job candidates. For help with securing top accounting professionals, contact WinCorp Solutions today.

Encourage Employee Growth and Development

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Investing time and money in employee development is important to a company. Employees who focus on developing their knowledge, skills and experience help the organization move forward. Here are six ways to encourage employee growth and development:

  • Provide Resources

Ensure employees have a variety of resources to enhance professional development. For example, maintain a database of professional seminars or conferences employees can attend, classes they can take or organizations they can participate in. Employees will stay current on industry news and trends as they develop. Consider providing tuition/expense reimbursement for these professional activities/memberships. Also, provide as many online, on-demand learning opportunities as possible to accommodate employees’ schedules. In addition, offer coaching and mentoring programs for employees to increase their knowledge base and skill set, develop as leaders and help your company remain competitive. Furthermore, ensure different learning options cater to employees’ different learning styles for maximum results.

  • Develop Specific Skills

Encourage employees to focus on specific skills that need enhancement. For example, employees may take a class to develop their writing skills or participate in a local Toastmasters club to enhance their public speaking skills. Employees who pursue professional growth will increase their level of contributions to the company, perform better in teams and help the organization stay competitive.

  • Implement Cross-Training

Let employees cross-train in departments that interest them. For example, provide a lunch and learn or job shadowing program where employees can learn about job requirements in different departments and decide whether they may be interested in filling a different position or collaborating with different departments. Being able to take on different roles within the organization will result in a better understanding of company operations and potentially uncover ways to save time and money by streamlining systems. Employees may also remain loyal to the company longer because they’re staying engaged in their tasks.

  • Promote Networking

Encourage employees to constantly be networking. Developing relationships with industry professionals helps employees gain new insights, skills and perspectives to excel in their roles. Networking also increases employees’ visibility and builds their reputation as being knowledgeable and supportive. In addition, employees learn industry developments, best practices and ways to handle common challenges. Furthermore, networking helps employees contribute more and help the company move forward.

  • Encourage Regular Feedback

Ensure managers and employees provide each other with regular feedback to ensure their work is adequately challenging and their needs are being met. Managers and employees can also ask and answer questions, discuss problems and find solutions. In addition, managers can praise employees for achieving desired results and discuss ways they can work on areas that need improvement.

  • Lead by Example

Ensure all managers and executives lead by example. When staff see higher-level employees actively engaged in professional growth and development, staff are more likely to participate as well. Because workers crave transparency from leaders, workers typically are more willing to engage in behaviors that leaders request of them when they see those behaviors being modeled. This helps build a trusting, collaborative culture within an organization.

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These are six ways to encourage employee growth and development. For assistance with finding top industry professionals, contact WinCorp Solutions today.

Four Tips for Advancing Your Accounting Career

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Moving forward in your accounting career involves careful planning. By gaining the necessary skills and experience, you set yourself up for success in your field. Follow these four tips for advancing your accounting career.

  • Earn Additional Qualifications

If you are just starting out, you may want to earn the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) qualification. This will advance your understanding of financial performance and may help you earn promotions. If you would like to move into management positions, you can complete the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) qualification. In addition, you can earn advanced degrees such as a Master of Science in Accounting. This degree will help you prepare for the certified public accountant (CPA) exam, leading to another qualification that can help you move forward. Furthermore, becoming a CPA prepares you for specialized qualifications such as a Certified Management Accountant (CMA), Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) or Certified Internal Auditor (CIA).

  • Enhance Your Soft Skills

Strengthen your communication skills by joining a local Toastmasters club. Improve your leadership skills by participating in related workshops and seminars. In addition, increase your collaboration skills by joining a sports team. Because your ability to understand, relate to, and serve clients is a vital aspect of working as an accountant, developing your soft skills helps you perform at a higher level and shows you are the best candidate for a promotion.

  • Find a Mentor

A mentor can provide you with inside information about your company and/or the accounting industry to help you be more productive in less time. A mentor can also help you create and achieve long-term career goals so you progress professionally over time. Furthermore, a mentor can connect you with contacts and opportunities that you may not have found otherwise.

  • Network

Daily connecting with new professionals and cultivating relationships increases your influence in and out of the accounting field. You increase your chances of finding new ways to advance your career. Because the majority of desirable jobs are filled by word-of-mouth rather than advertising, you may be able to interview for roles you would not have had access to otherwise. Therefore, you need to participate in accounting events such as seminars, conferences and professional association meetings.

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For help securing your next position, contact WinCorp Solutions today.

Regularly Meeting With Your Staff Is a Must

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As a manager, you need to help move your company forward. To do so, you need a great team in place. To maximize your team’s productivity, host regular meetings with them. Here are five reasons why regularly meeting with your staff is a must.

  • Keep Team Members Informed

When a member discovers something new, completes their part of a project or has an issue arise, they can ensure others are aware of the new development and how it affects their project. Team members can ask questions or provide their input accordingly. Also, if a significant amount of information needs to be discussed, a staff meeting is the perfect opportunity to share the information and answer questions.

  • Solve Problems

When your team gets together, they can voice their problems and concerns, share what solutions worked in the past and collaborate to find new ones. Because your members most likely come from different generations, have different life experiences and hold different values and beliefs, you will receive a variety of viewpoints on how to best handle the issue. Your team will work more cohesively when members know they have the information and support necessary for completing their work.

  • Innovate

Your team members can suggest methods to more efficiently and effectively complete processes to save the company time and/or money. Members can share their visions for the organization, such as new products/services that may be offered to stay competitive, along with ways to implement those ideas. When team members play a role in moving the company forward, they feel greater job satisfaction, stay engaged in their work, and remain loyal to the company longer.

  • Provide Feedback

You can discuss company policies and operating procedures to determine whether they’re being adhered to and/or need altering. Additionally, you can discuss your team and company goals, ensure each member understands their role in helping achieve those goals and provide feedback on how well your team is working toward the results. In addition, if your company is making substantial changes, your team can remain informed on what’s happening and why.

  • Recognize

Participating in regular staff meetings helps your team recognize their accomplishments. When each team member’s contributions are acknowledged, they feel appreciated and want to work harder to increase their performance. Teams then form stronger bonds, work more collaboratively, and help move the company forward.

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These are five reasons why regularly meeting with your staff is a must. For assistance with finding the right professionals for your company, get in touch with WinCorp Solutions today.

Tips for Successful Employee Recruitment

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Recruiting employees is a necessary part of managing a company. Due to the time and expense involved with hiring, training and retaining top talent, hiring managers need to find candidates with the required skills and experience who will fit best with the company culture. Fortunately, there are steps managers can take to improve the process. Here are five tips for successful employee recruitment.

Be Perceived as a Top Employer

Ensure employee practices for involvement, motivation, accountability, recognition, reward, promotion and retention make the business attractive. Also, encourage employees to discuss why they enjoy working for the organization and what benefits it may provide job candidates.

Use the Company Website for Recruiting

Make sure all information on the company’s vision, mission, values, goals and products/services is prominently displayed to attract candidates with similar interests and beliefs. Also, include employee interviews that provide insight into what it is like working for the organization. Include an employment section detailing open positions and what skills and experience the best candidate will possess.

Improve the Candidate Pool

Cultivate relationships with recruiters and staffing firms. Encourage employees to participate in industry conferences and professional associations so that they can network with potential job candidates. In addition, monitor job boards for active or passive candidates who may be looking for a new role. Place job postings on websites and in magazines of professional associations. Search for candidates on LinkedIn or other social media as well.

Involve Employees in Recruiting

Encourage employees to recommend candidates for open positions. Provide a monetary incentive if the candidate is hired and stays for a set time. Ask employees to review resumes and potential fit with company culture for candidates interested in working in their department. Employees know what their jobs entail and what company culture is like, making them perfect for that task. In addition, request that top employees meet with candidates during interviews to discuss their role within the organization and what they enjoy most about working there.

Increase Compensation, Benefits and Perks

Offer compensation, benefits and perks that are greater than what your competitors offer. For example, research what the average salary is for a position in your industry and offer a slightly higher salary. Also, find out what the average benefits package is within your industry, beyond health insurance and a retirement plan, and add in other benefits your company can afford. In addition, determine what perks your employees value most, such as working remotely or setting their own schedule, and offer what you are able to. Furthermore, educate candidates on the value of your compensation, benefits and perks so that they understand they are highly valued and want to work for you.

Partner With WinCorp Solutions

For assistance with securing professional workers, get in touch with WinCorp Solutions.