Network Into An Accounting Job

By Colleen Kay Watson, Star Tribune Sales and Marketing

Last update: July 17, 2005 - 11:00 PM

Networking successfully can help accounting and finance professions to find a great job.

"Sixty-eight percent of job seekers are going to find their next job by networking with others," according to Ladonna Crawford, managing director for DBM Performance Optimization Services.

Finding the right career contacts is the secret to success. Following are three tips on how to find contacts.

Call The People Who Know You

Andre Arsts, finance assistant with Lexus of Maplewood, says, "A friend of my father gave me my first job. Since then I have found every new opportunity through personal contacts. It is not what you know – it is who you know."

Tina Wagner, associate director, career services at College of St. Catherine, has over 20 years of experience helping accounting, finance and other majors network their way into a career. Wagner says, "Talk to people in professional associations, clubs and organizations. Many good jobs are not posted. Only internal industry people know of these opportunities."

John Cerrito Ph.D., chairman of the business department, Augsburg College says, "The old adage about who you know is true; however, having the right knowledge is also important. Our accounting and finance graduates have an internship to sharpen their skills. Internships become good contacts too."

Ask For Introductions

"I knew I wanted a job in the auto finance field, so I called everyone I knew and asked for leads," says Arsts. Because of old and new friendships, Arsts eventually found his present job.

"Some of my best contacts have come from weekends spent at Lord Fletcher's meeting new people. One person leads to another," says Arsts.

"Our alumni are an invaluable resource for our students. We give our students names of alumni who are willing to give informational interviews," adds Wagner.

Informational interviews are a great way for students to meet people of influence in their field of interest. Students can also get valuable information to help them with their interviewing and rÅ½sumÅ½. Wagner says, "It gives panache to their job search. They learn to be savvier in how to come across in interviews."

Take A Friend To Lunch

Some of the best people with whom to network are your present or past employers, professors and co-workers. Ask them out to lunch. Tell them you are looking for a career move and you value their advice.

Employers love to hire candidates who come from an internal source.

"An employee won't put their job on the line by referring a bad candidate. Employers assume the new hire is less of a risk when referred by a loyal employee," says Wagner.

Cerrito says, "I am contacted regularly by past students for breakfast, lunch or just a cup of coffee. Some tell about their successes, and others are seeking advice. I am happy to hear from them." Stay in touch is his overall advice, Cerrito says, "because networking is critical throughout your career!"

Colleen Kay Watson is a freelance writer living in Mendota Heights.

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