In a job market filled with many job seekers, an increasing number of employers across the Accounting and Financial Services industries are looking for new ways to separate the good candidates from the exceptional candidates.  However, as many candidates look similar on paper, this can be somewhat of a difficult task.  As a result, employers and hiring managers are going beyond the standard information one would find in a resume and/or cover letter to get a better feel for whether the candidate is the right fit for the job.

“Though employers do still take one’s past professional experiences and hard skills into deep consideration during the hiring process, many are now also weighing whether or not the candidate is a cultural fit as a major factor in their decision,” explains Laura Gutierrez, an Executive Recruiter within The Execu|Search Group’s Accounting/Finance staffing division.  “Firms are not only looking for professionals who meet the job requirements but also for team members who will fit in with their organization’s culture, and will grow as the firm grows by establishing themselves as leaders and decision makers.”

In other words, hiring managers believe the professionals who are most qualified not only possess the skills to accomplish the technical aspects of a job but also possess a more subtle set of qualities that allow them to take true ownership of their role and succeed in moving the business forward.  Many hiring managers have different ways of assessing these skills in an interview, so as a jobseeker, it’s important to understand what type of information employers are looking for.  The following list includes 6 qualities that can help accounting and finance professionals stand out from their competition:

Strong problem solving and analytical thinking skills: The business landscape can be unpredictable at times.  As a result, accounting and financial services professionals need to have the ability to quickly digest data, understand the issue or challenge at hand, and offer a solution or their insight on working around the problem.  To show off these skills, in your resume and during your interview, make sure you give concrete examples of experiences that required you to evaluate an issue and resolve or work around it.  Today, in light of recent governmental reforms and regulations, the abilities to adapt to a changing business landscape, work around potential new challenges, or develop new business strategies have only become increasingly more important, so these problem solving and analytical thinking skills are especially paramount.

Confidence/Assertiveness:  Long gone are the days where accounting and finance professionals were able to perform the majority of their job duties behind the scenes.  Today, they are responsible for an array of tasks that involve working with other people, making presentations, and informing business decisions.  Additionally, many roles today require high levels of exposure to senior management and leadership, so candidates must be comfortable delivering and requesting information from others.  As a result, hiring managers are looking for people who are confident in their abilities and can speak with authority.  If you are going to succeed, others need to see that you trust your own judgment, so they in turn, can put faith in your insight and come to you for your input.  The interview gives you the perfect opportunity to exhibit your confidence.  When discussing your accomplishments and qualifications for the role, do so with conviction, but make sure you walk the fine line between sounding professional and sounding arrogant.

Leadership:  From entry-level to experienced professional, the ability to lead is an important quality that all accounting/finance professionals should possess.  Why? A majority of tasks that one would come across day-to-day require at least some degree of autonomy where you can be responsible for anything from managing a small task that was assigned to you by your supervisor to overseeing the completion of a project, or to supervising the work of an entire department. Next time, before submitting your resume, make sure your resume includes any leadership experience you may have, and if applicable, how your leadership accomplished impactful or measurable results.

Drive/Initiative:  Employers are looking for employees who are willing to evaluate what work needs to get done and take on tasks without having to be told.  The candidate who can demonstrate strong self-management skills and their aptitude for learning (especially when they take the initiative to learn new skills on their own) is sure to impress a hiring manager as they typically want new hires who are willing to work hard to really understand and learn the business and are go-getters who take it upon themselves to be challenged.  These qualities show that the candidate is dedicated to advancement within the organization and has the potential to drive the business forward.

Team Player: It is just as important to have the ability to work within a team environment as it is to work independently.  At many firms, when you accept a new role, though there is independent work you may be accountable for, you typically join a team.   On this team, you will be responsible for supporting your team members by assisting with the execution of tasks in order to meet deadlines.  As a result, you need to articulate (either on your resume or during the interview) that you work well with others and can contribute to the success of a team.

Strong Communication Skills:  In order to be successful in any role, communication skills are very important.  That being said, a candidate who looks like the perfect fit on paper but can’t verbally articulate to the hiring manager what about their background makes them the best choice for the role, will most likely not be considered for a second interview. Why? Accounting and financial services professionals need to be able to ask questions, elevate issues, and discuss information about their work, with their team or supervisors.  If the candidate cannot clearly express themselves during the interview, the hiring manager will have a more difficult time assessing whether the candidate will be able to perform well in the role.