Thinking about looking for a new accounting opportunity? If, so you’ve picked the right time! The accounting job market is still hot, which means there are plenty of career opportunities out there. But with so many doors open, chances are your peers might have the same idea. So, how do you distinguish yourself from other candidates vying for the same companies and jobs as you? Below are four tips on how to stand out from accounting recruiter, Jillian Naglieri:

A well-formatted resume

In order to get noticed, you may feel pressure to create a resume that emphasizes design and creativity. However, if you want to make a good first impression, you should use a ‘less is more’ approach when it comes to your resume. “When your goal is to stand out to a hiring manager, the last thing you want to do is give them a resume that’s too distracting to get through,” explains Jillian. “Before you submit your resume, make sure it’s formatted so that a hiring manager will be able to locate your experience, skills, and certifications quickly and easily.” Read also: 3 Ways To Navigate The Hot Accounting + Finance Job Market

Commitment

Companies are very aware that working in accounting and finance can be extremely stressful during certain times of the year. Because of this, hiring managers will pay extra attention to the length of time within all the roles listed on your resume. In order to avoid being seen as flaky, you want to prove on your resume that you either left for the right reasons or that your time within that role was meaningful. For instance, if you have done a lot of project-based or contract work, there are ways to show both on your resume and in-person that you were committed to the successful outcome of the assignment. Read also: 3 Ways To Highlight Temporary Roles On Your Resume

Knowledge about the company

While an accounting recruiter will help you prepare for the interview, it’s also up to you to do some outside research as well. Otherwise, you may see that you’re not finding any success after the actual interview. “The most common critique I get from hiring managers is that candidates didn’t do enough preparation, particularly when it comes to company research,” says Jillian. “If you don’t take the extra time to familiarize yourself with the company, what they do, and what their culture is like, you’ll likely be taken out of consideration for the role.”

Strong communication skills

In the past, accounting professionals weren’t always expected to work collaboratively. However, an increasing amount of accounting firms are now looking for professionals who not only can work in groups, but who are also willing to proactively offer their support when necessary. While you can’t always show off this quality in a one-on-one interview, you can use your communication skills to give an accounting recruiter an idea that you can work well in groups. “Many firms are looking for people who are going to proactively pitch in to help accomplish their firm’s goals,” says Jillian. “To show how well you can communicate with others, maintain strong eye contact, utilize your active listening skills, and maintain the conversation throughout the entire interview by asking smart questions”