Meet the Firms
An Article by the Gamma Omicron Chapter

This page was adapted from the Gamma Omicron Chapter of Beta Alpha Psi at the University of Fresno. Our thanks to Ken Rose of the Chapter for allowing us to use his article. Students, before going to Meet the Firms, read this...

What's Covered?...

  • MEET THE FIRMS: BACKGROUND INFORMATION
  • PREPARING FOR THE RECRUITING PROCESS
  • PREPARATION BEFORE ATTENDING MEET THE FIRMS
  • HOW SHOULD I ACT?
  • KEEP YOUR OPTIONS OPEN
  • A FINAL NOTE

Each September, the Beta Gamma Chapter sponsors a "Meet the Firms" event designed to allow accounting, finance, and business technology students to speak with recruiters from various employers in a more relaxed atmosphere than permitted in an interview.

MEET THE FIRMS: BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The employers will include CPA firms, governmental agencies, and companies seeking staff for their various accounting departments. The representatives range from newly hired staff, all the way up to partners of CPA firms. Regardless of their level, each of these representatives has the potential to influence a hiring decision.

Your goal will be to meet as many potential employers as is possible, and to make a positive and lasting impression. You will need to take the initiative to introduce yourself to a variety of strangers. If you are frightened, shy, or concerned about your language skills (especially if English is a second language), this publication will address your concerns.

This publication is designed to prepare you for a successful recruiting function. You may find it useful to read it thoroughly prior to your first event. You will gain the most benefit from it, however, if you keep it handy and refer to it periodically as you proceed through the recruiting season.

PREPARING FOR THE RECRUITING PROCESS

Despite a strong job market, the accounting profession is very competitive. Employers often have to choose among many qualified individuals for relatively few positions, depending upon the firm and industry. As a result, a high grade point average and an impressive resume are just two factors among many that can contribute to your success.

Today's successful accountant exhibits a combination of technical skills, as demonstrated by grade point average, and "people" skills. These people skills form the basis of effective leadership and client relations. They include written and verbal communication skills, the ability to listen, and the ability to convey a feeling of confidence.

Many of these skills can be learned or enhanced through involvement in a campus organization such as Beta Alpha Psi, the Accounting Club, NABA, or MAHA. Involvement may include some or all of the following:

  • Attending as many functions as possible - including: meetings, social events, sporting activities, seminars, recruiting functions and "Meet the Firms".
  • Becoming active in a committee and serving as a chairperson.
  • Running for an office & holding an elected position.

When should you attend these events? The earlier you begin attending functions like Meet the Firms the better. By attending functions early, you will meet more people, become more comfortable, and learn more about what the firms are looking for.

Even if you are attending your first recruiting function just prior to graduation, it is not too late. Every person you meet and every conversation you have will increase your opportunities of obtaining and succeeding in interviews.

What are employers looking for? While technical skills are always important, at Meet the Firms, the recruiter is looking for individuals with personalities that will match the atmosphere in their company. They will be interested in:

  • Your goals and ambitions
  • Your communication skills
  • Your leadership skills
  • Your ability to get along with others
  • Your poise and confidence

What should you be looking for? One of your goals is to learn about the potential employees. You should try to learn about:

  • The type of work you will be doing.
  • The type of clients you will be working with.
  • The personality of the office and the people you will be working with.
  • How you can enhance your chances of getting hired by the firm.

PREPARATION BEFORE ATTENDING MEET THE FIRMS

1) Make your motivation on curiosity rather than fear! Remember that the main purpose of a Meet the Firms is for employers to get to know you. You belong at this event. Come to the event to find out about the different career opportunities available, the differences among the firms, and what the profession is all about. If you treat this event as a learning experience, you will realize that there is nothing to be afraid of.

2) Take inventory of what is important to you in a career! It is difficult to get what you want if you do not know what you want. Think about your likes and dislikes and develop a checklist of questions about the firms that match the items you consider most significant. Some items you might include:

  • The work environment - such as: the culture, the atmosphere, the size of the firm, and the people.
  • The challenge of learning, solving problems, and attaining responsibility.
  • The variety of working with different clients, on different projects, in different departments, offices, or field locations.
  • The prestige or recognition associated with recognition, title, or responsibility.
  • Growth opportunities in developing new skills or specialization.
  • Income potential and job security.
  • The life style you will be able to enjoy while taking advantage of the career opportunities available.

While all of these characteristics are important, they may not be equal in your mind. Weigh each one and prepare questions around those that you consider most significant.

3) Know what you have to offer! Whether or not you have a high grade point average, you have a lot to offer your potential employer. Think about your strengths and be prepared to talk about them. Remember the classes you did particularly well in, and those that you found the most interesting. Do not confine yourself to your commerce classes! Some of the most valuable skills you will learn in college come from liberal arts courses such as Communication, Political Science, and English. That is why they are required.

Consider your work experience, if any. Your prior job does not be in accounting to be important. Experience in supervising others and in dealing with the public are particularly helpful.

Active involvement in Beta Alpha Psi or another organization is also valuable. This is especially true if you held an office or chaired a committee. Even if you did not, just being active is favorable.

The firms are also interested in your hobbies and other interests. Employers are looking for well rounded individuals, not necessarily those that are focused exclusively on accounting.

4) Do some research on the firms! Find out which firms will be attending and learn what you can about them. Read the firms' recruiting literature to learn about their size, office locations, client base, and other information that is readily available. This is usually found in the Career Center, club office or library. Visiting the firm's web site is also a good idea. In addition, there is a tremendous amount published about the firms in trade periodicals. Scan recent issues of the Wall Street Journal, Accounting Today, and the financial section of local newspapers. While it is not necessary to know everything about a firm, a little knowledge will make a favorable impression.

5) Talk to other students who have attended a Meet the Firms! Most students who have attended will be willing to share their experiences with you. In addition, those who are seniors this year may very well be firm representatives in the future. This creates another opportunity to expand your network.

6) Dress for success! It is extremely important to be well groomed. Cologne or perfume should be applied lightly, if at all, and you should avoid smoking before or during the event.

Men should wear suits - preferably a dark color such as charcoal or navy. A white shirt is generally best, with the collar pulled down smoothly and buttoned down, if appropriate. You may be a little more adventurous with your tie, but make certain that it is knotted neatly and that the knot is pulled up to the center of your collar. Dark shoes, a matching belt, and black socks are also desirable.

Women should wear business suits, preferably in dark colors. A light colored blouse or a tailored button down shirt complements nicely. Shoes that match your suit should be worn with heels that do not exceed two inches and hose either neutral or should match the color of your suit

Remember that first impressions are extremely important. You do not want recruiters distracted by your appearance or by your accessories. You will feel more confident if you are dressed appropriately and neatly.

HOW SHOULD I ACT?

1) Get off to a good start! There are a number of ways you can improve your comfort level when you arrive:

  • Go with a friend, or meet one there. It is often easier to mingle as a pair than by yourself.
  • Arrive on time. It can be intimidating to enter a room that is already crowded and noisy. Scan the name tags of individuals that you want to meet early on.
  • Most students prefer to distribute copies of their resumes to the recruiters they meet. However, this is not required, especially if you are a freshman or sophomore. It is a good idea, however, to ask for the recruiter's business card so you can mail him or her your resume after the event.

2) Relax! While it is natural to be nervous there are ways to overcome your anxiety. Start by talking to a faculty member or a friend just to get you into the mood to chat.

It is a good idea to walk around the room once or twice to get a feeling for who is attending and to look for individuals you might wish to speak with later on. You can also join groups of students who are already speaking with a recruiter and listen to what they have to say.

Keep in mind that the only reason that this event is being conducted is to enable you to meet recruiters. They are there for the same reason that you are. Take advantage of this opportunity.

3) Select your target! Determine who you would like to talk to. When individuals are smiling or are animated, it generally indicates that they are enjoying themselves. In a recruiting environment, this often also means that they enjoy their jobs and are pleased to be sharing this with potential employees. These are people who will provide you with good information and make it easy to get your questions answered.

When should I join a group? It is generally appropriate for you to walk up to a group of others and join in. It is often best to avoid large groups, as it may be difficult to get any personal attention. To maximize your benefits when joining a group, you may wish to apply certain guidelines:

  • The optimal group to join will consist of a mix of professionals and students. These groups are often loosely structured and the conversation is less formal and more spontaneous. Just walk up to such a group, listen to the conversation in progress, and look for your opportunity to make eye contact and introduce yourself.
  • A group consisting of professionals only may provide a special opportunity. Before joining such a group, observe the conversion and body language of the individuals. If they are taking a break or are involved in a private conversation, you may appear to be intruding.
  • You will find that recent alumni are the easiest professionals to approach. They remember being in your situation and will usually try to make it easier for you. You may be able to identify recent alumni by asking fellow students or studying name tags. When several people from different firms are talking to each other, it may be an indication that they are recent alumni.

4) Make contact! It is easier than you think. The professionals are there to talk to you and are waiting for you to take the initiative. The easiest way for you to initiate contact is to simply walk up to a professional and say "Hello".

When making contact you should smile, make eye contact, and extend your hand. Make certain that you offer a firm, business-like hand shake. If you are not certain whether your hand shake is appropriate, practice with other students before attending Meet the Firms.

Since most individuals shake hands using their right hand, it is best to put your name tag on your right side. This way, as you extend your hand, your name tag is more visible.

"Begin the conversation! Keep in mind that the relationship you build with a potential recruiter is far more significant than what you talk about. While it is a good idea to be prepared with questions about the firms and profession, small talk can also lead to big contacts.

Small talk may relate to a variety of subjects including the weather, sports, movies, food and restaurants, travel or vacations, current events, school, your campus organization, your current job, or your hobbies and other interests. If you find you have something in common with a recruiter, even if totally unrelated to the profession, you will establish a bond that will be very helpful to you. It is best to avoid controversial subjects including religion, politics, and personal or family problems.

It is often best to be prepared with a variety of questions you can ask. When deciding what to ask, you should be less concerned about impressing the recruiter with the brilliance of your question than with obtaining information that is of genuine interest to you. This is where your preparation before attending a Meet the Firms will prove beneficial.

Of course there are standard questions you can ask a professional. If you start off asking, "How long have you been with your firm?" you are giving the individual an opportunity to talk about himself or herself. They will often elaborate by providing information about their position in the firm and about the firm itself. If they do not, it would be appropriate to follow up with questions regarding those matters.

Depending on the level of the individual you are talking to, there are various types of questions that might be appropriate

  • When talking to partners or managers, you might ask about their expertise in an area or industry, the role they serve for their clients, some of the choices they made during their career, and what opportunities they see for themselves in the future.
  • When talking to a senior, you might ask about the transition from being a staff person to planning and running jobs.
  • When talking to a first or second year staff person, you might ask what their job is like on a daily basis, how they are assigned to jobs, how they are evaluated, how their experience matches their expectations when they entered the firm, or why they chose the firm they did. It would also be appropriate to ask about their experience during the recruiting process.
  • When talking to a recruiter, you might ask about the recruiting process, the transition from student to staff person, or any of the items above.

Work-related items that are most frequently discussed include the firm's client base, career or advancement opportunities, feedback and the evaluation process, policies for assigning staff, the work environment, day-to-day responsibilities, the variety of work performed, differences between offices within the firm, trends within the profession, the interviewing process, and what the firm might expect of you in your first year.

5) Listen! It is easy to become so preoccupied with the question you want to ask next that you do not listen to what the other person is saying. This is especially true if you are nervous. Remember that listening is one of the most important, and often the most neglected communication skills.

Since the nature of your conversation with a recruiter is far more important than the content, it is important to be flexible. They might jump from one topic to another while responding to a question or comment.

6) Avoid common pitfalls! There are certain questions or topics you should avoid at Meet the Firms and throughout the interview process.

  • Do not ask about salary or benefits. While benefits may be an appropriate issue for an in-house interview, the firm will generally inform you about salary if they decide to make an offer.
  • Do not ask about items you should already know. Most Big Five firms provide extensive information about their training. Questions on this subject will indicate your lack of research.
  • Do not ask questions that are too general in nature. Asking someone to "Tell me about your firm" does not make a favorable impression.
  • Do not ask about litigation, layoffs, or other setbacks the firm may have experienced.
  • Do not ask questions about hiring practices based on sex, age, or race.
  • Avoid having a negative attitude.
  • Although you may be interested in travel, relocation opportunities, or working overseas, it is often best to postpone these questions until later in the interview process. You do not want to give the impression that you are anxious to leave before you have even begun working for the firm.

7) End the conversation with an open door! As you are ready to move on to make contact with another recruiter or group of individuals, close the conversation in a professional manner. Whether or not you are interested in the firm whose representatives you are currently talking to, you will want to avoid making a negative impression.