Name: Bill Clements
Job Title/Employer: Vice President/Branch Manager, Accounting and Finance Personnel
Year of Graduation: 1998 and 2003
Degree/Major: B.S./International Business and Finance, M.B.A.
What kind of recruiting do you do for your company?
I work for an agency and we specialize in placing finance and accounting candidates in Arizona.
Who is your company's ideal recruiting candidate?
Our ideal candidate would have some work experience in the field we are placing them. Depending on the level, job stability is important. While companies no longer follow, and understandably so in a competitive marketplace, lifetime employment they want a return on investment that the time they put in training and increasing the skills of their employees will pay off for them.
Additionally, we look for individuals that are always looking to maintain their skills or doing something to enhance them. This can be through pursuing a master’s degree in their profession or preparing for tests for professional certifications/accreditations such as the CPA (certified public accountant), CMA (certified managerial accountant) credentials through taking classes or self-study.
What strengths do Arizona State University graduates bring to the hiring table as job candidates?
Being a two-time alum, I know that ASU grads will have studied a well-rounded curriculum, where they will not only be a subject matter expert but also knowledgeable in related subjects. Additionally, they will have worked together as team and know the benefits of what a good collaborative group can bring to the table vs. a dysfunctional one.
What can current students or alumni do to improve their chances of finding work with (or through) your company?
Current students should look very hard at doing internships in the field they want to work. While sometimes these can pay less money than a part-time job while in school, it does provide something to put on your resume that is in your field. It also gives a work reference for potential employers that will enable them to know the work habits/potential of prospective employees.
Also, prepare targeted resumes when you apply for a position. Employers are not (just) looking at your resume to see what you have done—they are looking at your resume to see if what you have done applies to the current position they are hiring for.
Any other job hunting secrets you'd like to share?
Use multiple tools for networking and your career search. These can include your alumni community, churches, any organizations to which you belong, job boards (of course), the ASU Career Center, and the various networking tools available on the Internet. |
