Write a resume that gets read
- Lead with results. “Cut month-end close from eight days to five” says more than “responsible for month-end close.”
- Tailor it. Mirror the skills and tools in the job description, where they are true for you.
- Keep it readable. One or two pages, a clean single-column layout, standard headings and a common font. Many employers use applicant tracking systems that struggle with tables, text boxes and graphics.
- Show the tools. List the systems you use, such as NetSuite, Salesforce or Python, and how deeply you know them.
- Explain gaps briefly. One honest line is enough.
Search smarter
Apply to fewer roles, more carefully. A specialist recruiter can tell you which employers are hiring for your skills, what they pay and what they really want, and can introduce you to roles that are never advertised. Set up job alerts so new openings reach you first, and send your resume once to be considered for roles that fit.
Prepare for interviews
- Research the employerKnow what they do, who their customers are and why the role exists.
- Prepare your storiesUse situation, task, action and result to describe four or five achievements that match the role.
- Practice out loudRehearse with a friend or record yourself. Aim for answers of about two minutes.
- Ask good questionsAsk what success looks like in the first 90 days and how the team works together.
Interviewing by video? Read our video interview tips.
Consider contract work
Contract and contract-to-hire roles let you start sooner, add recent experience and try a team before committing. Many contract professionals are offered permanent roles. Ask about the length of the assignment, the hours, how pay works and whether the role could become permanent.
Negotiate the offer
Know the market rate for your role and location; our salary guide is a good start. Thank the employer, restate your interest, then ask for what you need with a short reason. Consider the whole package: base pay, bonus, benefits, flexibility, title and growth. Get the final offer in writing before you resign.
Leave well
Give the notice your contract requires, offer a clear handover and stay professional on your last day. The people you work with now are your references, and sometimes your future colleagues.
