Resume advice

Aesop101

I'm completely redoing my resume. I've been laid off since November of 2008. So I'm thinking about adding what I've done during that time. For instance I studied and passed the cpa exam. Then I started my own business. Now so far no paying customers but I've helped folks set up their accounting systems and answered tons of tax questions.

Any thoughts?

therobinator

I think it's a great idea to put all of that stuff on your resume. It shows that not only did you *not* sit on your *kitten* and do nothing for all this time, but you actually made a lot of effort to keep yourself marketable and up to speed with job skills.

Hernandezedw

Sounds like volunteer work for community tax assistance maybe? I'd find a way to word that better though.

Kirsty_UK

Absolutely definitely put in what you've been doing while out of work - it shows you have self-motivation and drive.

lulu1962

CPA's are in high demand all over the United States! Where are you from, if I may ask? You don't need to work for an employer - you have your own business, can set your own hours, etc. I work from home & absolutely love the freedom - no employees to deal with either! You should be billing for your services - not giving away your experience & hard work.:bigsmile:

jmruef

Definitely add those things in there! I add things like committees I've served on, projects I've lead, courses I've taken that apply to my position, etc.

[What follows is all just me babbling. Feel free to disregard, 'cause you probably know this stuff already. ]

Re: starting your own business - I'd put that in the Employment section - you can talk about your position as CEO (or whatever), what your job duties entail, how many employees you have (if any), etc. Doesn't matter if you have customers or not.

Re: CPA certification - if you have a section on special qualifications, that might be the place to add it.

maggieschuck

Keep it to one page. I just got out of CMA school and we spent a week making new resumes for a career that we haven't really started yet. We used a basic outline.

Objective (job with new career)
Summary of Qualification ( training from school)
Education (College)
Affiliation ( or Volunteer work)
Experience

Do a google search for resume samples in the CPA field. Make sure to make a cover letter. Short and sweet. Best of Luck to you!

sam363

I would put that near the end in a volunteer/community involvement section. I would try to get your resume to 1 page. Using the last 3 jobs held and include bulllet points as to why they will be relevant for the job you are applying for as well as your education and community involvment. Make sure that you include a cover letter tailored to the job you are applying for. You can use a template but make sure it reads in your voice/personality and make sure to include why the CPA and volunteer work are so important to you and will be for their company. Good Luck!

skittybang

You should absolutely include the work you did. I have worked for CPA firms as an accountant for about 5 years and recently relocated from NJ to CT. They truly are in high demand, I had several interviews a week and almost all ended in offers. Good luck!!!

Aesop101

Thanks everyone for your input. It is much appreciated. Tells me I'm on the right track.

I live in Indiana btw.

I'm happy for those who seem to be able to find jobs during these times. I actually had a job offer for an auditor in Bermuda but I turned it down because it was on contract and at the end I would be unemployed again. Sorry I didn't take it now.

I sent out 14 resumes the week before last and received not one reply. Not sure what I'm doing wrong. However the burden is on me. So I continue to strive and adjust. I've changed up my references as well. There has been some jealousy on the part of some of my former contacts. So some of them have been called into question.

I would love for my business to take off. If I get angry with myself I forgive myself so easily. LOL!

Also I'm 57 and at times feel that is a factor. Even so, it is still my obligation to get a job. Honestly I don't see many folks more motivated than me. Earned my masters in August 2007, passed the CPA exam in 2010. Then started my own business as a stop gap measure.

Now I'm not a CPA yet. I have to get my work history verified by a CPA. That has proven a challenge unto itself. The guy that said he would sign it turned out didn't have his CPA. Another guy I contacted and worked with didn't have his either. Both said they passed the CPA exam. I contacted another CPA I worked with and he didn't understand the process and blew me off.

It has been amazingly frustrating on all fronts. Still I'm out there trying.

When I hear there are tons of accounting jobs for CPA's I think what's wrong with me. I've gone over this over and over in my head. My conclusion, nothing. I've solved problems that have made people gasp, how did you figure that out!. Even had one employee start taking notes when I spoke and she didn't even report to me.

It has been amazingly frustrating on all fronts. Still I'm out there trying, reworking my resume and cover letter. Just going all out.