Why Experienced Accountants Have a Hard Time Finding New Jobs

Experience is invaluable when you are working for an organization, but it doesn’t always help with a job search. Some experienced professionals, accountants included, find it difficult to secure a new position, and their experience may be to blame. Similar to applicants who can be considered overqualified, being seen as having more experience than the job requires might not work in your favor.

If you want to understand why having experience may work against you, and what you can do to make your resume more appealing, consider the following.

Age Discrimination

While discriminating against someone because of their age is illegal, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen. It is easy for someone to estimate your age based on the amount of experience showing on your resume. For example, if you have full-time work experience dating back to 1996, and list a Bachelor’s degree, that could imply you are approximately 40.

One way to work past this issue is to make sure only your most relevant experience is included on your resume. Don’t include any information on past jobs that do not apply to the kind of work you are seeking. If certain experience is redundant, consider whether it is necessary to meet the requirements of the position.

Overqualified and Overeducated

Many job postings specify a range of experience the hiring manager deems necessary to work well in the position. If you have experience and/or education beyond those levels, you may be seen as overqualified, overeducated, or both.

Why would having more qualifications than necessary be a problem for a potential employer? First, they may be concerned about your salary expectations. Second, they may fear you will leave the position if something more advanced becomes available somewhere else.

It can be hard for an employer to imagine why you would consider a job that seems like a step back from your current level of expertise. And this inability to put the pieces together may lead them to pass you over entirely. Create a resume focused solely on the requirements and expectations for the position to which you are applying, without providing too much information about skills outside of those needed to perform the job. That way, you cover the necessary information without adding anything that may be overly harmful to your chances.

Accompany your resume with a cover letter thoroughly explaining your intentions. Take the opportunity to sell yourself, while also explaining what about the job caught your interest. In some cases, adding a simple explanation about your current career goals is enough to give hiring managers the confidence they need to proceed. You can also market yourself as a good value. Not only do you bring what they are looking for to the table, you bring something extra too. This can help entice managers with the possibilities of what other services you may be able to provide, and how that affects the company’s bottom line.

Looking for More Advice to Get Your Accounting Career on Track?

The Squires Group has the unique opportunity to work with businesses across every sector, allowing us to determine which environment is ideal for your current career goals. If you are interested in learning more, or are simply looking for a new opportunity in the accounting field, contact The Squires Group today and let their experience work for you!


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