[Moeshow]

Ok, so I do have a resume put together that I worked very hard on, but I’m wondering if it’d be smart of me to pay one of these online resume services to help me put together a more professional resume? I was wondering if any of you might have any recommendations to websites you might’ve used? Or maybe a suggestion to stay away? Basically, does paying for help for your resume and cover letter really beneficial?

PS: I just recently passed all four parts to the CPA Exam and have zero experience in the accounting field. From Cali

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[Missy]

I'm a big fan of cover letters (I'm old school and old) especially if you don't have specific experience but understand the job well. In my accounts payable example, if you don't have ap experience that you can put on your resume that's where you can say you fully understand the concept of three way matching and that most ap positions are high volume transaction positions that your ability to organize and prioritize will translate nicely to. In other words use it to fill in the gaps between your resume and the position.

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[Moeshow]

@mla11692 would I hit those key points in my resume or cover letter? Btw, is there a chance you can take a quick look at my resume to tell me if I'm on the right track? If you're also busy, I understand!!

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[Missy]

You resume is what you've accomplished. Cover letter is what you hope/intend to accomplish but haven't yet.

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[Missy]

Posted email addy briefly lol let me know if you saw it.

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[Moeshow]

@mla11692 I got it!! thank you!

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[Anonymous]

If you are intelligent and resourceful enough to pass the CPA exam, you don't need to hire someone to work out a resume and cover letter for you. If you don't know how to write an effective resume or cover letter, you can do the obvious thing of Googling the right way to do it. Simple as that.

[Skynet]

My .02 cents.

It is good to make sure your resume is perfect and tailored to the job, however what will go against you will be the experience part.

I am in SoCal myself and speaking from experience. Cali is a tough market and no matter how perfect your resume is even with passing the CPA exams, it will be hard for anyone to even willing to give you a shot with no experience.

The main thing right now is to get any kind of experience even if it is VITA or H&R block. Get any kind of accounting related experience no matter how menial but make sure it's current.

[Moeshow]

@crazyleon I do have a resume that I have put lots of time in but I'm a bit of a perfectionist so I want to make sure my resume is up to par before I start submitting it. I usually do a trial with my resume and see if I get any hits….If not, then change it. My resume is always a work in progress.

@skynet really? I went to Meet the Firms and spoke to quite a few recruiters that told the accounting experience isn't recommended because they'll teach you..just as long as you have some sort of work experience (for public accounting). I actually received 3 phone calls back to do interviews but decided to hold off until I was finished with my CPA exam. I thought getting that out of the way was the most important. I kind of just went to Meet the Firms to get an idea of what they were looking for and not expecting any calls backs.

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[Skynet]

@Moeshow – Recruiters will tell you what you want to hear. When it is all said and done, without any kind of experience it will be tough. FYI, I had a lot of recruiters tell me the same thing only to do a 360 later on and say they are actually looking for some or more experience.

[Moeshow]

@skynet Did they tell you this in the interview process? Or did they tell you that when you emailed them? And how were you able to gain your experience?

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[Moeshow]

When you guys write you passed all 4 sections on a resume and cover letter to the CPA exam do you spell out FAR, AUD and etc or use the full name?

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[Skynet]

@Moeshow – Many, I have been told after meeting them through networking events as well as through the interview process.

I got some experience through sheer luck. These days an entry level position requires two years current experience unless you are just coming out of college.

Cali is extremely competitive too especially in the OC and LA area.

[Adam]

@moeshow – I would be happy to take a look.

As far as cover letters – I would say hit or miss. Some managers like them, some don't. As a job seeker, I think I only used one early on when I had no industry experience to better explain the non-industry experience I did have and how that could help the company, etc etc.

If you email resumes, I would use the body of the email to QUICKLY intro yourself. Definitely don't go as long as a cover letter, maybe two-three sentences max. This would, in my opinion, make the cover letter completely optional.

[Author]

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