608 SE 6th Street, Suite 4, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 (954) 468-3636

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Finance Manager

Palm Beach company is looking to hire a Finance Manager. In this position you will oversee all accounting and financial matters including billings, collections, purchase orders, inventory, budgets, and P&L statements. The ideal candidate will have some supervisory experience and be proficient in Quickbooks and Excel. Position reports to Controller.

Salary Range: $45,000 to $55,000
Email Resume to: JFarrick@KuninAssociates.com

Thursday, December 23, 2010

CFO

Growing Miami distributor looking for a Bilingual CFO. In this role you will be responsible for taking an active approach to leading the accounting and financial function of the company. The ideal candidate will have 4-5 years public accounting audit experience combined with 2+ years progressive private accounting experience. Additional knowledge in dealing with international transactions and large receivables is highly desired. Great company with a positive environment. Must have fluency in Spanish and be a CPA.

Salary Range: $100,000 to $125,000
Email Resume to: JFarrick@KuninAssociates.com

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Happy Holidays 2010




Kunin Associates would like to wish everyone a Happy Holiday Season.
We greatly appreciate your support over the past year and we look forward to working with you in 2011.


Kunin Associates
608 SE 6th Street, Suite 4
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
954-468-3636
www.KuninAssociates.com

Finance Manager

Palm Beach company is looking to hire a Finance Manager. In this position you will oversee all accounting and financial matters including billings, collections, purchase orders, inventory, budgets, and P&L statements. The ideal candidate will have some supervisory experience and be proficient in Quickbooks and Excel. Position reports to Controller.

Salary Range: $45,000 to $55,000
Email Resume to: JFarrick@KuninAssociates.com

Monday, December 20, 2010

Handling the Holiday Party

Your annual office party is probably just around the corner and it's important to realize that this event is still about business no matter how festive it may be. In order to avoid being office fodder for the Monday after the event here are some simple tips to keep in mind. Besides, do you really want to be remembered as the guy who danced like John Travolta at the party, or the woman who thought she looked good in the Britney Spears outfit?


· Find out the specifics of the event. Where it is going to be, what time it is, what is the attire and who is invited. Even though your spouse may know everyone you work with, if the invite is for office personnel only, abide by the invitation.
· Keep your attire professional. This is not the time to wear anything low cut, too tight, too short, or anything from the back of your closet left over from the 80s. Do take the extra effort to find out what the accepted attire will be.
· If spouses are invited you need to brief, or in some cases, debrief yours for the event. You have probably shared more with your spouse about office politics then you should have, make sure he/she does not spill the beans and get you into trouble.
· Office holiday parties are not to be missed. Even though you may not want to go, you need to make an appearance. This is still a business function and your attendance is expected.
· Be sensitive to different religious backgrounds. Wish party goers Happy Holidays as opposed to Merry Christmas or Happy Hanukah, you don't want to make someone uncomfortable for different beliefs.
· How much to eat? How much to drink? Who to dance with? Everything if fine, but keep it in moderation. One or two visits to the buffet table, one or two drinks, and dancing with your spouse and co-workers is all acceptable. Tread lightly when asking the CFO's wife to boogie down.
· Hold drinks or food in your left hand. Keeping your right hand dry and free of food debris in order to be able to shake the hand of party goers.
· Do try and mingle throughout the group. This is an excellent opportunity to network and introduce yourself to senior executives in the company. Keep your conversations light and do not concentrate on business. After an appropriate interval, excuse yourself and move on.
· How long to stay? It's best to arrive within 30 minutes of the start and stay at a minimum of an hour. This should allow you time to have something to eat, mingle and possibly dance.
· Keep all behavior appropriate. You don't want your actions captured on cell phones or security cameras and spread through office email in seconds. Your reputation will definitely be effected. Oh, and stay away from romancing your co-worker.
· Always thank your host or the event organizer. This will show your appreciation for the work involved and make you stand out from other employees.
Celebrate, have a good time, enjoy the successes of the year and be thankful for all that you have.

Visit us at www.kuninassociates.com and subscribe to receive directly to your e-mail address our twice a month newsletter with interesting articles and the hottest job opportunities as well as the best candidates!

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Senior Accountant/Accounting Manager

Downtown Miami based Corporate HQ of a NYSE company seeking a Senior Accountant/Accounting manager. Position will be responsible for assisting with the close, working on various special projects, and handling the day to day accounting for a new start-up venture. Ideal candidate will have 15 years of experience, working for a large corporate environment in an accounting capacity. CPA a plus.

Salary Range: $60,000 to $70,000
Email Resume to: JFarrick@KuninAssociates.com

A/P Accountant

Growing Fort Lauderdale manufacturing and distribution company is in need of an experienced A/P Accountant. In this role you will be handling all aspects of a very intense level of A/P. The goal is for this person to eventually become the A/P Manager and then move into Accounting Manager. Must be fluent in Spanish and have a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or Finance. Excellent opportunity for someone looking for growth.

Salary Range: $45,000 to $55,000
Email Resume to: JFarrick@KuninAssociates.com

Monday, December 13, 2010

Assistant Controller

Our Banking client is looking for an efficient, detail-oriented Assistant Controller with strong analytical and problem solving skills in Miami. In this role you will be responsible for preparing, as well as, supervising all regulatory reporting for accuracy and compliance in addition to handling general accounting activities. Qualified candidates will have Big 4 with banking experience or will currently be working at a Bank, handling GL closings and Compliance reports, thorough GAAP and tax accounting knowledge with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and/Finance.

Salary Range: $55,000 to $85,000 based on experience
Email Resume to: JFarrick@KuninAssociates.com

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Resume keepers: Sometime the overlooked parts of your past are the most essential



Article takem from ChicagoTribune.com

By Christopher Nelson
Tribune Media Services

You might like to think you have the memory of an elephant but it's probably closer to that of a goldfish. And that's a problem when it comes to putting together a resume.

Try to remember all the wonderful things you've seen in life. Try to remember all the causes for which you've taken a stand. Try to remember everything you've done that will make you an essential asset to any company.

It's not easy. Very often, people overlook things they've done when piecing together their resumes. So if you're searching for ways to fluff out your credentials and bring some interested talking points to the table, ask the skeletons in your closet for help.

Ever been on a sports team? While saying you threw a pair of shin-guards on in the third grade might not make the cut, being on a competitive sports team can be appealing to potential employers.

"For sales or any revenue-generating jobs, participation in competitive athletics indicates a winning mental set that supports success in these areas," says Sally Haver, senior vice president of The Ayers Group.

The person looking at your resume can infer a lot about who you are through the activities you do.

"Getting to be an expert in any physical activity requires putting in the time, practice, dedication and skill-honing," says Haver. "This translates directly into your work ethic on the job."


Show off


If you've given a public speech or written an article for a publication, include it.

"Companies like to hire high-profile stars," says Haver. "They can show them off to their clients and use them as ambassadors to attract new business."

Haver says this same principle is used when schools hire top teachers.

"They use them in promotional materials to attract students and to reassure parents that their money is well spent," she says.

Whether it's the PTA or the Neighborhood Watch, if you're in a leadership position, be sure to mention it in your credentials.

"If you choose to lead outside your day job, chances are you choose to lead, in general, and will rise to the top at your company as well," says Haver. "It shows you as a well-rounded person with interests and activities outside the workplace."

But it's all bupkis if it means nothing to your potential employer. If you simply say that you play soccer and are a member of the PTA, what does it do for them? Nada.

"You can't say you're brilliant," says Jean Baur, author of "Eliminated! Now What?: Finding Your Way from Job-Loss Crisis to Career Resilience" (Jist Works, $14.95). "But you can prove that you're brilliant."

Instead of rambling on about different things you've done, be succinct and show your potential employer how your life experiences will bring something fresh to their company. If they don't receive any benefit from you and your extracurricular activities, why would they hire you?

Volunteering at the soup kitchen is great for a lot of reasons. Selflessly, you get to give back to the members of your community who are less fortunate than yourself. Selfishly, you get to put your selflessness on your resume.

Kunin Associates is passionate about getting you the right job and giving you the tools to exceed in the resume writting and interview process!
Visit our website at www.kuninassociates.com and subscribe to out twice a month newsletter!

Finance Manager

Palm Beach company is looking to hire a Finance Manager. In this position you will oversee all accounting and financial matters including billings, collections, purchase orders, inventory, budgets, and P&L statements. The ideal candidate will have some supervisory experience and be proficient in Quickbooks and Excel. Position reports to Controller.

Salary Range: $45,000 to $55,000
Email Resume to: JFarrick@KuninAssociates.com

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Audit Senior

Our client is a Fort Lauderdale accounting firm with a diverse client base and is looking to hire an Auditor for their growing and expanding office. This position will be responsible to ensure all areas of an audit assignment are fully completed in an accurate and timely manner. Must have a thorough knowledge of auditing across a variety of industries and have experience with both small and mid-sized company audits with 2-5 years progressive experience. Great opportunity in a profitable firm.

Salary Range: $65,000 to $85,000
Email Resume to: JFarrick@KuninAssociates.com

Success Placement Story

Kunin Associates was given a Forensic Accounting position to fill by one of our clients and after reaching out to our candidates we found the perfect match!

This is the response we received today from our candidate.

"Hi Jason,

The project is more fascinating and professionally rewarding than I had expected and, in a certain sense, enjoyable. While the hours are long, the work I'm doing makes the day go by quickly -- it will be a full week tomorrow! Needless to say, I'm grateful that you reached out to me for the project.

Best regards,

hmg"


Kunin Associates helps Success Stories like this one happen every day. If you are looking for a new opportunity please contact us, we will be happy to help you get started!

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Internal Auditor

Our client is a multibillion dollar company located in the Miami area and is looking for an Internal Auditor. Qualified candidates will have 2-3 years experience in Big 4auditing and be bilingual. The position requires 25% travel both domestic and international. Great opportunity to learn how the company operates allowing advancement into other areas. Bonus potential.

Salary Range: $65,000 to $70,000
Email Resume to: JFarrick@KuninAssociates.com

Monday, November 29, 2010

Facing Atypical Questions in a Job Interview



Article Taken from Jobs Journal

Atypical questions are in fact quite common in job interviews and play a major role in deciding upon the candidate. So, what are atypical questions? Questions that are not directly related to your qualifications or field of work and are meant rather to probe your qualities and attributes are atypical questions.

Questions like ''what would you do if you were in a room full of rats with three big pieces of wood and a ball of yarn?'' The ingenuous might suggest the creation of a rattrap, the vicious might think of fashioning a weapon to beat the rats to death, and the eco-friendly might offer the creation of a wooden platform on which to perch and live in harmony with the rats. There’s no set answer to an atypical question and the interviewers truly want your individual response to assess your mindset. In this case, probably the winner would be the person who refuses the cue of ''three big pieces of wood and a ball of yarn,'' and answers that he or she would just open the door and walk out. You see, nobody said that the room was locked.

Atypical questions are created to probe into your logical abilities and tracks of thought. They are more important than typical questions like ''why do you want this job.'' Whenever you find an atypical question in an interview, a seemingly innocuous question that seems more intended to pass time than useful for the interview, be careful. Know that job interviews have nothing casual about them, and questions that seem casual and insignificant are actually more important and you need to consider carefully before you answer.

A most often cited and used atypical question would be ''who are the two people you would want to be with you on a deserted tropical island?'' The average Joe will instantly mention his loved ones, probably his two kids, or wife and child.

What the interviewers actually expect here is to find out whether the candidate has the ability to size up a situation and visualize its consequences. They want an answer that shows that the candidate has correctly identified the problem and created a solution within the given options. The usual intelligent answer would identify the problem of survival and create its solution with the given options of ''two people.'' So, the ''two people'' could be a Marine and a cook. That would solve the problem of survival and existence.

However, that does not solve the problem of escaping the stranded situation in the given case, but only solves the problem of survival. So, a better answer would be a Marine and a boat builder. While the Marine can help to solve the problem of survival, the boat builder can solve the problem of trying to escape from the deserted island. One of the best answers I ever heard a candidate give to this question was ''a radio operator with his HAM radio and my wife.'' This person went beyond the typical level of having a boat builder or shipwright, and was totally opposed to unnecessary labor. He would have his vacation, make most of the situation, and use the radio operator to signal for help from passing vehicles.

In extreme cases and high-level job interviews (which are rare nowadays) we have also seen companies create full-scale atypical situations. For example, while selecting a batch of management trainees, I remember an interview where eight fresh graduates were called to a five star hotel and each casually given a sum of pocket money to spend during the stay. Nothing else was communicated to the candidates, but a strict watch was kept on how they spent their time and the money given to them. During the interview, each candidate was asked to place the account of their expenditure, and only two candidates turned out to have maintained a log. The company was looking at the expenditure pattern of the job candidates, but more importantly, they were keen to find out which of the candidates had the habit of keeping regular accounts of their minor expenditure.

So, whenever you face an atypical question or an atypical situation in an interview, think deeply, identify the problem presented, and consider the given options and how they might be used to contrive the best solution. Responses to atypical questions are given more weight by interviewers for differentiating between candidates who otherwise seem equally matched. And atypical questions require you to be most attentive, alert , and logical to provide a suitable answer.

Kunin Associates is passionate about getting you the right job and giving you the tools to exceed in the interview process!
Visit our website at www.kuninassociates.com and subscribe to out twice a month newsletter!

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Forensic Accountant

Forensic Accountant needed to work on a contract basis on an out-of-state litigation project. Must have experience in loss of income calculations, forensic accounting, business valuation or litigation accounting. Multiple month project. Transportation and lodging provided by company. Experienced professionals needed right away.

Hourly Rate: $20.00 to $40.00
Email Resume to: JFarrick@KuninAssociates.com

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Happy Thanksgiving From Kunin Associates



Happy Thanksgiving from Kunin Associates

At this season of Thanksgiving we would like to express our appreciation for your friendship and goodwill during the past year. We wish you a Happy Thanksgiving Season.


Kunin Associates
608 SE 6th St. Suite 4
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

Monday, November 22, 2010

Senior Accountant

Our Miami client is looking to hire a Senior Accountant. In this position you will be key contributor to the Corporate Finance department and the annual/quarterly reporting package by providing technical accounting and reporting expertise. Qualified candidates must have 2-3 years experience including Big4 and be a CPA. Oracle, Hyperion Essbase and Congos planning experience are a plus. Occasional travel might be required. Great opportunity with a stable yet growing corporation. Company offers a leading benefits program.

Salary Range: $65,000 to $75,000
Email Resume to: JFarrick@KuninAssociates.com

Friday, November 19, 2010

CFO

Growing Miami distributor looking for a Bilingual CFO. In this role you will be responsible for taking an active approach to leading the accounting and financial function of the company. The ideal candidate will have 4-5 years public accounting audit experience combined with 2+ years progressive private accounting experience. Additional knowledge in dealing with international transactions and large receivables is highly desired. Great company with a positive environment. Must have fluency in Spanish and be a CPA.

Salary Range: $100,000 to $125,000
Email Resume to: JFarrick@KuninAssociates.com

Spotting Internet Job Scams



Article taken from Jobs Journal
By Surjit Sen Sharma

While the percentage of simpleminded people, falling for internet job scams, seems to have remained the same this year as before, according to USA News Online, the numbers have definitely gone up. The recession has caused increase in the numbers of desperate jobseekers, and similarly there has been a rise in the numbers of attempts for running internet job scams. Sometimes, these people are just looking for information to add you to a spam list, but mostly they are looking to relieve you of your cash.

The tragedy is that perfectly reputed citizens too, become obsessed with easy money and become scam artists. For example, recently in August, 2010, a former N.B.A. and Michigan State player, Jay Vincent, was indicted for bilking 20, 000 jobseekers out of $2 million through an Internet employment scam.

Internet job scams have some pretty simple signs. Usually, it would be an unsolicited email. At other times, it would be a job advertisement, which asks for money to sign up in some form. Mostly it would be something too good to be true. For example, recently there were some scams offering up to $40 an hour for mystery shopping. These people would be sending cheques for you to cash and wire back the money to their company account, just to test things out. By the time the cheques are caught to be fake, you have lost your money. In fact, the number of mystery shopping scams using even legitimate names have increased so much that well-known organizations like Confero, which actually uses mystery shoppers have gone public to warn people.

The downside of these scams is that besides harming simple job seekers, they also harm genuine businesses. For example, work-at-home offers have almost become synonymous with scams making it difficult for genuine companies that have work to do from home.

Usually, the simple method to find out about scams is to make a Google search about the company making the job advertisement and add ''+ scam'' to the search. So, if xy.com was making a job advertisement, I would run a search like xy.com + scam, and see if anything turns up. If nothing does, chances are looking better, but it also might be a new scammer that people are yet unwary of, or nobody took the pain to report anywhere.

A safe method is to search the web for news about the company, and if the only things that turn up are more job postings, that is something to feel concerned about. Any genuine company would have something more than job postings on the internet.

Another method to check the authenticity of an employer or website is to search the WHOIS database for contact names and particulars. If the listing is private and contact details are not available, you can at least find out for how long the domain name has been registered. If it is only for a year, and short-term, chances are, it would be risky business to release personal information to such people.

Another thing I would like to talk about is virtual or shared office addresses. With the onslaught of the recession, many startup companies are using business center addresses to run their operations, and while business center addresses do raise a question about the strength of the operation, it is certainly not a final indication of a company running a scam. There are certain people who tend to believe that having a business center address or a shared office address tantamount to risk, but you cannot judge that until you go into the details of the job advertised for.

However, it is safer to stick to well known companies and agencies in your job search and not try to grab opportunities that seem illogical and too good to be true.

Kunin Associates has been in the South Florida marketplace for 13 years specializing in the permanent placement of accounting, finance, and bookkeeping professionals. Please contact us to get started on your job search!
http://www.kuninassociates.com/

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Forensic Accountant

Forensic Accountants needed to work on a contract basis in Louisiana for a large insurance claim. Work schedule is 21 days on followed by 7 days off. Must have experience in loss of income calculations, forensic accounting, business valuation or litigation accounting. Experienced professionals needed right away.

Hourly rate: $15-40 based on level of experience
Email Resume to: JFarrick@KuninAssociates.com

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Tax Associate

Large local Miami accounting firm is looking to hire a Tax Associate. In this role you will be responsible for assisting in tax compliance, tax research and client service. Qualified candidates will have a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, with a Masters in Tax highly preferred, 0-2 years public accounting experience and a desire to work hard. Great firm with plenty of room for advancement.

Salary Range: $40,000 to $45,000
Email Resume to: JFarrick@KuninAssociates.com

Monday, November 8, 2010

Forensic Accountant

Forensic Accountants needed to work on a contract basis in Louisiana for a large insurance claim. Work schedule is 21 days on followed by 7 days off. Must have experience in loss of income calculations, forensic accounting, business valuation or litigation accounting. Experienced professionals needed right away.

Hourly rate: $15-40 based on level of experience
Email Resume to: JFarrick@KuninAssociates.com

Friday, November 5, 2010

Senior Accountant

Our Miami client is looking to hire a Senior Accountant. In this position you will be key contributor to the Corporate Finance department and the annual/quarterly reporting package by providing technical accounting and reporting expertise. Qualified candidates must have 2-3 years experience including Big4 and be a CPA. Oracle, Hyperion Essbase and Congos planning experience are a plus. Occasional travel might be required. Great opportunity with a stable yet growing corporation. Company offers a leading benefits program.

Salary Range: $65,000 to $75,000
Email Resume to: JFarrick@KuninAssociates.com

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Controller/CFO

Controller/CFO

Growing South Florida Real Estate Investment firm is looking to hire a Controller/CFO who is a good leader. This role requires someone with a CPA, who has a mix of private and public accounting, is computer savvy and has 5+ years of Real Estate accounting experience. The position requires reporting, accounting and analysis background. The company is customer-focused and needs a professional who is willing to go the extra mile. Pleasant working environment, opportunity for growth and bonus potential.

Salary Range: $125,000 to $150,000

Email Resume to: JFarrick@KuninAssociates.com

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Accounting Services Senior

Accounting Services Senior

Our client is a stable prestigious Accounting firm in Miami and is looking to add an Accounting Service Senior. This role requires someone who has excellent technical accounting skills, outstanding interpersonal ability, and is a clear thinker and articulate. You will be responsible for financial statement preparation, general ledger accounting, account analysis, and tax reporting among other duties. 3-5 years experience in public accounting is ideal. Incredible office with a family environment. If you desire a positive career move with advancement possibilities and financial gain then this is the opportunity for you.

Salary Range: $60,000 to $70,000
Email Resume to: JFarrick@KuninAssociates.com

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Controller

Controller

Growing Miami company in the Healthcare industry is seeking a sharp and dedicated Controller. In this position you will be responsible for supervising a staff, overseeing and handling all general accounting, budgeting, annual audits and regulatory reporting on a need be basis. Qualified candidates will have experience in the Healthcare or Insurance Industry, 5+ years progressive experience and preferably a CPA and bilingual.

Salary Range: $85,000 to $95,000

Email Resume to: JFarrick@KuninAssociates.com

Monday, October 25, 2010

5 Ways to Get Past 'You're Overqualified'

Article taken from Yahoo Finance
By Liz Ryan

Address the need, not the requirements.

If a job ad asks for candidates with three years of experience, the last thing you want to do is to write, "I have 18 years of experience!" in your application or cover letter. Employers get skittish about highly qualified candidates because they fear these folks will bolt for a better opportunity at the first chance.
Improve your odds of getting an interview by addressing the business pain, instead of the listed requirements. In your cover letter, you can say, "I can only imagine that looking after dozens of suppliers and keeping on-time deliveries and supplier quality at a high level are constant priorities." Let the manager know that you've slain his particular dragon before. That will help neutralize the fear that you're too experienced to do well in the job.

Say why you're interested.

If you're actually looking to downshift in your career, for instance, or would trade a loftier title for a shorter commute, say so in your cover letter! "I'm especially interested in the job at Acme Explosives because I prefer startup energy to the huge corporations I've worked in for the past decade." Be specific. If an employer sees a logical reason for you to prefer her job even though you've held bigger positions, that will help you get over the hump.

In the interview, talk about them.

Nothing is more appealing to an employer than to have a job-seeker talk about the company, rather than blather on about himself. "I've done blah-dee-blah-blah-blah" is hard to listen to for long, but "I'd love to know more about your purchasing process--how does it work?" is not. If you keep the focus on the job and use your brilliant questions to show your understanding of, and curiosity about, the organization, you'll help allay fears that you're just looking for a safe harbor until the dang recession blows over.

Probe for the pain.

Think about the most common obstacles you've run into when you've performed similar work, and ask your hiring manager about them. "A lot of companies run into supplier-quality issues--but maybe that's not a problem for you?" is a great interview question. Most likely, the purchasing manager will say something like "No, we've got our share of that"--and then you can say, "I'd love to hear about it!" The more you learn about the pain, the more aptly you'll be able to tailor your stories to let the manager know you've slain his most annoying dragons already.

Don't make it about salary.

If you apply for jobs you could have done (or did do) 15 years ago, you're not going to be able to hold out for a massive salary. One of an employer's most understandable fears about hiring overqualified people is that they'll walk in the door and ask for a salary bump a month later. Let the employer know that you're game to grow with the company, if you are, and that there are things (flextime perhaps, or the ability to work from home sometimes) that trump dollars and cents. Keep the conversational flexible and problem-solve-y, and keep the focus on solving whatever problem the employer is facing.

If you're asked, "Will you make a two-year commitment?" answer, "I will if you can do the same thing." That is supremely reasonable. Employers need help, and you've got lots to offer. Don't deny your education and your work history--change the conversation instead!

By following these simple tips you will present yourself in the best possible light. Please contact Kunin Associates if you have any additional questions at 954-468-3636 and one of our Recruiters would be happy to speak with you.
If you would like to receive our twice a month newsletter with interesting articles and hot job opportunities subscribe at
http://www.kuninassociates.com/

Friday, October 22, 2010

Reading the Mind of the Interviewer




Article taken from JobsJournal.com
By Surajit Sen Sharma

There are as many inept interviewers as there are inept candidates, and many interviewers fail both their employers, as well as deserving candidates, due to their incompetence. However, a job interview is not part of a democratic process, and while an employer would usually be left in the blind about the failings of the HR personnel, a rejected but deserving candidate has no means of demanding accountability. Consequently, the only option open to a candidate to survive and succeed in an interview is to successfully read the mind of the interviewer and respond adequately.

To analyze an interview process correctly we need to study it from the angle of the recruiter, or the interviewer, in order to spot and satisfy his or her requirements. While surprises and exceptions will always remain in life, general functions will continue to follow logical patterns, and understanding and responding to the logic of a situation will remain the gateway of success.

A job interview is a widely discussed event or process and it has a logic and purpose. Trying to understand the process of an interview from the angle of both the “means” and the “end,” helps an interviewee to form the perspective needed to respond correctly to regular as well as odd questions. Whatever be the environment of an interview, the “end” will always remain the recruitment of a suitable candidate, and the “means” will remain throwing challenges at the candidate by means of either direct questions, or tests of different kinds, to assess his or her suitability.

When you are walking into a job interview, be sure that the recruiter is there only for one purpose - to find suitable candidates for recruitment. What a candidate needs to do is to find the logic and purpose behind each question or test, and answer adequately. Regardless of the means adopted to test the appropriateness of a candidate, general requirements and needs of an interviewer are pretty limited and will include:

  • Finding whether the candidate's emotional intelligence matches the requirements of the job
  • Finding whether the candidate's educational qualifications are sufficient to support a recruitment decision
  • Finding whether the candidate's skill sets and work-experience are suitable for the job
  • Finding whether the candidate's exposure to work culture matches the company environment
  • Finding whether the candidate is receptive and obedient, or full of own ideas without space for anything more
  • Finding whether the background of the candidate indicates a match or mismatch for the offered job position
  • Finding whether the candidate's salary expectations match the allotted budget range for the job


Though educational qualifications are part of primary screening, still there are enough walk-in-interviews in low paying jobs, and myriad educational qualifications and equivalent diplomas or degrees that a suitable candidate can come up with. Really, the interviewer is more focused on finding the answer to the other questions in the mentioned list, and educational qualifications are considered last for supporting a recruitment decision, unless they are professional qualifications required to function legally in the job.

The usual mistake that candidates make is that they become too focused on selling their own brands and ideas under the misconception that impressing their personalities on the minds of interviewers would result in recruitment. But that is rarely the case. The recruiter is focused on his or her own needs and purposes and has scant time for unreceptive egoists, as candidates do appear to the recruiter when they try to impress out of turn. To win an interview, it is essential to focus on the needs of the recruiter and provide responses that help the recruiter to support a recruitment decision. To do that, you need to study the employer's background, thoroughly study the job requirements as advertised, and read the mind of the interviewer

Kunin Associates will guide you through the Interview Process.
Please visit www.KuninAssociates.com

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Auditor

Our client is a West Palm Beach accounting firm with a diverse client base and is looking to hire an Auditor for their growing and expanding office. This position will be responsible to ensure all areas of an audit assignment are fully completed in an accurate and timely manner. Must have a thorough knowledge of auditing across a variety of industries and have experience with both small and mid-sized company audits with 2-5 years progressive experience. Great opportunity in a profitable firm.

Salary Range: $55,000 to $90,000, based on experience
Email Resume to: JFarrick@KuninAssociates.com

Monday, October 18, 2010

7 New Skills Every Worker Needs 7 New Skills Every Worker Needs




Financially Fit
Rick Newman
Tuesday, July 27, 2010

You're an expert at something? Hey, congratulations. Now, go become an expert at something else.

Most Americans striving to find or keep a job know the sensation: It's getting harder to get ahead, and the demands keep intensifying. Everybody knows how the recession destroyed wealth and derailed careers, leaving millions in a hole they're trying to dig out of. Now we're beginning to see some of the longer-term changes in the way Americans live and work. Some are distressing, but there's also plenty of hope for people who are industrious and willing to do what's necessary to succeed.

Unemployment is obviously far too high these days, and likely to stay that way for a couple of years at least. A prolonged "jobless recovery" is likely to depress incomes, spending, and living standards. But it's a mistake to assume that there are no good jobs or that Americans must consign themselves to inevitable decline. Despite a damaged economy, good jobs are emerging for people with the right qualifications. And it's an ineluctable fact of capitalism that wealth can be created by those who are shrewd, determined, or just plain lucky. Even now.

The catch is that success these days requires new skills and a degree of toughness that a lot of Americans lack. A recent survey of big companies by consulting firm Accenture, for example, found that the majority plan to hire over the next two years. But not like before. Like many individuals, firms fear that they're failing to keep up with technology and falling behind in a ruthlessly competitive marketplace. Only 15 percent of firms in the survey, for instance, felt that their workers have cutting-edge skills. That means they're interested in hiring talented workers who are able to give them an edge. But few companies plan across-the-board hiring to reverse the mass layoffs of the last three years. Instead, most firms plan targeted hiring to fill their most vital needs--while maintaining a lean payroll in case the economy turns south again.

Specific needs vary by company and industry, of course, but some key commonalities apply to many firms. Here are some of the attributes that workers will need to thrive in an austere economy:

Agility

When the recession hit, a lot of companies discovered that their workforce was poorly configured for a sharp downturn. Many big firms didn't know enough about their workers' skills to move people where they were needed, for example, so they ended up cutting staff by arbitrary percentages or axing whole departments. Then they realized that they had fired people they needed, along with others they could do without. Now, as companies rebuild, they intend to fix that problem. That means there will be fewer full-time hires and more temporary workers, even among managers and professionals. Companies will hire people for particular projects, for example, and maybe even offer some of the same benefits that full-time staffers get. But they'll also retain the ability to quickly downsize without the trauma and expense of a mass layoff. And they'll move people around more frequently, to best match workers' abilities with the company's needs.

Workers will have to get used to less predictable work, more turnover, and careers that could entail several different jobs and even different disciplines. Those who adjust to project-related work without a single, long-term employer could turn out to be appealing hires--and they might learn to enjoy the breaks between jobs. But those who complain about turbulence and insist on a stable, predictable career path could find that nobody's listening--or offering them a job.

Skill Combos

If you're good at one thing--but only one thing--companies might pass you by. In the Accenture survey, for example, companies said that sales, customer service, and finance were their most important functional areas. But lots of people have that kind of experience, and many of them are unemployed. The way to differentiate yourself--and land that job that 150 people applied for--is to develop and highlight two or three different skill sets, such as IT and strategic planning, or sales and logistics. That will make you more valuable to an employer, especially if they need to shuffle workers around. A 2009 study by consulting firm McKinsey found that the highest earners with the best overall prospects have a combination of valuable skills. That's especially true in global companies that need technical experts who are also good at managing the complexities of international supply chains or a dispersed staff. The more things you're good at, the more reasons you give a company to hire you.

Tacit Skills

Companies increasingly value intangible qualities that are hard to put on a resume, like informed intuition, judgment under pressure, ease with clients, and problem-solving abilities. These "tacit" or "cognitive" skills tend to come with experience, but they also accrue to people who seek additional responsibility, volunteer for tough assignments, and are willing to take risks. The McKinsey study, for instance, found "an increasing demand for tasks that require human skills complemented by technology." To build these kinds of skills, work with colleagues who seem to have them and volunteer for projects that will force you to learn new things. To highlight these intangibles for a potential employer, line up references from people who can attest to your tacit abilities and find concrete ways to emphasize how you've solved problems or achieved unconventional results.

A Broad Vision

You might be missing out on a good job simply because you're looking in the wrong field. Most people tend to look for work in the industry they're most familiar with, but with sharp downsizing in industries like construction, real estate, retail, and manufacturing, that can be self-defeating. Cathy Farley of Accenture recommends focusing on your skills--not your job or title--and exploring whether you can apply them in a different field. "If you did supply chain management in manufacturing, maybe look in healthcare," she says. "If you did project management in construction, that could apply in a corporate environment." Companies might even value the perspective of somebody who comes from a different discipline, but it's up to you to suggest the fit and explain why it might work.

Analytics

Whatever your field, chances are there are new data-gathering tools to help assess performance and identify opportunities. The explosion of computer programs and other tools for measuring sales, Web traffic, return on investment, and consumer behavior leaves little in business unexamined--including your own performance. In the past, analytics was often the job of data geeks poring over spreadsheets. But it's becoming everybody's job, and the more you know about your own performance or that of your division, the more likely you'll be able to improve it. Training involves the use of spreadsheets and various computer applications, offered through many companies, community colleges, and training centers. Or teach yourself.

Curiosity

It's not something you'd put on a resume, but an inquisitive mind can help inoculate you against the vicissitudes of a chronically tough job market. "Your greatest defense against what's happening is to be interested in a wide variety of things and be intrigued by things," says business guru Tom Peters, author of The Little Big Things and 14 other books. Curiosity, he says, "will lead you instinctively to talk to people you wouldn't ordinarily talk to, to go farther afield than you might think you should." That's the way to find opportunity, especially when many conventional paths to advancement have narrowed or closed.

Self-Reliance

It's becoming apparent that the big institutions that many Americans have relied on for the last 50 years--corporate America, banks, the government--won't be as supportive in the future. Those who adjust and become more entrepreneurial will be the winners. That means developing more technical skills instead of relying on others, making lots of backup plans, and building a big cushion in case something goes wrong. "Don't get too dependent on having total continuous employment," advises Peters. That way, if you end up out of work for a while, it might seem like more of a blessing than a curse. And you'll know what to do next.

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