Dear Abby

DEAR ABBY: What is the “secret sauce” – what differentiates a top performer from someone who is barely scraping by?

The reality is, there isn’t a “secret sauce”. It comes down to good, old-fashioned work. Aside from the day-to-day basics, below are the top 5 actions and mindsets that I’ve found have always elevated my performance and kept me motivated.

Consistent and Persistent

I always joke with that once you speak with me, you never get rid of me ;). Strong focus on consistent, proactive follow ups whether you have their business or not. If you work that hard for them before you are working with them, just imagine how hard you’ll work for them once you’re engaged. Have a hunter mentality constantly. Use your planner/calendar religiously to stay organized and always have a follow up action. Have a positive attitude and understand the big picture of what you do.

Personal Branding

Not everyone will use you for everything they do, but when they do, I want the only name that comes to their head to be me. And make sure you back up what you preach!! Branding may get you in the door, but effective actions will keep you there!

Relationship Building

My goal with almost every business interaction is to build long-term relationships. I never want anyone I work with to feel like they are only a dollar sign or that this is a one-time conversation. I genuinely LOVE getting to know my network, fill my day with real conversations, and build a mutual trusting/professional friendship.

Scarcity Mindset/Gratitude

With every opportunity I work on, I am grateful for the opportunity to have worked it and am constantly humbled by this job every single day, regardless the size of the deal. I never want to take anything for granted and always keep my foot on the gas pedal to make sure I am giving everyone the best experience. There is a lot of competition in any space, I want to make sure that I show them why they chose me and my team and make sure they feel that gratitude and have an exceptional experience. No entitlement here 🙂

Calling the Play and Working Intentionally

Prioritizing what makes the most sense each day to be able to keep a strong pipeline while simultaneously taking care of your clients (whoever they may be). Working intentionally and having a purpose for each action and not doing something just to check a box.

Connect with Prospex Recruiting Today!

What have you seen that has helped you succeed in your role or in general??

Reach out to anyone here at Prospex Recruiting to have an exceptional experience!!

• Whitney Jaques
• Zach Truman
• Amelia Graviet
• Nicole Ehlers
• Talisha Jones
• Lauren Hedin
• Josh Roberts
• Bracken Higginson
• Maloree Johnson
• Maria Battista Foxley

DEAR ABBY: I love having a career but also love being a mom/parent – how do I feel accomplished in both??

There is no right or wrong way to approach this. There is no perfect answer. There is only what is right for you and realizing that as your kids grow and demands change, your solution will need to be fluid.

SACRIFICE

There will always be sacrifice as a parent whether you are in the corporate world or not. When I am home, I try to put my phone down as much as I can and give my kids focused attention – even if it is 10 minutes of undivided attention, I want my kids to know they are important. When you are at the park, play with them. When you’re in the kitchen, have an impromptu dance party. I’ve had to sacrifice different things at different phases. I’ve started my calls at 7:00 am and I’ve logged in after my kids are asleep to get caught up. I’ve passed on different activities with friends to spend time with my kids. I’ve had to consume more caffeine than I’m proud of on sleepless nights to snuggle a sick kid, and I’ve had to take work calls during carpool while trying to mime to my kids that I’m on the phone or locked in my closet to have a quiet environment when I’ve worked from home. AND IT’S ALL BEEN WORTH IT. There are different seasons and the sacrifices will change as your kids grow.

GIVE YOURSELF GRACE

You will have times that you feel like you are dominating everything and times you feel like you are failing at everything. Give yourself grace. Acknowledge the proverbial Mom Guilt, feel it, and then let it go. It won’t always be a perfect balance. Your kids love you. You are doing better than you think you are!

GOOD CHILD CARE SOLUTION

When you have a place where you know your babes are being loved, you can focus on crushing your work. We’ve personally lucked out with childcare that has become part of the family. Our kids have an awesome support system built on a foundation of loving people!

DATE NIGHTS

I have a non-negotiable calendar invite the first Thursday of every month for a date night rotating between each of my girls. These are just as much for me as they are for them. They get to choose the food, the activity, the treat and we get to spend a whole night just having fun together with just the two of us!

FIND A PLACE THAT VALUES HARD WORK AND FAMILY VALUES

Ultimately – work needs to get done. Deadlines need to be hit. Reports need to be delivered. Find a place that allows you to get everything done while giving you the flexibility you need to be the parent you want to be!

Connect with Prospex Recruiting Today!

What have you experienced as a working parent?? How have you allowed yourself to find success in both? I love hearing everyone’s experiences and having this wide-reaching support system!!

Having 11 working parents here at Prospex Recruiting (8 being working moms) – we’d love to talk through anything. Reach out!

• Amelia
• Talisha
• Bracken
• Maloree
• Whitney
• Maria
• Lauren
• Josh
• Zach
• Nicole

DEAR ABBY: I really want to use your agency but we signed an exclusivity agreement with another agency and aren’t seeing any relevant candidates!!

WE DO NOT BELIEVE IN EXCLUSIVITY agreements here at Prospex Recruiting and here is my soapbox as to WHY WE WILL NEVER USE EXCLUSIVITY (or a retainer) as a bargaining chip when working with clients.

Why We Don’t Believe in Exclusivity Agreements

1. We believe that exclusivity gives agencies an excuse to be lazy – it removes any competition and only benefits the agency you’re signing with, not your company.
2. We want to make sure you get the right fit FOR YOU! We hope to be the ones to show you the right candidate, but we want to make sure to show you a killer process, relevant candidates to use to benchmark, and good market intel whether we find the right candidate or you find them through your own efforts.
3. If an agency isn’t delivering the right candidates for you, you shouldn’t be handcuffed to only use them.
4. I’ve seen agencies use exclusivity as a bargaining chip to decrease their rate. We are at a 20% rate, 100% contingent upon us delivering results and will always give our best effort on each position – not just if you agree to give us exclusivity.

Connect with Us

Who has had an experience with signing an exclusive recruiting agreement? We’ve heard more and more horror stories over the past few months of companies signing one and getting horrible results – would love to hear your experience!!

Reach out to me or anyone on my Prospex Recruiting team to talk more in depth about our process and how we can work together to get the right fit for your team!!

• Nicole Ehlers
• Maloree Johnson
• Zach Truman
• Maria Battista Foxley
• Lauren Hedin
• Whitney Jaques
• Bracken Higginson
• Talisha Jones
• Josh Roberts
• Amelia Graviet

DEAR ABBY: I just got #laidoff and I’m freaking out. What are actionable items I can do to level up my job search and make it across the job offer finish line?! 🙊 😭 🤬

LET’S TALK LAYOFFS! They suck. There is no getting around it. They usually aren’t expected by the employees and no one is 💯 safe from them.

Once the shock wears off, here are some proactive actions you can make to elevate your job search!

Expert Advice to Elevate Your Job Search

🐮NETWORK!! Recruiters, former co-workers/bosses, go to events, etc. Get your name out there!! Your likelihood of getting a role drastically increases when you have multiple people working for you. “It’s who you know” is a saying for a reason!

🐷Update your LinkedIn profile! Make yourself easy to find. Have good detail on your LI of what you’ve done in each role – industry, responsibilities, key accomplishments… Ask coworkers or clients to add recommendations on your profile.

🐎Be more active on LI. Allow your name to start having more familiarity around it! Along with this – be cognizant of what you are posting/commenting on LI. I’ve had hiring manager pass on a candidate due to concerning comments they made. Remember that what you type is VISIBLE!

🐮Update your resume and make sure your resume and LI match. If there are discrepancies, this is a huge red flag to a hiring manager that you’re trying to hide something. Anyone on our Prospex Recruiting team can help with a resume review and revision (I have a whole additional post on updating LI and resume).

🐷Be intentional in the positions you are applying for! You’ll have a much better success rate.

🐎Take interviews that you’re called on – especially in the beginning of your search. This will help you see what you want and what you don’t want and will allow you to hone in your interview skills!

🐮When you do get an interview, make sure to do your research on the company and the role. Have good questions to ask and have good examples to share!

🐷Stay positive!! When you start getting down on yourself (which is normal!) feel your feels but don’t stay in them. When you get too down, it shows in the interview. Make sure to have confidence and make sure it’s good fit for you!!

Contact Prospex Recruiting for Help!

This is a scary time – take a deep breath and know you will get through it! Reach out to anyone on our team to help you through this!

• Maria Battista Foxley
• Zach Truman
• Whitney Jaques
• Maloree Johnson
• Lauren Hedin
• Josh Roberts
• Talisha Jones

Share to anyone that needs this! What have you done in a layoff situation that’s helped out?

DEAR ABBY: I’m going to all of the Meet the Firms events and I’m conflicted what type of accounting firm I want to go to! What are the differences between local vs regional vs Big 4?? HELP!

Not all firms are created equal! One isn’t necessarily better than another – it’s a matter of what is best for YOU. Everything in your job search should be focused back on what is best for you and your long-term career growth. Make sure that you have an idea of where you want to be in 5-10 years and target the firms that will allow you to get there; dial in the things you want like: industry preference, size of organization, type of company (high-growth, public, pre-IPO, private, government, etc.), product or service offering, etc. This will allow you to be very intentional in asking the right questions to join the right firm for you.

Local Firms

Great exposure to small to midsize companies and usually focus on partnerships, LLCs, and S-Corps. You can gain great exposure to multiple areas of the company and work with a wide array of companies. Usually have a healthier work/life balance. Ability to work directly with the owners/decision-makers both internally and with your clients to add-value!

Regional Firms

Great exposure to midsize companies with a diverse client/industry portfolio. Great local networking opportunities and heavy focus on training, career development, and many allow you to focus on clients in industries you are interested in. Usually have a healthier work/life balance as well with a bigger focus on employee retention. Ability to create great relationships with clients to impact change. Good benefits!

Big 4

Great training, great exposure to larger companies and public companies. Broad range of specializations. Good national networking and consistent career progression. Great technical focus and credibility. Opportunity to transfer between offices if you have a desire to move around. Provide comprehensive benefit package.

Get Certified

Regardless of the firm – I would STRONGLY encourage you to get your CPA!! Essentially all firms will provide study materials and pay for the first attempt of the exam. Most firms will also pay a bonus for completing your CPA exams.

Work with Prospex Recruiting Today!

All firms have their benefit. If you go where 1) you enjoy the people/culture 2) you like the work/industry/structure you will be doing and 3) comp/benefits make sense, you can’t make a bad choice!

Anyone on our Prospex Recruiting team would love to help walk through what the best direction is for your long-term career goals! Contact us today to start your journey towards success in the accounting industry.

What has your experience been at different types of firms? LOVE hearing from you!