Industry experience important in job hunt





Personality may be a plus, but it won’t necessarily land you the job. In a recent survey, 41 percent of chief financial officers said that industry experience is the factor most likely to tip the scales in an applicant’s favor, while only 1 percent of executives cited people skills. Thirty-three percent of respondents said job applicants with software and technology expertise have an advantage.


The survey was developed by Robert Half International Inc., a staffing service specializing in the accounting, finance and information technology fields. The survey was conducted by an independent research firm and includes 1,400 responses from a stratified random sampling of U.S. companies with more than 20 employees.


Max Messmer, chairman and CEO of the company, said, "Executives value job candidates who understand the issues and challenges specific to their industries and who can contribute immediately to the company’s success. As organizations face mounting pressure to meet corporate governance regulations and ensure the security and integrity of their financial data, technical aptitude becomes particularly important. Employers seek accounting professionals who are proficient with the latest database applications and enterprise resource planning programs."



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