December 4 2004 - A recent survey finds that industry experience can make
all the difference in getting a job. More than a half, 55%, of chief financial officers (CFOs)
polled by Robert Half International Inc., a major staffing service specializing in the accounting, finance and
information technology fields, rated industry-specific experience as the most important characteristic, compared with just 1% for people skills.
Conducted by an independent research firm, the poll includes responses from 270 CFOs from a stratified
random sample of Canadian companies with more than 20 employees.
CFOs were asked, "If two
candidates interviewing for an accounting or finance position had similar
skills, which one of the following additional qualifications would you find
most valuable?" They gave the following responses:
Industry-specific experience
Software/technology knowledge
Certification or advanced degree
International experience
Multilingual skills
Personality/people skills
|
55%
24%
13%
4%
3%
1%
----
100%
|
"Executives value job candidates who understand the issues and challenges
specific to their industries and who can contribute immediately to the
company's success," said Max Messmer, chairman and CEO of Robert Half
International Inc. and author of Job Hunting For Dummies(R) (John Wiley &
Sons, Inc.).
Messmer added, "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 and also can
collaborate with IT staff in implementing upgrades and systems conversions
to increase operational efficiencies."