Finding the Right Fit

Finding the Right Fit

Helpful strategies for landing the perfect internal audit job.

Internal auditing is a growing industry, with a high job satisfaction level and an increasing salary range. Whether you're looking to break into the field or searching for a more fulfilling position, the job hunt can be an intimidating process. Competition is tough, so it's important to be thorough in your job quest and use every tool available to increase your edge over other candidates. Finding the perfect position in an organization can lead to a long and satisfying career. Knowing the right way to approach job-hunting, from résumé writing to interviewing, will put you ahead of the pack.

The Résumé and Cover Letter

Top Five Résumé Writing Tips
(Source: Job Hunting for Dummies)

  • Avoid the first person pronoun.
  • Keep sentences short and don't worry about fragments.
  • Use plain English.
  • Use bullet statements when appropriate.
  • Go from general to specific.
Résumés should be seen as a tool to sell yourself as the ideal fit for a position. Highlight your accomplishments and keep in mind that the purpose of the résumé and cover letter is to land the interview. "Résumés and cover letters should tell the employer what makes you uniquely qualified for the position," says Paul McDonald, executive director of Robert Half Management Resources. "You should highlight special certifications that are relevant to the position and any contributions to a current or past employer that have resulted in cost or time savings, and mention aspects of your job that reinforce your communication or soft skills."

"Companies look for familiar company names you have worked for in the past to determine the relevance of your experience," says Shawn Desgrosellier, chief leadership officer at Kaye/Bassman International Corp., an executive recruiting company in Plano, Texas. "Place the most relevant company name/employer at the top of your résumé to get their attention quickly."

Print out the job description and create a list of the specified skills and experience required, then go through them point-by-point to be sure you have the necessary attributes for the position. To get some ideas, visit www.resumania.com, a site that provides examples of what not to write on a résumé.

"Accuracy is critical. Be sure your résumé is void of all grammatical errors," Desgrosellier adds, "Honesty is also very important. I see job seekers disqualified when there was something the job seeker failed to add to their résumé like a position or they modified their title to look like a stronger candidate for the position."

Cover Letter Tips from
Robert Half International

  • Tailor the cover letter to the position and organization.
  • Don't rehash your résumé in the cover letter. Focus instead on key aspects of your background that relate directly to the job opportunity.
  • Address the letter to the person hiring for the position.
  • Be sure to proofread and check spelling. It's a good idea to have someone else read it, too, in case you overlooked something.
The cover letter is the first impression the hiring manager has of you, so it's an ideal way to start your relationship with the organization on a strong note. "I look for things in the cover letter that may not be normal to include in a résumé, such as why a candidate is in the job market, special or unique interests of the candidate and why he or she is interested in my organization," says Steven Jameson, executive vice president, chief internal audit and risk officer for Community Trust Bancorp Inc. in Pikeville, Ky. "The more closely the cover letter and résumé align with the position requirements, the more attention I give it," adds Mark Brinkley, CIA, CFSA, Director, Internal Audit for Zurich North America.

The Interview

Job interviews are one of the most important steps in the job-hunting process and provide the perfect opportunity for you to present your skills and experience and explain why you're a good fit for the organization. Unfortunately, in a recent survey conducted by Robert Half Finance and Accounting, one-third of the chief financial officers polled say prospective candidates make the most mistakes during the interview. "The interview begins as soon as you arrive at the employer's office, making it imperative to project enthusiasm and confidence from the moment you walk in the door," McDonald says. "The beginning of the interview often sets the tone for the entire discussion. As a result, you should devote extra attention to preparing for the opening questions. Because impressions are formed so quickly, some of the finer details of the meeting — such as your appearance and the opening handshake — can play an important role." The interview is your chance to gather information about the job, the organization, and future career opportunities to figure out if the position and work environment are right for you. Think of an interview as a highly focused professional conversation.

"Interviews that stand out have a few commonalities," Jameson says. "The candidate is at ease and well-spoken, and is able to carry on a good conversation and hold up his or her end of the interview. The candidate is able to ask some relevant questions and is not overly concerned about some minor aspect of the job or benefits. Often it is not so much a matter of having the perfect answer to every question, but being able to provide an honest, well-worded response that is more important."

Jameson adds that personality and attitude are important. “How the candidate would fit in with the other existing team members is a critical aspect,” he says.

"When preparing for a job interview, be sure to research the organization and get a firm grasp of what it does, the industry in general, and the specifics of the position for which you're applying," Desgrosellier says. Research the employer in trade publications, business journals, and local publications, as well as by networking with your contacts, to learn as much as you can about the organization. A simple search of the company's name on a Web search engine should yield timely information to help you get acquainted with the business.

One of the best ways to show you are interested in a job is to demonstrate that you have researched the organization before the interview, according to McDonald. Some good questions to ask include:

  • What are the company's long-term growth objectives?
  • How does the position fit into the company's overall strategy?
  • What are the expectations for the position? What constitutes superior performance?

If there are questions that you're not sure about, it's a good idea to ask a follow-up question — it will buy you some time and show the interviewer that you want to be sure you understand what is being asked so you can provide an appropriate answer. Rehearse with a trusted colleague to boost your confidence.

Networking

Networking continues to be one of the top ways to find a job. "I find networking to be a great tool," says Rebecca A. Goza, CIA, CISA, CFE, CGEIT, director, Internal Audit Services for the American Cancer Society in Oklahoma City. "I have networked with other internal auditors and used them as reference points for internal audit jobs in their companies."

Social networking has also become a popular way to stay in touch and to reach out to those who might be able to help you with your job search. Sites such as www.LinkedIn.com, Facebook, and MySpace offer opportunities to contact and connect with professionals all over the world. Using discussion forums in professional organizations is also a great way to discover openings or find advice from others. Goza says online tools are a must and joined LinkedIn as a way to stay connected to other professionals. "Networking can be a great way to identify opportunities through a common acquaintance, and with LinkedIn and other social networking sites you can accomplish this without leaving your home office," Desgrosellier says.

The Follow-up

Upon the conclusion of the interview, be sure to reiterate your interest in the job and ask about the next step in the process and the time frame for filling the position. Remember, even if you don't get the job, some of the contacts you make during the process might be valuable sources for future networking opportunities. McDonald suggests following up within 24 hours of the interview with a short thank-you note to each person who interviewed you. Goza agrees. "Candidates that write a thank you letter after interviewing stand out from the others and show professional courtesy," she says.

A Bright Future

Putting all of these aspects together can help you find a job you will enjoy and that suits both your needs and that of the organization. "When everything clicks it is usually easy to make a decision about the candidate very quickly," Jameson says. "On occasion I have been in a position to offer a candidate the job on the spot."

Finding a job is harder in todays' world and competition is very stiff. So, do not get disheartened if you don't get the first job you apply for. If at first you don't succeed, keep trying. After all, according to Desgrosellier, "Persistence is everything!"