Working At Kargo

Working At Kargo Are you ready to build big ideas for small screens?If yes, then youre in luck Kargo is currently hiringClick here to see all of their available opportunities, and dont forget to press Follow to receive custom job matches, event invitations and more One of the biggest challenges in almost all industries today is achieving gender parity. Gender diversity provides huge benefits in the workplace. pWhile some industries have made significant advancements in gender diversity, some industries lag further behind... and the construction industry is well-known for being in the latter category. If someone says, construction workers, youll likely picture a group of men in yellow hard hats analyzing an architects plans or laying bricks on top of a scaffold. And men at work signs only help to reinforce this image.pThis stereotype is rooted in reality. When welches the last time you actually spotted a woman on a construction site? Or hi red a female plumber or carpenter? Your answer is most likely never. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statisticsreports that only 3.4% of the total of 8.3 million construction employees are women.pBut the construction industry has a lot more to offer than steel-toed boots and hard hats, and it needs women to help advance the industry in this era of rapid change. Here are 5 reasons why women joining the workforce or looking to make a pivot should consider a career in construction.h21. Fuel Innovation/h2pNot only is diversity the socially and morally right thing to do, but it is also actually an excellent business strategy. pResearch presented in the Harvard Business Reviewshows that diverse teams develop more innovative ideas. This is further supported by a study conducted by Gallupon the performance of gender-diverse teams versus single-gender teams, which found that the difference in backgrounds and perspectives led to better business performance and problem-solving. h22. Capitalize on Demand/h2pThe construction industry is currently experiencing a labor shortage. The industry itself is booming and projected to be one of the fastest-growing industries, with total spending projected to exceed $1.45 trillion in 2023/a. However, most construction companies are unable to meet the rising demand. pAccording to the Associated General Contractors of America/a, more than 80% of contractors are experiencing difficulties filling hourly craft positions that represent the bulk of the construction workforce.pAnd demand isnt limited to individual contributor roles. Given the industry boom, there are a number of open stable and high-paying roles (any project managers out there?) waiting for the right candidateh23. Leadership Opportunities/h2pAccording to the Bureau of Labor Statistics/a, women compose only 7.7% of the total 1 million managerial positions in construction.br/pBut given the highly collaborative nature of construction work, more women in leadership roles would help drive innovation and enhance productivity.Furthermore, as a woman in construction in a leadership position, youd have the unique opportunity to drive change for the industry and make it a more attractive option for other women.h24. High-Income Potential/h2pSalaries for many skilled positions in construction are on the rise, making a construction career a prime choice for women looking for a high-paying job,pThe 2018 Construction Craft Salary Surveyconducted by the National Center for Construction Education and Research revealed that salaries for many skilled craft areas are increasing. Project managers and project supervisors topped the list at $92,523 and $88,355, respectively. The next set of highest-paying jobs include those of combo welders ($71,067), instrumentation technicians ($70,080), pipe welders ($69,222), power line workers ($68,262) and industrial electricians ($67,269). Of the 32 categories of workers in the survey, 19 positions earned an average salary of $60,000 or h igher.h25. Sense of accomplishment/h2p The construction industry can give employees a unique sense of achievement. Yes, the job is stressful and the work can be demanding, but nothing beats the feeling of being able to build something from the ground up. pHow many professionals in other industries can point at a school, a hospital, or a skyscraper and say I helped build that?pThe construction industry has a long way to go in combating gender bias and supporting women in the workforce, but given the current demand for workers, theres no better time to pick up a sledgehammer (figurative or literal) and smash the gender stereotypes plaguing the construction industry.

How to Use About.me for Job Searching

How to Use About.me for Job SearchingHow to Use About.me for Job Searching90As a job seeker, you need to have that something special to separate your job application from the others. So even though you redesigned your resume so that its professional and current- and even wrote an amazing cover letter- you can make your job application stand out even more by using About.me for job searching.Using About.me for Job SearchingAbout.me is a free site that allows you to create a one-page snapshot of your professional life. In addition to uploading a friendly photo of yourself, you can write a paragraph describing yourself, your interests, and some of your past accomplishments. You can even include some relevant work tags (such as advertising, social media, accounting, and more) so hiring managers who are searching on social media for potential candidates can find your profile faster.In addition, employers are definitely researching job seekers online, so About.me can act as a great landing page for them to discover you. Include About.me in the contact information on your resume, in your LinkedIn profile, and anywhere else you might be found online.What to Include on Your About.me PageSpeaking of your professional profile, you can actually shine a spotlight on your page- and hopefully get a job. You simply include the details about what kind of job you would like, the workplace skills you possess, and your biggest professional accomplishment. Add previous companies, your education, and links to your work online, too.Check how many people are checking you out by visiting your Stats page. To make sure that your professional contacts on social media can find (and share) your page, you can add your Twitter, Instagram, or even your LinkedIn profile, too.When youre looking for a job, you have to be creative and accessible. Having an online profile on About.me is a great way to use social media in your job search. It can make you more visible to potential hiring managers, sho wcase your skills, and hopefully give you that extra advantage over other potential job seekers.Readers, do you use About.me for job searching? Share a link to your profile and your tips below

9 Great Jobs for Political Science Majors

9 Great Jobs for Political Science Majors9 Great Jobs for Political Science Majors Youve just earned your political science degree - congratulations And if youre wondering what your next step should be, were here with several perfect - and occasionally surprising - options for your first job . Here are nine jobs you might want to get with your new degree.Description As a government affairs director, you would help companies understand and adapt to regulations and government initiatives, as well as lobby government about new or proposed laws. Your understanding of governments inner-workings would be key here.Description Legislative assistants work with elected officials (think senators, assembly members and representatives at all levels of government) to help those legislators perform their jobs to the best of their ability. You might communicate with constituents, research issues, survey residents or officials and prepare briefings, along with myriad other dut ies.Description A policy analyst researches policy initiatives, then presents arguments for and against those initiatives based on that research and critical thinking. And their arguments about policy initiatives could help others advance or thwart those initiatives.Description You know what this job is about because you just snagged your degree A political science professor teaches various aspects of political science to college students.Description Non-profits, charities or foundations that rely on government funding need politically-savvy program coordinators to oversee divisions and help advance their goals. As a program coordinator, you would work with staff - and within budgets - to ensure the success and implementation of specific programs.Description Public relations specialists are responsible for getting media attention for their clients by writing press releases, holding press conferences, hosting events and more. With a political science major, you might work for a government agency, legislator or lobby group in this capacity.Description As a research analyst, you would examine data and generate conclusions - and, by working in the public sector, you could apply your knowledge of government and politics to help various businesses advance their goals through your research and analysis.Description To be an attorney, you would need to go to law school - but with that degree, you could work with legislators and government officials to write bills and legislation. You might also litigate on their behalf, helping to defend their political initiatives.Description Social media managers make sure their clients put their best foot forward on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. With your political savvy, you could help government officials disseminate important information, such as proposed legislation and new regulations, and interact with constituents on social media platforms.

How to Negotiate for a Severance Package

How to Negotiate for a Severance Package How to Negotiate for a Severance Package Negotiating a severance package is one of the most sensitive elements in a salary negotiation. Follow these steps to buy yourself some security.Employment is never certain, and a seemingly perfect position could vanish a year or two down the road. It’s understandable to want some assurance that, if things don’t turn out well, you’re covered. A firm might have a standing severance policy for all employees, but if you’re bringing specific and unique skills to the table to fill a specific and unique role, you might want to push for something more - a negotiated severance.“You have to define what type of employer-employee relationship you’re looking at,” said Adam B. Kaufman, a New York attorney whose practice, Adam B. Kaufman Associates, maintains specialties in contract negotiations and employment law. “The higher the employee, the more leverage the employee has visvis severance and vice versa. If you’re looking at someone who’s a CEO with a 20-year track record r unning a Fortune 500 company, you’re absolutely going to have a severance package up there.”Money is rarely primary consideration when judging whether or not a position can garner a severance package or employment agreement, Kaufman said. The skills, experience and other valuable aspects you bring to a firm mean much more when negotiating severance than the compensation for the position.“You can have a paralegal with a couple years of experience at a New York City law firm making $100,000 a year, and they’ll be working without an employment agreement,” he said. “So it’s not necessarily driven by the amount of money someone is making, but it is driven by the relationship and the importance of the employee in the hierarchy in the organization.“The more highly compensated, the more skilled an employee is, then the better he or she could negotiate a better severance package,” Kaufman said. “It sometimes varies anywhere between one month for every year of service to t he full gamut of rights and benefits under the contract for the duration. If an employee is playing hardball and the company really, really wants him, the employee may be able to negotiate an extremely generous severance package, which might include full salary and benefits for upwards to a year or two years.” Ask for a contract, not a severance Even if you’re in a position to get a severance package, you must be careful to broach the subject without hurting the rest of your negotiation. Kaufman said the severance issue should be openly addressed early in the process, even if the subject is awkward.“The severance issue is obviously one of the most sensitive topics because, by definition, the discussion centers around events leading to termination,” Kaufman said. “What could cause a termination - for cause, without cause - and what are the rights or obligations for both employer and employee, and whether the termination should occur and under what circumstances should occur? The topic of severance should be addressed early on. It’s not necessarily the first topic, but it should be addressed openly.”Employment coach Judy Feld recommends avoiding negative terms outright - including the word “severance” itself - until an offer is made. She suggests negotiating an agreement as part of the employment package, a nd not to emphasize the severance itself.“In my experience the pre-offer conversation should avoid all negative terms, and ‘severance’ is one of them,” Feld said. “It could very well be a deal-killer. On the other hand, it is certainly reasonable to expect some measure of job security when taking on a new position. My clients often ask for a contract or similar agreement to give both parties an expectation of continuity and mutual comfort and commitment to the job. This is a more positive approach, and yet any such contract would contain a severance clause to kick in if the relationship were terminated early. It just takes the emphasis away from the severance (an ancillary clause) and places it on the commitment.”Dr. Alice Waagen, founder of Workforce Learning, recommends exploring what the employer expects from you. If the company expects results that aren’t entirely in your control, she said, you should push for an explicit severance package.“If the expectation is for there to be results that are not fully under the control of the applicant, then a red flag should go up to at least talk about consequences of not achieving those results,” she said. “If I were an applicant for a marketing position and would be required to raise market share by an ambitious number in my first year, but market growth was contingent on the timely release of new products, I would want to discuss how the delay of product release would be factored in to my performance review. You would not want to be the fall guy for a more senior leader who did not perform just because you were the new guy.”Waagen notes that a severance package isn’t always a possibility and agrees that the level of the position and amount of leverage you can exert will determine whether or not you get an agreement.“Yes, people do negotiate for golden parachutes, but only at high-level executive positions,” she said. “Understand that golden parachute packages will only come if you have the upper hand in the negotiations. But with today’s volatile job market, it makes sense to seek some protection in the event that things don’t work out.”Severance packages are an uncertain aspect to any new job. Ideally, they would be included in any offer, but that simply is not the case. If you have the leverage and are valuable enough to the firm, carefully explore the possibility. If you are uncertain, you might have to accept the company’s standing severance policy (if there is any), even for a high-level, $100K+ job.

Listen to the power of quiet people Loud doesnt equal smart

Listen to the power of quiet people Loud doesn't equal smart Listen to the power of quiet people Loud doesn't equal smart Are you an introvert or an extrovert?That’s a tricky question. I have a hard time answering it myself.That’s the problem of binary questions - you are forced to choose one or the other. Being quiet is a choice - you can be more outspoken in specific scenarios or more withdrawn in others.Who you are cannot be limited to one label. Especially, when those labels are loaded terms. Our society favors action versus contemplation - extroverts have a more positive buzz.Quiet people have a unique power - everyone, them included, needs to pay more attention to it.A culture that worships loud peopleOur society has a long tradition of trying to define what’s normal - maybe because we have a hard time accepting that we are all unique.Being left-handed was vigorously oppressed throughout the centuries - lefties were forced to use their right hand to write. Discriminatory practices against left-handers persisted well into the 20th Century.Similarly, people still believe that being an in trovert is not normal - those who act and speak louder are favored.I remember growing-up, classmates would say, “Why don’t you talk more?” I felt something was wrong with me. I enjoyed listening to others, observing the world, and cultivating my inner-self.Through time, I became much comfortable with being exposed. I can do a keynote speech in front of thousands of people or facilitate workshops that put me in a vulnerable position. I don’t have an issue exposing myself - many people now believe I’m an extrovert.So, have I changed?At some point, I became a victim of the push to being more extroverted. I became too loud - I wasn’t listening or reflecting as much as I usually did. In the past year or so, I’ve been finding balance - I recovered the power of being quiet.“Society favors a man of actions versus a man of contemplation.” -  Susan CainThe speaker and author explains on her TED talk how, in the 20th Century, we shifted from a culture of character to one of personality. Being bold, having social influence and charisma became critical traits to define a successful personalityWe have an outdated ‘charisma bias’ towards the loud - there’s a cult for charismatic leaders, but that doesn’t warrant better results.Bill Gates has played a transformational role in the tech world, similar to Steve Jobs. However, in spite of the Gates Foundation social impact, he doesn’t get as much publicity or credit as Apple’s former CEO. Similarly, Steve Wozniak is not as quoted as his co-founder.The press gives the microphone to those who are loud.However, most successful stories are the result of collaborations between both introverts and extroverts. Wozniak says that he would never have become a computer expert had he not been too introverted to leave the house when he was growing up.Quiet people have things to say too and, most of the times, they provide more clarity and depth.Quiet people have a strong voice“There is no such thing as a pure introvert or extrovert. Such a person would be in the lunatic asylum.” -  Carl JungThe terms introvert and extrovert were popularized by Carl Jung in the early 20th century, although both the widespread understanding and usage differ from his original intent. People turned it into a binary approach - you are one or the other.Jung’ suggested that everyone has both extroverted and introverted sides, with one being more dominant than the other.Free yourself from the extrovert or introvert label trap.The Swiss psychologist explained how we recharge our brain differently: Introverts by spending time alone; Extroverts from other people. Similarly, Hans Eysenck proposed that each type has different levels of arousal - their minds and bodies are more responsive to different stimulation.According to the English psychologist, extroverts have a lower rate of arousal. They need to work harder to get stimulated to the same level than introverts. That’s why extroverted people seek b old challenges, new experiences, and crave for company.Conversely, quiet people don’t need others to feel recharged. Their voices are already strong - they don’t need to speak louder. Also, being alone with one’s thoughts can be as restorative as sleeping.Introverts are active when they are quiet.Introverts have a lot to say but also value the power of being quiet. Silence is not the absence of words, but the presence of focus. The only thing introverts hate more than talking about themselves is repeating themselves.Purposeful silence is a beautiful thing“There is always music amongst the trees, but our hearts must be still to hear it.” -  Minnie AumonierBeing quiet is a choice, not a permanent status.Mental noise can destroy our minds, as I wrote here. Silence is an endangered species that we need to take care of. Noise is both a distraction and escapism. Silence is more than the absence of noise - it allows the presence of everything else.For Japanese people, silence is an essential form of non-verbal communication - it’s a sign of respect and personal distance. For Westerners, silence means something is wrong. That’s the biggest mistake extroverts make - they assume that, when people are quiet, it’s because they are doubtful, lonely or suffering.Silence gives you the freedom to be yourself. It’s a beautiful choice that can reap many benefits. You listen more to others. Listening is the most essential part of a conversation. We have two ears and one mouth so we can listen as twice as much as we speak as Epictetus said. You avoid getting involved in ill conversations. The need to speak is an easy trap - we all become victims of our desire to add to the conversation. Gossiping, criticizing, expressing opinions about what we don’t know are clear examples of doing unnecessary talking. You pause and observe life. Talking too much keeps our brain busy. As the Japanese proverb says: “To fill a cup of tea, you have to empty it first.” When you stop talking, you start paying attention to the world around you. You learn from others. Rather than jumping to quick conclusions, you can listen to different voices. Not only you learn from others, but it also helps you walk in their shoes. Understanding diverse perspectives is critical to avoid being judgmental. You can spend more time getting to know yourself. Silence allows your inner-voice to speak up and get familiarized with your inner-self. To know yourself is to accept yourself. However, too much self-examination can kill you, as I explain here. Permanent silence is not always good either - life is a balancing act.Quiet people need more safe timeThe fear of being ignored, criticized, or attacked by others prevent people from sharing their true thoughts.Google research discovered that Psychological Safety can make or break a team. People want to feel safe to express their opinions without the fear of being judged by others.This notion applies to any team - working, sports, friends and family relationships must provide a safe space for everyone to speak up. Quiet people need safe time - let them choose when to talk and respect their opinions.The practice of Psychological Safety encourages two practices.1. Conversational turn-taking: Everyone should have its turn to speak - avoid one person taking over the conversation. Women feel that they are more often being interrupted by men. The same happens to African Americans or Latinos - sometimes being a minority makes you quieter. Encourage a space where everyone’s voice not only can be listened to but also respected.2. Social sensitivity: Any group - socially or at work - should get better at reading non-verbal cues. Not every silence is the same. Understanding the nuances can help you adjust your behavior. Research by Adam Grant has found that introverted leaders often deliver better outcomes than extroverts do because they’re much more likely to let those employees run with their ideas. Whereas extroverts can get so excited that they put their own stamp on things, overshadowing other people’s ideas.Accept quiet people as they are. If you lean towards being an extrovert, don’t expect others to behave as you do.Five ways to give room to quiet peopleQuiet people need space too - just as loud people do. These exercises will help provide it.If you tend to talk too much, they will help you value other people’s silence. If you are on the quieter side of the spectrum, share the exercises with your friends and colleagues.1. No-interruptions rule It’s more difficult for women to earn recognition for making a valuable contribution than it is for men. The same happens to quiet people. Make space for everyone to have its turn to share their thoughts and opinions - everyone should agree to abide by the one-voice-at-a-time practice.A ‘no-interruptions’ rule in meetings or social gatherings helps everyone voices be heard, not just those of loud people.2. Ask for feedback in advance Quiet people don’t like to provide feedback on their feet. They prefer to take time to review information before they share their opinions. LinkedIn launched the “Quiet Ambassador” Network to recognize the voice of introverts versus extroverts and teach leaders how to pull the most out of everyone.Quiet people are given the notes of a meeting in advance so that they can prepare and have a point of view beforehand. Introverts can share their notes and ideas that are added to a website after the meeting.3. Use physical space wisely Humans tend to move from one extreme to the other. In the case of office space, we jumped from closed to open spaces without any balance. Some activities require collaboration among large teams, others small social interactions. Many, demand privacy to reflect quietly on specific issues.Introverts don’t thrive in an extrovert-centric workplace. Create quiet spaces and experiences for both individuals and small teams.4. Recover the value of silence You don’t need to be loud to be smart. Silence adds rhythm and intentionality to your life. When you stop, everything else becomes visible. Encourage those around you to experience how it feels to be quiet but, most importantly, to benefit from silence.Try not speaking for a couple of hours. If you tend to be the first to give an opinion, force yourself to be the last one. Not just to hold your horses, but to actively listen to others. Pay attention. Most of the time silence means that your ideas add nothing to what has already been said. And that’s okay.5. Get rid of the binary approach The introvert versus extrovert thing is doing no one a favor. Choosing sides is never a good thing. Avoid the labels by creating collaboration opportunities. We need both quiet and noise.Organizations of all types must embrace and promote the collaboration between the quiet and the loud. Stop extroverts rules from bullying introverts because they choose silence.- - - Silence is a space. Use it wisely. Invite the unexpected to happen.Create a culture of belonging where everyone feels welcome for whom they are without having to please other people’s expectations.Increase your team self-awarenessDownload  my ebook “Stretch Your Team - how to thrive in a changing world”:  get your free copy.Receive my weekly “Insights for Changemakers”  Sign Up Now.This  article  first appeared on Medium.

Networking Conversation Starters That Wont Bore Everyone

Networking Conversation Starters That Wont Bore Everyone Networking Conversation Starters That Wont Bore Everyone 1Sure, you could begin a networking conversation with “Lovely weather today, isn’t it?” However, mundane icebreakers leave little to build off of, which makes it tougher to accomplish your ultimate goal of forging new relationships. But trying to be witty from the get-go also can backfire. Such openings often come off as unnatural or silly. Unless you’re at Comic-Con, who really wants a stranger asking which superhero you’d most like to be? Strike a balance by trying out interesting, appropriate networking conversation starters. Here are a few networking conversation starters that wont bore everyone in the room: Use variants of “What do you do?” Yes, it is rather standard, but the answer can open up a realm of possibilities. The key is to run in an exciting direction with the learned information. For instance, if you discover someone’s job involves travel, ask him which cities are his favorites to visit. If your new acquaintance is a communications specialist, ask if she has always been interested in that field or if she worked in other industries. You may find out she planned to be a nurse until fainting at the sight of blood! Or try this icebreaker from Patti DeNucci, author of The Intentional Networker. “A woman I met at my gym asked me, ‘So, what do  you do when youre not here?’ Its brilliant and launched a nice friendship. It led to comparing notes on other hobbies and interests (besides working out) as well  as our careers and families. Now we have much more context on which to build additional conversations.” Look for situational cues. Love someone’s necklace? Let her know, and she may provide a fascinating story of when she bought it in Paris. Just finished listening to a speaker? Ask the person sitting next to you for her take on a particular point. From a unique painting on the wall to the awesome food at the buffet, topics are waiting. Demonstrate cordial excitement. “If you see someone at an event you’ve always wanted to meet or someone you admire, it’s okay to approach them politely and strike up a conversation,” DeNucci says. “Tell the person something you admire or appreciate about them. Keep it brief. Perhaps something like, ‘Excuse me, Ms. Jones? My name is Jenny Smith. You don’t know me, but I am a fan of your work and I just wanted you to know how much I enjoyed and benefited from your book.’ Chances are if you are gracious and considerate, they’ll really appreciate meeting you.” Address the elephant. Totally stuck? Awkwardness abounds at networking events, so others oftentimes will simply be glad that you have the guts to make the first move. Try a few gems from this Muse article: Im trying to make myself meet new people here instead of just talking to the usual suspects. Do you mind me saying hello and introducing myself? Ill be honest,  the only person I know here is the bartender,  and I just met him two minutes ago. Mind if I introduce myself? “If there is one question you do not want me to ask you, because you are sick and tired of answering it, what question would that be?” “The main thing is to show genuine interest in others and offer follow up questions,” DeNucci says.  â€œInterestingly, a good listener is  often considered the most charming and  fascinating person in the room!”

Bookkeeper Salary Benchmarks in Houston

Bookkeeper Salary Benchmarks in Houston Bookkeeper Salary Benchmarks in Houston Amber Watts has been finding bookkeepers for Houston companies for more than a decade. What’s her takeaway? Smaller companies are the ones that need bookkeepers with the highest skill level. “There are limited resources at small companies,” says Watts, a Robert Half metro market manager. “And, in many cases, small business owners aren’t familiar with accounting. They need that support from a good bookkeeper.” But, alas, good bookkeepers are hard to find in Houston, the largest metropolitan area in Texas. At the city’s heart is the energy industry, with headquarters for notable names like Phillips 66, ConocoPhillips, Halliburton and Marathon Oil. Add NASA, numerous universities, manufacturers, financial centers and healthcare providers to the mix and you have a city where employers compete heavily for skilled bookkeepers and other accounting and finance professionals. Can’t keep a strong city down Starting wages in Houston run about 7 percent above the national average. The city’s unemployment sits even with the national figure (both at 4.1 percent as of this writing), which is down from a year ago and signals a thriving economy. Even Hurricane Harvey in August, the costliest natural disaster in the U.S. to date, dampened local economic activity for only a month. By October, the metro area had added 27,000-plus new jobs - more than making up for September’s losses. Positive economic news is certainly good for business, but it presents hiring managers with additional challenges. As the candidate pool shrinks, this can lead to a dearth of skilled people, especially those with the most in-demand experience. Bookkeeper salary levels The projected bookkeeper salary in Houston is $41,500 at the midpoint, according to the 2019 Salary Guide for Accounting and Finance Professionals. If you’re hiring for entry-level positions or roles in small organizations, wages could be 25 percent less. But be prepared to compete with other employers for new hires with in-demand skills like data analysis - or those applying for full-charge bookkeeping positions with large corporations. In those cases, starting salaries can be considerably higher. Candidates with professional certifications, such as those from the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers (AIPB) or the National Association of Certified Public Bookkeepers (NACPB), may also expect higher salaries. GET THE 2019 SALARY GUIDE What to look for in a bookkeeper A bookkeeper’s duties include managing accounts payable and receivable, recording financial transactions, entering data, reconciling accounts, and assisting with financial reporting and tax preparation. Top candidates tend to have the following skills and experience: At least three years of experience in general accounting, accounts payable or accounts receivable Experience with QuickBooks Expertise with Microsoft Office, especially Excel Familiarity with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems like SAP and Oracle Strong analytical and research skills Attention to detail Ability to handle multiple projects An associate’s or bachelor’s degree is preferred, though a high school diploma is the usual basic requirement Benefits: a look beyond salary Candidates in the Houston market may field multiple job offers, so it’s crucial that employers offer an attractive compensation package that includes more than just a competitive salary. Benefits and perks - such as flexible scheduling to promote work-life balance - are especially important for startups and small businesses, which must compete with multinational corporations for talent. For employers, retention continues to be a top priority. Talented bookkeepers and accounting assistants may not be content to stay in these roles for the long term. Discussing their career path, along with getting them the professional development they need to keep their career moving upward, is a great way to keep top performers motivated and loyal. Hot industries for operational accounting The demand for accounting and finance professionals is especially strong in the healthcare, real estate, nonprofit, construction and technology sectors. An increased desire for consumer transparency in costs and expenses has led to the need for additional operations staff in the healthcare field, creating yet more competition for experienced candidates. Hiring in the energy industry had slowed in recent years, but as the price of crude oil inches up, demand is growing again in the Houston market - especially for operational accounting roles. The need to act fast The Houston hiring market is active, and even if you're looking to bring in temporary professionals or considering a temp-to-hire strategy, employers need to act quickly to land skilled talent, Watts warns. “If an employer waits too long on a strong candidate,” she says, “someone else will interview them and make them an offer.” Need help with your search? Take a look at our Houston bookkeeper candidates.