Last month in September, Rutherford Cross Consultants, Christina McLean and Harry Young delivered the third instalment of the ‘Getting Application Ready’ session at The University of Strathclyde, this time to second year Accountancy and Finance students.
The session is designed to prepare students with practical tools and insights to help them navigate the early stages of their career journey – from crafting a compelling CV to preparing for interviews and securing the best job opportunities.
The fundamentals of CV writing, emphasising clarity and structure were discussed and the students were encouraged to think of their CVs as tools with tips offered on layout, font choice and content that highlights key achievements, skills and experiences. Additionally, guidance was provided on how to write an effective executive profile and the importance of tailoring applications to specific roles.
The second half of the session focused on interview preparation, including how to make a strong first impression, manage nerves and use body language effectively. The STAR method was introduced as a powerful framework for answering competency-based questions and examples were provided to help students structure their responses with confidence.
Job search strategies were discussed, including how to proactively connect with employers via LinkedIn, attend graduate fairs and leverage personal networks. Labour market dynamics were also explored, along with the importance of resilience when navigating early career challenges.
Finally, the session addressed how AI is increasingly playing a role in CV writing and job searching, helping candidates tailor their applications more effectively and navigate the recruitment process, whilst also encouraging a cautious and informed approach to its use.
Looking ahead with AI, one key takeaway is that the role of an Accountant is evolving – moving beyond traditional number crunching to become more commercially minded business partners, contributing strategically to decision making and driving value across an organisation.
Rutherford Cross would like to thank The University of Strathclyde for hosting us once again and to all the students for their time and engagement.
If you are looking for a new Finance or Accountancy position and want guidance around ‘Getting Application Ready’, please reach out to our team of Consultants: [email protected]
