Now that you're among the select few who can use those two characters CA, let this sink in. Cracking those three levels of CA was never easy, with CA Finals being the toughest. It's a moment of pride & job for you & your parents. Look back & reflect on all the sacrifices you made, all the grunt work you went through during your articleships, the all nighters you put in during the exams - Everything was worth it.
But frankly speaking now it boils down to one thing - Kahan pe Job laga?
12%+ CAs cleared both Groups of CA Final May 2017 (ICAI has distorted this number to 23%)! So now there will be 8,000 CAs competing for the 1500-2000 Decent jobs available. There's a lot to be done on your part!
Go through the Kare Toh Kya Karein - After CA Exams (v1) to get a fair idea about what all you could have done in the last 2 months.
Here is a complete account of what I should have done, once I cleared my CA Final -
1) Make a 1 Pager Resume
I can't stress more on how important your resume is. These 35-40 Lines are the only point of contact between you and the recruiter. If you don't work on preparing & drafting it well, the recruiter won't spend time reviewing it.
Limit your resume to 1 page. The thumb rule is 1 Page for 5 Years of Experience & you're a fresher! Interviewer won't turn & see your second page.
Try to add ALL RELEVANT details into that piece of paper. You would have done a lot of things in life - Think & Introspect.
You might have worked on a lot of clients during your articleships. Highlight the work according to the Job Profile you're aiming for. Eg - If you want to get into Taxation, highlight only the projects you had done that was remotely related to Taxation.
Don't make that mistake of simply copying a "Objective paragraph" from the Resume of your friend. Either chuck the Objectives or write something relevant.
Try to frame your points so that someone reading it, gets hooked till the end. Use POWER WORDS - you'll get a lot of them online. Use Quantitative details in your resume, so that the recruiter understands the scale of your work & achievements.
Don't Try to fake any details - 2 follow up questions & you'll be left embarrassed.
Use One Font, One Letter Size, One Format throughout your resume.
Try to end every single point in one single line. People reading the resume don't jump to the second line - They just skip it.
Make 2 Resumes as per the profile you're targeting - Eg - One for the Audit Profile & Other for the Mergers & Acquisition Profile.
Bonus - Try to make a 2 Pager CV first - Include all relevant & Irrelevant details of your life. Delete all irrelevant points & Squeeze the rest into 1 Page. That works perfectly.
<Click on the image to Download the Draft Resume>
2) Get a Mentor
Approach your seniors who have gone through the Process. Cold call people, ask them for help. The process of getting a Job is Frustrating, Messy, Dirty, Depressing, Challenging, Worthwhile & <add any other adjective>. Try not to jump into this journey alone. Seek for guidance, & you'll receive it.
3) Create a Profile (Brand yourself.) There are a lot of job recruitment websites out there. Upload your details right now.
FastCareers/FastIndia
CaJobPortal
Naukri
iimjobs
phenomplacement.com
LinkedIn Profile: Along with this create a Professional LinkedIn Profile with all your achievements & CV Attached. You never know where some recruiter might solicit you.
For free Mentorship from our Team regarding making the most out of LinkedIn refer details below.
4) Work on Group Discussion Skills. Most of us have average or poor communication skills. Chartered Accountant aren't expected to be a Good Presenter. But most companies use Group Discussions to weed out the crowd. So you don't really have an option but to be good at those GDs.
Join a Interview Training Institute, if possible. If you're really bad at your communication skills, take the services of an Individual Trainer. It's worth it.
Practise GDs with your friends, and ask them to judge you. Use modern day tools like skype & whatsapp to conduct Mock GDs
Join a Toastmaster Club to improve your communication skills
Use tools available online, to get a knowledge about the topics you can expect in a Group Discussion
"Almost all companies in Campus Interviews conduct a Group Discussion. And they reject more than 50% of the candidates out there. Companies like Marico & BPCL ask Case studies in this round. Olam International conducts 2 Group Discussions!"
5) Work on Interview Skills. Most Job Interviews of Chartered Accountant are focused on Technical Questions. You won't really be judged on the HR Questions.
Gain knowledge about the work & clients you handled in during your articleships
Be thorough with Technical stuff like Taxation & Law. Revise the books again
Gain DETAILED clarity on GST & IFRS. Do a online course if possible. You'll surely be asked questions on this in your interviews
Be thorough with the Question - "Tell me about yourself?" This is probably the only HR Question you'll come across. Also note down briefly your replies to other questions like, Your Strength, Weakness, Accomplishments, Future aspirations
6) Others
If you're still doing your articleships, try to maintain good terms with your partners - You never know you might end up working there.
Try to complete your GMCS & ITT as soon as possible - now that it has become compulsory before Campus Placements.
If you want to go for Higher Studies - IAS or MBA - Start working on it right now. Check the deadlines for the exam registration, take up coachings.
Look into this - Companies that Recruit CA - This will give you a fair idea of the Companies that you might get into after two month.
Here's a timeline detailing what the process is & how it works - Get into the process right now - The more you delay, the tougher it will get.
You'll regret clearing CA in this attempt if you don't get a Expected Placement. Try not to be complacent. Celebrate for a day or two & get back to work. Welcome to the CA Fraternity!