Author: WAI Staff

Whitman Associates is a professional staffing agency serving businesses and job seekers in the Washington, D.C. area. Since 1972, we’ve been dedicated to matching highly qualified candidates with a wide variety of temporary, temp-to-hire and permanent positions. We prioritize the needs of both our clients and candidates to ensure successful, lasting relationships.

Temp of the Month July 2022: Doris Collins

WAI Staff

Doris retired four years ago after working in senior management positions in private industry. Her positions were through Whitman Associates. She is also an Air Force veteran. During the school year, she works as a substitute teacher and teaches 5th – 6th grade Sunday School. Doris is also completing her Bachelor of Science degree in Special Education.

Doris continues to work for Whitman and especially enjoys working special events assignments. She enjoys crafts and is an avid reader. Additionally, every chance they get, she and her husband spend time in North Carolina and traveling throughout the United States, especially in Florida and Virginia Beach.

Creating Your Ideal Work Environment

WAI Staff

Most professionals who work full-time office jobs spend the majority of their week sitting at a desk or in a cubicle. For this reason, it’s important to have an organized work space that encourages good habits and helps you maintain a positive attitude.

This can be even more important with the rise of remote and hybrid work. The ideal work environment can be difficult to achieve if your “home office” is a corner of your dining table. Regardless of where you work, creating a clean, organized work space benefits both your productivity and your mood. Here are some of our favorite tips and tricks for creating your ideal work environment.

woman working home office

1. Stay Organized

A disorganized mess on your desk can lead your thoughts to also be disorganized. Having an organized workspace can help you keep your mind organized.

2. Keep a pen and paper handy

You never know when you might have to jot down a few notes, so make sure you always have a pen and piece of paper readily available.

3. Post some motivation on your wall

Remind yourself why you are working so hard. Posting a picture of your dream vacation location or some other goal that you are working towards.

4. Leave a stack of your business cards out

This won’t apply to everyone, but if you work on-site this is always a good rule of thumb. You never know when the new boss might swing by your desk or when a client might come visit, so always have your business cards the ready.

5. Stay Inspired

There are lots of different ways to stay inspired at work. For some folks, achieving work goals can be inspiring. For others, it could be pictures of a favorite place, an inspirational quote or message that you keep in your work space to help you maintain your positive attitude. If you don’t always work in the same place, be sure to personalize your desktop background so you can stay inspired wherever you’re working that day.

6. Avoid distractions

While a stress ball is okay to have in your desk drawer, try to avoid having too many little toys or other distractions around. Even the smallest of distractions can end up sucking up too much of your time. Another distraction to be wary of is your cell phone, it’s all too easy to check a notification, and end up scrolling. To keep yourself organized within your work space, consider putting notifications on do not disturb so you won’t be tempted during your workday.

7. Surround yourself with familiar faces

Put up a few pictures of your friends, family, or pets. Smiling faces will be guaranteed to boost your mood during a long day in the office.

Organized desk with notepad and plant

8. Include some nature

Keeping flowers or a small plant on your desk can help to connect you with nature while you are cooped up in your office all day. Also there are studies showing that plants can help boost your mood by releasing oxygen and can absorb toxins in the air. What better way to achieve an ideal work environment than to actually feel happier at work!

We hope these tips help you set up your ideal work environment whether you’re in an office cubicle, a coworking space or your home office!

Tips For Job Searching While Employed

WAI Staff

Not all job seekers are unemployed. In fact, a large number of people are job searching while employed. These professionals are looking to make a change from their current positions. Job seekers who are looking for a job while employed must effectively balance their current role while searching for their new role. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

Someone typing looking for a job while employed

1. Don’t search for jobs while on the clock

This may seem like a no-brainer, but be sure you keep your current job separate from your job hunt. Your current employer is paying you to work for them, not to job hunt. While employed, do all of your applying and looking for a job on your own time.

This doesn’t just apply to browsing job boards, but also be sure not to use your work phone, email or computer when corresponding with potential employers. Only use your personal contact information when applying for jobs or updating your resume. Within most companies, you are not the only person with access to your work email and call records.

If your employer discovers you’ve been searching for a job while employed and on the clock, it’s likely to be labeled as time theft which can result in a write up or even termination. Looking for a job while employed must be done on your own time.

2. Be considerate of your current employer when scheduling interviews

If you get the opportunity to interview with a new company, whether in person or on the phone, try to schedule it so that you don’t need to take a whole day off from work. It’s best practice to limit how much your job hunt interferes with your current role. That way, you can seek the job you want without tarnishing your reputation at your present place of employment.

While still employed, it is ideal to schedule interviews over your lunch break so that you don’t have to take any time off while job searching. If that is not a possibility, you should try to schedule interviews from your job search first thing in the morning or at the end of the day, so that you can either come in a little late or leave a little early, so as not to miss much work while you are looking for a job.

3. Give plenty of notice before quitting

If you do end up accepting a job offer, make sure to give your current employer plenty of notice. Two weeks notice is the generally acceptable amount of time, but every situation is different. Oftentimes you will help to train the person moving into your job. The more time you have to do this, the more seamless the transition will be. Your current employer will value your dedication, and your new employer will see that you are a loyal employee.

Keyboard with button reading Find Job

4. Utilize a staffing agency like Whitman Associates!

Lastly, using a staffing agency like Whitman Associates can take some pressure off your job searching. Job searching while employed full time can feel like another full time job. Work smarter, and have a staffing agency like us help you with your search. With a large client pool, staffing agencies see new jobs all the time. If you’re looking for a job while employed, get started with Whitman Associates by checking out our current job listings and emailing your resume to resumes@whitmanjobs.com.

How To Become a Recruiter With No Experience

WAI Staff

Thinking about becoming a recruiter but not sure if you’ve got what it takes? You may be wondering, how do I become a job recruiter? Recruiting can be a great field to enter. It has tons of transferable skills and lots of upside benefits. Plus, many recruiters are paid bonuses for filling positions. All in all, it’s an excellent field to enter. But many people think it requires a specific educational background or work experience. Not true! Read on to learn three tips on how to become a recruiter with no experience.

1. Make Sure You Have the Personality

Two men shaking hands

Before exploring how to become a recruiter for jobs, let’s make sure it’s the right field for you. One of the biggest factors in determining if you would be a good recruiter is your personality. While you don’t necessarily have to be an extrovert, some key personality traits are must-haves if you want to learn how to qualify for recruiter jobs in Washington, DC (or anywhere). You’ll need:

  • An eye for matchmaking — Do you just have the instinct for seeing when two people will be a good fit? If so, then you already have what it takes. How to get into recruiting with no experience won’t be difficult with these qualities.
  • Recruiters have to be able to assess personalities and skill sets and match them to positions they will be successful in. 
  • Social media chops — When mapping out how to become a recruiter with no experience, it helps to be comfortable on social media. In today’s world, social media networking is one of the biggest ways that recruiters find matches. So being tech-savvy, having a large following, and knowing how to use your contacts to bring in others are a must. 
  • Positivity — If you don’t have a positive attitude, even during the worst of times, it’s hard to convince anyone of anything. Since so much of a recruiter’s job is hyping up people and positions under any circumstance, a positive attitude is non-negotiable.

2. Make Sure You Have the Education

When contemplating how to become a recruiter with no experience, the next question is whether you need the right degree. Education is a tricky one, because there is no degree in recruitment. So what field should you study? Essentially, you need some education. Recruiters frequently have bachelor’s degrees in HR or management, but this is absolutely not necessary. Do you have a degree in an engineering or science field? Recruit for a tech company.

Are you wondering, how do I become a job recruiter in the education field? Look for a position at a university. Even a lawyer is qualified to be a recruiter. They could work for a law firm or governmental agency. If a field exists in which people need to be hired, then that field’s educational background would work well for recruiting. In short, if you want to know how to become a recruiter with no experience, you probably need an education — but the sky’s the limit on what that education looks like. 

3. Make Sure You Have the Skills

Group of colleagues chatting around a table

When researching how to get into recruiting with no experience, here are four important skill sets that every prospective recruiter must have:

  • Sales Skills — Sales is the number one skill you must have when you want to learn how to become a recruiter with no experience. Recruiting is selling a job to a candidate and a candidate to an employer. If you want to prepare yourself for recruiting, go get a sales job … any sales job. Work at a clothing store and practice making people feel good about what they try on. Work at an electronics store and learn how to match people to the products they need. Try selling cars or other big-ticket items. Whatever sales skills you can develop will go a long way to helping you excel at recruiting.
  • Networking Skills — Networking is not only how to become a recruiter with no experience, it is essential to the success of a recruiter. You have to meet people to connect with people, and that means attending many social gatherings, and doing them well. Looking for a fast track answer for how do I become a job recruiter? Hone your networking skills. Go to networking events both online and in person, create and practice your elevator pitch, volunteer for organizations that you’re passionate about and any other activity that will put you in front of people.. Whatever networking you do will make you a better fit for recruiter jobs in Washington, DC. 
  • Project Management Skills — When looking at how to become a recruiter, you can’t overlook the ability to skillfully manage projects. The recruitment process is essentially a big project. A need is found. A job description is created. The job is posted. The candidates are recruited. Interviews occur. A match is made. Each of these moving parts requires a keen eye for detail and project management to keep the process on track and on time. You’re a step ahead in addressing how to become a recruiter with no experience if you have a knack for managing projects and people. 
  • Resume Writing Skills — Finally, building your own perfect resume is a great way to showcase your talents. Part of learning how to get into recruiting with no experience is to highlight the experience you do have in the best possible light. Your resume should highlight your initiative, your ability to prioritize and multitask, and your communication skills. And as a recruiter, you can put those resume writing skills to use helping others with their resumes!

How Do I Become a Job Recruiter? 

The question of how to become a recruiter with no experience may seem challenging at first. However, by following the guidelines we’ve shared, it’s a fairly straightforward path. Whether you’re seeking recruiter jobs in Washington, DC or elsewhere, following these tips will help you to launch a career in recruitment.

If recruiting sounds like the career of your dreams, don’t let a lack of experience stop you from going for it. Be proactive and apply to as many organizations that you can and be persistent. Temp agencies like Whitman Associates in the Washington, D.C. area frequently post recruiting jobs. One trick in learning how to become a recruiter with no experience is to begin with temporary employment. Temp jobs are typically easier to get and are great for resume and experience building. Check the job listings regularly and apply to each relatable posting. With a little front-end effort, you can chart your own course and learn how to become a recruiter faster than you think!

6 Remote Interview Tips To Nail Your Next Video Interview

WAI Staff
A woman showing excitement and engagement

You’ve got the interview of your dreams, but they only conduct online interviews. In today’s job market, it makes perfect sense. You could be interviewing for a remote position on the other side of the country, or your interview panel may be in various locations. Whatever the reason, video interviews are a standard part of the interview process, so you need to be prepared with video interview tips for remote interview questions and answers. A video interview is much different from an in-person interview. Here are six remote interview tips to make sure you show your best self online:

1. Prepare, prepare, prepare.

You can never (and we do mean never) be over-prepared for an interview. You need to make sure your equipment is ready. Check your internet connection, lighting, video and sound. Make sure you have a full battery on your phone or laptop. Be punctual when logging into a Zoom meeting. Video interview tips include practicing talking via Zoom or another online meeting platform to make yourself more comfortable with the technology. You want to make an outstanding first impression, and being late due to technological issues may negatively affect your interviewer’s perception of you.

Often overlooked in remote interview tips is having your documents ready to share. Just as you prepare for remote interview questions and answers, you should be ready to email your interviewers a copy of your resume, cover letter, references, and sample of your work. Don’t assume they will all have these things sitting before them. Preparation is one of the best ways to express your passion for the role you’re interviewing for. 

Additionally, think ahead of time about all possible scenarios for the interview, such as a request to share your screen. A smart remote interview tip is to keep other applications and browser windows closed so that if you have to share your screen, you’re not sharing anything personal that you don’t want your potential employer to see. Regarding remote interviews, preparation is the most essential ingredient to success.

A microphone and chair to practice interviewing

2. Be purposeful about what you show your interviewer.

You want to make a good impression. One way is by asking your remote interview questions and answers. Another video interview tip is that your video background and environment should reflect your professional qualities. Make sure it’s neutral and without distraction. Want one of our best job remote interview tips? Don’t use a picture of a tropical island or your dog Fluffy (no matter how cute he is!). Moreover, whatever you do, don’t use a video background. Select a neutral, clean and clutter-free space. 

Don’t have that at home? Consider a study room at your local library. Just ensure the lighting is good and the area is free from distractions (this includes windows with lousy lighting or distracting actions like cars driving by). Ensure your mobile’s notifications are silenced! Nothing is more annoying than the constant beeps signaling your latest TikTok post is blowing up. Use these remote interview tips if you want to impress your interviewer.

3. Wear professional attire.

Sure, things are more casual now than they have been in the past, but the fact is that your prospective employer has to see you as professional and trustworthy. Not only can you express this via your remote interview questions and answers, but these attributes are also directly reflected in your attire. One of the most essential video interview tips is always dress as you would for an in-person interview. While that doesn’t always mean wearing a full suit, it should mean that you’re dressed professionally and appropriately based on the job you are seeking. 

Our job remote interview tips wouldn’t be complete without saying that you shouldn’t assume you will only be seen from the chest up. It can be tempting to dress more casually from the waist down, but always think your outfit will be visible to your potential employer.

4. Engage the interviewer.

Video interviews can be challenging, but this is essential in our remote interview tips. It’s hard to come across as excited and interested during remote interview questions and answers when sitting on your living room sofa. Still, you must engage your interviewer and show real excitement for the position you’re interviewing for. To do this, don’t sit back with your arms crossed. Instead, sit forward on your chair with good posture. One of our best video interview tips is smiling and demonstrating positive body language and behavior. Don’t cross your arms, and don’t be afraid to use your hand to gesture as you speak (just don’t overdo it!).

A businesswoman on her laptop while drinking coffee

5. Make eye contact.

This one is tough but essential in our remote interview tips: Look directly into the camera. When you’re not looking at the camera, you’re not making eye contact. That’s a big no-no in the interview world. Always remember to look directly into the camera when answering a question. This can take some practice, especially if you’re on a computer. You can also try using a cell phone instead of an entire computer. The phone’s small screen size will make it easier to come across as having good eye contact, but be sure that it is in a stable position. Regarding remote interview tips, it’s helpful to consider how in-person interview strategies could carry over while engaging in remote interview questions and answers.

6. Don’t forget that you’re an asset.

Finally, our video interview tips would not be complete with reminding you that you are an asset and that your potential employer would be lucky to have you. While you don’t want to come across as arrogant, you do want to remember that the interview process goes both ways. You should be interviewing your potential employer as much as they are interviewing you. Don’t sell yourself short — this is an underrated but essential remote interview tip. Come up with a list of your assets that make you the perfect fit for the job, and work them into the conversation as naturally as possible. And don’t forget to prepare questions to ask your interviewer as well. Potential employers appreciate someone taking the time to consider the position fully. 

By following these six tips, you can make your video interview a spectacular way to show off the positive qualities you will bring to the job!

Check out our blog for more tips and tricks, from writing the perfect resume to nailing your interview. We hope these remote interview tips help you successfully secure a position!

What Are a Marketing Coordinator’s Job Duties, and How To Become One

WAI Staff
Woman giving a presentation on a whiteboard with two people watching

Confused by all of the different marketing positions out there? You’re not alone! There are marketing managers, marketing specialists, marketing assistants, marketing analysts… the list goes on. So let’s take a closer look at one of the many marketing positions: the marketing coordinator. 

What Are the Primary Marketing Coordinator Job Duties?

Typical tasks of a marketing coordinator include entry-level analytics and research related to sales, marketing and development. If you are thinking of changing career paths, it’s important to understand the marketing coordinator’s job responsibilities. In terms of how to become a marketing coordinator, many interviewers will ask questions about your understanding of the role. The specifics of each position vary depending on the specific needs of the employer, but the necessary skills of a marketing coordinator typically include:

  • Conducting market research
  • Analyzing sales data
  • Creating marketing materials
  • Assisting with website SEO
  • Creating marketing timelines
  • Organizing marketing projects
  • Managing digital and social media campaigns
  • Investigating market trends
  • Representing a business at trade shows
  • Collaborating with social media influencers to promote products and services

What Are the Different Types of Marketing Coordinators?

If you want to know how to become a marketing coordinator, it’s useful to understand which type of coordinator you’d like to be. The essential skills of a marketing coordinator will vary depending on the type of work that may be needed by a company. Below are three common marketing coordinator positions:

Digital Marketing Coordinator

Infographic of marketing terms

In addition to the usual marketing coordinator job duties, a digital marketing coordinator’s job description may include managing digital campaigns designed to drive web traffic to a business, handling social media accounts, or managing the content of blogs and websites for a business. Depending on the size of the organization, these tasks may be handled by one marketing coordinator, or by multiple specialized marketing coordinators. Businesses that have a strong online presence, especially with web stores, would be likely to hire this type of marketing coordinator. Candidates with strong computer, social media and internet savvy, as well as strong writers, can learn to become excellent digital marketing coordinators. 

Marketing and Promotions Coordinator

Marketing coordinator job duties can include attending trade shows and events, building relationships with industry partners, and seeking out corporate sponsorships for an organization. When you are a marketing and promotions coordinator, your responsibilities are likely to involve more active and high-profile tactics for building brands and selling products. Having an outgoing personality is a must for this role, as you will be dealing directly with the public and potential customers on a regular basis. This is a good role for those wanting to learn how to become a marketing coordinator for a larger company. Typically, larger companies or nonprofit organizations are more likely to need this type of marketing coordinator based on the job responsibilities. 

Product and Account Marketing Coordinator

The responsibilities of a product and account marketing coordinator may also fall within the duties of a marketing coordinator. This means collaborating with a sales force on building and maintaining a strong client base. They may develop sales programs and informational materials for sales teams, and they often work with other types of marketing coordinators to develop sales plans for specific products. In addition to the typical marketing coordinator job duties, these roles require exceptional people skills, so more outgoing social types are frequently drawn to them and will have success learning how to become a marketing coordinator. Businesses with large sales teams often benefit from having product and account marketing coordinators. 

What Are the Career Prospects for a Marketing Coordinator?

A marketing coordinator’s salary varies based on a candidate’s background. While the marketing coordinator role is often an entry-level position, employers typically require at least an associate’s degree, and often a bachelor’s degree. Some employers may accept industry experience in lieu of a college degree. Marketing coordinator job duties most often include reporting to marketing managers, and with the right experience, these positions can frequently lead to promotions to marketing managers. 

Acquiring the skills of a marketing coordinator can be the first step towards a larger career in marketing. Driven marketing coordinators who are willing to commit to a company can aspire to reach director level and even executive roles with the right education and experience. Additionally, the skills learned in the position easily transition to other companies as well, so career mobility is excellent. 

How To Become a Marketing Coordinator

There are a few ways you can prepare yourself for a marketing coordinator job. 

Education

If you want to pursue a career in marketing, it’s best to prepare by choosing a course of study in that field. The best route to a successful career as a marketing coordinator is to obtain a bachelor’s degree in marketing. Programs that offer concentrations in social media marketing, business analytics or consumer behavior may have particular value to a marketing coordinator’s career. Some larger businesses may require a master’s degree in marketing, while smaller organizations may be willing to accept an associate’s degree and work experience in lieu of a bachelor’s or master’s degree.

Develop the Skills of a Marketing Coordinator

Whether or not you have the ideal educational background, you should do everything possible to accumulate the skills you need for this position. To really learn the various marketing coordinator job duties, job seekers should also try interning or working part-time in marketing, advertising or graphic design while obtaining their degree. The sooner you learn how to become a marketing coordinator, the more opportunities you will have to gain experience.

Job seekers often focus on full-time positions. However, applying for temporary jobs can help you get your foot in the door at a company. A temp position in marketing is a great option for students that will provide them with valuable experience and connections in the marketing world. Look for internships or temp jobs that will help you develop a wide skill set or train you in an area that you may be lacking such as graphic design, web development or social media marketing — all of which are relevant to marketing coordinator job responsibilities. These positions can often be obtained through staffing agencies such as Whitman Associates, Inc., in the D.C. metropolitan area. 

Leverage Your Social Media Profiles

Maintaining a professional and active social profile is beneficial to show that you have the right background to perform marketing coordinator job duties. It will demonstrate your social media prowess as you start to look for jobs. Just make sure that your social accounts are positive and present a professional image. LinkedIn, for example, gives you plenty of space to highlight your skills and experience. Be sure to list any skills of a marketing coordinator that you have. In the current job market, many employers will view your resume online, which provides you with an opportunity to link your social profiles to your resume. 

Keep Your Resume Updated

Finally, make sure your resume is up-to-date, clean, error-free and highlights the in-demand skill sets you possess. Your resume should tell the story of you and be interesting without using nondescript buzzwords. If you’re looking to become a marketing coordinator, tailoring your resume to fit a specific position is a quick way to stand out among applicants. Make sure you highlight areas where the job description and your expertise overlap. 

Take the Necessary Steps To Become a Marketing Coordinator

We’ve explored several options for those wondering how to become a marketing coordinator. This is a great career path for anyone who wants to work in the dynamic field of marketing and possibly advance to even better positions later on. The varied marketing coordinator job duties result in interesting jobs and exciting career paths. By following these guidelines, you can get in on the ground floor and begin a marketing career that will excite and challenge you for years to come!

Resume Writing Tips and Tricks

WAI Staff

Your resume should evolve as frequently as your career does, so you should constantly be improving and editing it while on the job hunt. To help, here are some of our top resume writing tips to keep in mind when you next update your resume.

Resume Writing Tips

Contact Information

Our top resume writing tip may seem like a no-brainer, but ALWAYS include your contact information on your resume. An email address and phone number at minimum are a must on your resume. Feel free to include the address to your LinkedIn profile if you use LinkedIn regularly. You don’t need to include your full address on your resume, but it can be helpful to list your city so that hiring managers know you are in the area. By omitting contact information when building your resume, you are inadvertently making yourself inaccessible to employers and recruiters that you want to hear back from.

In the same vein, your phone number should be on your resume, so be sure that your voicemail is set up and that you can receive messages. While you may not leave voicemails yourself, hiring managers will. When employers receive the “mailbox not set up” or “mailbox is full” this signals to them that you don’t really care if you find work or not. Also, be sure to check any message that’s left before returning the call, they may have given you information or instructions in the voicemail, by not listening to it you’re making them repeat themselves, and indicating that perhaps you don’t follow instructions.

Formatting Tips

Another tip is to send a Word document or PDF version of your resume if possible. Employers will most likely not be able to open a resume if it’s sent as a Google Doc, and Google Docs makes it super easy to download your resume in multiple different file formats. Also, don’t send a jpeg or photo of your resume, you should have an electronic copy that you can email.

Gmail Dashboard

Additional tips are to keep your font consistent. Don’t use more than two fonts maximum, and keep their usage consistent throughout, ie. one font for headings and another for the body. More fonts than that can be distracting and perhaps unprofessional. Additionally, it is best to write out your resume, and not to send out an Indeed or LinkedIn style prefilled resume. These inevitably have formatting issues when they are transmitting or emailed outside of those platforms. Also, this tells your potential employer that you did not spend much time on your resume.

Our last resume formatting tip is not to worry if your resume is longer than one page. The “one-page resume” rule is antiquated, if you’ve held a number of jobs, a two page resume is perfectly fine. If your resume exceeds three pages, you likely have information on there that is not relevant to the role that you are applying for, and can actually end up hiding the skills and experiences you are trying to highlight.

Employment History and Education

When building your resume, organize the responsibilities within your job descriptions in order of importance and significance. If managing your company’s social media pages was your biggest responsibility, list that first. If you only spent about 5% of your time answering phones, list that last. You want to make sure that the employer can quickly understand the functions of your previous roles and the work you did there.

Along with each job title, be sure to list your months of employment along with the years. Employers want to be able to easily comprehend your work history and spot any employment gaps on your resume. If you don’t list the months, they might think you are trying to hide something, or assume a gap in your resume where there wasn’t one.

Another tip is to remember to include the company name, and location of that company, along with your job title on your resume. You might have worked for a chain, such as CVS or Starbucks, or alternatively, you could have worked for a small company in your hometown. The location provides important contextual information about your job.

With that said, it’s also critical to list the location of where you received your degree(s). Whenever you list a degree on your resume, be sure to include the name and location of the institution where you received that degree.

Send out your resume!

Of course, the whole point of sharing these resume tips and tricks is to ensure you are building a quality resume that will help you secure a job. At Whitman Associates, we see hundreds of resumes a week, and want to share our tips with you. We work with many job seekers, some looking for temp opportunities to get their foot in the door, and others that are looking for their next permanent role. To get started on the search for your next role, send your resume to resumes@whitmanjobs.com.

4 Ways to Learn QuickBooks Online

WAI Staff

Looking for a job in accounting? Then you’re probably going to need QuickBooks. Whether you’re already well-versed in accounting or you’re just starting out, it makes sense to know how to use the most popular bookkeeping software. The good news is that you can learn QuickBooks bookkeeping online—without needing a specialized degree.

Tax withholding form and a coffee cup

Why is QuickBooks Important?

Before jumping into the details of how to learn QuickBooks online, it’s important to recognize why it’s advantageous to do so. The numbers tell the story: QuickBooks has 30 years of experience at the top of the industry with millions of businesses relying on the software. When you learn QuickBooks bookkeeping, you’re plugging into a massive network of accountants, small businesses, and individuals. 

Demonstrating a good understanding of QuickBooks is likely both the easiest and the best way to establish yourself as a knowledgeable prospective or current accountant. On the other hand, if you’re trying to get work as an accountant, but don’t know how to use QuickBooks, your job-seeking experience may be a long road. Now that you understand why QuickBooks is important, let’s go over four principles for how to learn QuickBooks online.

#1: Do Your Own Accounting with QuickBooks

The fastest way to learn QuickBooks is to use it! Explore the different functionalities of this important online tool with your own accounting needs. You can use QuickBooks to organize, prepare, and file your own personal tax returns. Especially if you do some odd jobs or freelance work on the side, you can discover many of the intuitive and useful features of QuickBooks on your own.

QuickBooks offers a free trial online, so even if you don’t plan to use it long-term for your personal accounting, you can give yourself a quick crash course. Practice makes perfect, and it’s best to jump in as soon as possible.

#2: Use the Provided Help Resources

Another great way to learn QuickBooks is to use the resources available directly from the source. Intuit, the parent company for QuickBooks, provides a variety of help resources that are accessible for you as a prospective or active user of the software. Inuit recognizes that many people look for how to learn QuickBooks online, so they provide that service as information that is easy to find. 

All QuickBooks online plans include a network of dedicated support, with expert agents that can help. QuickBooks Online for accountants includes advisory training with self-paced lessons. You’ll find plenty of help in a huge library of resources and webinars.

#3: Follow Online Tutorials

Intuit’s bookkeeping resources are great, but you may also find it helpful to get outside support. There are a variety of free or low-cost online tutorials available covering everything from basic onboarding to advanced nuances of QuickBooks. You can find the right fit for you with some quick Internet searches. Check out options like Udemy, Simon Sez IT, Fit Small Business, and more. You may prefer a service that walks you through step by step or one that provides you with learning you can complete on an as-needed basis at your own pace.

There are plenty of online tutorials and guides covering how to learn QuickBooks that do have a higher cost attached, which you are welcome to pursue if you find that level of support necessary. However, with so many resources available that have no or only a small cost, make sure you really need the extra layer before committing to the higher price tag.

#4: Watch Example Videos 

Not everyone learns best by reading. Especially if you’re having trouble understanding a help article, you can search on YouTube to likely find an explainer. Hector Garcia and BookkeepingMaster are two of the most popular and well-recognized YouTube channel sources for this type of service.

Seeing people use QuickBooks in action is a valuable exercise for you to engage in as you learn QuickBooks bookkeeping. Watching the specific tactics used to get through a challenge will help you apply not just those strategies but also that type of thinking to your own bookkeeping practices. Soon, someone will ask you how to learn QuickBooks!

Man using a calculator

Get Started with Whitman Associates

Of course, the whole reason you learn QuickBooks is to land a job. You don’t have to have Quickbooks mastered to jumpstart your work in accounting or an accounting-related field. Find temp opportunities that will get your foot in the door. Send your resume to resumes@whitmanjobs.com for the next step in your career journey.

Temp of the Month June 2022: Sandy Moore

WAI Staff

Prior to working for Whitman Associates, Inc., Sandy worked for SkillsUSA, a nonprofit for students in trade and technical education. While there she was the administrative assistant to the executive director for 18 years.

As the executive director’s assistant, Sandy maintained his busy travel schedule, managed and planned all of his scheduled meetings and coordinated every aspect of the company’s board and conference meetings with various departments within the company. The skills Sandy has learned working at SkillsUSA has prepared her for her current job with Whitman Associates, Inc. In her spare time, she enjoys walking her two dogs, small group bible studies and visiting family
in Louisiana.

Advice for Remote Interviews

WAI Staff

If you are actively interviewing for jobs, part of the process is being prepared for remote interviews as well as in-person interviews. With online interviews being commonplace since 2020, there is no longer an excuse for not knowing how various web conferencing platforms work. It is your responsibility to be able to utilize the client’s chosen app for an online interview and have it functional ahead of time. The company you’re applying to most likely has a specific one they use for all their internal and external collaboration.

There are lots of different applications for online interviews; some major ones include Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, GoToMeeting, Cisco WebEx, and Skype. You do not need to create an account for each of these apps as you will receive an invite provided by the company holding the interview.

Online interview app icons

Whitman Associates will assist any of our candidates with a trial run of the client’s application platform so that you may prepare the collaboration tools in advance. We want our candidates to focus on the interview when the time comes and not be frustrated by the tools. There are a myriad of video chat interview tips that exist online on preparing for phone and remote interviews, but here are some key points:

Choose the right environment for your remote interview

Your background on an online interview is important. Bright lights from windows behind you can cause video of your face to be dark. You certainly don’t want the background to showcase clutter, or personal spaces such as your bed or bathroom. It is best to sit in front of a blank wall or wall with minimal graphic distractions. You don’t need a fancy ring light, but you may need to turn on a light somewhere else in the room to insure your face is well lit.

The audio is critically important. Many people will tolerate bad video to a certain extent, but clipping audio and background noises make it impossible for you to convey important responses. You need to make sure the environment is free from background noises (mowers, air conditioners, bathroom showers, construction, etc.). Find a quiet room where the background noise is minimal. Having background noises will distract from your responses does not make a good impression.

Pick the best device for an online interview

Man and woman on video interview

The device you use for your online interview is very important. It is best to use a device with all the tools integrated such as a laptop, tablet, or phone. If you are using a desktop, you need to make sure all the external components work well together and within the application you are going to be using. A critical video chat interview tip to keep in mind is that your device may need to download a plugin or grant permissions to the application in order to interact with the microphone, video, and speakers.

The integrated microphone of a laptop, tablet, or phone may be sufficient; however, it is best to use a Bluetooth or wired headset. This will allow your voice to be clear, enable your hands to be free, and allow the camera to be placed at a distance from your face.

It is important to set the phone, tablet, or laptop down on a fixed surface such that it is not moving. It is incredibly distracting during remote interviews for the camera to be wobbling and not stationary while you’re trying to explain how you can contribute to the success of the organization.

If you need reference material (your resume, notes, or the company’s website), make sure this material is positioned directly above or below the camera. The client is interested in making eye contact and trying to get to know you as much as they can via video interview.

When taking notes, place your notepad directly below the camera so that the client can see that you are writing information down. It’s best to avoid typing your notes during your interview as the keyboard noise can be distracting and may lead the interviewer to think you’re doing something other than listening to their pitch – they are trying to convey how great their company is.

Be prepared!

There are many guides available describing how to <a href="https://whitmanjobs.com/2022/04/interview-prep-and-tips/" prepare for an interview. A phone call, video chat, or remote interview is just as important as an in-person interview. In fact, it is more difficult to convey body language and capture voice inflections that might indicate your excitement for working with the company. Your goal is to make the next step or interview happen and to get that job offer.