Mistakes to avoid when looking for your first anti-fraud position

So, you spent years taking classes, writing papers and conversing with professors. You studied the Fraud Examiners Manual front to back as you prepared to take the CFE Exam. Everything you worked for has finally happened. You graduated with your degree, earned your credentials and are ready to enter the anti-fraud world. You’re motivated and excited as you send résumé after résumé out hoping that organizations will sense your passion. You were meant to do this; it’s in your blood.

But the phone never rings. You just receive the dreaded email response:

Thanks for applying, but unfortunately we decided to go in another direction. We will keep your record on file, and if something comes up in the future that we believe you are a good fit for we will give you a call.

You choose to remain optimistic as you continue to apply. However, the rejections now come with stock reasons: You don’t have the experience. We’re only looking for Big Four applicants. You need an audit background. What do you do? Give in and accept that this will never happen? Or do you continue to fight?

Of course, you have to decide if an anti-fraud life is your path. I knew it was for me, so I didn’t give up when faced with initial rejection. I can help you avoid some of the common mistakes when trying to enter this promising field.

Rule 1: Know what you want to accomplish in fraud

The world of fraud is extensive. You can move into diverse directions. What will make you happy? Growing up, I always pictured myself as one of the good guys battling the bad guys. Of course, as CFEs, our job is to collect evidence (plus detect, deter and prevent fraud) — not catch the bad guys. But my desire to see justice prevail attracted me to fraud examination.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t focused, so I just applied to any position related to fraud. And then when I’d receive a phone call from a potential employer, I’d get nervous and back out because I hadn’t spent enough time considering the job. I eventually was able to focus on the direction I wanted to head.

This sounds like obvious advice, but thoroughly read each job description. Can you see yourself in that position day after day? Job recruiters will immediately sense any indecision, and you won’t make it past the first interviews. And then you probably should write off those companies for future positions.

Few new job hunters know exactly what they want in a position. How can you know until you try some things out? But seek the help of teachers, practitioners, family and friends to solidify your current interests and then go after them. Job recruiters will see your resolve and realize you’re a serious prospect. You might still receive a serendipitous job offer from left field, but sometimes that’s how careers are built.

Rule 2: Research

Research not just the avenues in which you’re interested but the types of companies you’d like to work at. I once felt stifled in a public accounting job. I wanted to make a difference, but the company cared more about profits than clients. I took the job because I was so excited to gain some experience, but I hadn’t considered if the company was going to be a good fit.

I understand the notion of working from the ground up, but if you’re going to work endless hours you want it to be in a job you enjoy going to every day where you enjoy your co-workers. You want to work where you’re growing in your craft. We often settle and think we don’t have options, but how can you grow in a place where you have no passion?

Of course, we can’t know what a job will really be like until we dive into it, but thorough research — checking business websites, interviewing current and former employees, consulting with anti-fraud practitioners — can give us good analyses of companies’ values, missions and atmospheres before we sign on the dotted line.

Rule 3: Change up your approach

When I began applying for positions in the anti-fraud field, I sent out the same cover letter and résumé. Wrong thinking. I needed to show each employer why my materials should separate themselves from others. I needed to communicate what made me so special compared to the hundreds of other applicants vying for the same position. No matter how passionate I might have felt, the employer could never feel this from the dry emails I’d send.

Many applicants don’t want to spend the time customizing résumés, cover letters and emails for each position. But you can impress a prospective employer by showing in your materials that you’ve researched the organization and you’d be a good fit by supplying specific accomplishments with what they’re looking for. Generic doesn’t cut it.

Sometimes, the thought of creating a new email for each employer seemed exhausting. But you can’t expect employers to spend more than a few minutes reading your material; you have to catch them immediately with sentences directed toward their hiring hearts.

When I began applying for positions in the anti-fraud field, I sent out the same cover letter and résumé. Wrong thinking.

Rule 4: Try something new

So, you don’t quite have the experience to match the job description. Does that mean that you aren’t a great applicant? Not necessarily. You just have to highlight your skills in a different way.

I began writing articles and showcased them to potential employers. For you it might be your ability to think creatively by demonstrating how you’d have handled a case with ingenuity. Never be afraid to push your boundaries. Employers like people who are willing to take risks.

Rule 5: Congregate with like-minded seekers

Don’t stay in your shell. Go to an ACFE chapter meeting where you can meet other job seekers and, most importantly, those who could hire you! Make some snazzy business cards and slip them to meeting speakers, seasoned practitioners and your peers. You can’t find a job unless you let others know you’re looking for one.

And when you speak to knowledgeable CFEs, listen twice as much as you speak. Ask incisive questions and show genuine interest when the answers come.

Rule 6: Remind yourself everyday why you want to enter the world of fraud fighting

You feel like you done everything in your power, and you still haven’t received a phone call. Resist the urge to give up. You’ll eventually catch a break.

Banish those negative thoughts. Ignore those who are telling you to look elsewhere. Passion doesn’t die overnight. Aim to land what you really want: a fraud-fighter career.

This isn’t going to be an easy journey. You’re going to want to quit or settle. But remember why you were excited in the fraud examination profession in the first place. Remind yourself that you enjoy the puzzles and mysteries of cases — that you enjoy the chase and discovering evidence to help organizations prevent and deter fraud and help victims. Keeping these desires will motivate you.

The extra mile or two

You’re probably thinking, these are obvious mistakes. Every person applying for jobs should be aware of these rules, but many aren’t. I was one of them. I felt my résumé was good enough and should speak for itself. However, I didn’t want to do the extra work — maybe because I was cocky or even lazy. I thought my passion would seep through the countless emails, but how would that have been possible through generic messages? I wanted a chance, but didn’t want to put in the work. Don’t be like me. Learn from my mistakes and strive earlier on. Your job is out there. You just have be willing to go the extra mile or two.

Xavier Hurley, CFE, CPA, is an associate with HMWC CPA and Business Advisors in Orange, California. His email address is: xpolicy@yahoo.com.