Welcome back to #WeAreGreenKey, where we shine a spotlight on our powerhouse recruiting team.
Recently, we met up with Antonia Piazza, Recruiter on the Accounting & Finance team at Green Key. Antonia started her journey at Green Key in 2022, after she transitioned from a career in public and corporate accounting.
How did you get started in Accounting & Finance recruiting?
I started my career in BIG4 public accounting audit, having obtained my CPA. I then transitioned into corporate accounting at a fortune 200 company in Cleveland. When I began to look for a new job that would enable me to relocate to Pittsburgh, I connected with Green Key Accounting & Finance recruiting manager, Alexis Schumacher, who initially talked to me about positions in Pittsburgh. A week or two after our conversation, I saw that she had posted on LinkedIn about an opening at Green Key. I had never thought about recruiting prior to seeing this post, but when I read it, I was shocked that it had never crossed my mind prior. Alexis and I discussed the opportunity, and it sounded like the perfect blend of staying in the accounting and finance world but also utilizing more of my personality and interpersonal skills. I ended up interviewing for the position, becoming more excited with each interview, and I was lucky enough to be offered the job!
What aspect of being a recruiter do you find the most rewarding?
I enjoy building professional relationships with candidates and helping them advance in their careers. It’s rewarding to help them find new jobs that are not only great career moves but also something that aligns with their professional and personal interests.
What advice would you give to candidates looking to stand out in the accounting and finance job market?
I would always recommend working with a recruiting agency, specifically Green Key! While it is important to have a strong resume, recruiters are able to provide advice on your resume and also put your resume on the front desk of the hiring manager – along with a personal recommendation and the ability to highlight skills/experiences that are not listed on your resume – rather than applying on your own and being up against hundreds of applicants on LinkedIn, for example. When it comes time to the interview, recruiters are able to prepare you for the interview using insight we have from working directly with the clients. One interviewing piece of advice I give to all of my candidates is to not only show that they have the ability to learn and grow into the role they’re interviewing for but also the desire, as displayed interest in the job is sometimes the biggest differentiator amongst candidates with similar backgrounds.
What tips would you give someone looking to get into Accounting & Finance recruiting?
Network with as many people as you can who’ve made the transition. Learn about the pros and cons and what it takes to be successful. I have learned that there is no “right way” to do recruiting. Rather, what makes each individual recruiter successful is a blend of implementing the strategies learned from other recruiters combined with your own personal strengths and strategies.
2024 marks 20 years of Green Key, how would you describe your experience since starting your career with the Accounting and Finance team?
Green Key has helped me grow a lot, both professionally and personally. I have gained so much knowledge relating to different job functions and industries as well as interpersonal strategies and psychology. I am grateful to continue my holistic development and build more relationships at Green Key.
