Blog Archive

Friday, March 25, 2011

McGladrey is the Place to be!

Written by, Matt Rasul
Senior Recruiter
Dallas, TX

Growth! Growth! Growth!

With McGladrey being ranked 5th in Public Accounting Firms in the US, according to Accounting Today, McGladrey is truly the place to be. Here at McGladrey, we truly stand by our motto of: "Experience the power of being understood." We are currently experiencing exponential growth across every aspect of our Consulting, Audit, and Tax practices. It always is exciting to tell anyone who and what McGladrey is about. Here at McGladrey we take a hands on tailored approach with each of our clients we serve in the marketplace. We have aggressive growth strategies in place and are always looking for top talented individuals who can add value to our team.

Are you interested in working with different clients? Being challenged at work? Do you continually strive for success? Are you looking for a career and not just a "job?" Then - I encourage you to go to our website and explore the many opportunities we currently have open. What we promise to offer is the ability to be hands on, have a solid and rewarding career tract, the ability to express and come up with new ideas with in the firm, and have fun in what you do while serving clients. What are you waiting for? Check us out today!

Monday, March 21, 2011

McGladrey Leader Returning to Vietnam

Written by, LoriAnn Boyer

Regional Recruitment Business Partner

Pasadena, CA


I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Lloyd Miller, Regional Private Equity Practice Leader for McGladrey’s Western Region. Lloyd recently returned from an inspiring trip to Vietnam where he spent eight days with a missions team, called The Seven Day Heroes. Their purpose was to build wheelchairs for disabled children and adults. While in Vietnam, Lloyd’s team visited small villages outside of Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and Hue. This type of trip is not a first for Lloyd. He has garnered many frequent flyers miles visiting several foreign countries where he has brought much needed outreach, medicine, supplies and hope to very impoverished communities in such desperate need. One look around Lloyd’s office and you’ll see the many pictures of children he’s worked with and, who in turn, have touched his heart through their spirit, perseverance and gratitude. Many of the children are orphans living in the direst of situations.


In my conversation with Lloyd, I was taken aback to learn that Vietnam lacks the ability to properly immunize against such illnesses as polio, chicken pox and tuberculosis. As such, children become extremely ill or disabled with these afflictions. Others are afflicted with birth defects due to the residual effects from the Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War. Many children are abandoned at the orphanages because their parents are unable to care for them.


Lloyd shared several heart-warming stories with me that, in essence, were becoming life changing for me just listening to him recall his experiences. I was intrigued to learn that Lloyd’s first trip to Vietnam was not one of choice, as he was there to fight in the war. Now, here he was, many years later, returning to Vietnam with a whole new mission in mind; to bring hope, supplies and compassion to the country’s disabled. The more I talked with Lloyd it became apparent that this trip to Vietnam was also a journey of personal healing.

Of the many stories Lloyd shared, one stood out the most for me. Lloyd spoke about a 9 year old boy named, Hwang. Hwang, sadly, lost one of his legs due to disease and is scheduled to have his other leg amputated. Like any young boy, Hwang enjoys getting out and playing with his friends, but did not have the ability to easily transport himself to meet up at the playground. Each day, Hwang would literally crawl, or be carried, to go be with his friends where they were playing. Hwang’s determination, despite the physical losses he’s suffered, is a clear indicator of his amazing spirit.


On the day Lloyd met Hwang, he and his team had just assembled Hwang’s wheelchair. When Lloyd picked up Hwang and placed him in the wheelchair, Hwang looked at it in astonishment and asked “Is this mine?” to which Lloyd answered “Yes, Hwang, this is all yours.” A huge smile stretched across Hwang face and he gave Lloyd a hearty high five. When Lloyd asked Hwang how having this wheelchair would change his life Hwang replied, “Now I can go play with my friends.” It’s amazing how an act of selflessness in building a child a wheelchair could afford him to do what every young child should have the opportunity to do… to go play, and hang out, with his friends.


In closing my interview with Lloyd I asked him what he came away from the experience learning. Lloyd replied, “It’s completely changed my life for the better.” He went on to explain that it reminded him once again, that it’s all about perspective and gratitude. We can get caught up in the frantic nature of our busy lives and forget that there’s a greater purpose at hand. Whether it’s reaching out to a needy community or being a kindly neighbor, it’s important to keep it all in perspective and being thankful for what you have. Plain and simple!


Whenever I speak with candidates after they’ve interviewed with McGladrey, I always ask them what they feel separates us from other firms they’ve spoken with. Nine times out of ten then say “The People.” If you’d like the opportunity to work alongside world-class people like Lloyd and several others at McGladrey who take the time to reach out to local and global communities and are leaders in our industry then check out our current openings at http://www.mcgladrey.com/.

Friday, March 11, 2011

5 Things to Avoid While Interviewing

Written by, Nancy McCreery
Recruiting Manager
Stamford, Connecticut

We've all heard stories of candidates who looked great on paper but who were the total opposite in person. With fewer and fewer interview opportunities available in this competitive market, it's vital to make the best possible first impression. You can learn from the mistakes of others and avoid the top 5 interview blunders or no no’s.

Poor handshake: The three-second handshake that starts the interview is your first opportunity to create a great impression. But all too often an interview is blown right from the start by an ineffective handshake. Once you've delivered a poor handshake, it's nearly impossible to recover your efforts to build rapport. Ask for honest critiques from several friends who aren't afraid to tell you the truth. Make it a firm handshake and look the interviewer right in the eye while doing so.

Talking negatively about current or past employers/managers: The fastest way not to be considered for the positions you are interviewing for is to say negative things about your current or past employer. No matter how reasonable your complaints, you will come out the loser if you show that you disrespect your boss because the interviewer will assume that you would similarly say the same things about him or her. When faced with the challenge of talking about former employers, make sure you are prepared with a positive spin on your experiences.

Turn ALL electronics off: A quick way to have your interviewer show you to the elevator is to have your cell ring or vibrate during the interview. Never, never, never talk on your cell or read text messages during an interview even it is the President of the United States calling you. Turn your cell phone off; your interviewer should have your complete attention.

Not preparing for the interview: Nothing communicates disinterest like a candidate who hasn't bothered to do pre-interview research. On the flip side, the quickest way to a good impression is to demonstrate your interest with a few well thought out questions that reflect your knowledge of their organization. Do your homework, reach the company’s website, view profiles on LinkedIn, see if you know anyone that works at the company; ask them why they work there and why they consider it a great place to work. The more you know about the company before you step in the door for in the interview the better.

Letting your guard down: Keep it professional. Some interviewers often try to create a comfortable setting to ease the candidate’s nerves, but business etiquette shouldn’t disappear. Avoid offering personal details that have no relevance to the position, such as religious beliefs or stories about your personal life.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

McGladrey Defeats Other Firms to Win Penn State’s Philanthropic Competition

Written by, Monica Repino
Human Resources Manager
Blue Bell, PA


Penn State’s Beta Alpha Psi and Accounting Society presented McGladrey and the other area accounting firms with a challenge to raise the most money to benefit pediatric cancer. We are very happy to announce that the employees of McGladrey embraced the challenge and came out on top! Employees from the Philadelphia, Mid-Atlantic and New York offices combined forces and collected over $1,500. The offices raised these funds through jeans day donations which will go towards Penn State’s annual dance marathon – THON. McGladrey will be presented with an award of recognition at Penn State’s annual accounting department banquet in April.

What is THON? In 1973, a small group of dedicated Penn State students held the first Dance Marathon. That year, 34 dancers participated and raised $2,000. Since then, THON’s presence in the Penn State community has grown exponentially. THON now has 15,000 student volunteers, 700 dancers, and has raised more than $61 million, benefiting The Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Children’s Hospital.

THON is now a year-long effort that raises funds and awareness for the fight against pediatric cancer. With the support of students from all across the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and THON Alumni all around the world, we continue to make great strides towards finding a cure for all childhood cancers!

This was a great collaborative effort that we were proud to be part of!