[justgivemea75]

Hi all,

I will be interviewing with a Big 4 firm on Friday even though I’m currently working for another one. Now that the interview date is drawing closer, I’m getting kind of nervous. I haven’t been working at my current firm too long, but I need to change because some issues have come up with my family and I need to move closer to home, which this other firm’s office is. I’ve talked to my current firm and they don’t really have a need in the places I’m looking to switch and, as such, my hands are kind of tied because my gut tells me that this won’t be resolved within my ideal time frame.

My question is if anyone else has seen people leave for another big 4 with less than a year of experience and if it will be seen as a negative? Aside from the family stuff, I also don’t think that long-term I’m also a good fit for my office. My supervisors haven’t been disappointed with my work (in fact many have said they want me to be on other jobs they handle), but the feeling I get is that my relationship with just about everyone here is purely professional and I don’t connect with anyone on a personal level. Again, this is gut, but something tells me that down the road, I’m going to hit a wall because of politics and that I may want to refresh now with a clean slate rather than continue to be the workhorse and hit a glass ceiling when it comes time for manager type promotions.

My questions, thus, are:

1. Will the interviewer care much that I am looking to switch so early because of family issues? I know logically, they wouldn’t be interviewing me in the first place if they had no interest, but something is nagging me in the back of my mind that this could be an issue.

2. With regards to relationships, I’m wondering if anyone else has been in a situation where they just don’t seem to click with people in an office, end up switching, and then being better off? My office is known to be not super close-knit, especially if you’re not on the right teams, but I’m also somewhat wondering if this is partially just a problem with me as well. Any advice?

Thanks in advance!

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DONE!

[Missy]

The interviewer won't and shouldn't know your looking to make the switch because of family issues.. Yes, if you mention “family issue” they just might care, wondering if whatever issue you've alluded to will affect your attendance and concentration.

If asked WHY you're looking to switch just say the location is more convenient for you and was your first choice. They don't need to know any more than that.

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[Monkey Wrench]

If asked, just say I saw this opportunity arise and it is a chance to move closer to my family. No one will ever fault you for moving closer to your family…They don't need to know why, so don't tell them that.

[Author]

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