[Steve Darcy]

I am having an issue I hope you all can help me out with. I am 27 and will be 29 when I get out of my masters of accounting program; although I look very young and get mistaken for a high school student. Looking at my resume, you would think I am regular age (22/23) for a recent graduate.

My question is: Considering that I have good grades and a decent looking resume, what are the chances that after I submit my transcripts (when they see how old I really am) they will ding me?

Most of my prior experience has been either unpaid/irrelevant, or both. Also, my academic background, before my last institution, has also been scattered and not very impressive.

I am targeting big 4 + GT/BDO/MCG and I am confident that, based on my resume, I can get a good deal of interviews but I am very worried about the skeletons in the closet. I would really appreciate some insight here. Thanks

[Mjs157]

I've heard of a similar story; I know someone who asked a recruiter, outside of a recruiting event, a similar question. The response is that the company typically looks for 23 year olds for the entry-level positions. I wouldn't worry about it at 29.

As for your prior GPA, I had a 3.29 and the typical threshold is 3.4/5 for undergrads. However, I had a 3.69 for grad school so everything worked out.

What I don't understand is, if you have years of work experience and college experience, they can safely assume you are at least (18+4/5+XyearsExperience) so I wouldn't worry about them looking through your transcript. At that stage, they would already know, and they're comfortable with it.

I hope this helps, but remember at this stage the only thing left to do is to continue to do well and stay positive. Don't go into an interview worrying about things they'll find, it's like trying to swing a golf club with the idea of not skulling it the bunker (you always will!)

[Mr.NiceWatch]

I'm 25 and got a entry level position with the big four. In fact, when I interviewed with the firm I accepted the offer from, several of the associates looked like they were in their mid to late 20s. I know one class mate who was at least 35 and got an entry level position with the big four. I would say that some firms really target younger candidates but that may be a culture thing. Either way, I would apply to every position possible and wouldn't let age get in the way. Good luck!

Journey begins in July 2012.

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[Anonymous]

My fiance and I will both be 27 when we start working full time at one of the big 4 firms. While generally most of the interns I worked with last summer were 21-24, there are definitely a handful of mid-late 20's and even interns in their 30's amongst the group!

[wickedrentlover]

I interned with a Big 4 last summer and will be starting there full time next month. At least two of the interns at my office were over the age of 30; both got offered full time positions. You should have nothing to worry about regarding your age 🙂

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[jags2899]

I don't think your age will be an issue depending on the recruiting at your Master's Program. I am 25 and was able to get offers for all of the big four two months into my Masters program and I came in a political science major. Also, there were 10-15 people in my program that were in their late 20's and early 30's..Good Luck!

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[Steve Darcy]

I have to say I am really surprised, pleasantly surprised, to hear what everyone had to say. I feel relieved, I was putting a ton of stress on my self because I look 17 but am really ten years older, and I figured that recruiters would pick up on this and basically reconsider my candidacy. I know most everyone here wants to maintain a degree of anonymity but does anyone know if KPMG has a history of hiring older students? I think I would be a good fit there and really want to have an offer there. Thanks again everyone.

[Path To CPA]

@ Steve Darcy

Legislation in the U.S forbid employers to discriminate based on age. There are very few exceptions and they have to be justified. With that said the Big4 firms are seen as leaders in the public accounting business and will certainly not discriminate based on candidates' age. If a candidate is above 40 and looking for an entry level position, that's a different story. In this case they will most likely do a cost-benefit analysis before deciding if it worth it to hire him/her. In fact considering that they will have to invest in the candidate with training, benefits including 401K, pension…, they will consider the number of years the candidate will work before retirement. However, they will never tell a candidate that he/she is too old for a position. Instead, they always use the classic rejection: “although we’re impressed by your resume and background, we are sorry to inform you that you do not qualify (or were not selected) for the position…we encourage you to reapply… bla bla bla.”

Here is what I believe they consider when they review your application for entry level:

1 – GPA (equal or above 3.5 is a very strong attention grabber)

2- Internship or past experience

3-Extracuricular activities (leadership skills)

4-Presentation of your resume (spelling, grammar…)

5-Cover letter (If it applies)

6-Age (only if you're an outlier as compare to the other candidates. i.e Medium age = 25 and you are 40)

My story was somehow close to yours. My past experience was in different fields and my resume wasn't really strong as far as accounting is concerned. I wanted to join big4 so badly that I applied to many positions in all of them. I got rejected so many times and started thinking that my age was maybe a determining factor. Today I know that it wasn't the case and that I was just using the wrong way to look for job in Big 4. By the way I was 31 when I started as entry level. In our new hire group, the oldest was 37. One of the most efficient ways to get into Big4 is to use social networking sites such as LinkedIn. On-Campus recruiting, career fairs and conventions are also a good way to get there.

Remember that age can play in your favor too. In fact some of the entry level staff that the Big4 hires are not really mature and end up embarrassing the firm with their bad behavior (taking everything personal, being very irritable, moody and always ready to give the finger to whoever wants to tell them the truth lol).

I hope you'll get the job. Good luck!

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Finally Done! Perseverance is the key to success

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