[mystical guy]

I had given up on the Big 4 but my buddy told me to work at least 1 year and then quit. Anyhow, I have a job application with EY, in IT Risk Assurance, and after three weeks of having two phone interviews they asked me for a writing sample.

After talking to various people at EY, working the same job, same office, I found out that none of them were asked to provide the said writing sample online.

Anybody know anything about this?

CPA - Since 2015
CISA - Smashed 2012
CIA - Passed 2015

[mystical guy]

@mla1169 I forgot to mention that I also have 5.5 years in IT, prior to the Fortune 500. It's just the 6 months that are my most recent employment. I do believe I am overqualified otherwise I wouldn't be interviewing as an experienced hire for an entry-level. And yes, I Googled and read about the writing assessment. I just want to understand how they pick and choose who takes these assessments, that's why I posted this question.

@impska I thought the same thing too, but when I look at comments from job applicants as far as 2009, about 10% of them were asked to perform those writing assignments, and the rest expressed disbelief that such a thing exists. Whatever the case is, I just think knowledge is power.

CPA - Since 2015
CISA - Smashed 2012
CIA - Passed 2015

[thechapman]

@mysticalguy “I do believe I am overqualified otherwise I wouldn't be interviewing as an experienced hire for an entry-level.”

Making vertical movements somewhat downward doesn't necessarily mean you are overqualified. An example is jumping ship from one firm to another and effectively losing one year of experience. Definitely does not imply the person is overqualified…just at a different level within that specific company perhaps.

Passed - 2014

[thechapman]

@mysticalguy “I do believe I am overqualified otherwise I wouldn't be interviewing as an experienced hire for an entry-level.”

Making vertical movements somewhat downward doesn't necessarily mean you are overqualified. An example is jumping ship from one firm to another and effectively losing one year of experience. Definitely does not imply the person is overqualified…just at a different level within that specific company perhaps.

Passed - 2014

[mla1169]

Chapman agreed. I've got a CPA license and have been working in industry since most folks here were in grade school (or diapers) and Im not overqualified for a staff audir position because ive never worked in audit.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[mla1169]

Chapman agreed. I've got a CPA license and have been working in industry since most folks here were in grade school (or diapers) and Im not overqualified for a staff audir position because ive never worked in audit.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[mystical guy]

@thechapman and @mla1169

According to Merriam Webster, “overqualified” means – having more knowledge or training than is needed for a job.

For example, they need 1 year of implementing systems. I have over 7 years experience doing that. They prefer but do not require one to pass the CPA or CISA for promotion to Senior Associate. I passed both…etc.

What's the chunk of people who apply for this entry-level job? I'm willing to bet fresh college grads who have not achieved what I have achieved yet. I'm not bad mouthing them or calling them stupid, just emphasizing that they will be hired, they should be, but I bet I exceeded most of them in most of the requirements. That's what I meant. I know this because I know many of the hires they select. I used to do their homework lol.

If someone has over 2 years of experience in ITRA, they wouldn't be applying for the entry-level job. That's a Senior Associate material, so I highly doubt I'll be competing with them for the position.

CPA - Since 2015
CISA - Smashed 2012
CIA - Passed 2015

[mystical guy]

@thechapman and @mla1169

According to Merriam Webster, “overqualified” means – having more knowledge or training than is needed for a job.

For example, they need 1 year of implementing systems. I have over 7 years experience doing that. They prefer but do not require one to pass the CPA or CISA for promotion to Senior Associate. I passed both…etc.

What's the chunk of people who apply for this entry-level job? I'm willing to bet fresh college grads who have not achieved what I have achieved yet. I'm not bad mouthing them or calling them stupid, just emphasizing that they will be hired, they should be, but I bet I exceeded most of them in most of the requirements. That's what I meant. I know this because I know many of the hires they select. I used to do their homework lol.

If someone has over 2 years of experience in ITRA, they wouldn't be applying for the entry-level job. That's a Senior Associate material, so I highly doubt I'll be competing with them for the position.

CPA - Since 2015
CISA - Smashed 2012
CIA - Passed 2015

[jasonrobbins]

@mystical guy

I don't know you- you may be a really cool guy, but you sound arrogant (frankly). Never go into a job or treat a job like it's “under you”. When you're unemployed, you're never “overqualified”. I know this isn't your intention but it rubs off.

If you don't get the job- it's probably because they thought you were arrogant or didn't fit with their work culture. A lot of the hiring process comes down to personality (it's not always what you know or how long you've been doing something…)

You should know this by now…

AUD- 97 1x
REG- 81 1x
BEC- 79 1x
FAR- 88 1x

DONE!

10/1/12 to 2/28/14

[jasonrobbins]

@mystical guy

I don't know you- you may be a really cool guy, but you sound arrogant (frankly). Never go into a job or treat a job like it's “under you”. When you're unemployed, you're never “overqualified”. I know this isn't your intention but it rubs off.

If you don't get the job- it's probably because they thought you were arrogant or didn't fit with their work culture. A lot of the hiring process comes down to personality (it's not always what you know or how long you've been doing something…)

You should know this by now…

AUD- 97 1x
REG- 81 1x
BEC- 79 1x
FAR- 88 1x

DONE!

10/1/12 to 2/28/14

[stoleway]

@Mystical

Just calm down, you sound very desperate and you think passing the CPA and the CISA will give you a head start but unfortunately that’s not the case. You have 3 problems as far as your job search is concerned.

1. You sounds very desperate and want to get a job offer by all means and that will go a long way to hurt your feelings in case you’re rejected.

2. You have limited your search to big 4 and it will probably take some time before you get one (broaden your search)

3. Your CPA and CISA pass is getting into your head and makes you think you’re better than others, guess what ? This job can be easily offered to a college grad without any effort.

Modern day hiring is more about personality and minimum educational qualification. My wife has a Bachelors Degree and earns about 80k in a year (which is 2x more than I earn, even though I have an MBA) , so personality is a big deal.

REG -63│ 84!!
BEC- 59│70│ 71 │78!
AUD- 75!
FAR- 87!

Mass-CPA

[stoleway]

@Mystical

Just calm down, you sound very desperate and you think passing the CPA and the CISA will give you a head start but unfortunately that’s not the case. You have 3 problems as far as your job search is concerned.

1. You sounds very desperate and want to get a job offer by all means and that will go a long way to hurt your feelings in case you’re rejected.

2. You have limited your search to big 4 and it will probably take some time before you get one (broaden your search)

3. Your CPA and CISA pass is getting into your head and makes you think you’re better than others, guess what ? This job can be easily offered to a college grad without any effort.

Modern day hiring is more about personality and minimum educational qualification. My wife has a Bachelors Degree and earns about 80k in a year (which is 2x more than I earn, even though I have an MBA) , so personality is a big deal.

REG -63│ 84!!
BEC- 59│70│ 71 │78!
AUD- 75!
FAR- 87!

Mass-CPA

[dpad124]

Wow, this thread started off okay.

@Mystical

For whatever reason they asked you to do a writing assignment. It looks like you've decided to do it. Get over it. If you can't, move on.

Just because you think you're overqualified doesn't mean they do. If you come off like you are in here, watch out.

Best of luck to you, but I suggest you take a different approach to your job hunting.

BEC Oct2014 - 85
AUD Jan2015 - ??
REG Feb2015 - ??
FAR May2015 - ??

[dpad124]

Wow, this thread started off okay.

@Mystical

For whatever reason they asked you to do a writing assignment. It looks like you've decided to do it. Get over it. If you can't, move on.

Just because you think you're overqualified doesn't mean they do. If you come off like you are in here, watch out.

Best of luck to you, but I suggest you take a different approach to your job hunting.

BEC Oct2014 - 85
AUD Jan2015 - ??
REG Feb2015 - ??
FAR May2015 - ??

[Jack_J]

@Mystical

Quick question where you job hunted or you applied for the position at your own evolution? So where from this overqualified issue . If you think you're overqualified why apply for the position? I get sick when candidates who badly need job apply for an advertised position raise questions of over qualification.Humility is a key virtue you need to develop.I know of a Doctor of Business Administration (major in Accounting ) guy who is working as a Accounting Assistant in a good reputable US firm .This guy has so much experience as Senior Management personnel in a reputable international organization that have branches in US but had to take this job just to gain the US experience and from what I hear from him he has been marked on a rapid talent promotion ladder in this organization .So it is not how you begin that only matters but how you end is the key ingredient to success.

[Jack_J]

@Mystical

Quick question where you job hunted or you applied for the position at your own evolution? So where from this overqualified issue . If you think you're overqualified why apply for the position? I get sick when candidates who badly need job apply for an advertised position raise questions of over qualification.Humility is a key virtue you need to develop.I know of a Doctor of Business Administration (major in Accounting ) guy who is working as a Accounting Assistant in a good reputable US firm .This guy has so much experience as Senior Management personnel in a reputable international organization that have branches in US but had to take this job just to gain the US experience and from what I hear from him he has been marked on a rapid talent promotion ladder in this organization .So it is not how you begin that only matters but how you end is the key ingredient to success.

[Author]

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