[ParanoidAndroid]

I just need to vent…

I had an office interview with a Big 4 this week for an audit position. Since Big 4 and large firms don’t recruit from the university I graduated from, I got in contact with a recruiter back in February via LinkedIn. I went to the interview very excited after driving 3 hours, met with a partner and a manager. These were probably the best interviews I have given and I thought I had high chances of getting an offer, but then two days later I got a call from the office saying they chose someone else, but they wanted to talk to me about an opportunity in assurance. An hour later I got an e-mail saying the same thing as if telling me over the phone was not enough. I was ready to give it all, work like a slave, and stay with the firm for a long time. I had a great time during both interviews and the partner kept saying how amazing I was and even the HR director came in during the interview (I don’t think she did with the other two guys). I just cannot see where I fuck*ed up and I know I won’t have another one of these opportunities =/

CPA for life...

[futureCPA12]

Why don't you take them up on the Assurance opportunity? If you really want to work for them, go for it!

[Anonymous]

Not with that attitude you won't!

Listen, people are turned down all the time for things they want/feel entitled too. This is part of life, and you may have had the best interview of your life, but perhaps after your the next guy felt exactly the same way but was slightly more qualified; thus, it would be more cost effective to hire that guy than you from a business perspective.

Adversity is part of life, and you can either feel sorry for yourself or enhance your own profile, and make yourself more valuable to potential employers. Every time you walk into an interview, have the mindset that, “If you hire me, I will make your company that much more profitable”, emphasize the fact you'll add value to the company. If possible, talk dollars and cents, get technical if you feel comfortable.

I'm not sure if you have your CPA yet, but if you don't obviously get that, and any other related certification to convince employers your worth their time and energy.

When you went to the interview, did you have a portfolio with extra resumes on resume paper? Did you have questions already written before the interview, or take notes during the interview? How about relevant accomplishments from prior jobs/education. These things will all help boost your profile and convince the employer that you really want it rather than just feel entitled to it because you work hard.

[acamp]

You willing to relocate? Might see if they could hook you up with recruiters in other offices?

Sorry to hear things didnt work out for you

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[Anonymous]

Isn't audit and assurance the same thing….?

[futureCPA12]

Its a bit different. But if your just starting out, why not give assurance a go? Is there a reason you do not want to work in assurance?

[ParanoidAndroid]

@dutkas…Yes, I'm a CPA, had a folio with resumes, asked tons of great questions that I had practiced…You can usually tell after the interview if you have a chance and I thought I did..I don't feel entitled to anything, I just had to vent…

@futureCPA12..it pays a lot less and I'm only interested in audit

@acamp…do you think they'll do that?

@cpjason….they're are different types of assurance services..audit is core assurance..

CPA for life...

[ParanoidAndroid]

@futureCPA…I would have to move to a new city and with the pay I would not be able to help my family anymore…I have a job, but not in public accounting

CPA for life...

[futureCPA12]

@paranoid Gotcha! Sorry about the bad news, but you will find something. Hang in there!

[mla1169]

Don't you have a better chance of moving into an audit position if you already work for them in assurance? Who knows, maybe you lost out this time to someone making an internal move.

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[Anonymous]

@paranoid just going to tell you beggars can't be choosers. If they offered you an opportunity in assurance, you take it and use that as a stepping stone. There is more than one way to get from point A to point B, it just meant a little sacrifice. It's much easier to make a transfer when you are in. From talking with plenty of Big 4 friends, they work with you and want you to succeed in getting to the position you want once you are in. The hard part is getting in.

[Anonymous]

A friend of mine told me – once you get into the firm, you will have a greater chance comparing to people outside to ask for a relocation or change the job type. If you can wait, you will finally get what you want!!!

Besides, I bet handreds of people are waiting for the opportunity like yours. Don't keep them wait too long!

Good Luck!

[ParanoidAndroid]

Update:

I went ahead and called about the assurance position, but turns out it's only seasonal and pays way less than what I make right now (and three hours away). The recruiter mentioned the partner I interviewed with said great things about me and referred me for this position. Do you think it would be a good idea to contact these guys in the future? I'll just keep bugging people on LinkedIn…=]

CPA for life...

[Whopper Warrior]

When I was job seeking I sent hundreds of applications out and went to more interviews I could count. I would get phone calls and emails for jobs I didn't get for positions I didn't remember applying for. Somehow I landed a job at big 4 after being rejected by three of the other big 4. The more you send your name out the more opportunities you have to be accepted.

When I realized they didn't care about me as a person, but as a worker who could get the job done; is when I was offered a job. When they said tell me about yourself, I would get more personal than necessary to show I have personality which everyone says employers want. Sad part is if it is a formal interview or dinner, they want to know if you can perform; not your personal hopes and dreams. Once I realized that I got two job offers, coincidence? I think not.

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[ParanoidAndroid]

@Whopper Warrior…Thanks for the advice =]……

CPA for life...

[Anonymous]

wow what a snobby post. this is like someone complaining, “boohoo i wanted a porsche but all they had for me was BMW”

everyone's right on this forum..you need an atittude adjustment

[Author]

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