[AScott89]

I’ve been applying to so many public accounting positions my head is spinning. I feel like every app I put in is going into a dark hole never to be seen again. I am so anxious to get my career started, especially since the part-time job I’m working at is cutting back our hours and student loans are looming. I feel like with every week that goes by, my chances of starting my career keep dropping.

Does anyone here work in maybe Big 4 or a regional firm in NC? I’ve applied to some positions at Deloitte and KPMG but haven’t been able to get in touch with the recruiters and haven’t heard anything yet. I guess I’m kinda anxious as to whether or not my resume is good enough, especially since I’ve been out of school since May 2012. I know I don’t have any experience, but I’ll never get any if I don’t get hired. I feel like I’m losing my mind some days with the pressure I feel.

Anybody know how to get in touch with Big 4 recruiters in NC or can direct me to someone who can? LinkedIn has not been helpful to me.

Thanks guys

BEC-65
AUD-72(8 '14); 68(11 '14)
FAR-
REG-

[Anonymous]

Sorry to break it to you but the chance of you getting in with a public accounting firm, let alone the big 4, after being “out of school since May 2012” and not having “any” experience yet, isn't great.

There is a chance, so don't give up but stay open to and actively seek other opportunities, just because all you hear in school is big 4, big 4, public accounting, big 4, does not mean that public accounting is the way to go. There are so many different kinds of opportunities out there that offer great growth and great careers.

Students/graduates being so laser focused on just a handful of opportunities, that aren't even necessarily the best at all, is a real problem especially considering how headstrong everyone is nowadays.

[AScott89]

Well I'm not just focused on Big 4. I've put in some apps at regional firms too but haven't been successful so far. There's not many opportunities in my area either since its a small town. Hopefully this one I've put in will pay off since they said they hope to start interviewing in a few weeks.

BEC-65
AUD-72(8 '14); 68(11 '14)
FAR-
REG-

[fuzyfro89]

By “I've put in apps” do you mean applied online only?

That's not enough. Please tell me you haven't been doing this for the past 2 years.

Network, network, network!!!

Contact at least one person on Linkedin each day. Seriously, Linkedin is your new bff.

Search (firm name) + (recruiter) or (talent) or (human resources) or whatever else you think titles are and you'll come across many people.

If this still isn't working after you contact a TON of people for a few months, then you need to consider moving. At a certain point, lack of opportunities is just that. Even a highly qualified candidate will struggle if there's just not much around.

[RandomAlt]

What fuzyfro89 said… NETWORK. If you are just submitting apps to an online system you are just going to be spinning your wheels.

I would go farther than what fuzy mentioned though. That is still more passive than I would suggest. Go out and MEET people.

The school where you graduated from, do they have a career fair? You need to get in front of the recruiters, meet the HR team, and make them remember you. I started going to my schools career fair about a year before I graduated. I became known as the Thank You card guy because I would send elaborate “it was a pleasure meeting you” cards to every single person I met at the event (we are talking about 20-30 people). I made notes on every person and personalized the cards I sent. Those people remembered me when I saw them again.

It doesn't have to be a career fair…again, you just have to meet people. Get a listing of all CPA events in your area. Attend them. Don't bring a resume, bring a business card. I had biz cards made up that had a QR code that linked to me resume (I created a resume website to go along with it).

You see all that effort I put in above? It still took me a while to land a job. I'm a non-traditional student. Went back to school in my 30's, and graduated in 2013. No internship (Kid, mortgage, etc…I was working full time but in a completely unrelated field) to put on my resume. I had to sell myself…and you aren't going to sell yourself if you are just submitting apps online.

Also, one more thing. I know you keep mentioning Big 4 and regional firms. What about small firms? Are you applying to every firm you can? I didn't apply to one Big 4 firm. I knew that was not the culture I was interested in. I LOVE where I work. Less than 50 people, good hours, a variety of work.

FAR - [10/07/2013 --> 66] [07/07/2014 --> 86]
BEC - [08/31/2014 --> 86]
AUD - [11/24/2014 --> 88]
REG - [02/14/2015 --> 92]

[AScott89]

No I haven't just applied online. I've been contacting recruiters on LinkedIn and most of them have never contacted me back. I had a fellow alumni who works at PwC put my resume in front of a manger and just got a ‘complete the online profile and we'll get back to you if you're a fit' response. I've also applied to regional and small firms. I'm trying every firm I can but nothing seems to be working.

I went to High Point University and the accounting career fair is only for current students. And the two years I went there were no firms that were hiring, they were just there to tell you about their firm. I've looked on those firms' websites constantly for the past two years and there is either nothing posted or nothing I'm qualified for. And I cannot afford to move. I have no money for a security deposit and my family has no money to help me either. I did put in for a few jobs farther away that I would have to move for, but got turned down for those too.

Accounting events in my area? I haven't really looked for those yet. What's the best way you've found to search for those? I'm in the piedmont triad of NC if anyone in NC knows of some upcoming events.

I applied to a small firm a week or so ago and was told they hope to start doing interviews in the next few weeks so I'm praying for this one. It would be a good opportunity for me and I could start on my work experience requirement for my license.

BEC-65
AUD-72(8 '14); 68(11 '14)
FAR-
REG-

[thechapman]

For what it's worth, I'm starting with one of the Big 4 soon and I've heard from someone that they are trying to move toward only hiring people that have interned with them. I'm not saying that's what's holding you back, but just giving you a little inside info. Not sure if they've actually executed that plan yet (I doubt it), but it's something to think about.

Also, I got an interview for this job by COLD EMAILING a partner in the office I wanted. No joke. You may have to consider doing things like that if you really want it. While it may not work 99% of the time, it could be worth a shot.

Passed - 2014

[AScott89]

chapman how did you find that person's email? I've tried to do that as well but with no luck. Which Big 4 are you starting at? The entry-level jobs I applied to were at KPMG and Deloitte. I even applied to an internship position at Deloitte since they didn't specifically say ‘students only'.

BEC-65
AUD-72(8 '14); 68(11 '14)
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REG-

[005]

What's your presence on LinkedIn like? Is your Resume up to standard?

BEC - ✔
REG - ✔
AUD - ✔
FAR - 11/29/14

CPAExcel, Ninja MCQs, and a sh*t ton of coffee

[AScott89]

I believe it is. I've had an older friend up north in the accounting field day so. Could you look at it and give me your opinion please?

Here's my LinkedIn url: https://www.linkedin.com/pub/amanda-scott/24/921/78b/

BEC-65
AUD-72(8 '14); 68(11 '14)
FAR-
REG-

[Anonymous]

@OP- have you joined your state society of CPAs? Here in PA, that is invaluable resource!

[Anonymous]

Once you know the email shell of the company, you can just start plugging in names and emailing away. Search on linkedin to see what the email shell looks like; then start searching for titles that would be in a position to get you in the door; I personally locked up my current job by cold contacting people this way. The response rate won't be very high but someone may look at this as high initiative and give you an interview.

[thechapman]

I forgot to mention that I was still in school (almost finished) when I did this. That may have made a difference to them, but it was worth mentioning. I got it from a professor. If you are a little Google savvy you can definitely get your hands on some email addresses of partners in the office you are looking at.

There is a big issue with the timing you are trying to pull off though. I'm assuming that you want a job immediately, and that is going to make Big 4 very tough. This is because they hire people (at least from what I've seen) very far in advance. For example, I got my job offer almost a year and a half ago to start here in the next couple of months. If you're trying to find a job with one of the Big 4 starting this fall, they would have already filled all those positions, previous interns or otherwise, in the past year already.

You may still try to get around this though. Just doing a quick check, it looks like there are a couple job postings for “seasonal associate/senior associate” in two NC KPMG offices. That title looks ambiguous to me, and there's a possibility that you could be applying for temp work that could lead to full time? “Seasonal associate” to me says temp work at the associate level, and it might be worth a shot to get your hands on a partner's email to tell them you want the job.

Passed - 2014

[AScott89]

I've been applying to some positions for next year. If I got a position that started next year I wouldn't mind since there would be a ‘light at the end of the tunnel' to look forward to. An audit associate position I applied to with Grant Thornton changed from 2015 to 2014 so they might need someone sooner (hopefully). Only problem is it'd be an almost two-hour drive one way. But if that's the only one I get I would take it.

I didn't apply for those seasonal/senior associate positions because it says ‘at least 2 years of experience'. I don't think they'd consider my application for those.

chapman for the job you got, when did you apply and how long did it take to hear from them after you applied? Also I have a connection on LinkedIn to a Director of the Risk Assurance Services at one of the Big 4 and it lists his personal email. Would it be a good idea to contact him that way? Or would it be kinda taboo since its a personal, not work email?

BEC-65
AUD-72(8 '14); 68(11 '14)
FAR-
REG-

[thechapman]

@AScott89

After corresponding with the partner I mentioned, I had an interview within a week. After that, I had a second interview in the actual office shortly after (probably within 2 weeks). I got the job offer a week after the office interview, so from start to finish it was less than a month.

Something I noticed on your LinkedIn profile is that you indicate you are seeking a public accounting position for either audit or tax. From what I've been told, this is a big “no no”. Again this is just what I've heard, but the firms are looking for someone that knows exactly what they want and have decided on one or the other.

Passed - 2014

[AScott89]

chapman What if I've applied for both though? I applied for audit through Big 4 and tax through a small firm. Should I just pick one for my LinkedIn profile anyway?

BEC-65
AUD-72(8 '14); 68(11 '14)
FAR-
REG-

[Author]

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