[mochacpa]

I sent my resume to a recruiter and filled out the online referral application too. After a few days I got an automated email from the recruiter saying ” unfortunately we don’t have an available opening that matches your skill set. The good news is that your resume is now stored in our applicant tracking system which allows us to get back in contact with you should a relevant position arise.”

Is this a polite way of saying there is no hope at all? What does this really mean? Any advice would be appreciated.

I am patient and willing to wait as long as I need to to get a chance to work for Big 4. Currently started working for a Fortune 500 company after getting my MSA from a well-known top 20 state school for accounting last year. It is my first accounting full time job out of school.

Audit: 75 1st time

REG: 75 1st time

FAR: 75 2nd time

BEC: 92 1st time

[Anonymous]

It means your resume went into a black hole with every other accounting major who isn't employed / under employed. Did your friend actually hand a resume to a person – manager or HR? If so, then maybe someone will call you. If not, then what does referred mean?

If you got a job with a fortune 500 why would you want to work for big4? 99% of first year associates dream of escaping to a fortune 500….

[Anonymous]

It means game over. Apply for the next job.

[HFinn]

@OP, it more than likely means what the above posters have said. Knowing how your friend referred you might be of help.

@Awkward, I once heard a VP of Accounting say “When I hire, I count one year at a Big 4 as if it was 1.5 or 2 years due to all the work one is forced to do”.

While definitely not necessary, I think the value of the Big 4 brand is a pretty established fact..

[Spock]

Out of curiosity, how much would it help to have someone in human resources who would personally “take a look” at your resume? Do they have the power to get you an offer or just an interview?

[HFinn]

At the Big 4, from what I've heard, they can help get you an interview if there is a need for candidates. Like lots of other companies, the recruiters probably rely first on resumes they've gathered during the on campus recruiting process. Some of the ones that don't make the final cut are called back for a second look. I had a few classmates who got interviews/offers this way.

Then there's an effort to reach out to past interns or first year staff for any recommendations. Again, I've gotten this email a couple of times from my firm.

A lot of times there's a timing issue. I know two people who had referrals to HR, but one didn't get an interview because there was not an immediate hiring need at that moment.

Frmo that, recruiters might rely on their online database where people will apply. From there the cream of the crop is chosen by filtering out through school, gpa, etc.

So basically, having an actual human give a resume to someone in HR or a recruiter can get you in the beginning of the process, where you probably have less competition and there's more of a hiring need, increases your chances of getting an interview.

Add the fact that a Manager, Sr. Mgr, or Partner recommends it, and you've got a really good chance.

This is all from my perspective as a first year staff and intern, so take it with a grian of salt. Not sure how the more experienced professionals get hired.

[Anonymous]

@mochacpa – i went through the same process as you mentioned. The friend/acquaintance who referred me was a year 1 staff at EY. I already had my online portal set up before his referral. After he referred i got a notification about it. But, i never received any further notice about how they don't have any matching openings. I wonder how this will fare out. Another friend of mine gave me the name of the recruiter that hired him. I also emailed her with my resume. But i have not heard anything from EY yet. Good luck to you with your hunt.

Anyone here know how EY recruiting works regarding these notifications?

[Author]

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