[Hannah. H]

Hi guys.

I graduated from college this summer, and completed CPA exam shortly after graduation.

I have failed to land internship and full-time position at Big 4 during campus recruiting season.

I decided to complete CPA Exam to raise my chance of landing at Big 4.

I received my last section result a little more than a month ago, and immediately after, I applied for so many positions, but I didn’t receive any interview yet.

For Big 4, there are no positions for entry level staff. The only staff positions those are available are experienced staff positions, for those who have at least 1 or more years of experience.

I do not have these experience, except for internship, which does not count.

I have applied for so many positions in Big 4, and other firms but I kept receiving rejection letters.

So, just because I failed to land at Big 4 during campus recruiting season, there is no chance for me to land an entry level job at Big 4? Absolutely never?

What should I do??? Any ideas??

[Anonymous]

I mean, the Big 4 would most likely not have positions open because, as you said, recruiting season is over and they filled their spots. In my experience I found smaller firms recruited as late as December and weren't as strict with their timeframe. You can obviously keep tabs on wherever you put your resume in and see if they got an opening in the future. Or just wait until next recruiting season.

[Anonymous]

I mean, the Big 4 would most likely not have positions open because, as you said, recruiting season is over and they filled their spots. In my experience I found smaller firms recruited as late as December and weren't as strict with their timeframe. You can obviously keep tabs on wherever you put your resume in and see if they got an opening in the future. Or just wait until next recruiting season.

[Anonymous]

don't restrict yourself to only big 4

[Anonymous]

don't restrict yourself to only big 4

[hjc]

What state are you applying to?

[hjc]

What state are you applying to?

[Anonymous]

I also failed to find a job until recently, even after passing the exam. Don't lose hope! The job I did land is for busy season only at a local firm, but I have a good shot at landing a permanent job. Trust me, I remember the feeling of desperation. I'm still very nervous about locking down a full-time permanent position!

The best advice I have is to stay involved and keep networking. I did Young Professionals, BAP as an alum, continued to stay in contact with my university's career services and professors, etc. If you're not networking, you're likely going to continue to struggle.

Keep beating the bushes for any positions! In my medium sized city, I still see ads for jobs (especially local and smaller firms). Dress up and hand-deliver your resumes to all the firms in your town, too (it worked for me).

Also, it's not fun, but really try to figure out what your weaknesses are and address them head on. For me, I'm pretty sure I was coming across as strange in interviews, because I expect myself to be perfect and I'm a bit of an introvert. After failing a couple of interviews, I was able to convince myself it couldn't get any worse, so I was able to act normally again. Really think about your issues and try your best to fix them!

Keep at it regularly and don't give up! If you're still without a job at the beginning of February, and you're interested in taxation, volunteer for the VITA program to get some experience and more networking.

[Anonymous]

I also failed to find a job until recently, even after passing the exam. Don't lose hope! The job I did land is for busy season only at a local firm, but I have a good shot at landing a permanent job. Trust me, I remember the feeling of desperation. I'm still very nervous about locking down a full-time permanent position!

The best advice I have is to stay involved and keep networking. I did Young Professionals, BAP as an alum, continued to stay in contact with my university's career services and professors, etc. If you're not networking, you're likely going to continue to struggle.

Keep beating the bushes for any positions! In my medium sized city, I still see ads for jobs (especially local and smaller firms). Dress up and hand-deliver your resumes to all the firms in your town, too (it worked for me).

Also, it's not fun, but really try to figure out what your weaknesses are and address them head on. For me, I'm pretty sure I was coming across as strange in interviews, because I expect myself to be perfect and I'm a bit of an introvert. After failing a couple of interviews, I was able to convince myself it couldn't get any worse, so I was able to act normally again. Really think about your issues and try your best to fix them!

Keep at it regularly and don't give up! If you're still without a job at the beginning of February, and you're interested in taxation, volunteer for the VITA program to get some experience and more networking.

[jw_83]

Look at smaller firms. I got hired in January 2011 at the small firm I work at. As a matter of fact, we are currently looking to hire someone right now.

REG - 64, 72, 81!
FAR - 77
AUD - 79
BEC - 72, 79! And Done!

[jw_83]

Look at smaller firms. I got hired in January 2011 at the small firm I work at. As a matter of fact, we are currently looking to hire someone right now.

REG - 64, 72, 81!
FAR - 77
AUD - 79
BEC - 72, 79! And Done!

[Anonymous]

I'm going through a similar thing too – I completed my Masters in June and finished my final CPA exam at the end of Nov. Everyone told me I'd have no problem finding a job, but it's been so difficult! Hopefully we can find something soon!

[Anonymous]

I'm going through a similar thing too – I completed my Masters in June and finished my final CPA exam at the end of Nov. Everyone told me I'd have no problem finding a job, but it's been so difficult! Hopefully we can find something soon!

[Anonymous]

Try going through a head hunter such as Robert Half. I connected myself with multiple employment agencies when I was out of work and landed a handful of interviews. In St. Louis a lot of companies use head hunters to find accounting professionals.

[Anonymous]

Try going through a head hunter such as Robert Half. I connected myself with multiple employment agencies when I was out of work and landed a handful of interviews. In St. Louis a lot of companies use head hunters to find accounting professionals.

[jw_83]

@ang_89 Where are you at in Illinois. The firm I am with is located in Galesburg, IL and we are looking to fill a couple of positions.

REG - 64, 72, 81!
FAR - 77
AUD - 79
BEC - 72, 79! And Done!

[Author]

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