[hasy]

Sorry for the ambiguous title, but this is my first time posting here. I’ve been following this site since summer and all the comments were so helpful. I was wondering if anyone can help me with this. I’m actually graduating this summer, but will be CPA eligible in Dec. This invite was like out of nowhere, I’ve never met the recruiter but reached out to her because one of the managers gave me her email. Then BAM! I got invited. I’m from the SoCal and from what I’ve seen, Casino Night is kind of exclusive to Deloitte in SoCal. So I’ve tried researching but didn’t get info.

Right now, I think the biggest help I need is how to interact and converse with the professionals in order to make them like me. What topics can I discuss? What should I do at the event? Do I ask for business cards? I think most importantly, I need help on what I should talk about. How can I prepare for this networking/interview event? I say interview because I’ve spoken to one Deloitte professional who said that she skipped round one interview after going to this event and made it to round two. So I know that this event is pretty important. Please, any help would be lovely. Thank you.

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved - Helen Keller

-

BEC 80 (10/23/15)
FAR 72 (4/2/15); 83 (7/11/16)
REG 52 (4/28/15)
AUD (9/9/16)

Roger + NINJA MCQ + WTB

[Anonymous]

It does sound like it is important. Dress well. If it's business casual, then make sure to wear a sport coat too, etc. Be professional, outgoing, and confident. Ask good questions. That's all I've got. Good luck.

[CPA50]

Congrats! That's a big invite!

Rule #1 Don't get drunk

Rule #2 see rule #1

I like Bill's advice – ask lots of questions, be friendly, don't be afraid to approach any and all – this is the time when senior managers deign to mingle with minions, so take advantage of it. Don't drip mustard on your tie. Walk around with a club soda and ice with a twist, it looks like you have a drink so no one will ask you why you're not drinking and having a good time. You are there to network and interview – it IS an interview remember, just in a social setting with a lot more people involved. But be your friendly self, it's after hours so people may not feel like pulling out business cards. Remember people's names or type them discreetly into your phone for later use.

You have probably already wowed them with your education and experience and now they want to see if you will fit it with the group. Go get em and have fun, just remember rules 1 and 2.

AUD 88 (expired), 80 retake
FAR 64,69,67,73,67,73,73,73, August 3
REG 75 (expired) September 7
BEC 72, 77

The adventure continues...

[LeBronJames]

You should definitely have like 4-5 questions in your head ready to go. You will probably be introducing yourself and talking to several different managers and associates. It doesnt really matter, you can ask the same questions over and over again to different people, as long as you seem interested and eager to work for them. Be prepared to have the same conversation numerous times throughout the night. Pretend like you're interested. The stuff i asked at my big 4 event similar to this when i was in school:

-what kind of clients/industry are you in?

-do you get to travel a lot?

-how did you decide you wanted to do tax/audit?

its the basics and it works well. whatever you do, try not to ask about work/life balance. Its Big 4, you gotta be eager to slave away! And if the conversation somehow drifts away from work and into sports/pop culture/movies/game of thrones, dont be so quick to go back and start asking more questions about work and the firm. You don't want to be a robot. If you find someone you have been talking to for awhile and the conversation is winding down, say casually, hey do you mind if I get one your business cards? They'll say yeah sure you'll shake their hand and a good impression will have been left.

[Skynet]

If you win at the BlackJack or Poker table, make sure you buy the partners a few rounds.

[Sir Study Alot]

Walk in like you own the place…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLZQ_xQEHGY

Passed all 4 exams in 2014!

[005]

drink, but don't get drunk

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

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

[How many letters do you need]

Learn to count cards at blackjack. Win all the fake chips. Then ask them how much it's gonna take to bribe your way in….

MBA,CMA,CPA, CFF?, ABV?

[Skynet]

^ That's only if you don't get caught and get kicked out first.

[Sir Study Alot]

In all seriousness you should first get a feel for the culture. If people are drinking and being fun then you should be more relaxed and try to have a few drinks. If there is a lot of potential new hires standing around like its their junior high formal then you might want to be more focused on finding out about the firm.

If it is the get drunk and have fun vibe then your best chance of meeting people is to play the games and try to socialize with the people at the tables. Texas holdem poker, if they have it, will be the best setting to meet people. The bar will be another good setting.

I would try to find a way where your not just talking about the firm all night. You can start the conversation with questions that ask about the person while indirectly getting information about the firm:

How long have you worked here?

Did you come to this event last year?

If you have no social grace than even these 2 questions could turn into an awkward situation pretty quick, but lucky for you it is Summer so you can ask people how they have been enjoying the Summer after busy season. This may open up opportunities to learn about hobbies that align with yours. From here you are on your own. If you are an odd duck then this event may work against you and no one here can help you.

If Deloitte has a good HR person they should really make an effort to make the potential hires feel comfortable. This is most likely the person you need to impress, because the Managers are going to be focusing on kissing the Partners asses and don't really want to deal with every student off the street that has a 20% chance of getting in the firm. You could ask the HR how interviews work and see if they name drop some people who will be on the panel. People should also be anitiating conversation with you so be prepared to sound like you have clear goals and you are passionate about either audit or tax(but not both).

I wish you luck!

Passed all 4 exams in 2014!

[fuzyfro89]

Whether it's a casino night, pizza night, drinks at a local pub, whatever, the end game is the same: network.

In a casual setting, keep the conversation light, but don't be afraid to ask questions that you want answers to (of course, keep it somewhat light). Why they chose their firm/practice line, how they got into their industry and what they like/dislike about it, the structure of the office, major industry clients, etc.

At the end of a conversation, the staff/sr/mgr/partner should think to themselves “[1] I think this guy/girl is personable, and I wouldn't be embarrassed to have him represent the firm in front of a client, and [2] I wouldn't want to stab my eyes out if I had to be working with him/her until 11pm for a month straight.”

[MrMustPass]

drink, smile, social, dont get drunk, and dont leave early.

BEC - 77
FAR - 69, 70, 76
REG - Waiting
AUD - Jan 2015

Just Do It.

[Lessi]

Oooh, congratulations to you from the bottom of my heart!!! It is very cool that you were so quickly singled out and called to this event. I think you should not worry so much, and just pull yourself together and be yourself. If you do too much preparation, if you memorize the text for any questions, then you can then mix it up and get complete nonsense. Try going to YouTube and watching videos on this topic and you'll learn some of the tricks. But best of all, just be who you are and you'll blow everyone away!

[Sebastian]

I agree. You don't have to worry about it. People don't like it when someone tries to play and not be themselves. Moreover do not like and all see and guess. So be as natural as possible, even if something does not go well it is possible it will be just a plus for you and you will not have problems in the future. In the worst case, if you like gambling, you can always play at home or on your smartphone.

[Author]

Replies