[Anonymous]

Hi guys,

I need some advice. So I started at B4 recently and I think I made the wrong decision. I knew public accounting wasn’t for me and yet I was talked into taking the offer. My question is, if I start applying to other jobs (2 months into my current one), I am worried my firm may find out through the B4 alumni that left to the companies that I am now applying to. I mean if I happen to get an interview, they may even be someone who interviews me.

Can this happen? Can my firm find out through the companies I am applying to, which ultimately will lead me to losing my current job?

[mla1169]

It's possible but not likely. How long have you been at B4, is it even worth putting on your resume?

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[Anonymous]

I've been there 2 months so far and interned last summer as well. I'm looking for another entry level position. Just wondering what my prospects are though for a new job. Its a shame because I had many interviews coming in since I had a very very strong GPA plus Big 4 internship experience and I had to make a decision on the B4 offer before I could go through with all the other interviews.

[Anonymous]

And wouldn't I HAVE to put it on my resume?

[acamp]

Yes, you can't just leave it off, a background check by your new employer will show your B4 job.

Outside of the many obvious reasons, what is your problem specifically? After a few months in B4 and a good portion of people are ready to quit, but many find a way stick it out. Your career prospects will dramatically increase if you can hang with it for a while.

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[mla1169]

A resume is nothing more than an introduction of yourself designed to let employers know what you've accomplished. After 2 months you haven't accomplished anything there so it does not have to be on your resume. Now after you've gotten your foot in the door and are filling out paperwork (an application and a consent to a background check) of course you would list it. But I would not put it out there until you're having serious discussions with a potential employer-if you're simply sending out resumes you don't know if they're even going to express interest in you.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[mla1169]

And please don't take my word for it, always use skepticism, but HR resources confirm it is not necessary to list jobs under 6 months in duration https://www.theladders.com/career-advice/how-to-short-term-jobs-resume

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Anonymous]

I guess I have a few issues.

During the internship, the answers to my questions were sugar coated. I wasn't given the complete picture and I shouldn't have been too naive.I knew public accounting wasn't for me in the first place because of no work/life balance.

I also am not sure if the service line I'm in is even for me. I wish I had gone into a rotational program in a corporate setting where I could at least try out different areas. I'm afraid if I stay in this service line for longer, my next job prospects will only be in this area. Isn't it better to get out sooner in this case anyway because even if I wait and want to go into something out of this service line, I'd be starting from the bottom anyway right?

[Anonymous]

@mla thanks for the backup on your stance!

[Anonymous]

you might just want to express your concerns to your employer. tell them why it isn't working for u, etc. and they might be able to help

[mla1169]

I agree if there is any way to stick it out for 12+ months that is your best bet. B4 experience goes a long way even in industry and is my one career regret (that ship has sailed for me!)

On the other hand life is too short to be unhappy even for a day. It's really a shame that the internship and full time employee experience are so different.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Anonymous]

Could I actually ask you guys for advice on something separate?

[Anonymous]

You're moving on after 2 months? That's crazy – esp if a big chunk of that was just training time. I feel like you haven't really gotten a feel for the work yet (quarters, year-end, planning, summer – are all very different and each client and team is different too), I wasn't sure what I really thought of it all until around the 1 year mark because there is a lot to take in. Further, you had an internship where you were able to look a bit beyond the curtain and ask staff questions about their jobs, so you really shouldn't be all that surprised, one thing that these firms, and especially staff, generally don't hide from you is the crazy busy season hours and stress. I'd really recommend trying to stick it out and see how you feel a year from now. It will look SO MUCH better on a resume – a lot of people end up leaving after a year, and people in corporate/industry are usually pretty understanding of that and the reasons why. Leaving after two months will make you look like a quitter and someone who doesn't stick with things for very long.

Technically, you probably wouldn't HAVE to include this 2 months on your resume (although it'd be sort of disingenuous if you try to hide it during the interview when they are asking about your experiences and what you've been up to). Although, you'd probably have to put it on the online application that most companies also make you fill out, those usually request everything.

[Anonymous]

@Anonny: I was just saying to start applying, not quitting right away. I just want to say that yes, I did ask staff questions about their jobs when I was an intern and that's exactly what I am saying was sugar coated. They DID hide the crazy hours and stress. I mean I knew that hours are rough when it really gets busy, but for every office is different. Now that I was here for some of busy season I saw that what they said was a misrepresentation of the truth.

@mla: I agree, life is too short to be unhappy…..And yes, I would recommend every intern to never solely base your FT offer decision on your internship. Don't be lured in from fancy lunches and intern events. Make sure you know what you are getting into.

Also, thank you to everyone else too that replied. I understand your POV of staying for at least a year. We'll see how it goes from here.

[Peach1024]

I think when you apply somewhere and tell them you're still gainfully employed at your current job, it's generally implied that discretion is needed. You can outright ask for discretion, if you feel you need to. I don't really see it as a huge concern – people apply to different jobs for different reasons all the time without getting fired! I will say though that one guy at my office was apparently unhappy and was sending his resume to different job openings, and he sent a resume to one of our long-time clients who was looking for a bookkeeper. The client immediately called our office and that's how it was awkwardly discovered that he was looking for employment elsewhere. My firm did let him go which I felt was overkill, but I guess they didn't want someone who might go elsewhere to get involved with clients and whatnot. So basically, don't do that.

Also, I understand not being happy in a job. I have flexibility with my schedule in public accounting but if I didn't, I would be long gone. Life is too short to work 70+ hour weeks or whatever. That's just my two cents, though.

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[fuzyfro89]

You can leave it off your resume if you wish (not sure who would value someone who's been at any job for only 2 months… what do you really have to say that you accomplished?).

However, you will need to disclose it prior to a background check and the offer stage if you get there and intend to take it.

I will say that I would *strongly* encourage you to stick it out until you're closer to 1 year (or at least 1 busy season, so summer 2015) before looking to move on.

No one will be shocked that you tried it, gave it a chance, and found that it's just not for you. Leaving after substantially less than 1 year will raise flags on your candidacy in the future; however, if you really hate it, then that's just price you'll have to pay.

[Author]

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