- This topic has 80 replies, 21 voices, and was last updated 11 years, 3 months ago by lleon.
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October 11, 2013 at 7:50 pm #181073johndParticipant
Hey, I’m currently in a master’s program for my 150 credits. I have a great GPA and have passed the CPA. I applied to all the Big 4 for summer internships, but they aren’t even interviewing me! What is wrong?? It’s so disheartening to know that you worked so hard, and that people who are much less on in their CPA careers are getting the interviews instead of you. I thought taking and passing the CPA was a good initiative? Do they think I’m too good for them? I know of a couple of people in the same situation. It has nothing to do with interview skills, which I have, because they won’t even interview!
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October 11, 2013 at 10:14 pm #461198johndParticipant
And, when I spoke with associates, they were all very impressed with me (some with 2 years experience haven't finished the exams yet. One or two of them said I would be hired by the firm in all likelihood, given the total package.
Should I go to law school or take the CFA? š half serious
October 11, 2013 at 10:14 pm #461095johndParticipantAnd, when I spoke with associates, they were all very impressed with me (some with 2 years experience haven't finished the exams yet. One or two of them said I would be hired by the firm in all likelihood, given the total package.
Should I go to law school or take the CFA? š half serious
October 11, 2013 at 10:18 pm #461200acampParticipantI think you have an answer for everything; maybe they also saw this. Also, thoughts like “Do they think I'm too good for them?” … “It has nothing to do with interview skills, which I have…” speaks volumes about how you might come across. Just as much as they want personable, they want someone they can envision working well with others… for hours and hours and hours and hours and hours and hours.
Who knows, maybe you're the perfect candidate and 4 out of 4 recruiters are mistaken or maybe, some solid self reflection will help you discover areas of improvement.
Ninja + Wiley Test Bank: [FAR - 81] [REG - 76] [BEC - 88] [AUD - 73](doh!)
Becker Videos: [AUD - 82]
California CPA
October 11, 2013 at 10:18 pm #461097acampParticipantI think you have an answer for everything; maybe they also saw this. Also, thoughts like “Do they think I'm too good for them?” … “It has nothing to do with interview skills, which I have…” speaks volumes about how you might come across. Just as much as they want personable, they want someone they can envision working well with others… for hours and hours and hours and hours and hours and hours.
Who knows, maybe you're the perfect candidate and 4 out of 4 recruiters are mistaken or maybe, some solid self reflection will help you discover areas of improvement.
Ninja + Wiley Test Bank: [FAR - 81] [REG - 76] [BEC - 88] [AUD - 73](doh!)
Becker Videos: [AUD - 82]
California CPA
October 11, 2013 at 11:24 pm #461202tough_kittyMemberWow. I think it's odd that everyone is trying to find things that are wrong with your personality, attitude, etc!
I attended Meet the Firms, had a few conversations with Big 4 and regional firms, applied through campus recruitment site and got interviews with every single firm. I honestly think it might have been my GPA and resume. I doubt they'd remember 50 people they talked to during the event!
I didn't apply for internships, though, because I had a full time job. Perhaps they think that you might find a better opportunity with your masters and they don't want to waste their time with you, knowing you'll start looking for a higher paying job sooner than later. At this point, you are well qualified for a job already – no need for an internship.
And yes, I would agree – big 4 firms stress diversity more than anything else.
FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14October 11, 2013 at 11:24 pm #461099tough_kittyMemberWow. I think it's odd that everyone is trying to find things that are wrong with your personality, attitude, etc!
I attended Meet the Firms, had a few conversations with Big 4 and regional firms, applied through campus recruitment site and got interviews with every single firm. I honestly think it might have been my GPA and resume. I doubt they'd remember 50 people they talked to during the event!
I didn't apply for internships, though, because I had a full time job. Perhaps they think that you might find a better opportunity with your masters and they don't want to waste their time with you, knowing you'll start looking for a higher paying job sooner than later. At this point, you are well qualified for a job already – no need for an internship.
And yes, I would agree – big 4 firms stress diversity more than anything else.
FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14October 12, 2013 at 12:13 am #461204ParanoidAndroidMemberPublic accounting sux…where are the times when they hired just about anyone who applied? I wish I had been born 15 years earlier….LOL
Law school, CFA? mmmm..not sure that would help unless you want to become a tax attorney
CPA for life...
October 12, 2013 at 12:13 am #461101ParanoidAndroidMemberPublic accounting sux…where are the times when they hired just about anyone who applied? I wish I had been born 15 years earlier….LOL
Law school, CFA? mmmm..not sure that would help unless you want to become a tax attorney
CPA for life...
October 12, 2013 at 12:39 am #461103lleonMemberOkay, have to have a semi-rant: Not that anyone tries to find anything wrong with personality and attitude, but I mean at some point in education you get to where everyone next to you is just as qualified, has just a good a GPA, just as good experience, just as good involvement etc. etc. so you can't expect to get the interview or job solely based on that.
Now I'm not saying OP did something wrong or has a bad personality or anything, but it just comes down to how you sell your skills and how you connect with the recruiters & staff. You can't count on just your credentials.
I interviewed on campus with a partner from Moss Adams a year ago, didn't get a 2nd call, didn't email anyone from that firm since.. A whole year, no contact at all, and this year I applied, got another interview, happened to be same guy and he remembered me (and got an office interview this time). So yes, I think it's possible that they remember you from an event, no matter how many applicants they saw. Just comes down to connecting and making an impression. Is it possible to have a great attitude, great credentials, and still not stand out? Absolutely.
To OP: continue to apply and get help from the career center at your school. There's likely counselors that do mock interviews and could provide good feedback on what to improve. Don't get discouraged and just commit to continued improvement. No matter what you have going for you (and your credentials are impressive, by the way) keep working like everyone else is more qualified. At the end of the day, it's a competitive job market and you got to stand out among a group of well qualified professionals. Stay motivated, and keep improving.
Licensed in Arizona
October 12, 2013 at 12:39 am #461206lleonMemberOkay, have to have a semi-rant: Not that anyone tries to find anything wrong with personality and attitude, but I mean at some point in education you get to where everyone next to you is just as qualified, has just a good a GPA, just as good experience, just as good involvement etc. etc. so you can't expect to get the interview or job solely based on that.
Now I'm not saying OP did something wrong or has a bad personality or anything, but it just comes down to how you sell your skills and how you connect with the recruiters & staff. You can't count on just your credentials.
I interviewed on campus with a partner from Moss Adams a year ago, didn't get a 2nd call, didn't email anyone from that firm since.. A whole year, no contact at all, and this year I applied, got another interview, happened to be same guy and he remembered me (and got an office interview this time). So yes, I think it's possible that they remember you from an event, no matter how many applicants they saw. Just comes down to connecting and making an impression. Is it possible to have a great attitude, great credentials, and still not stand out? Absolutely.
To OP: continue to apply and get help from the career center at your school. There's likely counselors that do mock interviews and could provide good feedback on what to improve. Don't get discouraged and just commit to continued improvement. No matter what you have going for you (and your credentials are impressive, by the way) keep working like everyone else is more qualified. At the end of the day, it's a competitive job market and you got to stand out among a group of well qualified professionals. Stay motivated, and keep improving.
Licensed in Arizona
October 12, 2013 at 2:30 am #461105kmaahsMemberOne thing to consider is that some firms are very particular about timing…. By that I mean they may be looking specifically to fill full time slots they anticipate having 2 or 3 years from now with this years' interns. This could be a reason for your lack of luck with the Big 4…. They are very particular about how they groom their potentials. It's possible you might be further along in the process than they are looking for this year.
It's hard to tell, but I certainly understand your pain…. Feeling like you did everything right and the best you could only to be cast aside…. It's rough, I'm right there with you. Be relentless… That is your best bet in my opinion…. Don't take no for an answer and reach out to the people you spoke to. You can even ask (in a very careful and professional manner) what characteristics the firm is looking for and why you were not selected to get some insight.
C.P.A.
October 12, 2013 at 2:30 am #461208kmaahsMemberOne thing to consider is that some firms are very particular about timing…. By that I mean they may be looking specifically to fill full time slots they anticipate having 2 or 3 years from now with this years' interns. This could be a reason for your lack of luck with the Big 4…. They are very particular about how they groom their potentials. It's possible you might be further along in the process than they are looking for this year.
It's hard to tell, but I certainly understand your pain…. Feeling like you did everything right and the best you could only to be cast aside…. It's rough, I'm right there with you. Be relentless… That is your best bet in my opinion…. Don't take no for an answer and reach out to the people you spoke to. You can even ask (in a very careful and professional manner) what characteristics the firm is looking for and why you were not selected to get some insight.
C.P.A.
October 12, 2013 at 4:43 am #461107barelystayingsaneMemberI know many people think this is taboo, but have you considered asking the recruiters why you weren't chosen for an interview? There are certainly tactful ways to do that without sounding whiny or desperate. No one on here has actual knowledge of your interactions, but the recruiters do.
October 12, 2013 at 4:43 am #461210barelystayingsaneMemberI know many people think this is taboo, but have you considered asking the recruiters why you weren't chosen for an interview? There are certainly tactful ways to do that without sounding whiny or desperate. No one on here has actual knowledge of your interactions, but the recruiters do.
October 12, 2013 at 6:17 am #461110wannabeCPA123Memberi am only 2 months into a big 4 position, but I have participated in recruiting. I have already encountered people who are well qualified, but I just didn't like them. They came off as weird, stiff and socially awkward. Of courese I don't make hiring decisions, but I can get people into the Interview pile. In fact, every employee in the firm can do that, so how you treat everyone, even the staff, makes a difference.
A lot of them were asking the Robot/party-line questions. I actually watched all the recruiting videos on my company's website before I got hired, so i know all the “campaign slogans”. “I like so-and-so company because you guys are so diverse” or ‘I want to go into audit because I want to learn how fortune 500 companies operate”. blah.. i got tired of hearing the same thing over and over agian.
FAR 78
REG 87
BEC 78
AUD 78
Passed all exams on first try! Good luck to everyone! -
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