[runhomejack]

Last Thursday I went to a big 4 event at my alma mater and got great feedback. I spoke to a bunch of associates, a manager, couple of directors and even one partner. All of them said that I was an extremely attractive candidate and a few even said that they would be “extremely disappointed” if they saw that I did not apply via my school career center website. (Side note: A fellow alum tried to sabotage me but that is for another story) The next day, very excitedly I logged into the career site for my school which I had to pay an alumni fee of $150 which I purchased SOLEY for the purpose of applying to the big 4 only to find that I was restricted from applying to these jobs because I was an alum. I e-mailed all of the contacts I had gathered from the event about this and they all have thus far ignored me except for one person who gave given me a cold answer saying to apply as an experienced candidate on the company website. I already know my application will be lost in the fray if I go that route. Grrrrr just very disappointed given the amount of time and money I’ve invested. The big 4 has been my goal since the beginning but I feel like I am getting stiff armed right now.

BEC - Pass
FAR - Pass
REG - Pass
AUD - Pass

[HtownKelly]

Did you get any business cards from the people you met? Maybe you can send them a nice email along with your resume. You can explain your situation and that you would be delighted to work at their firm. I work for a big 4 and I got an interview before I applied on the career site based on my resume. They just asked me to go to the site and fill out the application before they processed me. So, it is definitely possible, especially if they liked and remember you.

[acamp]

There should be a college level application section on the firm's website, not just experienced. Find that and apply right away(its usually a pretty long winded app, but just slug through). From there, contact those people you met at the event and give a brief description of what's going on, ie:

I recently graduated so the campus portal is not open for me to apply, but I did complete the campus hire application on your website. I wonder if you can forward my resume on to the local campus recruiters? …

Ninja + Wiley Test Bank: [FAR - 81] [REG - 76] [BEC - 88] [AUD - 73](doh!)

Becker Videos: [AUD - 82]

California CPA

[Anonymous]

My professor told me something that really stuck with me. “There are many paths to the same goal”. She explained to me that not get stuck into thinking that the traditional route is the only way to get into the Big 4. She told me that a former student was in the accounting department of a fortune 500 company (Disney or Edison electric). These companies are auditing by the big 4, so the student established a relationship when the auditors and later on, was extended a job offer by them. I think what you can take away from this is to think outside the box with your approach and be open to various opportunities that present itself. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I'm pretty disgusted with how your alma mater gave you the finger and restricted access to these job postings. If anything, would not a recent graduate need these services more than anyone?!? This school took ten of thousands of dollars from you for an education and when you're ready to put that education to use they slam the door in your face? When these shameless bastards come around looking for alumni donations, and these money grubbers always do, make sure you tell them where to shove it.

[Author]

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