[Parthamis]

So I graduated with my Master’s in Tax May 2016. In December, I got let go for corporate culture reasons… Very devastating moment. Since then, I have been focusing on the CPA and seeking employment on the down… Living with my mom. I managed to pass 3/4 CPA exams, and failed AUD in May, which I am retaking Nov. 14th.

On Tuesday, I had an on campus interview which I thought went really well. TODAY, I received an emailed saying I will not be invited to a second interview. For some reason, none of the other firms at the Accounting fair selected me for an interview. I have been in darkness this year, and this just made things worse. This was my dream firm from when I was a student.

I seriously do not know how to carry on. It’s been over 11 months now since I’ve worked. I don’t even think passing the final CPA exam will help much. Currently, I am set to work for H&R Block this upcoming tax season… Not exactly the best thing in the world. Will mid tier public firms even consider that positive experience? or will they laugh at it?

How does someone make moves when they do not get a second opportunity?

[shawn in VA]

From a technical standpoint you seem strong based on the MST degree and 3/4 parts passed for the CPA and I am sure you will pass the 4th part since you passed 3.

How are you interview skills? Sometimes that can make a big difference. Try to establish commonalities with the interviewer. For example, at the career fair in my senior year I had my campus interview and she asked where I worked currently. At the time it was a restaurant my parents owned so I can pay for tuition. Turns out she frequented that place often and loved the food. We had something in common as small as it is, but wound up getting the job as staff tax accountant at the regional CPA firm.

maybe get your resume professionally looked at?

[shawn in VA]

H&R Block may not pay well. I know for a fact Jackson Hewitt pays like $12 an hour in our area. That should be a last resort given your credentials.

If you have anxiety issues and just suck at interviews you may need to see a doctor and get on meds. I was prescribed XANAX which has helped tremendously at work and pass a couple parts of the exam.

[Parthamis]

https://1drv.ms/f/s!Aqh6vqjuIGbSuggw-j5yMgB-IzaE

If anyone could see my resume in this Onedrive folder, that would be appreciated!
I took out my name, names of former employers, towns, and other pronouns essentially.

[Anonymous]

I checked out your resume, I would personally change a few things, but its not like its bad.

I would change some of the wording, center the subheadings, and increase the line spacing (looks a bit cluttered). This shouldn't be a big deal though honestly, you have some decent experience I would say comparable to a 1-2 year associate.

What type of positions are you applying for? It looks like your most recent experience has been in public, have you tried applying to positions in industry? Do you know the difference in public accounting vs private, etc.?

[Parthamis]

Well I am primarily looking in public. I've been applying to tax accountant and staff roles, and internships.

The dream is to make partner at a mid tier CPA firm. I know many ppl eventually quit public, but as of now, I do not see myself doing that.

[Ivy]

I would leave the two short periods of working experience out of the resume.

The short and frequent job change means only one thing for most employers: not dependable. Either because the performance or not adapt the work environment well.

[Bourne]

If these short period of employment were for internships then absolutely do not take them out. Past internships look great on a resume (as long as you aren't multiple years out of school)

[Parthamis]

I graduated May 2016 with the masters, and May 2015 with the BBA. The 2nd job on the resume was a part time position during grad school. The one on top was a full time staff position with a devastating ending.

[Ruby]

I took a look at your resume. It's good overall, I would just edit it down a bit. Some of the things I would personally get rid of assuming your are applying to a public accounting firm are:

– The cash, expense, and receivable description – since I would assume they know the general process
– Master's thesis
– I would only include the office assistant position if you can relate it to the position your are applying to

In terms of your job search, have you applied to smaller firms?

[Ivy]

Send out different versions of resume to a few different places (not the ones you really want end up with), see which one reply, if no reply, call to follow up. Ask for feedback, then start over again with different openings, keep practice, you will get there.

[Parthamis]

I wish following up was an option. Every time I've attempted to followup for feedback.. it's either No response via email, no answer for the phone call (understandable), or a simple answer that someone else with more experience was picked for the spot.

[Ivy]

Imagining you are hiring someone to help you for some work, think what would you like to see on the resume? Do enough research before apply, try some private and industrial openings, work on those who do reply. If no reply, keep working on the resume.

If I really want a feedback from someone, I would drive over, sit in the reception area wait for the HR person have a few minutes. Be very professional and courteous of course. (That is only me! in theory , and I have never tried this before. do not know if it will work.)

[ultrarunner]

I notice that public accounting firms prefer fresh graduates, who are still in school or about to graduate. Once you graduate and don't work for a while, then, the chances are not good. I think your resume overall is not bad at all. But it is just too hard to get in public accounting these days. You should do networking (eg. state CPA society) and meet some people who work in small firms. The CPAs in small firms attend those society type of events for CPE purposes. It is all about networking unless you are eligible for campus recruiting. Good luck.

FAR 72,67,79 (Roger+Wiley test bank)11/15
AUD 80 (Roger)10/15
BEC 80 (Roger)4/16
REG 63,78 (Roger+Ninja MCQs)5/16

[Parthamis]

@ultrarunner Do you think working at H&R block for this upcoming tax season will help me get back into public? I am attending another fair on Long Island November 2nd which is said to comprise of smaller firms. But I'm afraid it will be just like the accounting fair at my school: excited to meet me seeing that I passed 3 parts, then not followup or invite me for an interview.

[MaLoTu]

You have gotten mostly good advice but I wanted to give my .02. Please do not show up at a firm’s office unannounced and uninvited! That is one way to guarantee you will not get an interview.

The best bet is to try to get some face time with a firm at a recruiting event or through your state’s CPA society. Additionally, try to reach out to recruiters via linked in or find their work email. If the company has an open position feel free to pass along your resume. If not, try to see if you can start a dialogue, ask if you can speak with them about their firm and the culture.

At my firm, we get referral bonuses for new hires. You might want to see if you know anyone who knows someone at a firm and see if they will meet you for coffee.

[Author]

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