[outstanding CPA]

I came to the United States five years ago. Before I came here, I had worked for four years as a receivable accountant, five years as a credit control, and one year as a sales supervisor. In the beginning, I applied for tens of accounting jobs, but I did not get even a job interview. I thought the reason could be the bad economy at that time and the large number of people competing for jobs. I then decided to join a local community college and got an associate degree in accounting to be added to my Bachelor in economics so as to qualify to take the CPA exam in Colorado. In the meantime, I had many of low paying jobs because I had to take care of my family. During 2014, I started taking the exams, and now I am waiting for the result of my last section. After taking the last exam on the 20th of November, I started again the job hunting process and applied for more than ten accounting firms in Denver, Colorado. I applied only for internship and entry level positions, but, unfortunately, again there were no responses. Now I cannot control my anxiety and fear. Could the reason for this ignorance be the five years gap in my resume? Could it be my approach to apply? Shall I go directly the accounting firms instead of applying online? I do not have an American name. Is it possible that my name could be the reason? I do not want to believe that.

Far 83 (Jan 2014)
Reg 90 (May 2014)
Bec 84 (Aug 2014)
Aud 99 (Nov 2014)
Ethics 96

[M.O.D.]

It depends on the country. Discrimination is worse against some nationalities than others.

And Colorado is not known as a model of diversity.

BA Mathematics, UC Berkeley
Certificates in CPA and EA preparation, College of San Mateo
CMA I 420, II 470
FAR 91, AUD Feb 2015 (Gleim self-study)

[outstanding CPA]

Thank you M.O.D. What do you think? shall I keep trying or consider moving to another state?

Far 83 (Jan 2014)
Reg 90 (May 2014)
Bec 84 (Aug 2014)
Aud 99 (Nov 2014)
Ethics 96

[Texan_Stuck_In_OK]

There was another thread recently about names. A suggestion was to “Americanize” your first name (Jose to Joe) for the purpose to get an interview. Then you can show them in person how great you are. But, if it's not your name, it could be your resume. A gap could be a reason, or it could be that your only accounting education is an associates. Granted, you are rocking the exams but the degree might be the hang up. What entry level/internships are you applying for? Maybe start out looking in industry then jump to public? Just a few thoughts.

A 88, B 76, F 84, R 76 Passed 2014

Licensed in OK

[M.O.D.]

I agree about Americanizing your name, and yes, you should include other states in your job search. I hear the labor demand in Montana and the Dakotas if very high.

As an economist you should be able to interpret the employment/unemployment rates and use that to your advantage.

BA Mathematics, UC Berkeley
Certificates in CPA and EA preparation, College of San Mateo
CMA I 420, II 470
FAR 91, AUD Feb 2015 (Gleim self-study)

[Anonymous]

I am a senior accountant in Denver.

The five year gap is killing you. Denver is topping the charts of the fastest growing cities in the U.S. Our unemployment is way below national average and the percentage of college educated work force is well above the national average. Essentially, Denver is competitive beyond belief. You live here. I am sure you see that people can't even properly compete for a house which are on the market an average of three days.

Although I will accept that maybe for a few hiring managers your name was off putting, I refuse to accept that it's a primary reason. It seems unlikely and unrealistic. If the potential employer likes your experience, etc, I am not sure your name would make them just toss your resume in the trash.

You should think of these reasons more:

– What is your resume offering that is unique from other applicants? What do you have that other may not? Highlight that. Make it a centerpiece.

– Get opinions on your resume and cover letters. If they're not written effectively they will get thrown out. I read that the average hiring manager makes their decision to read the whole resume within 10 seconds. Make sure it's solid. Also, if English is a second language, then you really should get a second look. I have an intern who couldn't get an interview. I spruced up his CV and cover letter and he got a call from the next job he applied to. He is Russian and, therefore, does not have an “American” name.

– Figure out a way to distract from that time gap. In Denver's competitive market it's what's killing you.

I really hope you consider some of this.

[Skynet]

Here is an article I found on CNN Money regarding the issue.

https://money.cnn.com/2014/12/01/pf/jobs/foreign-names-jobs-discrimination/index.html?iid=HP_River

[fuzyfro89]

It could partially be your name, but don't use that as an excuse. If you were a highly qualified candidate with a foreign name, I'd be skeptical, but that's not your situation.

The truth: That employment gap and lack of relevant experience is killing your candidacy. There are plenty of qualified people in the area, and generally all over the country.

Use what you have and do your best. THat's all anyone, including you, can expect.

[outstanding CPA]

I do not know why I need to be highly qualified to get an intern or an entry level position. I have never applied for an executive position, although I have more than ten years of professional experience outside the United States.

It is a possibility that my resume and cover letter are part of the problem. I will try to have someone look at them, but I have no idea how I can fill the gap.

It will be so devastating if I do not get an accounting job after all the effort I put to pass the CPA exam because the employers do not like my name, but it is too early to give up.

Far 83 (Jan 2014)
Reg 90 (May 2014)
Bec 84 (Aug 2014)
Aud 99 (Nov 2014)
Ethics 96

[mla1169]

Am I reading correctly that you began your job search after 11/20? You realize that when you factor in that last Thursday and Friday were holidays you're panicking after 7 business days, right?

I applied to over 300 jobs, had about 50 interviews and received 3 offers.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Anonymous]

Have you considered getting a Masters in Accounting degree? It would put you in contact with the recruiters and maybe give you an edge. I recently found a job after completing my Masters. I had a BA in another field and was out of school for a decade. It wasn't easy, but eventually something happened. Keep plugging away. I don't think it's your nationality. Its tough out there for everyone. It took me two years and many many rejections.

[Anonymous]

I agree with the others. Clean up your resume, consider giving yourself a nickname and maybe look outside accounting firms.

I think part of your problem could be that you have experience and are applying for entry level roles. At my old job (in industry), we would receive between 100-150 resumes for associate & staff accountants. We would narrow them down by first getting rid of people that we thought were “overqualified.” Maybe apply for some senior roles.

[Anonymous]

I've scanned this thread, but didn't see one suggestion that may be helpful: You said you've been working for the last 5 years, just lower-paying not-impressive jobs, right? If so, I would list that in some way on the resume so that they know you haven't just been sitting back watching soap operas and eating candy for 5 years. Working hard ti support you family and get accounting education is a valuable thing to be doing, so if you can demonstrate to a future employer that you've been using your time well, it may help you out. You might not want to list all your smaller jobs, but I'd try to find some way to list something covering them.

[outstanding CPA]

Lilla,

If I decide to include, for example, my job as a mail handler at the postal service in my resume, how would I do that and how would I make it related to an auditing or accounting position? that most likely will make them trash me resume.

Another thing, do you think printing my resume and distributing hard copies can make any difference, or I should keep trying online.

Far 83 (Jan 2014)
Reg 90 (May 2014)
Bec 84 (Aug 2014)
Aud 99 (Nov 2014)
Ethics 96

[Anonymous]

I would much rather get a resume from someone that shows a gap in employment over someone who changed their name to fit in. Your name is part of your heritage and who you are. Changing that just seems wrong to me. I know that a lot of people do it, but a lot of people take crystal meth too. Before anyone freaks out on me, I realize that my comparison is outrageous. That was the most outrageous thing I could think of so I typed it. The point is this… Do you really want to just follow the herd or do you want to break the stereotypes and be proud of who you are? When my GGGGGG-Grandfather came to this country he changed his name. Now we don't know anything about him such as where he came from, and finding that information has been impossible. Generations later, half the family thinks he was running from something or hiding from a shady past and the other half thinks he was bullied into changing it. We will never know the truth.

As for a gap in employment… My suggestion is to add another sheet to your resume listing all of the jobs that aren't accounting related. You can put an explanation in the cover letter telling prospective employers that you were helping your family through a rough time. In the end every employer wants employees that will work. Period. Showing that you aren't too proud to sort mail or scrub floors would definitely show me that you aren't afraid of hard work.

[outstanding CPA]

Kricket, accept my gratitude.

I will never change my name. I may consider moving, leaving the state, or even leaving the country, but changing my name is not one of my options.

Far 83 (Jan 2014)
Reg 90 (May 2014)
Bec 84 (Aug 2014)
Aud 99 (Nov 2014)
Ethics 96

[Author]

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