[Jasminekoko]

Hello there,

I’m in my early 40s, I have never worked nearly in 15 years. I got a BA in accounting in 2007, and just passed all the sections of the CPA exam. I need a year of work experience in order to get licensed, and I’m worried that no one will hire me. Could you guys please give me advices on what I need to do in order to get a job. I’d appreciate it very much.

[Rivens]

I think the lack of work experience for the past 15 years will look like a big hole on your resume.

Were you raising kids? According to your timeline, that would make sense and you started attending school when they all got older went to school and you had the day time to yourself. This is just my guess. Care to share?

The issue with not working would be no former bosses, clients, or work projects to show that you have skills, competency, time management, stress management, or intangibles. Filling the CPA exam requirements is a great step… but you're basically in the same boat as a newly graduate looking for entry level.

I would say look up your accounting school boards for some internship opportunities. I don't think it adds to your CPA hour requirements, but it would be something on your resume and would help transition into an office environment. Also, internships can lead to jobs. Or you might be able to find a small CPA firm looking for manpower for the upcoming busy season. Small CPA firms don't pay much, but it's the experience you should be looking for.

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[Jasminekoko]

Hi Ronsoness,

It wasn't for raising kids, I just didn't need to work for 15 years. Now that I passed CPA exam, I want to take on challenges in the real world, and I want to work. May I ask which small CPA firms that you know around Orange County, CA? How do I find them?

With many thanks and appreciation.

Leslie

[Anonymous]

Hey jasminekoko…. I'm curious to why you didn't need to work for that long of a period? What were you doing for that many years? And why have you decided to join the workforce now? That is a significant amount of time to be unemployed. You will need a good reason to give potential employers or they will just assume you were lazy or something.

[Jasminekoko]

@cpa8488: I'm not lazy, I'm a hard working person. It's my turn to support the family so I have to get back to the workforce. I'm really looking forward to working though I'm so afraid that it will take me longer to find a job. Any advices and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[fuzyfro89]

Posters are asking why you've been out of the work force because recruiters and hiring managers will also ask “So what have you been doing?”

If the truth is that you used to be a home-spouse, then fine. It is what it is. There isn't really a huge need to draw attention to it, but everyone will wonder when they see your resume: graduated 7 years ago, passed the CPA exams, zero experience in over a decade.

First, you need to show you are employable. Have you been involved in any community organizations? Parent/teacher groups? Anything? Having passed the exams is great since it shows you are intelligent, but zero experience is challenging when you've also been out of school for a while. I'd say just be honest and let the chips fall where they may. You will have to network since your college may or may not be able to help a lot so many years later.

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