[philb]

Hello all, long time lurker, first time poster.

A little about me, I graduated with honors from a lesser known school with a bachelor’s in accounting degree a little over three years ago. I’ve also held a part-time job at a small accounting firm since then. My current job can’t give me more hours, so I’ve been looking for F/T work since I graduated. Three years, no offers. I go to job fairs and network with as many people as I can, but a lot of people I talk to are under/unemployed and asking me for leads, and people I talk to at staffing agencies have a tendency to fall off the face of the earth. I get very few interviews or call-backs when applying for jobs, so I thought I would post here for help. It seems a lot of people on this forum are getting multiple job offers or are already gainfully employed. Basically I’m wondering what I’m doing wrong. Maybe my personality sucks? I’m naturally an introvert, but I feel I come across as affable and easy-going when I interview. However, after job-hunting 60-80 hours a week for three years, I am burnt out, frustrated, and ready to throw in the towel.

[How many letters do you need]

I am sure the odds of you being in Socal are not good, but I found a great job for an entry level person just today. A company that specializes in bank examinations (I guess they do private assessments) is looking for a bank examiner trainee. Just a degree, no experience and no masters required. They are willing to train you for up to a year; travel 25-50% of the time paid and it's a great intro for somebody who either wanted to get into government/audit but isn't quite qualified or doesn't want the big4 type of role. Not bad pay either ($40k to start).

Point is, maybe you are just looking in the wrong places. Maybe because of factors others have mentioned (experience, school, etc) you just aren't being looked at very closely for the specific jobs you are chasing. Get your foot in the door somewhere, almost anywhere accounting based and grow from there. Look into rotational programs (although school/GPA could be an issue there too) but whatever it is I've GOT to believe that you are qualified as a staff accounting/staff internal auditor or something like that. Just keep chugging and you will find a home…

MBA,CMA,CPA, CFF?, ABV?

[How many letters do you need]

I am sure the odds of you being in Socal are not good, but I found a great job for an entry level person just today. A company that specializes in bank examinations (I guess they do private assessments) is looking for a bank examiner trainee. Just a degree, no experience and no masters required. They are willing to train you for up to a year; travel 25-50% of the time paid and it's a great intro for somebody who either wanted to get into government/audit but isn't quite qualified or doesn't want the big4 type of role. Not bad pay either ($40k to start).

Point is, maybe you are just looking in the wrong places. Maybe because of factors others have mentioned (experience, school, etc) you just aren't being looked at very closely for the specific jobs you are chasing. Get your foot in the door somewhere, almost anywhere accounting based and grow from there. Look into rotational programs (although school/GPA could be an issue there too) but whatever it is I've GOT to believe that you are qualified as a staff accounting/staff internal auditor or something like that. Just keep chugging and you will find a home…

MBA,CMA,CPA, CFF?, ABV?

[mla1169]

CPA SOON your advice above is only relevant to senior and management positions. For entry level anything you can easily go from a 100k company to a $3B company, and most people who take entry level audit or tax positions have zero audit or tax experience.

I've been on both sides, as a candidate and a hiring manager. I've gone from a $15m co to a $300m co (easily) but those were staff accountant positions. Now that I am a controller the difference in company size actually matters.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[mla1169]

CPA SOON your advice above is only relevant to senior and management positions. For entry level anything you can easily go from a 100k company to a $3B company, and most people who take entry level audit or tax positions have zero audit or tax experience.

I've been on both sides, as a candidate and a hiring manager. I've gone from a $15m co to a $300m co (easily) but those were staff accountant positions. Now that I am a controller the difference in company size actually matters.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[philb]

mla1169 You make some good points. Unfortunately, with the P/T thing, every prelim interview I've had so far has asked what my current salary is. When I give an hourly rate, the interview usually doesn't last 5 minutes after that.

[philb]

mla1169 You make some good points. Unfortunately, with the P/T thing, every prelim interview I've had so far has asked what my current salary is. When I give an hourly rate, the interview usually doesn't last 5 minutes after that.

[Anonymous]

Having ‘Passed CPA Exam' on your resume will open doors. Even if you haven't, put ‘ready to pass CPA exam' or ‘will take CPA exams in September 2014' or something like that. You appear ambitious, and somebody doing a keyword search for ‘CPA' will at least look at it.

[Anonymous]

Having ‘Passed CPA Exam' on your resume will open doors. Even if you haven't, put ‘ready to pass CPA exam' or ‘will take CPA exams in September 2014' or something like that. You appear ambitious, and somebody doing a keyword search for ‘CPA' will at least look at it.

[fuzyfro89]

Phil:

Keep trying new things. If you've been doing the same thing for 3 years without modifying your approach or seeking new avenues, then you aren't trying hard enough. I understand how tough it is to find meaningful work. In some cases you just have less options due to your geography, school name, or other factors.

Problem is, you have to play the cards you were dealt. You chose a less we'll know school and didn't get a great gpa, but you can't change that now.

After 3 years maybe it's time to try something new. Get a masters somewhere a little better known and get good grades? Look for work in other cities if your own town isn't working out? 3 years is a long time to sit around without getting what you want? Have you considered any bigger changed to get where you want to be?

[fuzyfro89]

Phil:

Keep trying new things. If you've been doing the same thing for 3 years without modifying your approach or seeking new avenues, then you aren't trying hard enough. I understand how tough it is to find meaningful work. In some cases you just have less options due to your geography, school name, or other factors.

Problem is, you have to play the cards you were dealt. You chose a less we'll know school and didn't get a great gpa, but you can't change that now.

After 3 years maybe it's time to try something new. Get a masters somewhere a little better known and get good grades? Look for work in other cities if your own town isn't working out? 3 years is a long time to sit around without getting what you want? Have you considered any bigger changed to get where you want to be?

[fuzyfro89]

Phil:

Forgot to add. Don't mention negative things when you're asked why you want to leave. It should be that you're looking for a new industry or challenge… Not that you're working part time.

I don't mean to be harsh, but why do YOU think you don't have a better job? It's been three years so put on some self awareness shoes. Imagine you are sitting across from yourself during an interview.

You might be thinking “wow what's he been sitting around for 3 years doing? Why does he want a change now? In the off chance that he really just had some bad luck, why should I give him a chance now? How do I know he really wants this?”

All very critical questions that May race to the interviewers mind and you have to figure out how to tell a convincing stour about why you are worth their time and effort. Don't appeal to emotion, because feeling sorry for you and giving you a job are two different things.

What do you think interviewers think of you when they see your resume? When they meet you in person? How can you tell a more convincing story about how awesome you are and why you are worth the effort!!!

[fuzyfro89]

Phil:

Forgot to add. Don't mention negative things when you're asked why you want to leave. It should be that you're looking for a new industry or challenge… Not that you're working part time.

I don't mean to be harsh, but why do YOU think you don't have a better job? It's been three years so put on some self awareness shoes. Imagine you are sitting across from yourself during an interview.

You might be thinking “wow what's he been sitting around for 3 years doing? Why does he want a change now? In the off chance that he really just had some bad luck, why should I give him a chance now? How do I know he really wants this?”

All very critical questions that May race to the interviewers mind and you have to figure out how to tell a convincing stour about why you are worth their time and effort. Don't appeal to emotion, because feeling sorry for you and giving you a job are two different things.

What do you think interviewers think of you when they see your resume? When they meet you in person? How can you tell a more convincing story about how awesome you are and why you are worth the effort!!!

[philb]

fuzyfro89 Thanks for responding. All good points.

[philb]

fuzyfro89 Thanks for responding. All good points.

[philb]

So wanted to update everyone…utilizing some of the feedback from this post, I landed several interviews, and have even been called back for second rounds! I got some great advice here, and especially wanted to thank CPAsoon, r1racer, mla1169, HowManyLetters and deb olson for their sage and experienced advice. Without your help I would not have gotten this recent boost! Extra shout out to Tasia for allowing me to compare notes, and mla1169 on responding to the dreaded “why are you leaving your current job” question. Seems obvious now but that really stepped up my game. You guys are so awesome, you really know what you're doing. Keep it up!

[Author]

Replies