[Pete]

Hello

I was wondering how many interviews it should normally take, until you land an offer?

I’ve passed both the CPA and the CFE exam, and recently obtained the 150 credit hours with a 3.8 on the remaining hours. I keep getting invited to interviews, after phone screens, but I just can’t seem to land a new position. I think i’m currently up to interview number 8 this year alone. I recently did an internship and have over 6 years of private accounting experience. I honestly don’t know where i’m going wrong. During the interview, everyone always seems so enthusiastic about hiring me and provides positive feedback; however, I just can’t seem to land anything. I keep asking for feedback, after said interviews to no avail. The only feedback I’ve received was that I didn’t sell myself well enough (interviewer didn’t actually ask me any questions-didn’t want to seem like a salesman). On one interview, they even let me skip a second phone interview because I did so well on the first.

Essentially, I was wondering if my interviewing was the problem or if I’m just unlucky? I always spend hours before an interview prepping for said interview; the whole process is incredibly frustrating.

B=84 This exam was such a b**** that I thought I failed-don't know how these things work
A=76 Slacker I am, I'll happily take it
R=81 I LOVE taxes
F=80 I don't wanna get banned for an expletive I'm thinking with "yea" proceeding it

[ruggercpa2b]

I do not think you are unlucky. I remember when I was ready to leave Big 4, granted I do not have a CPA yet. It took me a year of going on multiple interviews. My husband even stopped asking me about my interviews because it was too many to keep up with. You are competing with experienced and non experienced people and its hard. 8 is honestly not much. We relocated and within a month I think I had over 12 interviews that I went on. And those were just in person interviews. Some were phone interviews that amounted to nothing.

If you are getting interviews then your resume looks good. You have to sell yourself. One thing that also helped me was doing a mock interview. The guys was a former Big 4 guy and he recorded our interview. He then gave me feedback and he pointed out things I never thought of. If you can find someone who offers it for free then I would utilize that service. Good luck!

AUD - NINJA in Training
BEC - NINJA in Training
FAR - NINJA in Training
REG - NINJA in Training

AUD - 1/6/18
FAR - TBD
REG - TBD
BEC - TBD

AUD - 73, 72 retake 7/2/2016
BEC - 8/20/2016
REG - TBD
FAR - TBD

I am so ready for this nightmare to be over. Been at this way too long.

[TaxKeep]

Of course, no one here is able to asses your luck or your interview skills. Nor can we answer how many interviews to a job; maybe it's 9, or maybe 30?

What we can say however is keep going, it will click at some point. Maybe you're applying too far above or below your skill set? Maybe you are just not a fit with the front line interviewers? Maybe you need more specific experience? If the ONLY feedback you've received is to be more of a self-promoter…..then do it!

If your current interview plan is not working for you, then change it up in some way. Practice interview skills until YOU are leading the direction of the interview, and you can say what you want to say. Control the parts of the process that you can control.

Not trying to sound harsh, just lessons I've learned….

AUD - 83
BEC - 79
FAR - 78
REG - 86

“Everybody is identical in their secret unspoken belief that way deep down they are different from everyone else.” - DFW

BEC-79 (10/15)
FAR-78 (01/16)
REG-86 (05/16)
AUD-

[maxb]

I didn't read the comments so apologies if I am repeating anyone. I think it's important in an interview to be yourself. Talk about how you can help the firm and how your past experiences will help the firm directly. I usually do not have prepared questions and don't wait until the end to ask questions. I find that asking questions throughout shows that you are actively listening. Makes you seem engaged and interested in the role. That being said, listen listen listen. Let them talk and make thoughtful comments. At the end of the day, sell yourself. You are a salesman for the day. Good luck!

[Pete]

I”m primarily aiming for entry level audit positions, since I need this experience for my license (I don't mention this during the interviews). Unfortunately, I've been sitting on the CPA for over a year now, but because I don't have the proper experience, I can't get the license.

I'm hoping having completed the 150 hours/CFE this spring will aid me. My experience as an accountant at a small company isn't great though, which is making things very difficult. I like the company, but there just isn't much room to grow.

I'm hoping passing the CPA/CFE wasn't a waste of time.

B=84 This exam was such a b**** that I thought I failed-don't know how these things work
A=76 Slacker I am, I'll happily take it
R=81 I LOVE taxes
F=80 I don't wanna get banned for an expletive I'm thinking with "yea" proceeding it

[Author]

Replies