[Anonymous]

Hi guys

How many job rejections did you guys get before receiving an offer?

I decided to start a new career, and I had been looking for jobs for a month and a half, but I keep on getting rejection letters.

I am worried that I won’t be able to find jobs at all… like am I not likeable? I keep on thinking what is wrong with me…

Any word of wisdom?

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

@ech123 I actually was rejected from the firm that i now work for 4 times. But in total in my entire job search, i got a ton of rejections. Every time i would apply they would send me their generic response about they found a candidate that closely aligned to what they were looking for. The 5th time I applied to the firm within weeks, i get a message from a recruiter saying that i need to complete an official application, BG screening, and personality test. I knew something was great when i got a message directly from the recruiter saying i needed to complete this and the fact that most jobs won't conduct background checks until after they interview you. So after i did all that he called me within the next week and said that the partners wanted to interview me and he put me on his schedule for the following week. That week came, i interviewed, (3.5 hours long) just talking to managers and partners. The week after I got a call on a friday saying the partners wanted to extend an offer. While in this process I wanted to know how many times has this recruiter seen my name pop up on his screen and rejected me everytime. Then when i had my final phone conversation with this recruiter in the firm he said “persistence is all you need nowadays”. So I would say keep applying. Its more a numbers game today than it has ever been before. Also, consult someone working in the industry because perhaps you're missing something from your resume that they can quickly identify. So keep applying something good will happen. Make sure you are emphasizing how you will be an asset to them. For me I worked in private acctg in a manufactg setting before i moved to public accounting, i made it known in my interview that I know how to job cost, assess internal controls, etc. So you need to lead with what you got. My last piece of advice is sometimes you have to be a big fish in a small pond. If you're only looking for jobs in targeted areas with high competition (say like, Miami, Vegas, Chicago, NYC), you will have a harder time getting a job. The smaller areas are begging for help most of the time because everyone wants to go to the big chop. At my firm everyone who applies either wants to work in the miami office, or in the carolina, new york offices. The other smaller areas it takes sometimes months to get a candidate to want to want to work in their office. Thats exactly how i got my job too few applicants and interest in the area. But i know that in a few years i'll be marketable to any firm. So just think positive and keep winning in life.

[10keyLeah]

A month and a half isn't that long to be looking for a job. Hang in there. Maybe get a second opinion on your resume. Try moch interviews. Your college may offer some resources in this area.

Ninja Combo, Yaeger, Wiley -- Licensed CPA, May 2015

[Skynet]

Too many times.

I look at it like it was dating. Sooner or later you will find someone who is just as Desperate, Lonely, and Hopeless as you are and it will be a perfect match.

[GuitarSalad]

A bunch. I think I went 0 for 7 during my master's program when trying to find a job in public. Came back to the table two years later after spending time in private industry and went 1 for 5. Finally got that offer I really wanted

BEC 7/12/13 - 84
AUD 8/31/13 - 86
REG 4/11/14 - 84
FAR 5/30/14 - 88

Licensed AZ CPA - 10/2014

[Anonymous]

DSP4Life-

I couldn't agree more.

In recruiting, “No” means “Not right now.”, not “Never.”

[numbercruncher123]

Hi ech123, also sometimes it takes longer for HR to contact you. I applied in July, heard from HR couple months ago and they set me up for 3 interviews with upper mgmt. was offered the position a week later and the rest is history! Rejection is a part of life. Don't worry too much about it. I was getting rejection for about a year. But in my case, I was job searching while still currently employed.

Review Materials: RogerCPA, WTB, NINJA

BEC - IP (May 2014)
AUD - TBA 2014
REG - TBA 2014
FAR - TBA 2014

[gullyboy]

This was motivating. I am also trying to achieve something bigger in life by being raised in poverty. I am currently searching for a life-long type of position and opportunities and rejections are flowing in. I haven't even made a single interview yet. I haven't given up nor should anyone. When life throws a lemon at you, just pick up that lemon, wash it up, and make lemonade. Not just any lemonade make nice summer lemonade like your mom used to make for you, and sip that sweet flavorful lemonade like it's your last minute on this planet (: #savesoil 2022 is going very very productive so far.

[gullyboy]

This was motivating. I am also trying to achieve something bigger in life by being raised in poverty. I am currently searching for a life-long type of position and opportunities and rejections are flowing in. I haven't even made a single interview yet. I haven't given up nor should anyone. When life throws a lemon at you, just pick up that lemon, wash it up, and make lemonade. Not just any lemonade make nice summer lemonade like your mom used to make for you, and sip that sweet flavorful lemonade like it's your last minute on this planet (: #savesoil 2022 is going very very productive so far.

[Skynet]

I've been rejected so many times I've lost count.

One thing that really works is to not just put in applications only.

Networking is the key. Go to any and all accounting networking events even for tax. Also, don't limit yourself to local area networking events. You need to go outside your radius. I've landed multiple opportunities this way. It may not happen immediately but it will provides opportunities down the road.

Show them that you are motivated. They will see that and will give you an opportunity. Once you land that first job be appreciative and give back.

[Mil]

Hey,
Getting rejection from a job helps to improve my motivation. Because in my older days, I was rejected from most of the works applied. I learned many things from those rejections, so I considered it my learning platform. From there, I learned the skills I need to polish to build a career as an Accounting professional. I cleared all my CPA exams after every rejection. My utmost aim was to reach the pinnacle of my career. Now I am on the way to achieving that goal. So please neglect all the rejections and keep trying for victory.

[Author]

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