[outrenthome]

Hi guys!

My last CPA exam will be on May 24, 2014 (BEC) and today is May 1. I would like to change my job after I get my CPA certification but I feel like I should first take my exam, otherwise I may run the risk of not committing enough time to studying and I would fail!

I keep receiving calls and emails from many headhunters asking me to go to interviews. Last month I actually decided to go to an interview… and I was even offered a job! However, it was for only $2,000 more than what I am currently making, so I skipped the offer as they were unwilling to negotiate.

Now a new recruiter is saying this after he emailed me the job description:

Recruiter: “What is your current compensation?”

Me: “How much are they willing to pay?”

Recruiter: “I’m trying to aim between $55K and $60K. Why don’t we see if we can get you out for an interview and see if they like you? You could always start in June if we need to push the start date out. Thoughts?”

I still have not responded. I don’t know what to do…. I need my current boss to certify my work experience and all this seems a little bit pushy on the recruiter’s side…

I want to be able to fully dedicate myself to job hunting, not to just go to one interview. However, if I will fully dedicate myself to job hunting, I will not be able to study at all.

What would you do in my shoes???

I have 2 tax seasons of experience, I am an MST and I live in Dallas, TX.

Thank you for your help!

[outrenthome]

Oh, by the way, other two recruiters set me up for other 4 interviews and they all understood that I need to wait until I will become a CPA. All of them agreed to have an interview in the Summer…. Just this one wants me to have an interview right now.

[outrenthome]

Oh, by the way, other two recruiters set me up for other 4 interviews and they all understood that I need to wait until I will become a CPA. All of them agreed to have an interview in the Summer…. Just this one wants me to have an interview right now.

[Anonymous]

Pretty good situation to be in. I personally couldn't buy an interview right now. But if you feel the job the recruiter is offering you appeals to you go ahead and interview. But if you think you have a better or similar shot at getting the jobs in the summer then you could wait.

[Anonymous]

Pretty good situation to be in. I personally couldn't buy an interview right now. But if you feel the job the recruiter is offering you appeals to you go ahead and interview. But if you think you have a better or similar shot at getting the jobs in the summer then you could wait.

[fuzyfro89]

Depends on if you think the job is something you want. It doesn't hurt to interview, but make it clear to both the recruiter and the firm (if you get an offer and want to accept) that you need to push back your potential start date (or actual start date, if you accept an offer).

All recruiters are pushy. They're like real estate agents. They want to get a deal done. Don't let them get you into something you don't want, because they don't really care what happens afterwards. They will just take their 10% commission (just guessing, probably more) and move on to the next one.

[fuzyfro89]

Depends on if you think the job is something you want. It doesn't hurt to interview, but make it clear to both the recruiter and the firm (if you get an offer and want to accept) that you need to push back your potential start date (or actual start date, if you accept an offer).

All recruiters are pushy. They're like real estate agents. They want to get a deal done. Don't let them get you into something you don't want, because they don't really care what happens afterwards. They will just take their 10% commission (just guessing, probably more) and move on to the next one.

[Anonymous]

The recruiter only gets paid when he gets something done, so that's why he's pushy. However, if the compensation and position are of interest to you, then doing an interview doesn't have to take that much time out of your study-schedule. I interviewed for my current job the day that I took my 2nd-to-last exam, and I went through my first month-end close (switched from public to private) in the couple days before my last exam. Maybe not the smartest way to do things, but it worked for me. 😉 The key is to not turn down something you'll regret later, but not to focus too much on it either. You said you don't want to do a half-hearted job search with just 1 interview, and I can understand that because if you don't go all-out, you aren't likely to get anything…but if you can do this one interview and end up with a great job now, it could save you from having to do all the months of hard-job-searching later. Just a thought.

Either way, go with what you are most comfortable with. If you really feel like you need the time to study now, then ask the recruiter to schedule an interview the last week of May so that it's after your exam.

[Anonymous]

The recruiter only gets paid when he gets something done, so that's why he's pushy. However, if the compensation and position are of interest to you, then doing an interview doesn't have to take that much time out of your study-schedule. I interviewed for my current job the day that I took my 2nd-to-last exam, and I went through my first month-end close (switched from public to private) in the couple days before my last exam. Maybe not the smartest way to do things, but it worked for me. 😉 The key is to not turn down something you'll regret later, but not to focus too much on it either. You said you don't want to do a half-hearted job search with just 1 interview, and I can understand that because if you don't go all-out, you aren't likely to get anything…but if you can do this one interview and end up with a great job now, it could save you from having to do all the months of hard-job-searching later. Just a thought.

Either way, go with what you are most comfortable with. If you really feel like you need the time to study now, then ask the recruiter to schedule an interview the last week of May so that it's after your exam.

[outrenthome]

Thank you guys for your answers. I am now studying and putting aside the job hunting. My health comes first and it can only improve once I will be done with the CPA exam. I plan to finish this exam first, then go back to the gym and start hunting for jobs! I don't want to risk delaying everything and having to stay unhealthy sitting down all days and nights and gaining weight!

[outrenthome]

Thank you guys for your answers. I am now studying and putting aside the job hunting. My health comes first and it can only improve once I will be done with the CPA exam. I plan to finish this exam first, then go back to the gym and start hunting for jobs! I don't want to risk delaying everything and having to stay unhealthy sitting down all days and nights and gaining weight!

[Anonymous]

Outrenthome…I am in the exact same predicament as you. I've passed 3 exams and will be taking BEC on May 29th. I had 2 job interviews today…same company…2 different divisions. I haven't studied the past couple days because I was focused on the interviews but with 3 weeks left it's go time…no time to think about any more interviews. “CPA” will have a lot more weight than “Passed 3 sections of the exam.” Good luck!! Hope we both get good news June 6th!!

[Anonymous]

Outrenthome…I am in the exact same predicament as you. I've passed 3 exams and will be taking BEC on May 29th. I had 2 job interviews today…same company…2 different divisions. I haven't studied the past couple days because I was focused on the interviews but with 3 weeks left it's go time…no time to think about any more interviews. “CPA” will have a lot more weight than “Passed 3 sections of the exam.” Good luck!! Hope we both get good news June 6th!!

[Quinacridone]

I'm waiting until I know I've passed – AND get my work to sign off. I am in a little bit of a predicament, though. My current internship position ends in August and I've been offered a permanent position – but in another state. I'm not interested in moving, so I really need to be out there interviewing. I just feel it would be better to have a certificate in hand or at least know my final standing.

REG - Nov 4, 2013: 88
FAR - Feb 27, 2014: 86
AUD - April 5, 2014: 91
BEC - May 6, 2014: 83

Florida CPA 24 July 2014
(Done in seven months - thank you Jesus!!)

[Quinacridone]

I'm waiting until I know I've passed – AND get my work to sign off. I am in a little bit of a predicament, though. My current internship position ends in August and I've been offered a permanent position – but in another state. I'm not interested in moving, so I really need to be out there interviewing. I just feel it would be better to have a certificate in hand or at least know my final standing.

REG - Nov 4, 2013: 88
FAR - Feb 27, 2014: 86
AUD - April 5, 2014: 91
BEC - May 6, 2014: 83

Florida CPA 24 July 2014
(Done in seven months - thank you Jesus!!)

[Author]

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