[nigercpa]

As the recruitment season is fast approaching, I want to re-write my resume and would need some advice. I have three plus years of financial institution experience back in my country before I came to the US , though only a year was in financial accounting. I spoke with a few people who advised that I should remove my International experience from my resume. I completed masters and I intend to apply for entry level in public accounting firms. But my fear is if I remove the three years experience, there will be a gap of about 4 years on my resume, which I feel might raise some questions if I get interviewed. From experience do you think I should remove the three years experience and if I do, will the gap in dates pose any problem or not? And If I have to remove it, how do I explain the gap to recruiters or interviewers without hurting my chances? Thanks!

Far - Passed 83
Aud - Passed 84
Bec - Passed 77
Reg- Passed 77

[jpowell31]

only put it down if you think the experience benefitted you as the candidate for the job. i think if it's relevant you should put it – it's still experience as an accountant (maybe only one year?) and getting job experience. you're going to be a CPA so they know that you already know you have to take extra steps to be where you want to be.

if you choose to leave it out, they will almost definitely ask you about the gap but no harm in being honest – explain your job and role and how you thought it may not have applied with regard to the role you're applying for but that you still learned x, y and z from it so they know it was still time well spent (making you…more well-rounded, patient, time-efficient, understanding of important concepts, networked, aware of what you wanted next out of your career, confident…etc.).

[Anonymous]

I would put the experience on the resume. From what you said it seems relevant. It will also serve to differentiate you from other candidates. If they are looking for team members with diverse experiences, this would certainly qualify.

[mla1169]

I'd leave the experience. Any experience whether relevant or not looks better than a gap.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[nigercpa]

Thank you all!

Far - Passed 83
Aud - Passed 84
Bec - Passed 77
Reg- Passed 77

[Anonymous]

I think telling you to leave it off was bad advice. As long as it pertains to the position you're applying for it should definitely be included on your resume!

I was a character at a theme park each summer during college. I would never have put that on my resume when applying for an accounting job. Obviously not relevant. However, if I had been in the accounting department at the park, I definitely would have put that on my resume.

[Author]

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