[numbercruncher123]

Hi A71 friends,

I just received my first rejection from one of the several Auditor jobs I’ve applied right before year end 2013. I’m extremely devastated because it was one of the places I wanted to work for. However, I’m not going to fret over this any longer and just move on as I have a few more that I’m waiting for a response.

Well, I’m writing this email to ask for an opinion whether it’s ok to ask the managers/interviewers or HR what was it that made them choose another over me? It’s not my intention to put them on the spot, so I’m just planning to send them a nice email (and not call) so at least they can ignore if they feel uncomfortable answering. I mean, I’ve gotten through the application process this far, so at least I know that they saw something in me that was worth interviewing. I just wanted to know if they chose one who had an advance degree, or one who was CPA licensed, or possibly because I had an inconsiderate and ungrateful reference (although, I highly doubt this, because I’ve asked all my references prior….btw, most of my references are my previous managers from past jobs)… but you never really know do you, if they badmouthed you… 🙁

So, has anybody had the guts to do this? And for the managers who are members of this forum, would you be comfortable to answer such questions if an interviewee decided to ask? Again, it is not my intention to argue as to why they didn’t hire me, but just to help re-evaluate and re-asses myself so I can be more competitive in the future.

Thanks! (and sorry for the long post)

Review Materials: RogerCPA, WTB, NINJA

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

[tough_kitty]

They are looking for the right fit – mostly based on personality so if they didn't choose you, you are probably better off. Trust me, I got too many rejection letters and I stopped taking it personally. I know who they hire and I know I'm different so it has very little to do with your actual skills, etc.

And a few times I asked for feedback, I received zero replies. Oh wait, Intel said I didn't have enough finance experience which was obvious by looking at my resume yet they invited me to the 2nd round of interviews so this feedback didn't mean much…..just an excuse….

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[tough_kitty]

They are looking for the right fit – mostly based on personality so if they didn't choose you, you are probably better off. Trust me, I got too many rejection letters and I stopped taking it personally. I know who they hire and I know I'm different so it has very little to do with your actual skills, etc.

And a few times I asked for feedback, I received zero replies. Oh wait, Intel said I didn't have enough finance experience which was obvious by looking at my resume yet they invited me to the 2nd round of interviews so this feedback didn't mean much…..just an excuse….

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[mystical guy]

The greatest lesson I got from rejections was seeing if I could learn from that experience for the sake of the next experience. You always need to train yourself to be forward-minded and optimistic so that you can survive the job, once you get one.

I would advise you not to contact HR asking for reason for rejecting you since that's gonna make you look desperate and they will most likely not respond. If they called you in for the interview, seems to me that your credentials are not the problem. For the last job I was chosen, I remember that my colleague told me (after I got the job), that they rejected the most qualified person to hire me! I remember that in the interview I gave it my all. I had practiced for weeks at my issues (such as speaking softly, not making eye contact, not asking the right question, not kissing ass).

CPA - Since 2015
CISA - Smashed 2012
CIA - Passed 2015

[mystical guy]

The greatest lesson I got from rejections was seeing if I could learn from that experience for the sake of the next experience. You always need to train yourself to be forward-minded and optimistic so that you can survive the job, once you get one.

I would advise you not to contact HR asking for reason for rejecting you since that's gonna make you look desperate and they will most likely not respond. If they called you in for the interview, seems to me that your credentials are not the problem. For the last job I was chosen, I remember that my colleague told me (after I got the job), that they rejected the most qualified person to hire me! I remember that in the interview I gave it my all. I had practiced for weeks at my issues (such as speaking softly, not making eye contact, not asking the right question, not kissing ass).

CPA - Since 2015
CISA - Smashed 2012
CIA - Passed 2015

[dpad124]

The way I did it was ask for advice on ways to improve during next recruiting season or my next application. Not, why were they better than me. One of the managers even offered to take me to lunch.

BEC Oct2014 - 85
AUD Jan2015 - ??
REG Feb2015 - ??
FAR May2015 - ??

[dpad124]

The way I did it was ask for advice on ways to improve during next recruiting season or my next application. Not, why were they better than me. One of the managers even offered to take me to lunch.

BEC Oct2014 - 85
AUD Jan2015 - ??
REG Feb2015 - ??
FAR May2015 - ??

[M.O.D.]

Asking why they did not hire you is like asking why you did not pass a test.

The answer might or might not be helpful, but if you never ask, you'll never know for sure.

BA Mathematics, UC Berkeley
Certificates in CPA and EA preparation, College of San Mateo
CMA I 420, II 470
FAR 91, AUD Feb 2015 (Gleim self-study)

[M.O.D.]

Asking why they did not hire you is like asking why you did not pass a test.

The answer might or might not be helpful, but if you never ask, you'll never know for sure.

BA Mathematics, UC Berkeley
Certificates in CPA and EA preparation, College of San Mateo
CMA I 420, II 470
FAR 91, AUD Feb 2015 (Gleim self-study)

[samdiegoCPA]

I don't have much advice except, everything happens for a reason.

I went through a couple months, hundreds of resumes sent, and over 20 interviews last May and finally got a job. Thought a few of them were great opportunities, this and that, turns out the job I have now is the best I could have imagined for me being a CPA exam student. It's extremely boring and I can finish my work in literally 2.00 seconds, but that means my mind can focus on the exam and I study at work. I can wear whatever I want and essentially come in and leave when I want.

Had I got a harder, more strict position right now, I think I would have offed myself.

Good luck to you! You will find something.

AUD: 84
REG: 84
BEC: 79
FAR: 83

[samdiegoCPA]

I don't have much advice except, everything happens for a reason.

I went through a couple months, hundreds of resumes sent, and over 20 interviews last May and finally got a job. Thought a few of them were great opportunities, this and that, turns out the job I have now is the best I could have imagined for me being a CPA exam student. It's extremely boring and I can finish my work in literally 2.00 seconds, but that means my mind can focus on the exam and I study at work. I can wear whatever I want and essentially come in and leave when I want.

Had I got a harder, more strict position right now, I think I would have offed myself.

Good luck to you! You will find something.

AUD: 84
REG: 84
BEC: 79
FAR: 83

[mla1169]

I ask every single time what was the factor or factors that gave another candidate the offer. Not asking what I was lacking (which I don't even want to hear) but what the other candidate brought to the table.

Be prepared to get a general “their experience matched our requirements more closely”, which is what I get 9 out of 10 times.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[mla1169]

I ask every single time what was the factor or factors that gave another candidate the offer. Not asking what I was lacking (which I don't even want to hear) but what the other candidate brought to the table.

Be prepared to get a general “their experience matched our requirements more closely”, which is what I get 9 out of 10 times.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Anonymous]

Oh man, I could talk for days about interviews with firms. I was turned down by PwC 3 times, Deloitte twice, EY twice, and KPMG twice. I was accepted by a midsize firm but decided I wanted to go bigger. I recently accepted a job with GT and will be starting in the fall. You just have to keep plugging. Failure is just part of it. Keep your head up, prepare for those interviews, and walk in on time (15min early) with a smile on your face.

[Anonymous]

Oh man, I could talk for days about interviews with firms. I was turned down by PwC 3 times, Deloitte twice, EY twice, and KPMG twice. I was accepted by a midsize firm but decided I wanted to go bigger. I recently accepted a job with GT and will be starting in the fall. You just have to keep plugging. Failure is just part of it. Keep your head up, prepare for those interviews, and walk in on time (15min early) with a smile on your face.

[samdiegoCPA]

@AGV13 No no no, you should never be “early” for an interview. 5 mins early at the most. This shows that you don't respect their time (just like getting there late) because you are cutting into work time for them. I've read tons of interviewing websites and also had one lady comment when I was 8-10 minutes early (I didn't know if I was in the right place at first so wanted to make sure before I was in the late category)

AUD: 84
REG: 84
BEC: 79
FAR: 83

[Author]

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