[MrCPA2B]

Hey everyone! Recently I’ve had an influx of accounting recruiters from public accounting firms wanting to connect with me via linkedin. I was wondering is it ok to private message them to see what their firms are looking for in terms of hiring recent graduates and also to see when they will begin hiring again for new associates. I don’t think this is disrespectful but I want to get others opinions before i send them a message.

AUD- FEB 2014
BEC- APR 2014
FAR- MAY 2014
REG- AUG 2014

Using Wiley CPA Exam Review and Ninja Notes
May the "Force" be with me!

[h0wdyus]

Grill them on what they have, find out everything you can before you join. After all they are making money on placing you.

If possible post back the salary range and the type of job they are looking for.

FAR - 81 29th Aug 2013
AUD - 84
REG - 82
BEC - 89 29th Aug 2014
Using Yager

FROM NJ

[Anonymous]

They are looking for people to respond to them!! That's why they send out so many messages!

[mena je twa]

They will haunt you for the rest of your career!!! they will follow up with you every 2 years and put you elsewhere so that they can make money !!! Its that simple.

Licensed CPA, Texas - 2012

[holycow_75]

If a recruiter calls or messages me, I'm always polite. Many of them call with a “perfect fit” job opportunity – though they've never met me.

I always tell them two things:

1. If you have a job that is a good fit, please give me some details, and I might be willing to send my resume to you.

2. I am not interested in exclusive representation by any recruiting firm, but I'm willing to listen to what you have to say.

My take is that it can never hurt to listen. But if recruiters are jockeying to sign you to their firm, then you might miss out on some opportunities. Some companies just don't want to work with recruiters. That said, I got one of my jobs through a recruiter. Another one, I applied on my own. I worked at both places over 6 years each. So, anything is possible.

Lately, the only ones I am hearing from are those who want me to come to their office & do a bunch of interviews with their internal people. Wrong answer. Game over.

AUD - 82 (10/13)
REG - 84 (11/13)
BEC - 91 (2/14)
FAR - 81 (4/14)
(Wiley, WTB, Ninja Blitz)

I'm DONE!!!! Thanks Jeff & all the Ninjas out there who answered questions & encouraged me along the way!

[fuzyfro89]

MrCPA:

Why would responding to them be disrespectful? Disrespectful to who?

I usually will give a recruiter time to talk to me over the phone on occasion. It is not a bad idea to stay plugged into the hiring market in the case that your job situation changes for the worse.

The most important thing you want to know is that the recruiter LISTENS TO YOU FIRST, and has GOOD REASONING for presenting a certain opportunity to you. It's also a bad sign when they are pushy… they are playing with your career, not selling you a refrigerator.

They should understand what your skills/experience are, what you *may* want to get into within the next 1-2 years, and what the general trends are in the area.

I like to ask them a few “market questions” just to see if they are for real or just another salesperson.

Things like:

– What types of positions have been in demand lately? (i.e. internal audit vs accounting, industry trends, salary trends)

– What are employers for these positions looking for in candidates? (i.e. length of experience, credentials, experience)

– What earns someone a premium compensation package vs average? (i.e. special industry experience, certifications, etc)

*most important question*

– If you could change/enhance one thing about me, what would it be? How can I make myself more marketable over the next 6 months-1 yr?

–> This question will weed out the idiots from best of breed head hunters.

Basically, get a feel for what they actually know about the market they are serving. About half are just duds and would sell refrigerators if they could get a commission.

The best ones used to work in the field and then went into the recruiting business, and have also been at the current firm for 1+ years.

[pikachu]

What are you saying? Are you saying recruiters from PWC or KPMG are messaging you and you're asking if you should reply? If so, definitely, yes reply!

I got a 33% raise via a recruiting agency, but even better if it's directly with the actual company.

FAR: 2/23/14 77 (1 month studying)
AUD: 5/25/14 68
AUD: 7/13/14 72
AUD: 10/12/14 72
I GIVE UP

[Author]

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