[Anonymous]

Will someone please teach me the secret handshake necessary for getting a job? Accounting degree:check; 150 semester credit hours:check; successfully passed first test taken:check. Job interviews 3, resumes sent out 25. Nothing. They don’t even call back after an interview to tell me thanks but no thanks. Honestly, the hardest part for me so far isn’t the testing, but the job search.

[Anonymous]

Not to be rude (and knowing nothing about you) but is it something about your personality/interview style? Do you get really nervous in your interviews and not sound like yourself?

[Anonymous]

No, I don't think so. I have a bad cold and sometimes it's just hard to keep my eye on the big picture. Something will come up.

[Anonymous]

I had this issue while i was in college. Like 15 interviews and only 1 offer. How was your GPA? Did it leave something to be desired? This might be the reason. I know I killed all my interviews but my GPA was what took me out. I had a 3.0.

[Chantel]

Call those people that you sent all the resumes too. I sent resumes and then followed up 2 to 3 times before they gave me an interview. This worked with 5 different firms (That's a lot because it's a small city and that's pretty much all the big firms). It helped in networking a lot and the also got me a job.

F - F ('12), 90 (Dec '15)
A - F ('12), 73 (Feb '16), ? (July '16)
R - 87 (May '16)
B -

[Anonymous]

competition is tough………it sounds like you have a solid resume, but so do so many other applicants. how does your resume look? what sets you apart from the rest? why specifically should they chose you? are you sending back thank you letters after the interview? just some things to consider when “selling” yourself to the interviewers.

do you know anyone who can help you get a job? i am a firm believer in the “its who you know” philosophy

[Anonymous]

My GPA is pretty good 3.5. I've been networking the shit out of my friends and acquaintances, I send thank you's promptly. The thing is, I'm 47 and I live in a rural area. I think I'm going to have to bite the bullet and move to the nearest urban area. I've started using my daughters address on my cover letter and resume, we'll see how that works out.

I think I'm pretty much out of luck until next fall, but I'm going to keep trying. I've wanted this for a long time!

[littlenumberrobot]

Hi Carol.Fish – my two cents. Don't put an address on the resume at all. All communication is through email or phone usually. I was told this in college, and I refrained from putting it on my resume and no one had issues with it. Just a thought. Good luck!

CA CPA - All because of the journey listed below
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FAR - 53('10), 8/25/12 79 PASSED!
REG - 66('11), 69('12), 12/06/12 77 PASSED!!
BEC - 58('10), 74('12), 01/05/13 77 PASSED!!!
AUD - 43('11), 66('12), 69('13), 74('13) 7/29/13 85 PASSED!!!!!

(Combinations of Roger, Yaeger, Wiley Book, Wiley TB, & NINJA Notes)

Ethics 90%

[Anonymous]

That's a great idea. I'll try removing my address completely. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Sent out only 25 resumes? And got 3 interviews? That's VERY good.

Each week, you should apply online for 50-100 jobs. Lather. Rinse. Repeat.

THAT is what a job search is supposed to be like.

[FlipACoin]

I would also say that it's never too early to network! Local CPA/CMA chapters are great ways to do this. I would grab a friend or two in a similar boat, and attend a few of these lunch/early evening gatherings (usually centered around a speaker). They have a 45 min social hour thing usually beforehand and just walk around shaking hands. I know controllers, managers, VPs (and I'm sure plenty in big 4) that regularly attend these things and especially if you leave a good impression face to face this may be a great way to overcome anything that might be lacking on paper. Have you had your resume reviewed? I've taken a look at friends resumes who are recently out of school and, even though they are sure their resume looks great, it usually doesn't. Just some thoughts…good luck.

[Anonymous]

Don't take offense, but I think u might want to practice interview skills. When I look at a person I want to hire, I want a solid résumé with a blue collar mentality. Someone that will work hard but if I want to go grab a beer after work, they would be enjoyable company. Plus I usually buy the beer 🙂

[Tncincy]

Did I hear somone say 47? I am 47 and live in a rural area. I have worked in tax for 16 years but I want to get the cpa to be more marketable to either clients or to a firm. Don't let your age stop you…it's a bunch of us striving even in our middle age.

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[Author]

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