[Reverie]

I got many referrals but so far none of ’em worked out for me. I heard that if you got referred to, its guaranteed that you at least get an interview. Is this true? Because I got no answer back. Its sorta embarrassing for my buddies who help me out but at least I told ’em not to be worried about it if I get no answer. Perhaps its my resume. I have no accounting experience. No internships. Just an undergrad and grade degree in accounting. -_-

[C / X]

Referrals help somewhat, I don't know if they GUARANTEE an interview but the resume will at least be looked at more closely. I have the opposite problem, I get plenty of interviews but I really suck at them (working on it tho…need to learn to calm my nerves) I once had someone talk me up once but no amount of talking up can talk about how bad I blew that interview (hindsight is always 20/20…)

Do you at least have job experience? Or even leadership, volunteer, etc. I know a couple of people that had pretty much nothing and still manage to get something but that was prob cuz of recruiting season. Maybe do some temp work? Tax season is around the corner. And if you pass all 4 parts of the CPA exam, you prob would get few but I don't know how long that might take to pass.

[Reverie]

I was a graduate assistant and I volunteered in tax returns 2 years ago. I think these are my main “experiences”. I also have practical projects like auditing my school department.

I'm having a hard time studying for my CPA. The regulation part is boring and i'm grinding thru the reading materials. :/

[C / X]

TBH I think that's good enough so unless you have been out of school and out of work for a long time, or there are limited opportunities in your area. Probably suggest you start holding out on a bit. Honestly the best time is Summer for opportunities because that's when most people feel comfortable leaving public accounting if that's the route you're going.

About studying: Yeah, well like someone once told me, “it's not a donut”- (when I first tried studying I opened the book once and went- nope do not feel like it!).

But what's worse is not studying for too long and giving too many breaks in between (no matter how frustrating) because then you have to study it OVER AGAIN… and after having to study REG over and over again…. I decided I was going to pass on the first try because I didn't want to study for it again. It just took me a while to get into my groove and I pretty much study now whether or not I feel like it..not always as long as I should when I'm distracted like today.

My motivation is the light at the end of the tunnel. ...To be fair I also wouldn't have studied REG first, but I'm glad it's over with. It makes AUD seem like too much of a breeze.

[Anonymous]

No, a referral is another way to get your resume to prospective employers. They will interview if they deem it's worth their time. There is no guarantee for an interview, ever. It's a tough job market out there. Keep at it.

[LaidBackCPA]

@Sensei Skinhead I think referrals definitely help. I wasn't looking for a job in accounting bc I wanted to finish all my exams first. One of my former professors contacted me on linkedin and she contacted the owner of a small firm. Within 24 hours I had an interview scheduled. It also helped that I've passed two exams so they know I'm serious about the accounting field even though I have no accounting experience and work currently in pharmacy.

FAR: 76 (4/2/2016)
REG: 64 (6/10/2016); 78 (7/12/16)
AUD: (9/2/2016)
BEC: (10/3/2016)

Studying for these exams with no accounting experience!

[Reverie]

Thanks for the guidance fellow forumites.

I might get an audit job in government and I have an interview for a tax position in public because y'all said it would be a good idea. lol. But because tax is public, will I have time for the CPA? I heard they work really long hours. I might have to postpone studying til summer.

[N4]

They help but no they dont guarantee. I was reffered by someone high up at this one firm and i still didn't get in..so no guarantees!

FAR (5/31) PASS (Best birthday gift ever!)

[Trees202]

At the companies I've worked for, a referral guarantees you a phone interview with the HR rep.
You still have to make it to the phone interview with the hiring manager and then the in person interview.

[Pete]

I think it highly depends upon the company/firm. I've had multiple contacts within various firms and have not been able to break into these firms. At one firm, i had 1 person constantly handing the hiring partners my resume for months; I even think she gave up on trying. I was not even able to secure an interview at that firm btw, since they likely were able to find college graduates with a 9.0/4.0 scale, who were presidents of 6 clubs, and worked 4 full-time jobs.

At another firm, i've interviewed multiple times, know 2 partners+ a manager, who I speak to on a regular basis, and still can't break into that firm.

I have a few more conversations with partners this week, but i'm truly starting to lose hope in everything. You really have to reach out to HUNDREDS, if not THOUSANDS, of people to find decent contacts. Even with those strong/solid contacts, only a small percentage will likely lead to interviews. Mind you, i've passed the entire CPA examination.

B=84 This exam was such a b**** that I thought I failed-don't know how these things work
A=76 Slacker I am, I'll happily take it
R=81 I LOVE taxes
F=80 I don't wanna get banned for an expletive I'm thinking with "yea" proceeding it

[Trele6]

Referrals are nice, but in the end that is all they are just a referral. Maybe they get your resume on the top of the pile but if it still doesn't match what the job poster is looking for you will not be called into interview.

I hope you have a professional style email listed and it's not something like SenseiSkinhead@yahoo.com…..

On a side note many companies/firms these days do internet searches on possible new hires. I would hope that your real name, or email used doesn't link you to some online profile that uses the name skinhead in it. Would be a major red flag.

Just my two cents.

First go at the CPA! Only using Becker
Reg / Nov 2015 - 87
Far / Apr 2016 - 79
Bec / May 2016 - 80
Aud / Aug 2016

[Missy]

Being the best fit for a job of all interested candidates is what guarantees a job. If the person who refers you knows you and the position well enough to be able to say it's a great fit that helps. Think of it like dating. Just because a friend fixes you up with someone you're not guaranteed to end up married to them 🙂

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[Pete]

What's also good and, often times, necessary is to have multiple referrals at the same firm/company. If I know the CFO/CEO/Controller, I've got a lot better shot than just knowing one of them. The level of the person within the organization, also makes a huge difference. For example, a referral from the janitor of a company will hold a lot less weight than a referral from the CEO. Many times, knowing the hiring manager, through various means, will also be most effective to getting interviews.

Again though, I must caveat, that in this economy, THIS WILL NOT GUARANTEE A JOB OR EVEN AN INTERVIEW.

B=84 This exam was such a b**** that I thought I failed-don't know how these things work
A=76 Slacker I am, I'll happily take it
R=81 I LOVE taxes
F=80 I don't wanna get banned for an expletive I'm thinking with "yea" proceeding it

[Son]

1. position and standing of the person recommending you will matter a lot. e.g., it's it's coming from a low-performing staff, it will not get much traction.

2. choice of words and how people approach referrals matter a lot. e.g., they might feel uncomfortable saying no to your face when asked for a referral, but feel you're not the best fit for some reason. If so they likely wont be pushy about it or will make it clear they can't assess how good of an employee you're going to be.

3. your resume matters the most here. if you don't have relevant experience or had grades that don't meet the company's expectations, for instance, why waste time interviewing you?

agree with everyone above – referrals might only guarantee that someone is going to look at your resume in most cases.

AUD - passed
REG - passed
BEC - passed
FAR - passed

[accountingisfun]

They don't guarantee anything but they do help in getting your resume looked at. Part of the things with referrals is that they're only as good as the person giving the referral.

If you're a no-name Staff 1 who performed poorly who's giving a referral that's going to have a lot less value than someone who's worked at the firm for a few years and performed very well giving a referral…

[Author]

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