[jeff]

NINJA Question –

The Giveaway: There will be 5 winners randomly chosen.

Each winner will get access to the MCQ section of their choice (3 mo access).

Value of prize: $47

How to Enter: Post a “Career” tip on ONE of the following:

1) Interviewing / Pre-Employment social gatherings / etc

2) Internships

3) Public Accounting

4) General Career Tip

Simple as that 🙂

If a winner already has NINJA MCQ, they can substitute it for NINJA Notes or extend their current subscription.

Winners selected at 5pm EST Friday 10/25.

[Anonymous]

Remember that your job is what you do, its not who you are.

Being fresh off a layoff from a job that I gave my blood sweat and tears, I can tell you that I'm so grateful that I've invested time in volunteering, my family, my friends and myself (i.e. this wonderful CPA journey). No doubt your job is important and I think you need to take your career seriously, but you also have to find some work life balance. It's easy to get caught up in the work grind and become a workaholic without even realizing it.

[Scooterbunny]

4) General Career Tip

Always be honest and be yourself. Don't let your parents or friends pressure you into acting a certain way that they think will make employers like you. Be honest and open and you'll do great.

Also, always wear deodorant.

😀

On track to be a CPA in 2015!

[Anonymous]

1) Interviewing / Pre-Employment social gatherings / etc

It's cliche, but seriously be yourself and DO NOT try to be someone you're not during the interview. Interviewers can sense if you are making things up in order to try and get the position versus being honest. I know this first hand because when I finally started to act myself I was offered the position. I felt more relaxed and was able to sell myself better.

[Anonymous]

@scooterbunny I seriously didn't read your post before posting mine!

[lexisavannah]

General Career Tip/Internship – There will be many frustrating situations and stressful moments when you start out in public accounting (especially during busy seasons). There are times when people are stressed, tense and communication can become harsh. I experienced this a lot with my public accounting internship. It is extremely important to respond to these situations well – be ready to apologize if needed, be respectful, always ask what you can do to help the situation. It's also important not to let tough situations get you down or make you feel like you can't do something, just keep in mind that every situation is an opportunity to grow.

BEC 7/3/14 - 79
FAR 8/30/14 - 64, 85 (used Becker and Ninja MCQ)
AUD 10/3/14 - 82
REG 11/25/14 - 85

[EVCPA2014]

General Career Tip for Entry level/Staff Personnel

Be a leader in all aspects of your job. Try to get involved in different projects that pass the general description of your position. Don't be that person that says, that's not in my job description or that's not my job – it will make you look weak and unprofessional.

Also, being exposed to new areas will allow you to learn & grow your career experience. Just because something is not showed/handed to you doesn't mean it is not allowed or it does not exist. Continue to ask “if there is anything else you can help with?” or ask questions on information that you would like to be informed about.

Always try to process improve even if the process has been used for years

& remember your boss(partner)/manager/supervisor are like any other person, try talking to them about Non work related topics at a professional level. This will help your team get more connected with each other and makes the environment less intimidating.

Does anyone have any tips for people that work in an office & their directors/managers work 100% from home??

[Graham_3]

Interviewing: Easy but underrated.. SMILE! Maybe not the entire time.. but certainly when you first greet them and when leaving. The interviewer is feeding off your energy and it helps relieve the situation of tension. The interviewer knows you are nervous.. that's okay. Smiling helps demonstrate that you are happy to be there and makes you appear much more receptive.

FAR-78
AUD-89
REG-88
BEC-85

Done!!

[jaycat97]

4) General

As an employer, I prefer a resume that is only 1 page. Also, I am usually turned off by those that list their GPA.

[Lucky11189]

4) General Career Tip

-Always reread your emails before you send them out so there are no miscommunications.

(Jeff, Friday is 10/24 not 10/25 😉 )

FAR- 84 (August 2014)
REG- 85 (November 2013)
AUD- 85 (January 2014)
BEC- 83 (May 2014)

[Travis]

On the bad days smile and remember this…….it's just work.

[Anonymous]

Random Tip

Always double check your work, especially spreadsheets for errors in your formulas. You never know when you're going to turn in work that can go public and the next thing you know you've got an innocent mistake being emailed around the office.

Example: If you get people excited for a give away and then post conflicting dates, its like score release day all over again. Do I find out if I win on Friday the 24th or Saturday the 25th? J/K 🙂

[Anonymous]

1) Always take advantage of networking opportunities. Try to find people that have the position that you are interested in and ask to schedule an informational interview with them. In an informational interview, you can receive great insight about what they do and about the company they work for. They will be able to provide you advice on how you can obtain that position. This also allows them to get to know you and hopefully keep you in mind for future openings.

[Skynet]

Always send out Thank You notes after networking events.

[ShelahV]

Do an Individual Development Plan (IDP)! I did one for the first time about a year ago and I wished I'd done it in college (I'm 35). An IDP lays out your strengths, what skills you need to acquire to reach your goals, 12-24 month goals (personal & professional), and beyond 24 months (personal & professional). It really help me be able to figure out what step I need to take to reach my goal and I've shared it with my manager so she can help me. I've gotten to do so many things I may not have gotten to do yet because I demonstrated that I was interested in learn about something or that I wanted to be challenged more. You don't have to share with your boss but it will give you a focus and help you watch for opportunities.

BEC 8.14.14 - 87!
FAR 1.8.15 - 89!
REG 4.15.15 - 86!
AUD 7.2.15 - 90!

Application submitted 8.6.15
Licensed CPA 8.19.15

Benefit in living in a small state SD!

[Pinback14]

General tip: Aim high — you'll have a better chance of success.

I have a good friend whose aim is to score a 75 on the CPA exams. He has taken all four parts, and has yet to pass one. He's received scores in the high 60s and low 70s. You might not score straight 99s if you aim for the top, but you definitely have a much better chance of passing. Just do your best and things will work out.

F - 96
A - 99
R - 95
B - 95

[Author]

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