[Anonymous]

I got an email from a big 4 recruiter a few weeks ago about a telephone interview.

A specific date and time was set and agreed upon when this would take place 11/8. However, on the day the event was to take place all “hell broke loose”. I was told that my current company (private) was sold and that in finalizing the sale, the accounting department was involved in meetings, after meetings that day. Bankers, auditors, third parties and others throughout the day (Due diligence, etc.). Needless to say I missed the recruiter’s call, but replied to the VM within 10minutes and also followed up with an email (sincere apology). We have since exchange email messages a few times and it was indicated that missing the call was “not a problem” and a another date and time was set up 11/15. I never got that second call and have responded via email but got no response.

Should I call the recruiter? I do not want to come across as being agressive.

But also I want that opportunity to talk the recruiter, explained the reason for the missed call and about my career goals /interests.

How do I go about the situation without having the recruiter intrepreting my actions as (1) Call me when you call the time (2) I (recuiter) will call when I can fit you in my schedule?

Right now we have several group of people that are here since Monday and will be here for a few more days(KPMG-CA, FreedMaxick-NY, IT people, Inventory plus others).

How should I proceed?

[acamp]

I would call them for sure, hopefully its not too late (for this recruiting season). Call with a very interested attitude, “hey I missed your call, nobody called me on 11/15, am I am still very interested in your firm” or something along those lines.

Heard your company was getting sold and didnt keep your phone on to take an interview from a prospective employer?! Crazy. I woulda had it on vibrate and excused myself mid-sentence to take the call.

Ninja + Wiley Test Bank: [FAR - 81] [REG - 76] [BEC - 88] [AUD - 73](doh!)

Becker Videos: [AUD - 82]

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[musicamor]

Call and keep calling–you would not come off as aggressive; when you speak with their VM or them, be very polite, cordial and calm.

Texas CPA - licensed in 2012!!!

[MRSJLeon917]

You might need to chalk this up to “you screwed up”. If I were a recruiter, I honestly don't think I'd give you another chance. There are a ton of people who want to get into the Big 4 and, frankly, not taking a call for a Phone Interview is a big no-no. Think about what that portrays to this potential employer – if you had a job there, would you not show up for client meetings or other important functions of your job?

I've learned from my experience in public accounting that they don't necessarily care what is going on in your ‘personal life' – you are expected to be there and not waste their time.

I understand that all hell broke loose with finding out your company is being sold – but you probably should have scheduled this call at lunch time or before work or even at a time and told your boss that you had a doctor's appt. so you could have left the building to take this interview. I know when I was at my previous job and had interviews, I either used the doctor appt. excuse or just took a vacation day so I was able to do it and be fully prepared.

Sorry this one didn't work out for you but I honestly don't know that you'll get another chance from this employer.

AUD (5/25/2012): 91
FAR (10/22/2012): 89
REG (11/28/2012): 89
BEC (01/05/2013): 82
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IL Licensed CPA - 7/15/2013

A long journey, officially DONE!

[Anonymous]

Thank you for the feedback. I know it shows negatively on me as I did not live up to my word.

I will definately call the recruiter.

I take full responsibility for missing the call.

On that day all these groups of people just showed up unexpectedly very early, then I was basically held hostage/interrogated from early morning to evening. I should have turned my phone on. When I realized it was exactly the time for the call I excused myself, it was if they did not want me to be excused (I think one group may have even waited outside the bathrooms). I missed the call and called back within 10 minutes of the appointed time trying to salvage something.

Again thank you all for the advise.

[Author]

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