[kdcpa]

Hi,

I am curious to know whether anyone who is absolutely fresh in the job market got any help from Roberthalf? Campus recruitment did not work for me. I have no work experience and planning to apply for seasonal tax preparer position. I got advice from this forum about getting their help but I am not sure whether they are effective in getting you the very first job? Please share your experience.

[kdcpa]

@ultrarunner I did attend on-campus activities and got very few interview calls during recruitment season as well. But somehow did not end up getting offers. I have participated in most of the activities on-campus that you have listed here. I was applying for busy season tax internship positions in public accounting firms so far. They mentioned that they had hardly one or two positions for an intern. At this point, I am fine even if I don't end up entering public accounting firm as primarily I want to build my resume. I feel that busy season temporary tax preparation is the best starting point at the moment and I was thinking to keep RH as an option. I definitely want to keep working on the suggestions that you guys have provided me.

[atrain531]

There is a cost with going to Robert Half. Say Robert Half applies you for an entry level position. A few days later, while you are searching for jobs on your own, you run across the same position. However, Robert Half has already submitted your resume to that position. If you end up with that position, you will only get, say, $15 an hour when you really could have gotten $20 an hour from the company directly. This is why I think it is better to simply cut out the temp agency and due your due diligence. Applying for jobs is not easy, but if you put the work and effort in you should be able to get results.

[kdcpa]

@astrain531 I agree with you completely. I am not sure whether they would bring some open position to me or not. Being an international student makes me feel little nervous even if I have work authorization. After passing two sections and being close to my graduation for MST program in a reputed university, I just want to prove to myself that I can start working here.

[ineedthiscpa45]

Me personally i wouldn't do it. Two years ago i was in a similar position as you, just graduated from college with little to no experience in accounting.

1. When i applied for a position through them they stated as if i would be working for Robert half, upon arriving at my interview i soon realized that it wasn't for an actual position.
2. Whenever you get a full time position through Robert Half the person who staffs you gets a percentage of your full time salary, so essentially your underpaid.
3. After interviewing i didn't receive a call or email about my resume or opportunities so i felt uneasy about the whole process.

So to sum it up i would give it some more time applying, while going through somebody who has connections sounds more covenant, i would take a shot on yourself finding a job. If you choose otherwise i wouldn't blame you but i think if your consistent in your job applying daily that you'll find a job soon. best of Luck!

[JRG24]

In my experience, they will try to put you into a little box. You have x years of experience and currently make y so therefore you are qualified for position a and pay amount b. Definitely do not use them (or just about any recruiter for that matter) if you are currently underpaid. I know this doesn't apply to OP since they have no experience, but definitely keep in mind they do not have your best interest in mind. As an example, I was in a job and was underpaid, both by market standards for my title, but especially for what my experience was as I was doing a lot more than what a typical staff accountant does. My Robert Half recruiter would not even attempt to get me more than a 10% raise, and I am in a good job market. I worked to get my own offer that would have been a greater than 25% raise, which I ultimately turned down when my current employer freaked and gave me a “promotion” and the pay that goes with it. Moral of the story: recruiters will put you into a box, and if you do not fit the parameters they will not help you (mine literally just ceased all contact, until he saw my linkedin profile title change to controller…). I don't blame them, because we as applicants are not the client, but it is important to remember this reality in your job search. Good Luck.

[ultrarunner]

@kdcpa, will you need a visa sponsorship in the future? If not, please try local CPA firms. They love to hire MST students/graduates. I have a friend who is working for a small CPA firm. He got the job via Indeed around this time of the year (last year). Try Craiglist or Indeed. Small firms are hiring before their busy season. Also, please sign up for VITA and join your state CPA society. You could be a free member if you are a student. Do networking.

FAR 72,67,79 (Roger+Wiley test bank)11/15
AUD 80 (Roger)10/15
BEC 80 (Roger)4/16
REG 63,78 (Roger+Ninja MCQs)5/16

[kdcpa]

@ultraruner, I have work authorization and I would not need a visa sponsorship in the future. I have been applying to local CPA firms as well. I have not tried craigslist. I would definitely do networking as you mentioned.

[kdcpa]

@ineedthiscpa45 I agree with you and I would spend more time applying consistently. It will take a long time but I may not have to go RH way then.

[Missy]

so much misinformation just wanted to give some clarity.

Robert Half is the permanent placement side of accountemps. They are not placing for temporary jobs.

Robert Half either already has contact with or will solicit hiring managers to use their services, and if they ultimately place a candidate get a fee (from the employer) of between 18-30% first years compensation after the candidate has completed 90 days. Its worth EVERY PENNY because studies have shown it costs an employer about 100% of an employees salary just to complete a search. Crazy right?

They spend a lot of time getting to know the employer, what their “ideal” candidate is like, the salary range for the position and what the employers needs are. Then they try to send a candidate that can EXCEED the clients needs for whatever salary the employer mentioned even if its way too low. They work for the employer and aren't about to say 45k for a senior accountant are you out of your MIND?

They err on the side of sending overqualified candidate because they only want the employer to interview one or two. (if they were sending 30 the employer wouldn't need their “screening” of candidates.) They are absolutely NOT going to negotiate on your behalf and say “we know you were looking to pay 45k but joe is really worth 55k”. So you do lose any negotiating power.

Also remember most are NOT accountants, they know the few keywords the employer gives them and with no technical skills if the employer wants someone with capital asset experience and your resume says property plant and equipment they have no idea that is often the same thing. Clueless.

They don't particularly care what you think or what you want because there are 40-80 other candidates in their portfolio with equal or better qualifications than you and its no bother to them if they offend you.

Can never hurt to have another set of legs out walking the street on your behalf but KNOW what your requirements are so you don't accept less than you're worth. End of the day the responsibility to make sure you get what you're worth is on you and nobody else.

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

[CoachEmUp]

@Missy Right on, good post!!!

I have had experience w recruiters and they placed me at my last two jobs. They do not take anything off the top of what you make!!! It's in their best interest to get your base salary as high as possible because they make a % off of what it is.

Like most jobs there's some good people, a lot of bad, and some depends on the day. My recommendation is to use as many recruiters as you can (they're on LinkedIn) and keep a spreadsheet with all the jobs you've applied to, what recruiters have presented you. If you find a good recruiter they're like gold! I'm sad that I just moved and won't be able to use my old recruiter who was excellent.

[r00shine]

If you are applying to local CPA firms, you could always just walk in with an resume and ask if they are looking to hire. It is getting to be busy/tax season so many firms may be looking for people but not necessarily have a listing up online. Also, it doesnt hurt to just cold contact people on linkedin. Working at a Big 4, I've had numerous people that I didnt know but who went to my school message me asking to see we could have a conversation and i was always willing to help. This can help you build connections as well. And even if it doesnt lead to a job, it couldnt hurt.

[kdcpa]

@r00shine I liked your idea but I am little nervous to contact recruiters upfront on linked in because at times people do not respond. I would be really lucky if I had contacted someone like you to help me. That can be so helpful to someone like me who is absolutely new. I would like to implement your suggestions.

[kdcpa]

Anyone can tell me whether it would be ok to go the CPA firms and give my resume over there?

[ultrarunner]

One thing that you may need to know is that the salary for the small CPA firms could be very low (10K+ lower than the larger firms'). Alternatively, you may try a corporate internship position. I know a few students who didn't get into public accounting firms but got the internship position with the large corporations. All the best.

FAR 72,67,79 (Roger+Wiley test bank)11/15
AUD 80 (Roger)10/15
BEC 80 (Roger)4/16
REG 63,78 (Roger+Ninja MCQs)5/16

[kdcpa]

@ultrarunner your idea may work because somehow public accounting firms route is working so I guess nothing wrong in keeping the other options like corporate internship open. Thank you for the suggestion.

[Author]

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