[mangotango123]

Hello everyone. I am new to this forum. Any information will be appreciated.

My question is related to a phone appointment that is coming up next week. I am not even sure what this phone conversation is for.

Background: To give you a background about my situation, I should explain that it is now July and not recruiting-season. I have been in touch with a partner from one of the big 4 since last semester and I will be graduating this summer from a MSA program.

The tax partner told me to contact the recruiter that is representing at my school. I contacted the recruiter asking if I could recruit in the fall considering that I will have graduated this summer by the time I recruit. Also, I wanted to see if I could meet with the recruiter prior to recruiting to chat.
The recruiter replied to my e-mail by requesting a copy of my cover letter, resume and unofficial transcript. Also, she asked me a list of questions regarding my ideal start date, my preference for the tax subdivisions, whether I needed VISA sponsorship, whether I am 150-hour CPA eligible or when I will be eligible, etc…alot of questions.

I responded to all the questions and provided a customized cover letter along with my unofficial transcript & resume. The following day, I received an email and the recruiter asked if she could speak with me over the phone for 10 to 15 minutes but gave me one-hour slots to choose from.
I have experienced the recruiting process before but I have never experienced this before because the documents and questions she was requesting was similar to the Fall recruiting process at my target school. Also, it was unusual in that instead of submitting the documents directly to a firm’s website, I was submitting them via email to a recruiter.

Also, I was used to the on-campus interview process but never experienced speaking to any recruiter on the phone. It is important to point out that the recruiter never mentioned that there was a job opening. To think of it, she never directly answered my original question about whether or not I could participate in the fall recruiting process as an alumnus.

Thus my question to all of you who might have had similar experiences: 1. What can I assume by all of this? 2. What is the phone appointment for? 3. Is the recruiter just trying to get to know me? 4. Are phone appointments similar to a phone screening/interview? 5. What can I expect from this phone appointment and how can prepare for it?

My understanding: Some people around me have said that it seems that a tax position has opened up at the firm and they are trying to fill the position and the phone call is a phone screening to see if I am a potential/ideal candidate. Also, if they decide that I am an ideal/potential candidate, then I would be brought into the firm to interview. Is this accurate or just wishful thinking?

Since I have never gotten this type of response from any recruiter in my year long process of recruiting, do you think the partner put in a good word for me? I did drop his name and mentioned to the recruiter that he advised me to contact so and so recruiter.

I have the phone appointment next week. I was advised to prepare for the interview as if it was an on-campus interview.

Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you!

[maxb]

Take a deep breath, as an entry level person the interview process will be primarily behavorial. Maybe some basic accounting questions but I doubt it. The phone interview should be pretty easy with someone from HR. Just sound confident (dont be overly soft spoken). I usually try to match the other persons volume/tone. You also dont want to come off as cocky or loud. Good luck

[mangotango123]

Hello Maxb,

Thank you so much for your advice. So do you think this will lead to an in-house interview for a potential position? Am I being phone screened for a job?

I am so nervous because I heard that it is similar to an initial interview and if I wow the recruiter, I can be brought into an interview.

Thank you!!!

[maxb]

I would take it a step at a time. They wouldnt be calling you if they weren't interested. Highlight your strengths and let them know what you can bring to the firm. answer their questions concisely and make sure what your saying makes sense. most of all, just be yourself. don't overthink the interview process, expecially not at an entry level position. like i said before, at entry level it'll be mostly about do they think you'll fit in with the culture and can you string a sentence together that makes sense.

if it doesnt work out, don't take it personally.

[Son]

🙂 It seems like you might be over-thinking it a little bit. Everything you've mentioned points out that the recruiter is interested in you as a potential hire, likely starting right after you're done with school. Fall recruitment primarily is for summer interns/summer hires, so if there is an opening now or they think you're a strong candidate they will look to interview you outside of the regular hiring cycle. I would expect a regular screening interview from this call. The recruiter would likely just be interested in making sure meeting with you is not a waste of time and that you're well-spoken, professional and your resume/questionnaire answers check out.

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

[Pete]

Yes, definitely make sure you're prepared; however, it sounds as if it's informational in nature. They're likely looking to gather information from you, in-case a position comes up in the future. I wouldn't necessarily assume there is directly a job at the end of this tunnel. The partner you've stayed in touch with likely forwarded the information to HR and asked her to contact you as a kind gesture.

With that in mind, I would absolutely take this seriously. You've now potentially obtained another strong connection at the firm. During this conversation, I would make sure you thank her for speaking with you and ask if you can help her out in any way as well (offer referrals, etc.). Make sure you stay in touch, after the conversation, as well.

I don't mean to be cynical, but just don't get your hopes up, as I've done all too many times.

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

[lou]

They likely have a few start dates available in the fall and/or Jan 1, either because of negative background checks, backouts, new work, etc…. A phone appointment is an interview… every time you interact it's an interview….

150 is required at all big 4's
Start date asked because they may need you soon for a big job, if you're not available then they might not need you.
Transcript because they have gpa req's

Don't be so down on yourself for having a recruiter be interested in you… My recruitment was also very informal as we don't have a formal campus recruiter for my small state school. Worked out just fine for me… They want high quality people, who can present themselves in the desired manner – Accounting is just accounting, either you'll pick it up quickly or you won't – at the end of the day if your a good worker, go 100 miles an hour and learn from your mistakes you'll do fine.

This applies to all jobs – obviously theres always underlying factors at play, but you're heading in the right direction.

When asked when do you want to start (you said you just graduated) – I would say as soon as you need me to, I can start tomorrow if I can.

Based on feedback from quality sources, I'm told a lot of college students want to “take time off” after college – (i graduated college at 29, already had a career before moving to accounting) and found this to be crazy, probably the reason they ask.

[Pete]

“When asked when do you want to start (you said you just graduated) – I would say as soon as you need me to, I can start tomorrow if I can.”

If you already have a job, that would look pretty bad. Saying that will make you look desperate and the type of person to jump jobs on a whim, without providing proper notice. Regardless, I would state you need two weeks to make preparations.

I agree that anything more than this would look bad, especially if you don't have a job.

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

[lou]

If hes a recent college graduate, I don't see the harm.. Obviously if he has a job, then 2 weeks would be the normal.

It's a big4 firm – not exactly bottom level when it comes to jumping from job to job. Guess it depends on the person/situation, my point was don't say December 1st.

[Author]

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