[Starved_Wolf]

Has anyone ever gone to one of these? How did it go? I’m thinking about going to one of these and hopefully make a connection with a recruiter or someone that will help me get into public accounting. I work in private accounting and have been wanting to make the switch to public. I’ve applied to a bunch of firms and due to not having any public accounting experience and not being a recent grad, I haven’t heard back from any of them.

The event is a couple days away and i’m not sure if I should go or not. I wouldn’t know anyone there. Do you guys think I would benefit from going to a mixer?

[turo9992000]

I haven't gone to one, but it couldn't hurt.

[Skynet]

I went to these events before. They are a great way to meet local firms.

When it comes to recruiters though, it will mostly be from Robert Half and Accountemps, so i would avaoid them.

You're better off networking and talking to the local firms and other accounting professionals.

[rwglapalma]

I agree with @Skynet, stick with the firms and avoid any non-firm recruiters if they are there. I was in a similar situation, going from private to public. I like the CalCPA mixers, focus on meeting the different firms and having natural conversation with people. It's a good opportunity to find out if you even want to apply for the firm. At one I went to I met a partner and a couple associates of a firm and knew right away I didn't want to apply. I ended up a firm through a former-classmate referral, so it didn't necessarily translate into a job but you never know and it gets your face in front of other people in the profession.

[Starved_Wolf]

Thanks guys. Thinking about stuffing a couple copies of my resume in my work bag to bring to the event in case i happen to make a connection with someone.

[MaLoTu]

The people who organize the events for CalCPA are also a resource. I got into my current firm after being invited (by an organizer at CalCPA)to attend a meet the firms event that CalCPA was involved in at a school I didn’t go to. The organizer also let me know of firms looking for people and submitted my resume.
Go to any and all meet the firms events in a reasonable vicinity. These will be much more important than mixers if you are looking for a job. Go to any that are open to the public.

[Author]

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