[Track55]

My friends and family interview all the time just to stay sharp. I’m 40 and the only times I’ve interviewed is if I needed a job. They tell me I should start.

Does anyone interview just to goof around? I drive by Deloitte every day.

I would not interview through my school’s career center though, even if I pay the annual fee. Those recruiters have limited slots (max of 8) and I would not want to take interviews away from students who really need them. Out on the street – that’s another story.

Thanks.

AUD - 74, 99 !!
REG - 74, 92
BEC - 83
FAR - 73, 86

Studying for Ethics exam

California candidate
Business and Industry

[MaLoTu]

That it interesting, @how many letters. I am probably a little jaded and demystified by the process since I have literally just gone through it! lol. Definitely give networking events a whirl … I have established many valuable connections and have gained a lot of industry insight.

[How many letters do you need]

haha yeah you get burnt out no doubt! Hopefully you found a good spot! Will definitely take you up on your suggestion. Do you usually just focus on local accounting societies and the such?

MBA,CMA,CPA, CFF?, ABV?

[MaLoTu]

Yes, I am in California and the state society has really awesome networking opportunities. Utilizing their resources and staff was how I actually got the opportunity to connect with someone at the firm I am going to be starting at. CalCPA has mixer type events where there is no specific purpose other than to mingle. They also have young emerging professionals, which I think is geared towards educating and getting younger CPAs involved in the profession and its progression. They also have events for students. I usually have a good time going to them (once I am there, lol).

I have heard that other states do not have as many options. Since you have a lot of certifications, you can probably shop around and see which ones are the most beneficial to belong to, I am assuming there is a group for CMAs also. You may also try your alumni association if you went to a good college/uni.

[How many letters do you need]

I'm in CA too. I think the CPA mixers make the most sense….closer to where I'm going I think. Thanks for the suggestion MaLo!

MBA,CMA,CPA, CFF?, ABV?

[Track55]

The reason I ask is because my friends who have certifications (some have 4), get calls from recruiters all the time. It's insane. They say it's very hard to interview if you have been out of practice. Also, that it's important to keep your skills sharp and never turn down connections. No, I would never leave the company where I'm at.

However, I don't think it'd be wrong per se. One recruiter for the State told me he interviewed with the State just to kill time. He ended up joining them. And as another person said, interviewers do it too. I can tell you from experience the government tests/interviews 200 people per job listing just to meet recruiting quota. I have also been trapped in half-day interviews with partners/managers when it was obvious I had no shot.

As another person said, I don't know where people find time to “kill”. I never seem to have time either. Plus I use all my PTO for studying.

We'll see what happens later in the year when I have testing out of the way. One of the reasons my friends say it's important is so you hear what kind of questions they ask now.

Ha ha – they actually filmed the outside of Stark Enterprises near where I work. I have been meaning to drive there on a lunch break.

Thanks everyone for your thoughts. For those in HR, thanks for the view from the other side.

AUD - 74, 99 !!
REG - 74, 92
BEC - 83
FAR - 73, 86

Studying for Ethics exam

California candidate
Business and Industry

[ScarletKnightCPA]

I am going to go against the grain and advise to go ahead and do the job interview regardless of whether you think you are interested in the job.

Companies waste interviewee's time all the time bringing in people that they have no intention of hiring because they need to meet some interview quota when they have already identified someone that they are going to bring on. I've had traveled to different states after calling to confirm the interview that they demanded to have the same week only to find that one of the interviewers was not present so I would have to schedule another follow-up interview.

Although you may not initially be interested, this supplies you with leverage if they are interested enough in you. They may make an offer that you are interested in. Isn't that the point of a interview, to learn more about the company and potential position?

A couple decades back, the roles used to be reversed and the interviewees held the advantage in job interviews as it was a employee market. The trend has changed towards an employer market which has resulted in many employers feeling like the interviewee owes them something for occupying their time.

Far: 76 (Wiley Test Bank)
Aud: 77 (Wiley Test Bank)
Reg: 61, 76 (Wiley book, Wiley Test Bank)
Bec: 86 (Wiley Test Bank)

MBA in progress

[sam85]

Couldn't agree more with what ScarletKnightCPA has said. While two wrongs don't make it right, companies waste people's time all the time so I wouldn't feel too guilty doing it. Whether it's a job that they already filled because they're required to post it or interviewing candidates to meet a quota, it's all wasting of a hopeful candidate's time.

With that said, I wouldn't do this to a small business. I also probably wouldn't do go on an interview for the heck of it unless I had no life. Why waste your time?

[alboreland]

I don't understand why a person would go through all of the effort just to “keep up their skills”. A person would have to update their resume, search for jobs, apply to jobs, respond to emails, have phone interviews and take off time from work to go on an interview.

I find the entire process difficult enough when it is for real.

[jlee1086]

I wish the Hiya button still existed so I can like Scarlet's post. While I wouldn't go on an interview only for the heck of it, I had calls from sales-type jobs while I was looking for something completely different. Now the descriptions said very little of the job and you can't find out much until the phone screening. In this case, why not take the chance to practice? There's a world of difference between applying for jobs you know not going to take and stumbling upon a position you don't believe you're interested in.

On getting caught by your employer for interviewing, there isn't any data for that. But one article said 15% of bosses drive past a “sick” person's house to see if they were really home. The first article names specific percentages for people who wanted to relax or sleep in. While the 2nd one said some people interviewed on their sick days, there's no specific number. I'm surprised there's very little data on this. But I'm sure some bosses out of that 15% found a sharply dressed
person going in or out of their driveway.

https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/7353-employees-faking-sick.html
https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/2260-workers-sick-days.html

“The trend has changed towards an employer market which has resulted in many employers feeling like the interviewee owes them something for occupying their time.”
So true. A lot of people who expect a big song and dance from you don't act professionally when you're there.

FAR 57 (11/2014), 64 (1/2015), 79 (7/2015)
AUD 68 (2/2015), 79 (11/2015)
REG 79 (1/2016)
BEC 81 (4/2016)

[Author]

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