[vegascpa87]

Hello,

I have recently graduated and have been studying for the CPA exam for a few weeks. I recently was offered a job (non accounting) that was to start next Monday but I missed an orientation that was for today. I called them and told them I spaced it but they person in charge already left. Does this mean I wont be getting the job?

[Anonymous]

Sadly, probably. Attendance is the #1 thing needed in an employee for any field, so missing your first day is not going to look good, unless you have a hella good reason (like, you were in a coma due to a non-recurring health problem).

[mla1169]

Depends on the position and how desperate the employer is. If there are 2 or 3 people vying for the same position you blew it. But if they're having a hard time finding qualified applicants you will be given a second chance.

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[vegascpa87]

It's a minimum wage temp job through a staffing company and the company is supposedly hiring 200 people. The guy that was doing the hiring stuff has made a few mistakes with me so I'm hoping he isn't too mad.

[ScarletKnightCPA]

Just say there was some confusion with the communication of the start date.

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[fuzyfro89]

Lol just show up and say you were told by “insert name” to come in and bring your ID for the first day. Sneak in, no?

[umkcfuturecpa]

Yikes. Sorry about this, but you're probably done-zo there, especially if it was through a temp agency. I used to work with HR (I was the receptionist but had some HR functions), and temps were in and out like the wind. They are way easier to move on from than from regular hires.

I would also start applying with other temp agencies. Many of them wouldn't give you a second chance with a screw up like this. Although I would encourage you to still follow up on this opportunity and see if they'll be lenient, but just don't count on it.

But, as in all aspects of life, I hope you learn from this. Good luck in the future.

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[umkcfuturecpa]

Also, it bothers me that the “future CPAs” on this website are suggesting for you to be dishonest about this, although I'm hoping they are kidding. Ethics much, guys/gals?

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[ScarletKnightCPA]

Please, how is saying there was some confusion with the communication of start date unethical, even if it is from her end? From the looks of it, it seems that's exactly what happened, her start date is Monday and he/she got confused about the orientation that was taking place the week prior to start date.

Honestly, nobody cares about why it happened. They don't want to get stuck in the detail of the explanation, just say it happened it the most professional, short and concise way possible.

Are you next going to tell me that telling someone they look good when they are really looking wrecked is unethical too?

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[umkcfuturecpa]

OP said they spaced. Not that anyone mis-communicated the info, or that they weren't told. It was OP's fault. Therefore, if s/he were to say otherwise, it would be a lie in a professional context, which, yes, is unethical. CPAs are supposed to be held to a higher degree of ethical standards. Take some responsibility for your actions.

Also, your argument about being kind to someone versus lying in a professional context? I'm not sure how you don't see that those are different situations. That's unfortunate.

Furthermore, you seem to think that my comment was directed at your comment, specifically. Of the two mentioning it, yours was less cringe-worthy. OP was confused is an acceptable response, but blaming mis-communication on the part of another isn't. If you care to pay attention to what I wrote, as well, you'll see that I acknowledged the other comment was likely a joke, but that if OP were to follow that advice it would be in poor taste.

In the end, OP needs to take responsibility for their own actions, and accept that this might lead to their temp job offer being rescinded based on his/her actions. And then LEARN FROM IT! As long as we learn from our mistakes, in the end all is good. This opportunity might slip away, but in the future OP will be more diligent about keeping his or her commitments straight (hopefully).

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[Myredstapler]

Preaching a little too hard there umkcfuturecpa. Relaaaaaaax.

[mla1169]

If someone thinks a temp agency wouldn't give someone a second chance after spacing out on an orientation they haven't been acquainted with many temp agencies, LOL! Those kind of mistakes happen all the time, and while unfortunate they are hardly ever a deal breaker. Temp agencies are all about the numbers, large numbers, and forget mistakes quickly.

We all make mistakes it's very silly to even say OP needs to learn something from this. Of course we all hope to learn from careless mistakes but I can assure you that even 20+ years into a career mistakes will happen here and there. What's important to learn is how to move past them.

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[Kimboroni]

If they're trying to hire that many people right now, there's a good chance that (a) they're having an orientation every Monday, and (b) they may be more lenient. So I'd say show up at the time and place that you were supposed to last week, and you may be able to still have your orientation and work there. Be polite, apologetic, and very organized, and it may work.

Good luck!

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[Charell__]

I would keep in contact with them to see what they'll decide. Missing an orientation doesn't mean it's the end. It's very possible, but not absolute. Huge difference. A company hiring 200 ppl is not going to have all 200 start orientation on the same day. I'm pretty sure they have different orientation dates since they didn't hire all 200 at the same time. They usually have you begin and progress as groups. Definitely stay in contact with them. And hopefully you've got some thick skin reading some of these comments lol. Good luck! I wish you the best!

[ScarletKnightCPA]

Miscommunication does not you are blaming someone else, it could mean that he misinterpreted it and the miscommunication is on his part. An explanation on who's fault it is and how it occurred is unnecessary.

From the little that he wrote it seems like there was a miscommunication from his end. He took note of the start date and then realized or forgot that there was a orientation prior to start date.

If this was brought up to the CPA ethics board it would be laughed at. That's what puts it on the same level of lying about how someone looks.

If he called out sick but was actually out interviewing at another job you would have an issue with that too? I mean there he is straight up lying in a professional context.

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[umkcfuturecpa]

OP asked for advice, and I gave my real world take on it. Like I said, I have experience with temp agencies from both being hired through one and working on the HR end of a company who brought in temps.

Sorry if you're upset that I think lying isn't appropriate.

I never said a fib like this is worthy of an ethical inquiry so I'm not sure where you got that, just the notion of it is a little distasteful being as we are supposedly held to a higher standard as a profession.

FYI – I've never lied to get a job or keep a job (even a temp one), and I call in sick when I'm sick and not otherwise. I used all my vacation days at my old job for exams at school and for interview days. That way, I never had to worry about my lie being found out. I guess I just hold myself to a higher standard in general?

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Remember: a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step

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