[Anonymous]

I have been searching for a job for some time and got no luck. I was planing to start with an easy position and then jumped into public. But I waited a long time and there is even not an easy one for me. So I am wondering if I can send out cold email enclosed with my resume to small-mid size firms? They have passed the busy season, will they start to look for new employees?

[MaLoTu]

You can, but you shouldn't.

I strongly suggest that you contact your local CPA society (if you have one) and become a member. Go to networking events and meet people in the industry.

The new hiring season is around the corner. I would spend some time narrowing down which firms you are interested in (and you have to know why you are interested in them). Try to use LI to see if you have any connections to those firms. Try not to be pushy, there are hundreds of candidates looking for positions, put in your time and get to know people.

Almost always from my phone... please excuse my typos!

All 4 passed - 2016

CA CPA

[hasy]

AND cover letter! It's not likely they'll read it, but it's way to show your writing skills. I know I got some interviews because of that. It's just standard too, I mean between 2 candidates who are the same, who are they going to pick? The one who made the effort with the letter or the one who didn't?

Make sure you write a good email too.

As for the easy job, go find a recruiter. Accountemps has a bad rep, but at least you can temp somewhere for money. I personally really like accounting principles. I got placed into a job LITERALLY within a few days, but that's bc they needed a replacement quick. But now getting comfortable in my easy job, I'm getting lazy to apply to firms. 😕

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[Anonymous]

MaLoTu.. what would you say is the new hiring season?

I currently work in public accounting for a small firm in tax (2 years here this June). I am moving in about 4 months to an area that is really concentrated with new grads (who will be graduating from a “better” university than I did). I'm a little nervous about finding a job, so I was just curious as to what you would consider hiring season.

[MaLoTu]

@delilah – I have managed to make friends with several recruiters in my area and my best friend is a former campus recruiter for EY. The typical season for the majority of the entry-level hiring is done before winter break of the prior year. The philosophy is that they can go home with the acceptance letter in hand. That gives the Seniors a chance to finish up spring, have a break for summer and start working the following fall. So, they hire a year in advance! That really threw me because I came from the education field and was not prepared.

You are probably considered an experienced hire. Those are probably more rotating positions, they hire when there is a need. You might actually have a better chance of getting a position outside of the entry-level campus recruiting season. I think trying to switch at 1-2 years is probably the hardest transition. You don't have enough experience to be a senior (you might actually?) and you have too much for entry-level.

And a side-note: Your education makes much less of a difference when you have established a direct contact with someone inside the company you want to work for.

I live in the SF bay area (so we have SO many schools here that are sought after, Berkeley, Stanford, SFSU, SCU and more), I am already a little over 30, and I have no prior accounting experience. Through networking (and not asking for a job right off the bat, I go out to coffee, try to find out about their jobs, etc.) I have had a lot of success in being recruited. I am currently interviewing at a large firm in SF (Big 10?) …. With my background I would not have gotten in if I did not network. It is very cliche, but it is really who you know! That is why I am a big proponent of the CPA societies … everyone is there to network and for the most part, everyone is nice. I have made many new friends through CalCPA.

Almost always from my phone... please excuse my typos!

All 4 passed - 2016

CA CPA

[Anonymous]

@MaLoTu

Very useful information as usual. If I just passed the exams, can I be a member of the CPA society? I still need experiences to get the license.

[Anonymous]

MaLoTu,

Thank you for all of the helpful information. I was figuring I would have a rough time transitioning. I definitely need more experience before I can be a senior, but I have learned so much these past two years. Its unfortunate that I can't stay put, get my CPA, and be in a better hiring position. I really do have a great job that I hate to leave behind.

I definitely agree with you about networking. That's how I got my current job. I have a great network in the area where I live. Unfortunately, the place I will be moving is about 8 hours away and don't know anyone. I have tried to utilize my network as I know many people who have graduated from the university I referenced in my previous post. Nothing. All of them have been out of the area for too long. Hopefully once I get there I can start making new connections.

Thanks again!

[MaLoTu]

@cpatobe – I don't know for all societies, but I am a candidate member of CalCPA. I think they give you 3 years as a candidate. It is much less to join as a student/candidate. They also have a membership that is for non CPAs, i believe. For CalCPA candidate it is $50 a year. Are you in CA?

@delilah – Good luck. I know that in SF they cannot fill the senior/management positions quick enough, there is a real shortage. You might be able to leverage your two years if you are going into a hot market.

Almost always from my phone... please excuse my typos!

All 4 passed - 2016

CA CPA

[Anonymous]

@MaLoTu

No, although I wish I were in CA. Would you please share with me about the membership events? What kind of networking will I expect as a candidate of the CPA society?

[MaLoTu]

CalCPA has events for students, they give away scholarships once a year. At this type of event they usually have firms with representatives (sometimes the recruiter, but it could be just an employee of the company). The events organized for students is the easiest to navigate because it is more of a recruiting type atmosphere.

They have mixers where people go have drinks and Hors d'oeuvres. A lot of these events are geared towards people in the profession, but like I mentioned, everyone is usually really nice.

Ours also does ABC nights, they are mixers, but it is directed at Attorneys, Bankers, and CPAs.

There is also a leadership board that is for younger professionals to develop skills to become future leaders. This would offer an opportunity to collaborate with your peers.

Also, if your state does have a CPA society, I am certain that they will allow you to visit without making any type of commitment.

Almost always from my phone... please excuse my typos!

All 4 passed - 2016

CA CPA

[Anonymous]

@MaLoTu

Thank you for the detailed reply and your share with the experience. I am not a new grad, but out of school for nearly 4 years. I only have internship experiences before graduation. So if I go to the CPA society, I am not suitable for events that targeted for students, right? In my state, the fee for non CPAs is expensive, $200/yr. And I did not see there are special events for students either. More events about learning tax, CFO round table, some lunches, etc.

[MaLoTu]

What state is it?

If you are interested you should contact someone from the club. They can tell you the specifics. Each event is usually open to all members and even guests. At the last Scholarship function I attended there were many professionals (i.e., active CPAs) who were there just to network.

Each CPA society is likely to have a bunch of CPE opportunity, that might be what you saw listed.

Almost always from my phone... please excuse my typos!

All 4 passed - 2016

CA CPA

[Ganondorf]

So sending blind emails with resume/cover letter to a firm is frowned upon? Well shoot. That is what I have been doing. Although I am not doing it with the large or mid size firms. I have just sent emails to small firms. I thought the more resumes you get out there, the better off you are. Is that not true?

[Anonymous]

@MaLoTu

It is CO, and I will contact them for more information, or I will pick an event to attend to see it by myself.

@Ganondorf

How is your job hunting going now? Any good news? I got my internship by sending out cold email which enclosed my resume. But that is a very small firm and can not extend me a full time offer.

[Ganondorf]

Out of the 10 or so blind emails I sent out, I have only had one interview. I did not get hired.

[Anonymous]

@Ganondorf

At least you are on the right track. Good luck on your job search.

[Author]

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