[Anonymous]

Hello everyone!

It’s been too long since I posted here…last time I posted was when I passed my final section. This site was instrumental in getting through one of the toughest phase in my life. Soon after, I got busy with marriage, moving to NY, life, etc…Now I’m facing another toughest phase in my life…JOB market and I need help!!

Little bit about me, I’ll be 25 in June, I graduated with Bachelors in Accounting, passed all four sections of the CPA exams, have 150 semester credits, and currently working as an accountant in NY. My CFO who is a CPA is willingly to sign on my hours and will have 2000hrs by September, 2014. I also interned for a CPA firm in WA.

I like my job, however, there is potential for growth and I desperately want to work for a CPA firm. I’ve been to three interviews and rejected from all it in the last 2 months. One was for a staff accountant position for a local Newspaper. I had less experience than what they were looking for. Two of them were a CPA firm, one of them I was completely under qualified and surprised they even interviewed me. After three rejections, especially getting rejected from the one firm that I thought I did meet their requirement was heartbreaking and I cried like a baby…like I did when I failed my 3rd CPA exam.

Good news is I have an interview for an entry-level position with a CPA firm next week. Though I’m excited, I am very nervous…this would be a dream job for me in a dream location. Getting that job would enable my husband & I to relocate to where we have been wanting for the last six months. I am nervous because I feel like this would be yet another rejection. How can I make sure I get this job? They are looking for 0-1 year of experience and I believe I fit the position very well. How can I show them my passion, desire and willingness to learn/work for them? This isn’t just about money, but rather about my dream.

I need any advise, tips, suggestions, help I can get!! Please, I appreciate any feedback!!

[Mayo]

From a previous post:

1. Know yourself really well

-why accounting

-why this firm

-why this position

2. Know the firm well

-what's their business

-I'd try and draw comparisons to your work experience and the skills you've acquired that would fit well with the firm (i.e. you're well rounded)

-try and learn their history

-learn a little bit about the industry and where it's headed

3. Know the common behavioral questions

-strengths/weaknesses

-tell me about a time..etc.

-google some questions and practice them, but don't memorize them. Can't stress this enough. You learn a lot about yourself by just going through these questions

4. Relax

-be yourself and be professional

-practice, practice, practice, so you don't feel too nervous come interview date

5. Remember the little things

-good posture but not robotic or fidgeting

-sound confident but not cocky

-write a thank you letter****

-bring an extra copy of your resume

Remember, you got the interview because your qualifications are good enough n paper. Now it's all about wrapping and presentation.

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[Mayo]

From a previous post:

1. Know yourself really well

-why accounting

-why this firm

-why this position

2. Know the firm well

-what's their business

-I'd try and draw comparisons to your work experience and the skills you've acquired that would fit well with the firm (i.e. you're well rounded)

-try and learn their history

-learn a little bit about the industry and where it's headed

3. Know the common behavioral questions

-strengths/weaknesses

-tell me about a time..etc.

-google some questions and practice them, but don't memorize them. Can't stress this enough. You learn a lot about yourself by just going through these questions

4. Relax

-be yourself and be professional

-practice, practice, practice, so you don't feel too nervous come interview date

5. Remember the little things

-good posture but not robotic or fidgeting

-sound confident but not cocky

-write a thank you letter****

-bring an extra copy of your resume

Remember, you got the interview because your qualifications are good enough n paper. Now it's all about wrapping and presentation.

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[Lindrobe]

You are getting interviews, so your experience must not be that bad. How are your interview skills? Do you prepare for the interviews (write down questions to ask, prepare for questions that you may be asked, etc)? I did not do this when I first began my career but I do now and I think that it helps a lot.

I had an interview this afternoon and I jotted down 5 questions that I had for the organization. I think that it shows that you are interested in them and also that you care enough to prepare ahead of time and put thought into the process. I also go over the typical questions that are asked (what are your strengths, weaknesses, etc?) so that I know how I would respond to the question.

During the interviews, I try to be sure to convey to the interviewers my passions and I try to come across as enthusiastic as possible. I think it is important to send out hand written thank you notes immediately after the interview. Not many people do that anymore, so I think it can help set you apart from other candidates.

FAR 12/3/14, 87
AUD 2/3/14, 90
BEC 4/1/14, 88
REG 5/27/14, 94

Licensed CPA, Indiana

"Successful people do things that unsuccessful people don't want to do"

[Lindrobe]

You are getting interviews, so your experience must not be that bad. How are your interview skills? Do you prepare for the interviews (write down questions to ask, prepare for questions that you may be asked, etc)? I did not do this when I first began my career but I do now and I think that it helps a lot.

I had an interview this afternoon and I jotted down 5 questions that I had for the organization. I think that it shows that you are interested in them and also that you care enough to prepare ahead of time and put thought into the process. I also go over the typical questions that are asked (what are your strengths, weaknesses, etc?) so that I know how I would respond to the question.

During the interviews, I try to be sure to convey to the interviewers my passions and I try to come across as enthusiastic as possible. I think it is important to send out hand written thank you notes immediately after the interview. Not many people do that anymore, so I think it can help set you apart from other candidates.

FAR 12/3/14, 87
AUD 2/3/14, 90
BEC 4/1/14, 88
REG 5/27/14, 94

Licensed CPA, Indiana

"Successful people do things that unsuccessful people don't want to do"

[Anonymous]

Thank you, guys! I will def. take all the advise and tips!! I hope I get a job in CPA firm soon!!! Prayers appreciated!!

[Anonymous]

Thank you, guys! I will def. take all the advise and tips!! I hope I get a job in CPA firm soon!!! Prayers appreciated!!

[samdiegoCPA]

Yes, always have questions lined up to ask them… it shows interest for both the company and the job. Maybe bring in their company somehow while answering questions as well. Send a follow up email immediately emphasizing your skills & your interest & thanking them.

BTW, I had 20+ interviews last year after I took a 3 years break between 3 yrs of accounting experience and getting my degree. All were like “ugh, we wish you had more recent experience” OR said I was overqualified. It was extremely hard hearing that when I knew I could do the job but didn't have recent experience on paper (total BS in my opinion). Good luck and don't give up!

AUD: 84
REG: 84
BEC: 79
FAR: 83

[samdiegoCPA]

Yes, always have questions lined up to ask them… it shows interest for both the company and the job. Maybe bring in their company somehow while answering questions as well. Send a follow up email immediately emphasizing your skills & your interest & thanking them.

BTW, I had 20+ interviews last year after I took a 3 years break between 3 yrs of accounting experience and getting my degree. All were like “ugh, we wish you had more recent experience” OR said I was overqualified. It was extremely hard hearing that when I knew I could do the job but didn't have recent experience on paper (total BS in my opinion). Good luck and don't give up!

AUD: 84
REG: 84
BEC: 79
FAR: 83

[Anonymous]

Smile non-stop!

[Anonymous]

Smile non-stop!

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the tips, everyone!! I got an e-mail regarding setting up a second interview. I responded right away, but haven't heard back…it's been 24hours. I hope to hear from them soon.

This would be a perfect job for me and I really hope I get an offer. I have some things to improve; not being nervous (stuttered couple times), and answering to the point. I will be meeting with a Partner and one of the Principal that I met during my 1st interview.

As far as the 2nd interview goes, what should I be expecting? Is it okay to ask similar questions? Any tips/advise/prayers are appreciated! Thanks, everyone!!

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the tips, everyone!! I got an e-mail regarding setting up a second interview. I responded right away, but haven't heard back…it's been 24hours. I hope to hear from them soon.

This would be a perfect job for me and I really hope I get an offer. I have some things to improve; not being nervous (stuttered couple times), and answering to the point. I will be meeting with a Partner and one of the Principal that I met during my 1st interview.

As far as the 2nd interview goes, what should I be expecting? Is it okay to ask similar questions? Any tips/advise/prayers are appreciated! Thanks, everyone!!

[Lindrobe]

That is great news! I would try to come up with some different questions to ask, especially for the Principal that you have already met with. I think it sounds like your biggest problem may be confidence. Believe in yourself!! You are obviously smart-you passed all four section of the exam. Good luck with your interview!

FAR 12/3/14, 87
AUD 2/3/14, 90
BEC 4/1/14, 88
REG 5/27/14, 94

Licensed CPA, Indiana

"Successful people do things that unsuccessful people don't want to do"

[Lindrobe]

That is great news! I would try to come up with some different questions to ask, especially for the Principal that you have already met with. I think it sounds like your biggest problem may be confidence. Believe in yourself!! You are obviously smart-you passed all four section of the exam. Good luck with your interview!

FAR 12/3/14, 87
AUD 2/3/14, 90
BEC 4/1/14, 88
REG 5/27/14, 94

Licensed CPA, Indiana

"Successful people do things that unsuccessful people don't want to do"

[Mayo]

From my experience ad what others tell me, second interviews are mostly about fit. If I was interviewing you I'd first scan your resume, get an idea of your background and experience. Then I'd try to just have a conversation and see if I think you'll be a good fit.

Again, in the form of a casual conversation I'd want to find out the following:

-What is your previous experience like? Is it applicable/transferable to what we (tax/audit/etc) do?

-What's your status with the CPA exam?

-Why did you apply for public accounting?

-Why this firm?

-Why did you choose the job you did out of school? (i.e. what has changed since graduation that makes you want to work here?)

-Are you willing to learn and take on challenges?

-How well will you work as part of a team?

-Do you have good communication skills?

I wouldn't ask these questions directly, but I'd probe into your resume to try to tease that information out of you. So i'd expect a laid back and professional conversation by the interviewers to get to know you better. It's usually a lot less structured than the first one. But be ready for behavioral questions anyway.

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[Author]

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