[sam85]

I just got a rejection email from a Big 4 firm and it’s destroying my confidence. This position was a “dream scenario,” so I was thrilled to pass the initial phone interviews and get invited for an office visit. I felt the interviews went well with the Partner and the rest of the staff, and I felt like I was qualified (relevant internships, CPA passed, 150 credits, internal referral, etc). Unfortunately, no offer.

In the past, I probably would’ve shaken this off, especially given the competitiveness of getting a job with a Big 4 firm, but this is becoming a trend. Over the past year, I’ve had roughly 10 interviews. I pass the phone/Skype interviews, but once I have an office interview, I’m rejected. I’m the last person to even remotely claim discrimination, but it’s starting to make me wonder whether my physical disability is derailing my job search. I suspect this over my interview skills because I’m 3/3 in phone only interviews (all of my internships) and have never been offered a position where I had to interview in person.

Should I disclose my disability prior to the interview? During the interview, is there anything I can do to make people take me seriously as a candidate?

[Missy]

It's very common to have no offer after 10 interviews, especially for competitive positions like big 4. At the end of the day it's more about who your competition is then how much you want it. If you know and can prove your disability was the ONLY reason you didn't get an offer talk to a lawyer. Disclosing before the interview won't yield different results if you're actually being discriminated agsinst, but it's more likely you're just frustrated, with your search.

Old timer,  A71'er since 2010.

Finance manager/HR manager

 

 

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[Son]

sam85, I work side by side with people who have disabilities at Big4 and can say that from my experience it's not a factor. I personally can't imagine a scenario where I could possibly hold the interviewee's disability against him/her. Also, I would probably be confused if anything else if you were to mention it to me before an in-person interview – not knowing the background of the story I'd be wondering what relevance this has to your job application. I might even suspect you're actually hinting that you might be not the best candidate for the job. In my opinion, unless there's a real concern your condition would preclude you from doing your job I think most people would consider it to be a non-factor. The fact that you've successfully completed your studies and had internships in the past tells me that's absolutely not the case.

Don't give up or get discouraged, as mla has pointed out finding a job can be a long and tedious process. Best of luck in your search!

AUD - passed
REG - passed
BEC - passed
FAR - passed

[Nessie]

Son,
So what you think is happening is that during the face-to-face interview, the representative of the firm is prejudging you based on something that is a visible physical disability? It is hard to say without knowing your disability. I have a disability that is not apparent. I’ve often though to disclose it to help me get a job. I’m pretty certain companies get government grants to hire people with disabilities. I could not help you answer your question without knowing what kind of disability you have.

It is possible there has been prejudice during an interview. I made it to the last round with one of the big 4 only to have this partner make completely inappropriate comments about resume that were very discriminatory. But, instead of telling he firm, I told an admissions staff person a few months later at my school and she brought it to head of recruiting. I didnt want to pursue the complaint, so I just went to the other Big 4 I liked and go hired there.

AUD - 80
BEC - 84
FAR - 80
REG - 88

Using Becker Self-Study, Final Review and NINJA MCQs
Sat for BEC Dec 6th, 2016 !!!! 84!!!!!

REG Aug 20/15: 88
AUD: Feb 29/16: 80
FAR: Jun 10/16: 80
BEC?

Becker self-study, Becker Final Review & NINJA MCQS

[sam85]

When you keep getting interviews with no offers, it's gets to a point where you have to look at yourself and have suspicions that it's something other than your credentials/qualifications. Like I said before, blaming it on my physical disability would never be my first response. I make sure I'm prepared enough to try to prevent it from even being a factor – I spend a lot of time preparing for interviews and have even done mock interviews on campus on more than one occasion. I can't help to wonder whether it is indeed a factor, though. I face people that don't know how to react to my wheelchair and physical limitations on a daily basis. When they act this way during an interview, I can't help but wonder if it goes into their decision even if it's against the law.

@mla and @son, And to both of your points, yes, I feel defeated in my job search. I graduated in 2013 and have seen many of my former classmates get promoted already. Meanwhile, I'm still struggling to find a job. When family, friends, former classmates/professors, etc. question why I still can't find one, I feel humiliated because I'm trying everything I can (sending out resumes, cold calling, networking, etc).The time and money spent on degrees, exam taking, extra coursework, etc. is even getting challenging to justify.

I guess I only debate whether I should mention my disability to prevent wasting everyone's time. I've driven hundreds of miles for interviews to only be told no – for every single one!

[njvath]

@sam85 – Have you ever asked for feedback on the interviews? That may be helpful because there may be something in your responses you need to change. But most likely, like mla mentioned, it's more about your competition. Have you had any interviews outside of B4? Maybe you could connect with a recruiter (either from your school or head hunter)?

Also, like Son said, I would not mention that you have a disability (no need to volunteer unnecessary information). It might raise a red flag with the interviewer(s) because I too would wonder what relevance it has and if you really don't think you are the right candidate for the job. Good Luck!

Becker

FAR - 76
AUD - 74, 74
BEC - 83
REG - TBD

[Missy]

Well I'll tell you I went on over 35 interviews before I got an offer. It is discouraging but not unheard of. Do you discuss your disability in the interview at all? And aside from passing the exam and having the 150 what are your credentials? That's the credentials many candidates for the same position will have, what sets you above that the answer couldn't just be someone else was a better fit?

Old timer,  A71'er since 2010.

Finance manager/HR manager

 

 

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[Anonymous]

There is nothing in accounting and tax that is physically demanding. I wouldn't base any rejection on being disabled.

[Son]

Nessie, sorry – my post was probably confusing… I was trying to say that generally people will NOT be prejudiced against someone with a disability. The only scenario it might be a factor if it directly affected your capability to do the job. For instance, let's say I'm hiring you to work in an archive and know you'll need to routinely move boxes weighting over 50 lbs; if you have a back problem that would preclude you from doing this part of the job I'd think you might not be the best candidate to hire.

That being said, let me give you another example – we had a blind woman working as a designer in my Big4 (making marketing materials, booklets etc.). I'll be honest with you, I had very limited experience working with blind people before and, as ignorant as it sounds, always assumed you cannot work in a field like that if you are blind. But she was very well regarded by her colleagues and was obviously excellent at her job. I'm giving you this example as another reason for people with disabilities to disclose their situation at the appropriate time (if at all). Given the opportunity to talk face to face with the potential employer you might yourself start the conversation by explaining how your disability does not affect your work product in any way.

AUD - passed
REG - passed
BEC - passed
FAR - passed

[Son]

sam85, I think you have the right mindset going into this – please don't discount yourself or assume people are concerned about your disability, I'm sure that is not the case in most (if not all) cases. Nessie made a good point, often employers actually have an incentive to hire someone with a disability. Maybe try extending your search area a little too? There's a chance the market is not that active in your area and the competition is just really high.

AUD - passed
REG - passed
BEC - passed
FAR - passed

[Missy]

I am not aware of government grants directly to employers for hiring disabled employees (there are tax incentives for hiring Veterans in certain circumstances.) Grants related to the disabled are for non profits that help disabled individuals find employment.

That said I have a physical disability that is not apparent unless I am writing, typing, eating, etc. I never mention it unless and until it becomes an issue for someone (like someone whines they can't read my handwriting and I explain it is what it is). Frankly I think mentioning it before the opportunity to show why the employer needs you creates doubt for the employer, left wondering if said disability is going to become a distraction with the employee wanting to incorporate it into every discussion and situation. I know disabled people who don't acknowledge their disability most of the time and I know folks who talk about it so much that you have to wonder why its their only source of identity. If I meet someone in a chair who says “Hi, I'm Sam, I'm an accountant and trying to get the experience required for my CPA” its a better premise than “I'm the person in a chair, hope you have handicapped accessible bathrooms and I'm going to need a special office because I prefer 40w bulbs to 60w and the cafeteria had better offer a vegan menu.” All those things may be TRUE but better brought up when accepting an offer than at first meeting. You get my point, lol. Not brought up sends a clear message “this is not an issue or a distraction for ME, and it shouldn't be for you either.”

The only time hiring someone with a disability is a plus to an employer is to prove compliance with the ADA and EEOE, not that a lack of disabled employees indicates a failure to comply with either.

Old timer,  A71'er since 2010.

Finance manager/HR manager

 

 

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[JohnWayneIsGod]

This sounds tough. I'm sorry you've had to go through all of this.

No way of knowing for sure about what is going on, but I don't recommend disclosing a disability until after you have received and signed your offer letter. And even then I'd only disclose it to a HR Rep in his/her office and with the door closed.

You said that you are in a wheelchair, so people will see that you have a disability of some kind. However, I think most applications that ask about disabilities include the key phrase ‘that impacts your ability to do the work'. If you firmly believe that your physical disabilities do not impact your ability to do the work, then I'd leave this portion of the application blank. And when asked about your physical disability, be honest but downplay it. Heck, even turn it around to sell yourself by talking about how you have not let your physical limitations deter you from accomplishing your goals.

FAR - 80

Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.

-John Wayne

[Nessie]

Mia, 35 different interviews? Seriously? BTW, there are grants for employers hiring people with disabilities. Google it.
Not sure how many Big 4 people are reading this thread, but stating if you have a disability is a question right on the application.

We have no idea if Sam is being turned away because of this. There could be people at the other end who could not care less, and there could be people who are ignorant and turning him away.

BTW, asking for follow up info would be useless. Do you think the recruiter would ever mention this was a reason for not being hired? They always have a standard answer.

There are job fairs for people with disabilities. I have seen them and they include many companies. I've seen the big pharma companies and other fortune 500s. Cant recall if i saw any of the big 4.

AUD - 80
BEC - 84
FAR - 80
REG - 88

Using Becker Self-Study, Final Review and NINJA MCQs
Sat for BEC Dec 6th, 2016 !!!! 84!!!!!

REG Aug 20/15: 88
AUD: Feb 29/16: 80
FAR: Jun 10/16: 80
BEC?

Becker self-study, Becker Final Review & NINJA MCQS

[Missy]

Nessie in response to your questions.
1. Yes 35 interviews. (result of over 300 resumes sent out in a 38 day period)
2. Yes, seriously.
3. I have no need to google, the government does not award grants directly to employers for hiring disabled. There are a few tax credits, but not grants. At least not from the federal govt. In the interest of cooperation and education I will help you out:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/search-grants.html?keywords=disability

not one is available to an employer for hiring a disabled individual. Believe it or not this is something I've researched fairly exhaustively for a non profit I work with.

Old timer,  A71'er since 2010.

Finance manager/HR manager

 

 

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[the LAST Coffee]

I have a hearing impairment and I never bring that up during interviews. Of course it's not as obvious and drastic as one in a wheelchair but I can sympathize regardless as I also have a slight speech impairment alongside the loss of hearing.

Especially when I interviewed for audit positions I get shot down pretty quickly because there's going to be a lot of interaction with the client and stuff. However, I get many praise for tax positions since it's more leisurely than auditing and it so happen I work mostly tax now.

Doesn't help one time at a scholarship event while I was in college that a dude who sponsored my scholarship told me I should speak faster if I want to be successful. Ouch. Haha but hey, there's all kinds of people and if you got the wits and experience, someone will want you.

FAR 84 (AUG '15)
BEC 83 (AUG '15)
AUD 79 (OCT '15)
REG 71, 78! (NOV '15, FEB '16)

[Nessie]

Well Mia, I think if you had been applying in an area like NYC, you would have got a job almost immediately. The big 4 are coming to campus and even sponsoring people from other countries. I guess it depends on where and when you applied, and not so much you personally-take this as a compliment 🙂

I know that big companies like to showcase employing people with disabilities from a PR perspective. Coming from banking, there were always printed material showing actual employees with visible disabilities and a confidential area an employee could discuss accommodating any disabilities. In fact, the bank I used to work for heavily sponsored LGBT events as well. Kind of like showing the world that everyone is included.

AUD - 80
BEC - 84
FAR - 80
REG - 88

Using Becker Self-Study, Final Review and NINJA MCQs
Sat for BEC Dec 6th, 2016 !!!! 84!!!!!

REG Aug 20/15: 88
AUD: Feb 29/16: 80
FAR: Jun 10/16: 80
BEC?

Becker self-study, Becker Final Review & NINJA MCQS

[Author]

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