[LatinoTurkCPA]

I have several instances where I felt insulted during my job search. One story is when I applieted to an entry level accounting position at a fortune 500 insurance company. I already had a couple years of experience under my belt at a competitor in accounting and was currently working but I was being paid significantly less than entry levels were making so I figured why not. I also was/am pursuing my MBA and CPA

I applied and the recruiter called back stating, “I see that you applied to quite a few positions… This position is entry level and you already have a few years of experience… I think you would be a good fit for insurance sales, I’m going to forward your resume to that area.”

Nothing against sales, it does take skill and you can make money… But where did they get that I would be a better fit for insurance sales?

Do you guys have any insulting job search stories to share?

F: 76 8/31/13 Wiley Test Bank
A: 77 11/4/13 Wiley Test Bank
R
B

MBA 06/2012 - ?

[tough_kitty]

Hmm….I wouldn't say it was insulting??? The guy's logic might be a little bit off 😉 But based on what you cited, looks like his decision was based on the fact that you are over-qualified for an entry-level position…. so he was trying to be helpful…but maybe he is inexperienced or maybe you didn't make your objective very clear on your resume if he was suggesting sales??

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[tough_kitty]

Hmm….I wouldn't say it was insulting??? The guy's logic might be a little bit off 😉 But based on what you cited, looks like his decision was based on the fact that you are over-qualified for an entry-level position…. so he was trying to be helpful…but maybe he is inexperienced or maybe you didn't make your objective very clear on your resume if he was suggesting sales??

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[Anonymous]

Perhaps I missed it, but I don't see where the insult comes into play here

[Anonymous]

Perhaps I missed it, but I don't see where the insult comes into play here

[StephAV]

I think if you were insulted by that then you need to toughen up a bit.

I recently applied to a job with about 10x's the annual revenue of my current organization and I was passed up for an interview because for 1 I'm not a CPA (which their ad clearly states desired not required) and my experience is too “big picture” coming from a smaller company. However the job and what they were looking for are match with my skills and experience exactly. I say their loss.

I always like to think “everything happens for a reason.” Keep your head up!

FAR - 7/13 - 72, 11/13- 74, 2/14- 82!!! Best score ever (for me)!!!
BEC - 1/14 - 75!!! Perfect score! First Pass! YAY!!!
AUD - 8/14 - 80!!!
REG - 5/14 - 72, 10/14 - 66, 1/15 - 78 - DONE FOREVER!!!
I did 5 of the UNA and CPAExcel classes to earn units.

[StephAV]

I think if you were insulted by that then you need to toughen up a bit.

I recently applied to a job with about 10x's the annual revenue of my current organization and I was passed up for an interview because for 1 I'm not a CPA (which their ad clearly states desired not required) and my experience is too “big picture” coming from a smaller company. However the job and what they were looking for are match with my skills and experience exactly. I say their loss.

I always like to think “everything happens for a reason.” Keep your head up!

FAR - 7/13 - 72, 11/13- 74, 2/14- 82!!! Best score ever (for me)!!!
BEC - 1/14 - 75!!! Perfect score! First Pass! YAY!!!
AUD - 8/14 - 80!!!
REG - 5/14 - 72, 10/14 - 66, 1/15 - 78 - DONE FOREVER!!!
I did 5 of the UNA and CPAExcel classes to earn units.

[jeff]

Being insulted is a choice. 🙂

I've had an interview cut short because the interviewer was laying out a job description completely different than what was listed.

When I told her what I was looking for, she said “oh, it sounds like you should be interviewing for my job.”

“Yes.”

awkward … small talk about the weather … we'll let you know if something comes up.

AUD - 79
BEC - 80
FAR - 76
REG - 92

Jeff Elliott, CPA (KS)
NINJA CPA | NINJA CMA | NINJA CPE | Another71

[jeff]

Being insulted is a choice. 🙂

I've had an interview cut short because the interviewer was laying out a job description completely different than what was listed.

When I told her what I was looking for, she said “oh, it sounds like you should be interviewing for my job.”

“Yes.”

awkward … small talk about the weather … we'll let you know if something comes up.

AUD - 79
BEC - 80
FAR - 76
REG - 92

Jeff Elliott, CPA (KS)
NINJA CPA | NINJA CMA | NINJA CPE | Another71

[tough_kitty]

LOL, funny stories – thanks for sharing…and YES, sometimes they don't know themselves what they want….and sometimes they prefer to hire someone who is less qualified…..it all depends on who is interviewing you and what their idea of a good employee is….

Some prefer well qualified knowing they might leave 2-3 years later, some figure if you are over-qualified, you won't stick around so they move on to someone with less qualifications than you…. Nothing personal….and YES, I keep seeing this more and more – everything happens for a reason!

I left my job to get a desk job and concentrate on the CPA exam and by the time I was almost done, the position opened up at my old work place and I was able to get a promotion AND come back to my old supervisor! Couldn't be happier about it!

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[tough_kitty]

LOL, funny stories – thanks for sharing…and YES, sometimes they don't know themselves what they want….and sometimes they prefer to hire someone who is less qualified…..it all depends on who is interviewing you and what their idea of a good employee is….

Some prefer well qualified knowing they might leave 2-3 years later, some figure if you are over-qualified, you won't stick around so they move on to someone with less qualifications than you…. Nothing personal….and YES, I keep seeing this more and more – everything happens for a reason!

I left my job to get a desk job and concentrate on the CPA exam and by the time I was almost done, the position opened up at my old work place and I was able to get a promotion AND come back to my old supervisor! Couldn't be happier about it!

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[Anonymous]

I was interviewing for a very small (<5 people) local firm as my first real experience job. While interviewing me they said I'd probably be more trouble than I'm worth. Made me feel kind of weird, and ended up rejecting the offer. I felt that while I had no experience, I was quick and smart enough to learn and become an asset more than a burden. I didn't want to work for someone who would write me off as someone who knew nothing. I feel much more welcome at my mid size firm!

[Anonymous]

I was interviewing for a very small (<5 people) local firm as my first real experience job. While interviewing me they said I'd probably be more trouble than I'm worth. Made me feel kind of weird, and ended up rejecting the offer. I felt that while I had no experience, I was quick and smart enough to learn and become an asset more than a burden. I didn't want to work for someone who would write me off as someone who knew nothing. I feel much more welcome at my mid size firm!

[Anonymous]

OMG yes! I was a sophomore in college and had the WORST experience ever with a certain firm. I showed up to an accounting fair at my college and granted I know most firms were more interested in talking with junior and seniors but I went mainly to network and to put myself on the radar until I became a junior and I would be eligible for a lot of the internships. I went up to a firm's table that is very well known in my area and the person I spoke with was a well know manager at the firm and actually sat on the accounting board for my college. Within 15 seconds of looking at my resume he handed it back and said “you're a sophmore, get out of my face”. I was a little taken a back and he continued with his rant of “no one here will hire you. You are not a junior yet. I would rather take a junior with a 2.7 gpa than a sophomore with a 3.8. You are wasting my time. I actually did end up getting an amazing 2 year internship with another firm as a sophomore. As a senior going into the fair this year to look for full time jobs he was really interested in talking with me and I casually reminded him of our encounter and let him know I was not interested in “further wasting his time”.

[Anonymous]

OMG yes! I was a sophomore in college and had the WORST experience ever with a certain firm. I showed up to an accounting fair at my college and granted I know most firms were more interested in talking with junior and seniors but I went mainly to network and to put myself on the radar until I became a junior and I would be eligible for a lot of the internships. I went up to a firm's table that is very well known in my area and the person I spoke with was a well know manager at the firm and actually sat on the accounting board for my college. Within 15 seconds of looking at my resume he handed it back and said “you're a sophmore, get out of my face”. I was a little taken a back and he continued with his rant of “no one here will hire you. You are not a junior yet. I would rather take a junior with a 2.7 gpa than a sophomore with a 3.8. You are wasting my time. I actually did end up getting an amazing 2 year internship with another firm as a sophomore. As a senior going into the fair this year to look for full time jobs he was really interested in talking with me and I casually reminded him of our encounter and let him know I was not interested in “further wasting his time”.

[Anonymous]

One of the generic back-handed compliment insults I always get during interviews is “Wow, you're so articulate!” articulate as oppose to what? How did you expect me to sound? I've become numb to it now, but it used to annoy the heck out of me. (btw I'm a minority, and I don't think this comment would be made if I wasn't)

One for the road:

This isn't job search related, but it is CPA related. On a similar note, on my 11/19/13 attempt of FAR I went to a completely different prometric testing center, which happened to be located in a Sylvan facility. I walked up to the counter as I entered the building and the proctor said “GED right?”… Me: “um no, CPA exam”

I'm thinking “WTH??” Do i LOOK like I'm taking the GED? And what does a GED test taker look like anyway?

The nerve of some people!!!

[Author]

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