Looking for a job after passing three exams, dpressed.

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  • #177312
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Hi Everyone,

    I am looking for some help or advice with my job searching. A little background about myself, I moved here to America in last summer for my husband. I have completed three sections of the CPA exam since then and left Regulation scheduled in May. About two months ago I started to look for a job. I was a financial analyst at a fortune 10 company in my home country (in Asia), and I have overall 5 years accounting experience in Industry, and a Master’s degree in accounting from Europe.

    I was mainly looking at financial analyst positions and actually got 4 interviews, but I did not get any offer. The interview invitation or phone interviews I received are mostly for mid-senior level positions, I really like being a financial analyst but I think this position requires a lot communication with senior management, since I am not a native speaker, it could be the reason I was not offered the job. I am also applying some corporate accountant job and other entry level positions, but I do not usually get response. (Maybe I am over qualified?)

    I thought by passing most part of the CPA exam will help me to land a good job, but right now I am really getting frustrated. I am also starting to apply some CPA firms, but I think my experience in industry will not be valued in a CPA firm and I have to start from the very beginning.

    I am not sure what I should do now to get an accounting job, should I focus on applying for financial analyst positions or other position that doesn’t require so much oral communication? Is being a native speaker so important? And how can I get into a CPA firm with only industry experience? BTW, my English can be considered to be fluent but still big difference compared to a native speaker.

    Thank you for reading! Any advice will be very much appreciated!

Viewing 7 replies - 1 through 7 (of 7 total)
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  • #413627
    mla1169
    Participant

    2 months is a very short time to be looking for a job, and most people have far more than 4 interviews before they get a great offer. Don't be discouraged and certainly don't think that English as a 2nd language is of concern. Strive to Get out at least 5 resumes per day, and you'll find something!

    FAR- 77
    AUD -49, 71, 84
    REG -56,75!
    BEC -75

    Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

    #413628
    Topsya
    Member

    hey @beconfident!!!!

    I felt the need to reply because i can really i mean REALLY relate to your story. I also moved to the United States because of my husband. I have graduated from one of the top school in my country with a 4.0 GPA. I had great offers and awesome opportunities right after I finished the school….. but I moved here….

    And let me tell you, in the beginning It felt like I was nobody. Even though I evaluated my diploma and translated/transferred all my grades – it still didn't mean a thing for the recruiters. I was sending out dozens resumes a day. I used every single recourse I had – friends and relatives and neighbors… All the recruitment agencies in the area… I found a list of a CPA firms in the 50 miles radius in the area and sent my resumes to every single one. (Those which were really close by – i personally brought my resumes to them).

    But when it came down to business – recruiters would call me – hear my accent – and usually never call back. Sometimes I landed an interview here and there – but never got a job.

    I started taking some classes in the local Community College. I was preparing to take my CPA exams. I completely gave up and I figured that the ONLY way for me to get a job I want is to get to a nice school and then get a job through some kind of an on-campus recruiting (that's how most people get all those Big 4 jobs after all)

    However one day I met a girl in my class who said that the company she works for has an open entry level position in the accounting department. She recommended me – i've got a job.

    I was extremely over qualified for that position and i was making… omg i don even want to tell you… super low pay. I could barely afford gas and lunches. But after a couple of month I was promoted… and then I was promoted again. I am still with that company.

    All I want to tell you – its probably going to be pretty tough for you. But don't give up. you will definitely find something. Use all the resources you have. Ask everyone you know. You are not alone. I know many many people who were in the same boat as we are and now they all (ALL) have good jobs and all are very successful.

    I am sure no mater what happens this whole situation will make you stronger and more advantageous in the future!

    Good luck!

    AUD - 90
    FAR - 83
    BEC - 81
    REG - 80
    ETHICS - 100

    #413629
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Thank you @mla1169, I guess I wasn't really prepared for a long and tough job searching journey, thank you for your encouragement! I will keep sending at least 5 resume per day, and hope I will get something soon.

    #413630

    @beconfident,

    It might be hard looking for jobs in today's economy, but hey, don't let this make you down. You will find a decent job eventually. Keeping looking. Newspapers, Internet, Networking etc can alll possibly land you a good job. So don't miss any of it. I got my current job from a local newspaper. You just never know.

    Finish your last section of exam and you will look more competitive.

    CPA Licensed in California- Class of 2013

    #413631
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    @Topsya, after reading your post, I almost cried! It is so good to know that I am not alone and there are actually people went through the same situation and succeed! Thank you for telling me your story and it really encouraged me. I think I should also start from a lower level position with a good company, so I can prove myself. I’ll keep looking, and hopefully I will come back with some good news!

    #413632
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    We are more competitve!:)

    #413633
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    We are more competitve!:)

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