[jlondon]

I’m currently studying for my cpa exam and have left my job. Today, I had an interview with a recruiter from a Big 4, and I told them that I would like to re apply again at a later date. This is for an experienced hire. I felt overwhelmed with the exam, and if I was to work at a big 4, I felt that I might not be able to pass my exam if I get the job. I was also referred. How bad does this look that I told them that I would re apply at a later date (6 months)? I applied initially ready to go for the job, but during the time in between things changed, which is what led me to tell them that I would re-apply.

I’m feeling really bad right now. Did I screw this up? I hope I didn’t just burn this bridge. It appears that there is 1 recruiter for each department, and now I feel like I might have screwed this up.

On the other hand, if I was to pass the cpa exam in 6 months, I would probably need to come up with a better story than I felt overwhelmed with everything. What are your thoughts? Any opinion will help, I feel really down.

BEC: 69, 57, 72, 73, (anticipated for 4/4/2015)
AUD: 65, 63, 74, 84!!! (expires 7/31/2015)
FAR: 63, 57, (scheduled for 4/1/2015)
REG: ... 42, (Anticipated to be around 5/20~)

-Every Set Back is a Set Up for a Major Come Back #motivation

"I've missed over 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost over 300 games. 26 times I've been trusted to take the game winning shot, and missed. I've failed, over and over and over again in my life. And that is why, I succeed." - Michael Jordan

"You are not your past, but the resources and capabilities you glean from it" -Jordan Belfort

[Anonymous]

Just a FYI, it's hard to study while working in a busy group in big 4. Not saying it's impossible, but i had experience that with all the busy seasons, it is really hard to study while working. It all depends I think

[tomq04]

Your sig already says it. It's just a set back, you'll finish the test this way and move on!

REG- (1) 76
FAR- (2) 64, (5)74, (7)83 (Over achiever!)
AUD- (3) 70, (4) 75
BEC- (6) 75

[Anonymous]

I don't think you burned the bridge so much as you basically told them you weren't interested. Best of luck in 6 months, though with the number of people pulling long hours while successfully studying for the exam, not really sure how telling them you'll reapply at a later date is going to help you.

Honestly I'd be more worried about whoever your referral was. (S)he did you a huge favor by helping you land the interview, and to show your gratitude you failed to take the opportunity seriously. If I referred you for a gig like that and word got back to me about what you did, I'd have a difficult time putting my own reputation on the line recommending you for other jobs.

[jlondon]

@belowscope Yes, I agree with you, and that's why I feel so bad right now. But things had changed since I put the application in. Any advice as to what I should do next?

BEC: 69, 57, 72, 73, (anticipated for 4/4/2015)
AUD: 65, 63, 74, 84!!! (expires 7/31/2015)
FAR: 63, 57, (scheduled for 4/1/2015)
REG: ... 42, (Anticipated to be around 5/20~)

-Every Set Back is a Set Up for a Major Come Back #motivation

"I've missed over 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost over 300 games. 26 times I've been trusted to take the game winning shot, and missed. I've failed, over and over and over again in my life. And that is why, I succeed." - Michael Jordan

"You are not your past, but the resources and capabilities you glean from it" -Jordan Belfort

[Anonymous]

Do what YOU need to do to pass. Studying while working is very rough – even at small firms. I'm very happy at my job but I know i could have done this a lot quicker without the stress of a busy season.

You were able to get an interview with your current resume and communication abilities. Grabbing a CPA license only help you. Make sure you iterate that you are very interested in the position and do follow up promptly. I would try to communicate directly to the recruiter you spoke with – connect on LinkedIn if they are on there – this will help add a face to your name and solidify your relationship (Just make sure your profile is as professional as your resume!).

[Anonymous]

As far as what to tell them in 6 months, I'd stick with something generic like “I had some personal issues I had to deal with”.

[jlondon]

@dsaunders1828 Thanks. I'm just at a lost right now.

@Lilla Thanks for the suggestion. I am actually having a personal/family issue currently, which was why I didn't want to continue with interview. I felt it was irresponsible to continue if I am not fully ready to commit and transition at this time. But just feel really bad, because I think I've just threw away a golden opportunity.

BEC: 69, 57, 72, 73, (anticipated for 4/4/2015)
AUD: 65, 63, 74, 84!!! (expires 7/31/2015)
FAR: 63, 57, (scheduled for 4/1/2015)
REG: ... 42, (Anticipated to be around 5/20~)

-Every Set Back is a Set Up for a Major Come Back #motivation

"I've missed over 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost over 300 games. 26 times I've been trusted to take the game winning shot, and missed. I've failed, over and over and over again in my life. And that is why, I succeed." - Michael Jordan

"You are not your past, but the resources and capabilities you glean from it" -Jordan Belfort

[tomq04]

Tell them you were on a terrific bender for the past several months, you're cleaned up now and ready to work.

REG- (1) 76
FAR- (2) 64, (5)74, (7)83 (Over achiever!)
AUD- (3) 70, (4) 75
BEC- (6) 75

[tomq04]

Better yet, go on a terrific bender for the next several months.

REG- (1) 76
FAR- (2) 64, (5)74, (7)83 (Over achiever!)
AUD- (3) 70, (4) 75
BEC- (6) 75

[ruggercpa2b]

If your gut says that you need to focus on the exam and whatever personal issues that are going on then you should do that. Do not beat yourself up. Big 4 will always be around and they will always be hiring.

I would do as other people suggested and just keep in touch with the Big 4 recruiter and let them know that you are very interested. In the past they have made offers with a later start date. You could have asked about potentially doing that. My fiance and I were thinking about moving to another State and I talked to a PWC recruiter. She as very nice and I told her that it would be a while before I could move. She interviewed me anyway and then presented my resume to the partners and had positive feedback. She told me that they could not make me an offer and hold the position for a year. We kept in touch where I emailed her every 3 months. We ended up deciding not to move and she actually ended up forwarding my resume to someone that was local.

If the person that referred you is a good friend I would at least give them a heads up. You can just say you talked to HR but you don't feel now is the right time. I was always leery of referring people when I was at Big 4 because you are putting your reputation on the line.

AUD - NINJA in Training
BEC - NINJA in Training
FAR - NINJA in Training
REG - NINJA in Training

AUD - 1/6/18
FAR - TBD
REG - TBD
BEC - TBD

AUD - 73, 72 retake 7/2/2016
BEC - 8/20/2016
REG - TBD
FAR - TBD

I am so ready for this nightmare to be over. Been at this way too long.

[jlondon]

@tomq04 lol. I like your humor.

I feel slightly better with each of your comments. I really just hope I didn't get portrayed as ” I wasn't someone who couldn't handle the work”. Because I am a really a hard worker, but just bad timing right now.

BEC: 69, 57, 72, 73, (anticipated for 4/4/2015)
AUD: 65, 63, 74, 84!!! (expires 7/31/2015)
FAR: 63, 57, (scheduled for 4/1/2015)
REG: ... 42, (Anticipated to be around 5/20~)

-Every Set Back is a Set Up for a Major Come Back #motivation

"I've missed over 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost over 300 games. 26 times I've been trusted to take the game winning shot, and missed. I've failed, over and over and over again in my life. And that is why, I succeed." - Michael Jordan

"You are not your past, but the resources and capabilities you glean from it" -Jordan Belfort

[jlondon]

@ruggercpa2b yes, I kind of screwed up. But I did email all the people who've helped me along the way. I'll just let this be a lesson learned. My gut is telling me to hold off right now, but I just can't get over the fact that I probably threw away a golden ticket into a big 4. I feel devastated even though I wasn't offered the job yet.

And thanks for your advice, and a pleasure to hear your personal story.

BEC: 69, 57, 72, 73, (anticipated for 4/4/2015)
AUD: 65, 63, 74, 84!!! (expires 7/31/2015)
FAR: 63, 57, (scheduled for 4/1/2015)
REG: ... 42, (Anticipated to be around 5/20~)

-Every Set Back is a Set Up for a Major Come Back #motivation

"I've missed over 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost over 300 games. 26 times I've been trusted to take the game winning shot, and missed. I've failed, over and over and over again in my life. And that is why, I succeed." - Michael Jordan

"You are not your past, but the resources and capabilities you glean from it" -Jordan Belfort

[Anonymous]

You have to focus on today, on right now. Go study.

[Author]

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