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db729
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Joined: 22 Apr 2010
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Posted: 29 Sep 2011 at 02:54 \| IP Logged

1PassChanel wrote:

After going through emotional wreck, I really want to find a new job in tax before the upcoming busy season. In this economy, I know having a CPA license or passing some sections are essential for experienced hires, but I do not have any yet.
So I would like to ask you, honestly, what do you think my chance to get a job at big four or even at a regional firm is? Would you recommend I should suffer with my current employer till I pass at least some of the exams to make my resume better?
I don't know if I can go through the busy season here in this kind of mental stage.
Although this topic is in audit, I would be really appreciated your reply. Thanks.

If I were you, I would definitely split your time applying for jobs and studying for CPA. I've found that job searching can take weeks and more likely months. Even the senior associates in my firm have taken a few months to find jobs. Most of the time because they wanted the right position, not because they weren't recruited. You don't want to take the first job that you get unless it's really the right fit for you. I personally don't feel comfortable being jobless while looking for jobs or study for CPA. I've heard that it's better to have a job while interviewing because it gives you more leverage. Not sure how true that is. But either way, if you can just tough it out until you find a job, that's probably the best.

I'm not as familiar with tax, but I would think you're not completely out of the race as far as getting into Big 4 or a large regional firm. Assuming you're doing similar work, that experience will be valuable. The easiest way for you to get in is to network and have your resume passed on internally through a referral. I can only speak from an audit perspective, but all Big 4 are going out of their minds looking for experienced hires right now. I would say if tax is anything like audit, right now is as good of a time to try to get your foot in as any. In audit, we're really really trying to ramp up hiring before busy season starts. I would think Tax is probably in a similar situation. See if you can reach out to alumni, friends, use linkedin, go to local networking events, etc. I know a few people that went to some type of professional networking event where my firm was there and ended up coming in as an experienced hire.

db729
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Joined: 22 Apr 2010
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 256

Posted: 29 Sep 2011 at 03:02 \| IP Logged

CPA87 wrote:

if anyone can tell me what the differences between advisory
and assurance are, i would appreciate it. I have a separate
post for this but wherever you post, it's fine by me.
thanks a lot

See your other thread.

Awkward
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Joined: 18 Sep 2011
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Posts: 45

Posted: 29 Sep 2011 at 05:30 \| IP Logged

db729
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Joined: 22 Apr 2010
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Posts: 256

Posted: 29 Sep 2011 at 14:06 \| IP Logged

Awkward wrote:

OK this is going to sound dumb but humor me please.
1) I have a lot of great connections through family and friends but I really don't get the concept of networking further. How long do you keep emailing and talking to HR or another person that a friend introduced you to? Do you let it fizzle shortly after you send your resume and later do a follow up? Constant contact? What sort of things should I introduce into conversation that makes more contact seem natural (kids, pets, world affairs, tv shows?.. etc)?

This kind of depends on where you are in recruiting. If you're in school, there's no point in following up every month when there are set times when recruiting happens. If you're trying to come in as an experienced hire, it would depend on opening and what the timeline looks like for the firms. If it was just a random introduction, it's fine to let it "fizzle" until something actually needs to be brought to attention. Meaning you know of an opening or you have some kind of question you want to ask. I wouldn't keep in touch just for the sake of it. If you develop that kind of relationship then that's great as well. Yeah it's really hard to give you a defined answer. But I don't expect to be on a regular talking basis with anyone that's trying to network with me or I'm trying to network with.

2) I have multiple friends who work in various Big 4 for a year or less. They have never offered to hand my info over to anyone. I have not asked because I feel like they are new and I don't want them pushing their limits.. you think they are established enough yet to ask?

I don't really see a problem with that, especially if they've already been here for a few months. If they literally just started like a month ago, then maybe more caution should be taken. But I don't see anything wrong with them saying that you networked with them and they felt like you were a great candidate. Obviously don't have them say that you guys are bestfriends or something, just keep it professional.

3)If I'm talking to an HR or partner / manager should I name drop friends I have with that firm (who are new hires)? The idea being if my friend "fit" I "fit" too.

I wouldn't go naming every person that you know. But you can say that you have friends in the firm who you've talked to and they all talked very highly about their experiences. HR/Partner might ask for names at that point, I've had that happen. I think it's okay to briefly mention it, but I wouldn't rely too much on it. You're not going to get hired just because you're friends with someone that in the firm now, especially if he/she literally just started.

4) At meet the firms / career events my conversations are always so dumb they never let my personality shine. They ask me some dumb stuff on my resume and I ask about some dumb stuff about their first experiences with the firm, traveling, cpa exams. What are your thoughts about introducing completely unrelated topics that I like?

Your question is kind of vague because I don't know what you like, how the conversations play out, and the person you talk to. I've gone off on random tangents with people I was "networking" with, which is fine as long as it follows the flow of the conversation. It'd be kind of weird if the conversation is around CPA, and then you suddenly bring up your interest in skydiving or something.

Honestly though, unless you have something really unique, you're not necessarily going to "stand out" that much anyway. If you're a typical candidate, you have good grades, involved in business/accounting related clubs, did some type of internship, etc, you're just like most other applicants. Not to say that you won't get interviews, just saying that you're not all that different from majority of the people that apply to Big 4.

5) Everyone always says to research the firm to ask questions. I've researched the firms to the point I have no questions. Can you give me some good questions just to memorize

I don't have any...I highly doubt you know everything about the firms already. If you literally have no more questions, then just pretend like you don't know something and ask. Or just say you've talked to a lot of people and have a really good sense of what you're getting yourself into, but ask the person you're talking to about their experiences.

See bold.

It seems like you have a pretty good idea of what recruiting is like, you've been networking, you've done your research, etc. Not knowing too much about your background, it at least seems like you know what you're doing. There isn't much else you can do. If you're a great candidate to be interviewed, you've probably already been identified by HR long before this recruiting season. If you're more unknown, just keep on doing what you're doing and hope that you get an chance to interview.

1PassChanel
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Joined: 13 Jun 2010
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Posts: 6

Posted: 29 Sep 2011 at 16:11 \| IP Logged

db729, thank you so much for your reply. Your comment really helped me clear my mind.
As you said, I will start looking for a job while studying for the exam. I cannot be jobless right now.
I will try to focus on a big picture to pursue what is best for me, not just to escape from where I am in right now.
Unless I take some action, nothing will happen.
Hopefully I can find a position as an experienced tax staff at a decent firm. I will let you know how it goes.
Thanks again!

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