I'm wondering how I can ever get noticed when switching from corporate to public accounting.
Background:
I'm 33, graduated in 2008 with general business degree. Worked in corporate accounting for the past seven years. Made it to $60K level. I'll have my CPA by end of the year.
I've always wanted to be in public accounting. The horror stories I hear from those in it actually excite me! However, life got in the way back in college and I had to take a consolation-prize-degree. I'm thinking that by getting my CPA this year I'll finally be in a position to jump over into the position of my dreams. However, I just don't seem to know how to get firms to even look at my resume. I finished my hours at a community college, which attracts zero accounting firms as they only issue assoc. degrees. I have no public experience, so I can't go in as an experienced hire. My age makes me not a new grad and out of the usual pool for the B4 and larger firms (which, of course, is where I want to be, though at this point I'll settle for anything!). So, with the usual doors slammed shut, how am I supposed to get an interview? I'm sure I can land a job once they know me, but I'm not sure where to even begin.
PS – I know my bosses will be younger than I am and I don't care. Pleaes just respond with legit advice on steps to take to get an interview.