Aside from my stinky feet, can anyone give tips on why accounting firms won't hire me? Or rather, you probably can't since you don't know details about me and I simply wrote that question as a way to grab your attention. Indeed, what I really want to ask is: what can I do to increase my chances of getting hired by an accounting firm?
Jesting aside, my situation is a bit… ironic. Let me explain.
I graduated with my Master's in spring 2013. During the whole year, I sat back and relaxed while my classmates scurried to interviews to try and land jobs. Why? Because I had already signed with one of the Big 4 prior to starting my Master's program and was set to start at their office in my city in fall 2013. Life was good. Then I hit a brick wall.
As luck may have it, I had to resign from that position before it even bloody started because I was out of country due to family issues. (I went overseas after graduating.) In fact, I was out of country for a large part of 2013 and only recently came back at the start of 2014.
I've been applying to jobs since I've been back and, apparently, getting a job is harder than it seems. I've been mostly focusing on Big 4 but have now began considering other options. Similarly, I first focused on positions in my city but am now open to relocating for work, including out of state.
I personally thought myself as a stellar candidate. No, really — arrogance and lack-of-modesty aside, I do feel I'm a relatively strong candidate. I did well in school (3.8+ GPA in both undergrad and grad, three concurrent undergraduate degrees + one graduate degree), I did three internships (one with a Big 4), and have been running my own startup company for over five years (it started off as a hobby but morphed into something more since then; we aren't the next Facebook but we are making more money than SnapChat). However, it looks like I am doing something wrong because no one will hire me. So, anyone have tips?
What can I do to get hired? What time of the year do positions open up the most? Where exactly should I be looking to apply at? I troll websites of accounting firms but often the job data is out of date or, more annoyingly, some entry level positions require work experience. Yes, I have work experience but not in public accounting (aside from my internship) thus they still consider me to be a recent graduate with no experience.
Help please. With a baby on the way, I'd really like a steady paycheck. Oh god, a new born and busy season isn't going to be fun… assuming I am employed by then!
Thank you.
-DarkAgent