Having a career at one of the Big 4 Accounting firms is not an easy task to accomplish. You need to have the basic requirements out of the way, undergraduate degree, eligibility to sit for the CPA exam, etc. However, beyond the minimum requirements, what are the most important things you can do when looking for a job with one of these firms? I am going to tell you.
I've been aiding students get hired at the Big 4 for more than five years. Every time I decide to work with a new candidate, they bring something unique to the process and I learn something new. I tell my coachees the same three things need to be accomplished if you want to work for the big 4. You must have a solid resume, rigorously prepared for interviews, and have a build a personal story.
The story is the most important piece of this process. Why have you have chosen this career? This may sound abstract, however it is not. The story you tell the recruiter affects your chances. They repeat the story to every partner in the firm. You must have a compelling reason for why you chose accounting and the big 4. If it is because your mothers owns her own CPA firm, or your cousin is a CFO, that can work. If you are a 1st generation accountant, you need to ask yourself: why did you choose this profession? Do you love the courses you have taken? Are you excited about learning about large companies? Whatever the reason, it needs to sound good as the recruiters will be repeating it.
The second is your resume. Many people believe the resume is the most important piece of the puzzle however, if your resume does not have a story it is doomed. Without a story, your resume will be an empty and meaningless piece of paper. The resume should not only include your educations, it should include you certification aspirations, community service commitment, work experience, and leadership experience. While each component of your resume is important, the best resumes are the ones that "look right". It is unfortunate however, most recruiters are looking for the right formatting more than anything. If you do not know what your resume is supposed to look like, you are already in trouble.
Finally, interview prep is the third piece when obtaining the job with these large accounting firms. The resume and the compelling story you will generate should be enough to get you in the door. However, without lots and lots of preparation for the interview, you won't be ready to close the deal. The questions that big 4 interviewers ask are the same every year, and at Big 4 Guru, we know all of them. Even more important than they questions they ask you, are the questions you ask them.
I've been aiding students get hired at the Big 4 for more than five years. Every time I decide to work with a new candidate, they bring something unique to the process and I learn something new. I tell my coachees the same three things need to be accomplished if you want to work for the big 4. You must have a solid resume, rigorously prepared for interviews, and have a build a personal story.
The story is the most important piece of this process. Why have you have chosen this career? This may sound abstract, however it is not. The story you tell the recruiter affects your chances. They repeat the story to every partner in the firm. You must have a compelling reason for why you chose accounting and the big 4. If it is because your mothers owns her own CPA firm, or your cousin is a CFO, that can work. If you are a 1st generation accountant, you need to ask yourself: why did you choose this profession? Do you love the courses you have taken? Are you excited about learning about large companies? Whatever the reason, it needs to sound good as the recruiters will be repeating it.
The second is your resume. Many people believe the resume is the most important piece of the puzzle however, if your resume does not have a story it is doomed. Without a story, your resume will be an empty and meaningless piece of paper. The resume should not only include your educations, it should include you certification aspirations, community service commitment, work experience, and leadership experience. While each component of your resume is important, the best resumes are the ones that "look right". It is unfortunate however, most recruiters are looking for the right formatting more than anything. If you do not know what your resume is supposed to look like, you are already in trouble.
Finally, interview prep is the third piece when obtaining the job with these large accounting firms. The resume and the compelling story you will generate should be enough to get you in the door. However, without lots and lots of preparation for the interview, you won't be ready to close the deal. The questions that big 4 interviewers ask are the same every year, and at Big 4 Guru, we know all of them. Even more important than they questions they ask you, are the questions you ask them.
About the Author:
For more information on Big 4 Guru's tips on obtaining a job with Big 4 Accounting Firms, go to his website with eBooks, Resume Coaching, mock interviews, and more. Big 4 Guru has helped thousands of students find jobs with the Big 4 Accounting Firms by selling his eBooks, and serving as a personal coach to hundreds.
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