Getting a career at the Big 4 Accounting firms is one of the biggest and most important challenges of your life. You need the basic requirements to even have a chance at an interview. The basic requirements that must be eligible to sit for the CPA, be obtained an undergrad degree, etc. In addition to the minimum requirements that are required to even be considered, there are three crucial pieces that without, it is unlikely you will receive the job.
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 first piece of the puzzle is your resume. The resume is an important piece in the hiring process however, if the resume does not have an interesting story (which we will address in part 2) it is likely to end up in the garbage. Without compelling stories, the resume will be a piece of paper of paper with no real meaning, certainly not a future employee. The resume should include certifications you have or will obtain, education, internship experience, and any leadership roles that you've had. Each piece of the resume is crucial however, the best resumes "feel right". Recruiters look for the right format more than any other single component I listed above. They will never admit this, but it is true. If your resume is currently longer than one page, you are already in trouble.
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, the interview preparation is the third most important piece when obtaining the job. The resume and the story should be enough to get you in the door for the interview. However, without dedicated and thorough preparation for the interview, it will end in shambles. The questions interviewers ask are the same, and at Big 4 Guru, we have all of them. Not to mention the questions you should be asking the interview, we have those too!
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 first piece of the puzzle is your resume. The resume is an important piece in the hiring process however, if the resume does not have an interesting story (which we will address in part 2) it is likely to end up in the garbage. Without compelling stories, the resume will be a piece of paper of paper with no real meaning, certainly not a future employee. The resume should include certifications you have or will obtain, education, internship experience, and any leadership roles that you've had. Each piece of the resume is crucial however, the best resumes "feel right". Recruiters look for the right format more than any other single component I listed above. They will never admit this, but it is true. If your resume is currently longer than one page, you are already in trouble.
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, the interview preparation is the third most important piece when obtaining the job. The resume and the story should be enough to get you in the door for the interview. However, without dedicated and thorough preparation for the interview, it will end in shambles. The questions interviewers ask are the same, and at Big 4 Guru, we have all of them. Not to mention the questions you should be asking the interview, we have those too!
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 samples, mock interviews, & more. Big 4 Guru has helped thousands of students find jobs with the Big 4 Accounting Firms by selling his eBooks, and performing personal coaching services.
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