I’ve recently revamped my resume and I’m still on the hunt for internships—any feedback would be appreciated!
As a graduate student aiming for an internship in audit/assurance before I graduate in May 2026, I know my journey hasn’t been conventional. My undergraduate degree is in CAD and architectural work, and after struggling to find opportunities in that area, I decided to pivot my career. I had previously shared my resume here, and it received some constructive criticism.
Based on the feedback from that post and after consulting with several of my professors and our career services team, I made some significant updates. My professors, many of whom are CPAs and have experience in recruiting (including one who leads our campus Accounting association and is involved in Beta Alpha Psi), gave me positive feedback on the revised version. I’m feeling much more confident about it now!
Currently, the two jobs I’ve listed are general retail positions, which aren’t directly related to Accounting, but I’ve tried to frame my experience to highlight relevant Accounting skills. Unfortunately, I don’t have any projects to showcase yet since my work has mainly consisted of weekly assignments and exams.
Since updating my resume, I’ve applied to several internship positions. I’ve made progress with a medium-sized firm that has invited me for an interview once their busy season wraps up. This is the furthest I’ve gotten in my search, as I usually don’t get past the initial phone screenings. A challenge I’ve faced is many firms expecting interns to work 50-60 hours a week during busy season, while I still have classes to attend. Firms like BDO cap intern hours at 40, but I haven’t had luck with them either. I also reached out to RSM, but instead of an interview, I received a counseling session where the recruiter critiqued my decision to leave my previous career and questioned my commitment to accounting. As for the Big Four, I faced rejections from EY, a lack of openings at PwC, status pending on Deloitte applications, and KPMG suggested I only apply for full-time roles after graduation.
This week, my campus is hosting several networking events, which I plan to attend. I’ll be bringing copies of my resume, so I’d love to hear any thoughts or suggestions you might have before then! Thanks!
One response
First of all, it’s great to hear that you’ve taken the initiative to refine your resume and seek feedback from professors and career services. It sounds like you are putting in the effort to position yourself for a successful transition into Accounting, and that’s commendable.
Here are a few thoughts and suggestions:
Focus on Transferable Skills: While your previous work experience in retail may not directly relate to Accounting, think about the skills you’ve gained that could be relevant. Skills like customer service, teamwork, problem-solving, and time management are all valuable in Audit and assurance roles. Be sure to highlight these in your resume and during networking events.
Networking: Attending networking events is an excellent step. Make sure to prepare a quick pitch about your background and your career transition. Be open to discussing your journey and what you’ve learned along the way. The more you share your passion for Accounting and your commitment to this new path, the more likely you are to make a positive impression.
Interview Preparation: For your upcoming interview with the medium-sized firm, be prepared to discuss not just your resume but also your motivations for switching careers. Be ready to explain how your unique background can bring a fresh perspective to their team.
Consider Broader Opportunities: While it’s understandable to want to target specific firms, don’t overlook smaller firms or related roles that could give you valuable experience. Sometimes, gaining experience in a less prestigious firm can provide a better learning environment and improve your chances of landing a job at your dream company later.
Volunteer for Relevant Projects: If you have any opportunities to engage in volunteer work, internships, or projects related to accounting—even pro bono work for non-profits—it might help to fill in your experience with relevant activities that demonstrate your skills and commitment.
Stay Positive and Persistent: Rejection can be discouraging, but it’s a common part of the job search process. Keep applying and seeking opportunities. Your perseverance will pay off!
Finally, since you mentioned you’ve received mixed responses about your resume, it may be helpful to seek a few more perspectives, perhaps from peers who have successfully landed similar positions. Good luck at the networking events and your interview! You’ve got this!