Job search journey

My Job Search Journey: A Glimpse into My Experience

I wanted to share my experience of transitioning out of public Accounting, in hopes of inspiring someone else on a similar path.

I made the decision to leave my top 10 public Accounting firm back in December without any job lined up as a senior. After taking two months to recharge, I began to feel anxious around mid-February and ended up applying to around 70 jobs in a single day. So far, I’ve received about 20 requests for screening calls from those applications. I opted not to pursue most of them since they didn’t align with my interests, but I did interview with five companies. Today, I’m excited to announce that I’ve accepted an offer! The entire process from application to offer took about a month. Throughout that time, I spoke with five different team members, all of whom were incredibly supportive, making the interviews feel relaxed and friendly.

Having my CPA license definitely gave me an edge when it came to getting through resume screenings. While I had two internships during college and about three years of experience at my previous firm, I know I still had less experience compared to many other candidates. So, if you’re currently in public Accounting and contemplating whether to pursue your CPA, I strongly encourage you to go for it.

I believe job searching is a numbers game. If you’re open to various opportunities, just keep applying! Even if the role doesn’t initially excite you, taking calls and interviews can offer valuable practice or reveal a position you hadn’t considered before. My new role is in an area I never thought I’d be interested in.

In all honesty, public accounting was tough, and I couldn’t see myself enduring another busy season. If I had to do it all over again, I would definitely recommend securing a new position before leaving my previous job!