Comments on: How To Get Hired By The Big 4: Successful Networking (Part 2) http://www.narrowingthegaap.com/recruiting/how-to-get-hired-by-the-big-4-successful-networking-part-2/ Your ultimate guide to getting hired by the Big 4 and thriving in it! Sat, 21 Jan 2012 23:09:07 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Big4Prospect http://www.narrowingthegaap.com/recruiting/how-to-get-hired-by-the-big-4-successful-networking-part-2/comment-page-1/#comment-157 Big4Prospect Wed, 07 Sep 2011 17:51:36 +0000 http://www.narrowingthegaap.com/?p=86#comment-157 ^, I would also like to know. It definitely is a bit awkward for me to strike up a convo with a recruiter; however, it is pretty easy to talk with associates. I think part of it has to due with this subconscious tug that we have to impress recruiters, and this in itself will affect how we talk. My take on it.. don't focus too much on talking with recruiters. As the article mentions, try to focus on the associates- which will open doors for you in terms of talking with the managers and partners. (This has happened to me more than once on occasion). Plus, the recruiter probably won't even remember you if you have a typical convo. Just make sure you send her/him a thank-you letter. Also, the recruiter will probably seek feedback from associates/managers as to which students stood out to them. But this is all coming from another student who is in the same boat as you. Take it with a grain of salt. ^, I would also like to know. It definitely is a bit awkward for me to strike up a convo with a recruiter; however, it is pretty easy to talk with associates.

I think part of it has to due with this subconscious tug that we have to impress recruiters, and this in itself will affect how we talk.

My take on it.. don’t focus too much on talking with recruiters. As the article mentions, try to focus on the associates- which will open doors for you in terms of talking with the managers and partners. (This has happened to me more than once on occasion).

Plus, the recruiter probably won’t even remember you if you have a typical convo. Just make sure you send her/him a thank-you letter. Also, the recruiter will probably seek feedback from associates/managers as to which students stood out to them.

But this is all coming from another student who is in the same boat as you. Take it with a grain of salt.

]]> By: janice http://www.narrowingthegaap.com/recruiting/how-to-get-hired-by-the-big-4-successful-networking-part-2/comment-page-1/#comment-152 janice Fri, 26 Aug 2011 18:37:34 +0000 http://www.narrowingthegaap.com/?p=86#comment-152 What is an effective way to start a conversation with a recruiter? I have always felt very awkward starting a conversation with a recruiter with meaningless questions. But it also feels too forward to immediately start a conversation with questions such as "What is the work atmosphere like at ____?" (Is this considered a bad way to start a conversation?) What are some of the unique questions a student has asked you at networking events? What is an effective way to start a conversation with a recruiter?

I have always felt very awkward starting a conversation with a recruiter with meaningless questions. But it also feels too forward to immediately start a conversation with questions such as “What is the work atmosphere like at ____?” (Is this considered a bad way to start a conversation?)

What are some of the unique questions a student has asked you at networking events?

]]> By: Accounting Genius http://www.narrowingthegaap.com/recruiting/how-to-get-hired-by-the-big-4-successful-networking-part-2/comment-page-1/#comment-139 Accounting Genius Tue, 09 Aug 2011 20:24:31 +0000 http://www.narrowingthegaap.com/?p=86#comment-139 @ShhhCellPhoneusers: Not within accounting. However, most of the Big 4 have large consulting/advisory arms. These tackle everything related to supply-chains, business process re-engineering, to ERP implementations. Depending on your skill-set, you could find a role with such groups. @ShhhCellPhoneusers: Not within accounting. However, most of the Big 4 have large consulting/advisory arms. These tackle everything related to supply-chains, business process re-engineering, to ERP implementations. Depending on your skill-set, you could find a role with such groups.

]]> By: ShhhCellPhoneusers http://www.narrowingthegaap.com/recruiting/how-to-get-hired-by-the-big-4-successful-networking-part-2/comment-page-1/#comment-127 ShhhCellPhoneusers Fri, 17 Jun 2011 18:49:38 +0000 http://www.narrowingthegaap.com/?p=86#comment-127 Do the big 4 give opportunities for graduates who did not follow the accounting track in college or for working professionals who have no accounting experience? Do the big 4 give opportunities for graduates who did not follow the accounting track in college or for working professionals who have no accounting experience?

]]> By: How To Get Hired By The Big 4: Meet The Firms (Part 6) | Narrowing the GAAP http://www.narrowingthegaap.com/recruiting/how-to-get-hired-by-the-big-4-successful-networking-part-2/comment-page-1/#comment-50 How To Get Hired By The Big 4: Meet The Firms (Part 6) | Narrowing the GAAP Thu, 18 Feb 2010 20:24:50 +0000 http://www.narrowingthegaap.com/?p=86#comment-50 [...] to make sure you get a job with the Big 4. If you have been following my advice, and have been networking with the Big 4 recruiters and employees on a regular basis, you will probably be ahead of the curve. If you [...] [...] to make sure you get a job with the Big 4. If you have been following my advice, and have been networking with the Big 4 recruiters and employees on a regular basis, you will probably be ahead of the curve. If you [...]

]]> By: Accounting Genius http://www.narrowingthegaap.com/recruiting/how-to-get-hired-by-the-big-4-successful-networking-part-2/comment-page-1/#comment-18 Accounting Genius Tue, 25 Aug 2009 13:42:12 +0000 http://www.narrowingthegaap.com/?p=86#comment-18 Looking2Future: First of all, I am surprised that the recruiters are doing such a terrible job at your school. Good recruiters are generally energetic and easy to approach. That's what they get paid for! That being said, your job is not entertain them, but to make yourself look like a worthy candidate. Given the way you write, I can tell that you are not a native English speaker. Many non-native speakers are too timid when it comes to conversation, especially in semi-formal settings like recruiting events. Do not be timid. A few grammatical mistakes here and there can be overlooked, if you speak with confidence. Secondly, read up on these three things: business (bloomberg), sports (espn), and celebrities (you can pick one). The combination of these three topics can keep the conversation going for quite some time in the Big 4 circles. Ask them about their college experiences and their course of study. A lot of these guys can talk forever about themselves, so keep them talking! The scope of your question is a little too broad to be covered fully by a comment, so I will try to write up something addressing it further. In the mean time, pickup Dale Carnegie's "How to Win Friends and Influence People," it has some good advice. Looking2Future: First of all, I am surprised that the recruiters are doing such a terrible job at your school. Good recruiters are generally energetic and easy to approach. That’s what they get paid for!

That being said, your job is not entertain them, but to make yourself look like a worthy candidate. Given the way you write, I can tell that you are not a native English speaker. Many non-native speakers are too timid when it comes to conversation, especially in semi-formal settings like recruiting events. Do not be timid. A few grammatical mistakes here and there can be overlooked, if you speak with confidence.

Secondly, read up on these three things: business (bloomberg), sports (espn), and celebrities (you can pick one). The combination of these three topics can keep the conversation going for quite some time in the Big 4 circles. Ask them about their college experiences and their course of study. A lot of these guys can talk forever about themselves, so keep them talking!

The scope of your question is a little too broad to be covered fully by a comment, so I will try to write up something addressing it further. In the mean time, pickup Dale Carnegie’s “How to Win Friends and Influence People,” it has some good advice.

]]> By: lookin2future http://www.narrowingthegaap.com/recruiting/how-to-get-hired-by-the-big-4-successful-networking-part-2/comment-page-1/#comment-17 lookin2future Tue, 25 Aug 2009 04:41:22 +0000 http://www.narrowingthegaap.com/?p=86#comment-17 Some great info...i have been to countless recruitment nights in my 2 yrs in university and i see the same HR, reps from departments from the big 4 all the time, they all seem really bored to be there, its probably because i hear people asking them the same questions ALL the time, it's really hard to interact with them. If you could give me some tips for getting their attention without boring them to tears i would greatly appreciate it. Some great info…i have been to countless recruitment nights in my 2 yrs in university and i see the same HR, reps from departments from the big 4 all the time, they all seem really bored to be there, its probably because i hear people asking them the same questions ALL the time, it’s really hard to interact with them. If you could give me some tips for getting their attention without boring them to tears i would greatly appreciate it.

]]> By: Slave4Big4 http://www.narrowingthegaap.com/recruiting/how-to-get-hired-by-the-big-4-successful-networking-part-2/comment-page-1/#comment-11 Slave4Big4 Tue, 11 Aug 2009 02:39:34 +0000 http://www.narrowingthegaap.com/?p=86#comment-11 This is such good no BS advice - follow it kids. This is such good no BS advice – follow it kids.

]]> By: big4bound http://www.narrowingthegaap.com/recruiting/how-to-get-hired-by-the-big-4-successful-networking-part-2/comment-page-1/#comment-10 big4bound Thu, 06 Aug 2009 19:41:17 +0000 http://www.narrowingthegaap.com/?p=86#comment-10 Haha, IFRS questions - gotta love them. You said it well though, its often not just the subject, but rather what you ask about it, and more importantly - how. Haha, IFRS questions – gotta love them. You said it well though, its often not just the subject, but rather what you ask about it, and more importantly – how.

]]> By: Accounting Genius http://www.narrowingthegaap.com/recruiting/how-to-get-hired-by-the-big-4-successful-networking-part-2/comment-page-1/#comment-9 Accounting Genius Thu, 06 Aug 2009 11:28:40 +0000 http://www.narrowingthegaap.com/?p=86#comment-9 You know I haven't been able to figure that out myself. I hope for a day when accounting students are able to make small talk with professionals without seeming like complete tools. You know I haven’t been able to figure that out myself.

I hope for a day when accounting students are able to make small talk with professionals without seeming like complete tools.

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