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Thread: Career Advice Needed

  1. #1
    Senior Member pandamao's Avatar
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    Default Career Advice Needed

    Ok, here's my scenario. I recently did an internship with a top accounting firm and perhaps was an okay experience but I made a few poor choices. On the last day of the exit interview I was given a survey to fill out responses on what I felt over the entire internship. Well, given it is suppose to be "private unleaked information" i responded bluntly. I'm the type that never gives out perfect scores on anything. The questionnaire answer choices ranged from excellent to poor. My average was probably fair with very few good and few poor.

    Even though I left the internship, I just have a vibe that more than just the needed individuals found out about what I wrote ... and I feel like there's this weird vibe circulating the company. Globally, my company is the fifth largest in its field but the Houston division is rather small.

    Here's the dilemma: 1) Sign the offer and work with the company or 2) Decline their offer and look for another company.

    Concerns: 1) will people's impression affect my ability at work and projects available? 2) can i find a job given there's a hiring freeze in a lot of accting firms in the industry? 3) am i overreacting?

    please help. deadline coming up!!!!

    *thanks for moving this, wasn't sure where it went!!!
    Last edited by pandamao; 04-15-08 at 12:15 AM.

  2. #2
    Senior Member shen diao xia's Avatar
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    No replies for a while, huh? Maybe, let me offer my thoughts.

    Well, I don't know enough about accounting firms or how companies operate in general in the US. On 2nd thought, maybe I do. I might be wrong, but I think US companies (if it is) are pretty practical/realistic in that if you perform, you do well, otherwise you are fired. However, I think you should still give it a shot unless you have some other options.

    I mean, you are just starting out right? What have you got to lose? As the Chinese saying goes "Ride the cow, whilst looking for the horse" . As far as concerns go, don't have any and yes you are over reacting. Concern number 2 suggests that you go for it, until something better comes along.

    Cheers and good luck .
    I am a pessimist, but I think people like me!

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    Senior Member HuangYushi's Avatar
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    I am an ex-accountant (way before I became an educator), and I tend to see things from a practical angle. If I had just graduated and was concerned about (a) a study loan that I may have to pay off, and (b) the ease of getting a reputable job in an industry that was related to my major, I would just take up the offer from the firm that I had interned in, regardless of what the people in the firm might think of me. Considering that there was an offer, their perception of me shouldn't be that bad.

    Taking up the offer will give me (a) the opportunity to see if my concerns about other people's views are real or unreal; (b) the opportunity to earn money and start paying off my loan; (c) the opportunity to obtain some experience in a reputable job/firm, which will go towards making my CV look better for the next job; (d) immediate employment; and (e) buy me some productive non-idle time before I decide if I should really look for another job.

    And that was what I did. I paid my loan off in 3 years, and got a lot of experience that helped me deal with both the firm and the client side of things in later jobs. Too bad accounting lost me to education which I felt was intrinsically more fulfilling as I am now dealing with lives instead of money.
    Jin Yong's Ode to Gallantry [侠客行].
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  4. #4
    Senior Member PJ's Avatar
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    Good advice as always from Yushi.

    but the Houston division is rather small.
    Sometimes it's not a bad idea to be the big fish in a small pond.

    Good luck!
    忽见柳荫下两个小孩子在哀哀痛哭,瞧模样正是武敦儒、武修文兄弟。郭芙大声叫道:「喂,你们在干甚麽?」武 修文回头见是郭芙,哭道:「我们在哭,你不见麽?」

  5. #5
    Senior Member pandamao's Avatar
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    Thank you everyone for the advice.

    I do feel that I might have overreacted a bit and should really just be more "thick faced" about it.

    The problem with me is, I am not good at shrugging off things. Almost every little thing can bother me to a degree. Regardless though, I will sign the offer and just take the job since it will be a good start for my career.

    Thanks again guys!

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    Senior Member fridaythe13th's Avatar
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    Just a question. You said that it was the fifth largest firm. Is it BDO by any chance?
    “我停在原处也许就是为了让大家在累的时候,有个可以回头休息的地方。”

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    Senior Member pemberly's Avatar
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    i was gonna guess deloitte, but i think that's like 2 or 3.

    and you're probably overreacting. i doubt the whole industry would blackball you. think of all those accountants who hop from one firm to another.
    nytimes: Every hr you have 10 minutes where you’re not doing anything productive at work, & you can’t look at porn. So you make a comment & fulfill this desire to show yourself off as a smarty-pants.

  8. #8
    Senior Member pandamao's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by fridaythe13th View Post
    Just a question. You said that it was the fifth largest firm. Is it BDO by any chance?
    1. EY
    2. Deloitte
    3. PWC
    4. KPMG
    5. Grant Thornton <--- these 5 are now considered global 5
    6. UHY

    BDO should be 7 but it fluctuates a lot. Number 5 and 6 is very far from big 4 because 5 and 6 operates in the middle market clients. PWC's salary is usually the lowest of the Big 4 and KPMG has the worst reputation out of big 4.

    EY and Deloitte fluctuate between the top 2 slots.

  9. #9
    Senior Member pandamao's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by pemberly View Post
    i was gonna guess deloitte, but i think that's like 2 or 3.

    and you're probably overreacting. i doubt the whole industry would blackball you. think of all those accountants who hop from one firm to another.
    I didn't go as far into thinking the whole industry but i did go to the extent of Grant Thornton itself feeling that way!

    I overreact a lot though. Lol.

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    Why did you have to write down what your true feelings are about the company if there's a possibility that you'll be back there?

    Nothing will get changed in the way they do things because of an intern voiced displeasure no matter how true what you complain about is, and you have to know that what you say will become known. There was nothing for you to gain in saying what's really on your mind. Now even if you intended to never set foot in that company or talk to anyone from work again, it is still not a good idea to be blunt because you never know if you may cross paths with the company or those people again. Complaining or voicing displeasure makes you look bitter and could make your record look bad when people in the future look at it for reference - and you are not around to defend yourself. The HR people are not your friends. They may seem friendly and concerned about you, but they are still the company's employees.

    Biting your tongue and being tactful and calculating is something you must make an effort to do in the corporate world.

    I hated my boss. She was a total nightmare to work for. She drove my predecessor away and drove away 2 more people after I left the company. Yet in my exit interview, other than saying she could be difficult to work for sometimes I didn't say anything else negative.
    This account is retired.

  11. #11
    Senior Member pandamao's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by flyingfox2002 View Post
    Why did you have to write down what your true feelings are about the company if there's a possibility that you'll be back there?

    Nothing will get changed in the way they do things because of an intern voiced displeasure no matter how true what you complain about is, and you have to know that what you say will become known. There was nothing for you to gain in saying what's really on your mind. Now even if you intended to never set foot in that company or talk to anyone from work again, it is still not a good idea to be blunt because you never know if you may cross paths with the company or those people again. Complaining or voicing displeasure makes you look bitter and could make your record look bad when people in the future look at it for reference - and you are not around to defend yourself. The HR people are not your friends. They may seem friendly and concerned about you, but they are still the company's employees.

    Biting your tongue and being tactful and calculating is something you must make an effort to do in the corporate world.

    I hated my boss. She was a total nightmare to work for. She drove my predecessor away and drove away 2 more people after I left the company. Yet in my exit interview, other than saying she could be difficult to work for sometimes I didn't say anything else negative.
    yes mr. flyingfox, perhaps i have learned my lesson now. thank you. trust me, my intentions were really to just be honest and sincere. i only wanted to help...

    since you seem to really know what's going on, what do you think i should do now? i mean, will they forget this over a few months? i don't know if I should go back or not. sheesh. i feel like an idiot right now.
    Last edited by pandamao; 04-16-08 at 02:31 PM.

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    Senior Member Bangs's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by pandamao View Post
    yes mr. flyingfox, perhaps i have learned my lesson now. thank you. trust me, my intentions were really to just be honest and sincere. i only wanted to help...

    since you seem to really know what's going on, what do you think i should do now? i mean, will they forget this over a few months? i don't know if I should go back or not. sheesh. i feel like an idiot right now.
    Your insecurity is brought about by your fear of something, stop thinking that the world is watching you because they're not. Go back and learn precious experience. Once you worked for a long while, you'll understand why things are the way they are. When the right time comes, you can either change jobs or keep your current one.

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    Senior Member pandamao's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bangs View Post
    Your insecurity is brought about by your fear of something, stop thinking that the world is watching you because they're not. Go back and learn precious experience. Once you worked for a long while, you'll understand why things are the way they are. When the right time comes, you can either change jobs or keep your current one.
    Yeah I want to be secure and happy go lucky but after reading flyingfox's message, he just hit me right on! (not trying to point fingers flyingfox, i think you gave great advice!!!)

    i'm just not sure what to do in terms of getting rid of this feeling. i can barely get a good night sleep without feeling paranoid about this.

    and tomorrow i have an award ceremony to attend to ... at the ceremony, my company will be there (the one i had beef with) and another company that i will intern with in the summer will also be there. this is just great. i'm feeling more and more paranoid about it!!!!
    Last edited by pandamao; 04-16-08 at 03:35 PM.

  14. #14
    Moderator Ren Wo Xing's Avatar
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    If they made you an offer, then what have you to be paranoid about? Relax.
    Read the latest chapters of Coiling Dragon at Wuxia World!

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    Senior Member 999roses's Avatar
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    Gotta love course and TA evaluations that are anonymous. Can slaughter those profs and TA's like crazy.

    Real evaluations should be anonymous. Or one of those "Suggestion Boxes".

  16. #16
    Senior Member pandamao's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ren Wo Xing View Post
    If they made you an offer, then what have you to be paranoid about? Relax.
    the offer was made before my exit interview hence my paranoia!!!!

    i regret trashing them now .... LESSON I'LL NEVER FORGET!

  17. #17
    Senior Member pemberly's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by pandamao View Post
    the offer was made before my exit interview hence my paranoia!!!!

    i regret trashing them now .... LESSON I'LL NEVER FORGET!
    haha, they made you an offer and you still trashed them? was it really that bad there? don't worry too much about it. a lot of ppl work for these big companies right out of college, and then move on. do your 2 years and find something with less pressure that you're happier with. a lot of the smaller accounting firms will pay better and offer you more perks just to steal you away.
    nytimes: Every hr you have 10 minutes where you’re not doing anything productive at work, & you can’t look at porn. So you make a comment & fulfill this desire to show yourself off as a smarty-pants.

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    Quote Originally Posted by pandamao View Post
    yes mr. flyingfox, perhaps i have learned my lesson now. thank you. trust me, my intentions were really to just be honest and sincere. i only wanted to help...

    since you seem to really know what's going on, what do you think i should do now? i mean, will they forget this over a few months? i don't know if I should go back or not. sheesh. i feel like an idiot right now.
    I hope you didn't exlicitly put anyone that you will work closely with in a negative light in your exit interview. If you did, then it's 50/50 whether to decline the offer or not. That's really up to you.

    Assuming you didn't, I would take the offer. Take the bird in the hand before the 2 in the forest... to get corny.

    I am looking for a job now cuz I will graduate soon, and haven't even gotten any offers yet, so at least you have an open offer.
    This account is retired.

  19. #19
    Senior Member pandamao's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by flyingfox2002 View Post
    I hope you didn't exlicitly put anyone that you will work closely with in a negative light in your exit interview. If you did, then it's 50/50 whether to decline the offer or not. That's really up to you.

    Assuming you didn't, I would take the offer. Take the bird in the hand before the 2 in the forest... to get corny.

    I am looking for a job now cuz I will graduate soon, and haven't even gotten any offers yet, so at least you have an open offer.
    To answer your question, "Did you feel HR was easy to approach and resolved all issues for you?"

    My response: Well, I never felt easy to go to HR for any of my concerns relating to the team I worked with mainly because a fellow intern of mine approached Amber and stated his dislikes and the next day he was unassigned.

    Hmm - I do have another offer but I rather be with this company since it will further my career. Tomorrow night is the award ceremony where the company will be there, perhaps I'll make my decision then ...

  20. #20
    Senior Member pandamao's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by pemberly View Post
    haha, they made you an offer and you still trashed them? was it really that bad there? don't worry too much about it. a lot of ppl work for these big companies right out of college, and then move on. do your 2 years and find something with less pressure that you're happier with. a lot of the smaller accounting firms will pay better and offer you more perks just to steal you away.
    at the moment, i didn't trash them ... but i do feel like there were areas of improvement.

    those areas of improvements were where the trashing took place.

    ahh - i know i'm going to suffer 2 years, just afraid it might jeopardize my opportunity to take on those raises.

    i will update everyone after tomorrow night's event!

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