I got a pretty big Networking events through my school on Thursday Night (Accounting Event).
Any tips or what not I could use? Any insights? Talking points? Etc…
Also GPA(Cumulative 3.02 ITS GOTTEN WORSE Q_Q) on resume? Yay or nay?
Take a ton of business cards, put on your biggest smile (without seeming creepy) and introduce yourself to everyone and ask about their work
GPA is a gamble. I’d leave it off, but it’s up to you.
You also need a strategy for who/when to visit the firms you want to visit. Personally I’d concentrate on the smaller firms first. Assuming the accounting department gives you a layout of the event, I’d order the firms in the order you want to visit and follow that order. Big 4 and large regional firms will be packed. It’ll be hard to standout unless you’re just that kind of person or you know one of the accountants/interns at the event. That’s why I say pick smaller firms first, a lot of times they don’t have anyone approach them for the first 20-30 minutes. If you go to the smaller firms first it usually gives you a longer opportunity to speak with the employer.
If you have your heart set on a certain firm, be it Big 4 or what not, then I’d concetrate on that firm and try and speak to all of the recruiters present. Go all out for that firm and you can even write up a cover letter specific to the firm.
If the events are anything like the ones I use to go to, you’re not likely going to reach all the firms in the time you have. That’s why I said to be selective and order the firms. Hit the ones you for sure want to work for and move on.
My GPA is like a 3.3, I don’t understand how a 3.0 is bad. Most people I know are below that, anyways, just wanted to put that out there. I am an accounting major but I haven’t been to one of these yet either, good luck man!!
[quote]optheta wrote:
I got a pretty big Networking events through my school on Thursday Night (Accounting Event).
Any tips or what not I could use? Any insights? Talking points? Etc…
Also GPA(Cumulative 3.02 ITS GOTTEN WORSE Q_Q) on resume? Yay or nay?[/quote]
I always do these things like I am trying to get laid. The energy and personality you display is like being in a bar and picking up chicks.
Take that attitude and work the room, be engaging, be the bright light in the room.
DONT GET DRUNK
[quote]stefan128 wrote:
My GPA is like a 3.3, I don’t understand how a 3.0 is bad. Most people I know are below that, anyways, just wanted to put that out there. I am an accounting major but I haven’t been to one of these yet either, good luck man!! [/quote]
I think it depends on the major. Most accounting firms I’ve talked with want a 3.5 or higher.
If your resume is good enough to land you an interview with these companies, the networking events are a waste of time.
If your resume is not good enough to land you an interview, you better be pretty damn charming at these networking events to land an interview.
For most people, most of the time, these events are a huge waste of time.
Regarding your GPA, when I was coming out of college, all the big firms had 3.0 minimum GPA requirements. My company still has a minimum 3.0, but I’m not sure if other companies have increased their minimum requirements.
If you leave it off the resume, recruiters are keenly aware that you’d rather avoid drawing attention to it and they’ll probably think it’s worse then it really is, I’d include it.
[quote]usmccds423 wrote:
GPA is a gamble. I’d leave it off, but it’s up to you.
You also need a strategy for who/when to visit the firms you want to visit. Personally I’d concentrate on the smaller firms first. Assuming the accounting department gives you a layout of the event, I’d order the firms in the order you want to visit and follow that order. Big 4 and large regional firms will be packed. It’ll be hard to standout unless you’re just that kind of person or you know one of the accountants/interns at the event. That’s why I say pick smaller firms first, a lot of times they don’t have anyone approach them for the first 20-30 minutes. If you go to the smaller firms first it usually gives you a longer opportunity to speak with the employer.
If you have your heart set on a certain firm, be it Big 4 or what not, then I’d concetrate on that firm and try and speak to all of the recruiters present. Go all out for that firm and you can even write up a cover letter specific to the firm.
If the events are anything like the ones I use to go to, you’re not likely going to reach all the firms in the time you have. That’s why I said to be selective and order the firms. Hit the ones you for sure want to work for and move on. [/quote]
This is pretty good advice. A lot of people waste their time chasing the big firms in hope to make it and they find themselves pissing against the wind and still looking for an opportunity a couple years down the track.
I don’t know what the equivalent GPA is to our grading system in Australia, but I’d imagine the smaller firms would be more open on lower grades (they certainly are here).
All the best. I’d also be very interested in learning the companies business structure as well as what a role with them would entail. I’d ask questions on career development with them and what opportunities they can give to help you grow in your role.
[quote]LankyMofo wrote:
If your resume is good enough to land you an interview with these companies, the networking events are a waste of time.
If your resume is not good enough to land you an interview, you better be pretty damn charming at these networking events to land an interview.
For most people, most of the time, these events are a huge waste of time.
Regarding your GPA, when I was coming out of college, all the big firms had 3.0 minimum GPA requirements. My company still has a minimum 3.0, but I’m not sure if other companies have increased their minimum requirements.
If you leave it off the resume, recruiters are keenly aware that you’d rather avoid drawing attention to it and they’ll probably think it’s worse then it really is, I’d include it. [/quote]
You accountants and your numbers.
I really wish their was a definitive answer for GPA on the resume thing. dammit.
Definitely bring lots of resumes/business cards and try to talk to as many people as possible. You want them to match your name with your face so you stick out a little more.
I wouldn’t put your GPA on your resume. Only give it if they ask for it.
Good luck at making connections.
EDIT: To improve the credibility of my suggestions, I graduated about 6 months ago and went to all the career fairs and what not attempting the same thing that you are doing.
This kid is in college, he does not have business cards. And if he does, that’s just strange.
Print your resume on resume paper.
[quote]optheta wrote:
I really wish their was a definitive answer for GPA on the resume thing. dammit.[/quote]
I work for a public accounting firm, a big one. We have a minimum 3.0 GPA requirement and if you fail to include your GPA, our recruiters think you’re trying to hide it. They’ll assume your GPA is lower than a 3.0 when it is not. Sure, a 3.02 might not sound so great, but it meets the minimum requirement and if the rest of your resume looks good (work experience, extra curriculars, etc.) you shouldn’t have a problem getting an interview.
If the rest of your resume doesn’t look so great, good luck getting an interview because now you’ve got an average GPA and nothing else to show what you’ve been doing for the last 4 years. You should be wondering how you wasted the last 4 years of your life by not excelling academically and completely missing the ball on extra curriculars. And quite frankly, why would a company want to hire a person like that?
[quote]LankyMofo wrote:
This kid is in college, he does not have business cards. And if he does, that’s just strange.
Print your resume on resume paper. [/quote]
I made business cards in college, although it didn’t help at all.
[quote]optheta wrote:
I really wish their was a definitive answer for GPA on the resume thing. dammit.[/quote]
I’ve never put my GPA on a resume. I did add Cum Laude to it once I gradauted, but that’t it. If employers want to know they’ll probably ask for a transcript.
Edit: Lanky makes a good point though, so again I’d say it’s up to you. I was always told 3.5 or above for big 4. That might not be their official standard, but it’s an unspoken bar so to speak.
[quote]usmccds423 wrote:
[quote]optheta wrote:
I really wish their was a definitive answer for GPA on the resume thing. dammit.[/quote]
I’ve never put my GPA on a resume. I did add Cum Laude to it once I gradauted, but that’t it. If employers want to know they’ll probably ask for a transcript. [/quote]
Well there you go, they know you at least had a 3.XX (whatever Cum Laude is).
The employer knows you weren’t trying to skirt the issue due to poor performance.
Saw this the other day, although I wouldn’t suggest it for an accounting fair or even firm. Marketing yes accounting not really. You never know though.
[quote]LankyMofo wrote:
[quote]usmccds423 wrote:
[quote]optheta wrote:
I really wish their was a definitive answer for GPA on the resume thing. dammit.[/quote]
I’ve never put my GPA on a resume. I did add Cum Laude to it once I gradauted, but that’t it. If employers want to know they’ll probably ask for a transcript. [/quote]
Well there you go, they know you at least had a 3.XX (whatever Cum Laude is).
The employer knows you weren’t trying to skirt the issue due to poor performance. [/quote]
Well, not really. The Cum Laude (honors) wasn’t added until after I graduated, which was after I went to all the fairs. I didn’t get hired at an accounting firm though so…take my advice for what it’s worth.
As an aside I was extremely picky about what firms I even approached during college. I wanted a job in audit and that was it. I ended up sending a ton of resumes out after I graduated though. Deloitte even gave me a scholarship, but no job 
Now I’m a budget analyst go figure. Although I do help out our internal audit department quite a bit.
[quote]Ripsaw3689 wrote:
[quote]LankyMofo wrote:
This kid is in college, he does not have business cards. And if he does, that’s just strange.
Print your resume on resume paper. [/quote]
I made business cards in college, although it didn’t help at all.[/quote]
Most business people don’t even use business cards anymore. I got 250 printed for my first year out of college and a year later I still had 240 of them. The other 10 I gave to my friends.
The days of the business card rolodex are over.
[quote]LankyMofo wrote:
[quote]usmccds423 wrote:
[quote]optheta wrote:
I really wish their was a definitive answer for GPA on the resume thing. dammit.[/quote]
I’ve never put my GPA on a resume. I did add Cum Laude to it once I gradauted, but that’t it. If employers want to know they’ll probably ask for a transcript. [/quote]
Well there you go, they know you at least had a 3.XX (whatever Cum Laude is).
The employer knows you weren’t trying to skirt the issue due to poor performance.
I was offered two big 4 positions with a 3.3, but I had a resume that showed I was working all through college and participated in a couple extra curriculars. I think they want a mix of good GPA and other things on a resume. They’re willing to sacrifice a couple percentage points to get someone who can handle doing multiple things at once.
It also probably varies a bit by location. Some locations may put higher value on GPA, others may put higher value on extra curriculars. There is a lot of variability in public accounting, even within the same firm across different offices. [/quote]
Did you take either of the Big 4 positions? If so how was it?