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I just graduated in December with a bachelors in accounting. Since then I've searched for a job like it was my job, but so far nothing has come of them. With no job in sight, I'm running low on cash and need to find something desperately.
So in order to survive this tough time, what is a man to do with no job, no money, and future?
ps - anyone need an accountant?
There aren't many beans to count...for that matter there isn't much to manufacture to count the beans from...One thing I always say is get a job changing tires....When the big mud trucks pull in...I'd yell I get that one...As I am changing the big swampers.... I can look at them and say...."At least this SOB don't talk back". What I mean by all of this is your gonna have to do whatever it takes right now.
Apply for financial aid and go back to school to get your Masters in Business or in accounting. If the economy doesn't change or gets worse saty in college. Go for either another Bachelors or your PHD. If you get your PHD then become a professor of accounting. Or since you have an accounting degree apply to the FBI. Agents of the FBI must either have a Law degree or Accounting degree. You'll have to go to the FBI academy and pass and you'll have to become a forensic accountant.
Man, I just got a job as a mant. man at a camp ground last week at $9 dollars an our am happy to get it. Ive been self eployed all my life am happy to get it. I used to make around $ 300 a day, It do suck But Its better than a poke in the eye. Do what what you got to do.
Now that's what I call Hope and Change......NOT!
When I had to leave my chosen career for health reasons, I retrained as a book-keeper. I work from home preparing the books for several small companies that can't afford to employ someone full-time. To get the work I advertised in the local paper. As you've a degree, it might be worth you having a go. I don't earn much but what I do earn keeps the wolf from the door(just!) and I'm not claiming any social benefits. That to me is worth much more than my small income.
With your degree, apply to one of the military branches for an officers position . The accounting opens a myriad of fields, examples Contract Officer, Finance officer, logistics, and many more. You can even apply to go into other fields that may be of interest to you (assuming you can test qualify). There are immediate openings, money is good and the experience you gain can not be quantified. And the 4-6 year commitment should take us out of this slump and you can return to the civvy world with some imperessive skills.
Don't let pride get in the way of you being successful. Take what ever you can get, even if it is outside the field you want to work in. Survival is about being around to fight another day.
absolutely, Crash. I agree with everyone here. You do what you gotta do. This past 6 months, I've watched 5man carpenter crews dwindle to 2 man crews. My crew has always been small, me and one or two other guys. Of course, my job is all manual labor. If I dont' have a roof to put on, I ask around and I can always find someone who needs a hole dug, or some $h!* shoveled. To keep the bills paid I'll do whatever I have to (within the law).
I'll be honest, I could use an accountant / bookkeeper, but every single one around here charges a LOT more than I can afford on my mediocre income. If your rates are competetive, you can do like Winnie and run an ad in the paper. I'm sure something along the lines of your ideal profession will turn up, you just have to bide some time till it comes through. Do what you gotta do to stay afloat. No work is beneath me, and if you are a survivalist, neither should it be for you.
Seek, and ye shall find; Knock and it shall be opened unto you..
Remember to tailor your resume to the job posting. Look for key words in the post and make certain they are in your resume. Don't lie but take advantage of opportunities. For example, a posting may say something like...
Job Responsibilities:
Preparing financial statements for subsidiaries and entering A/P vouchers into PeopleSoft
Recording deposits, reconciling commissions and monthly bank statements
Assisting in the monthly closing process, including journal entries and allocations
Make certain your resume says something like "well versed in recording deposits and conciling..." or "skilled in journal entries and allocations" or "well versed in PeopleSoft".
If you have practical experience in those areas say that. Target your resume to what they are looking for. Remember that today people seldom see your resume until you're in the final group. Robots scan resumes looking for those key words. If they aren't there, you won't get called for an interview.
Also, make certain you are thinking outside the box. You may be looking for an accountant position but, unless you have experience, you will also want to look at jobs like banking, office manager, credit and collections, payroll, etc. Once you have some experience under your belt then you can target the job you want. Until then, everyone else is on the money, do what you need to do now.
Geronimo, be glad that you are just starting out and not bogged down with a lot of baggage that might discourage you from taking chances.
Whatever detours from accounting you need to take to survive, just might turn out to be much more valuable in the long run than it seems right now.
So keep your mind open and don't be afraid to move or try something different.
Maybe check USAJOBS(dot)GOV. There are a number of Contracting jobs, many of them a the entry level. Not bad pay, and you can transfer quite a number of places. VERY busy job, but if you learn it well, it can take you places (and make you VERY good money).
Simple, do what's available or move. If you're not tied down and are healthy there are jobs. Hate to tell you but a degree doesn't guarantee you a job in the field of your choice. I left home at 18 and never moved back until I retired. I gave my son 3months after high school. Either get a job, I will pay for college or I will drive you to the recruiter of your choice. He is doing better than his ole man. Jobs are there, you just can't pick and choose. That's my personal opinion.
Wiser words were never spoken!Quote:
Originally Posted by Ole WV Coot
I think every parent needs to memorize Coot's options to his son.
+1, the job that I just landed (still have to pass the physical and BG check) is a blend of my old job and my degree. Be patient. It took me awhile to find, and I have to move away from the family except for the weekends. It is also only a temp position, but it gets my foot in the door for more.Quote:
Originally Posted by BENESSE
Another thing on being versatile. One of the things that tipped me receiving this offer was the fact that I have held the position of "Outhouse Salesman". To the person that hired me, that position showed I had a "depth of experience" that the other candidates did not have.
Unfortunately, that is not an option for mine. He is blind in one eye, so the military won't take him (Doesn't keep the recruiters from hounding him though. He has darn good grades). :DQuote:
Originally Posted by BENESSE
You might want to take a look at consulting firms, as well. It's obviously not permanent employment but the pay is generally good and you'll be improving your resume.
Thanks for the advice guys. Fortunately, a few minutes after I posted this I got a call from a medical company that are looking for an accounts payable specialist. It's a hop, skip, and a jump away, but as bennesse said, I don't have a lot of baggage so that's good. I'm hoping that pans out.
I'm driving to Madison, WI to see what I can find today. Hope there's something there.
Rick, I like your post on tailoring your resume. You oughta be a career development professor.
Coot, I had the same options. I was lucky enough to be able to get into a college and learn something.
One piece of advice I will give is to upgrade your membership on job sites. They really push the people that pay them (understandably). The day I signed up, I got a call. Pretty coincidental. ; )
Thanks again. I know I skip in and out of the forums, but I hope to be back more permanently after I find a job.
Good luck, y'all have a long haul ahead.
Gets intresting, but you have to keep plugging away, keep an open mind, and bust your butte at what ever you do.
Best.
That's good news. I've always like Madison. A real people town. Or at least it used to be. It's been about 10 years since I've been there. I hope it works out for you!!
I had a tough time getting a job right out of college. I just got my degree in Mechanical Engineering, and thought that the jobs were plentiful. I got a bunch of first interviews, but not much else. A bunch of my classmates that had lower grades were getting jobs as well. I thought "What the He!! is wrong!". I eventually was offered a job with Halliburton, but didn't really want to. I went to a second interview with NASA in Alabama to work on rocket motors, but was told that I was their second choice (I am sure the third guy was told the same). Then, out of the blue I was interviewed for the job I have now, and they quickly took me. Now that I see Halliburton laying off, and Obama closing the Moon/Mars program, I am glad I got this one. Also, not to sound to religious, but looking back I see a lot of "coincidences" that tell me I am meant to be here. So, be patient. If you did well in school, and got a real degree (accounting is one), then jobs will come. Otherwise, go back to school or get a commission.
Damn finallyME! halliburton and nasa?! That'd be a strenuous job to say the least. I was in the same boat with the big four accounting firms. It's all a dog show if you ask me. The best looking ones get the position.Quote:
Originally Posted by finallyME
Quote:
Originally Posted by Geronimo!
That was my problem also they only wanted me for my good looks.
Good luck.
I thought you were looking for a job, the only position around is the one doing the hiring.Quote:
Originally Posted by Geronimo!
When interviewing think about that, goes a long way to mind set.
Strenuous? Try this oneQuote:
Originally Posted by Geronimo!
LOL...yeah....I've never been in the military, but I've met a few of these guys.Quote:
Originally Posted by crashdive123
Little Creek and Dam neck, are kinda in the area. I've done work at both bases. I wouldn't/couldn't do the things that I've seen those guys do.....and we won't even talk about the un-known things that they do.:innocent:
Congratulations Geronimo!, I hope it works out. The tailored resumes and networking do help. It is how I got selected for the position that I am waiting on now. A few more hoops to jump through, and I should be working my the middle of March. I can be a long hard road.
Funny thing is, I was interviewed and selected for this position last week. I have been contacted for two jobs this week. Interviews and selection will be after this one is is supposed to start. Nice to know that there is a back-up if I don't pass the physical.
You can thank all of the other Acct's that sold us down the river to India and China. Sad to say but true. They were only looking to short-term profits and they sold your and your kids futures down the drain.Quote:
Originally Posted by Geronimo!
I'll bet those same accountants are the ones that starting buying from the next town and then from the next state. Dog gone those profiteers anyway.
I've seen too many jobs go overseas just so the corporate guys could get their bonuses from cost reductions all driven by accountants all in the name of "I'm just doing my job". You can thank those same accountants for what we are going through now. Do you think we have learned any lessons?Quote:
Originally Posted by Rick
You don't think that an overly burdensome tax code has anything to do with jobs going overseas?
Or cheaper labor. Or lucrative foreign enticements. Or a plentiful labor pool. I don't think you can blame accountants any more than any other profession. I'm sure there were any number of degree types making the decision. Accountant was just one of them.
Protectionism has always been a poor alternative to open competition.
I'm sure an Accountant is responsible for that in some way. lol
Okay. They are as good as anyone else to blame. D#$&en accountants!
Like everyone has said already, "do what ya gotta do for now". Good luck Brother.Quote:
Originally Posted by Geronimo!
I had to close my buisness after 14 years . Im hourly in a cabinet shop now. My income has dropped by 75%. For many the sh@! has already hit the fan. I couldnt imagine having a student loan to pay back with no job. Good luck with it!
We figure out the way to turn "we're outsourcing our labor." to, "in the interest of cost reduction to our shareholders we have contracted extra people or things who may or may not reside in countries other than the United States. Net effects are a $0.02 increase in dilluted earnings per share."Quote:
Originally Posted by Chiefman
Well when you put it that way!:sneaky2:
This is stroking my ego a bit, but "I'm the man!" I got a for sure part time, nights and weekends gig and another full-time job 95% in the bag. I'm going in for a second interview tomorrow and I'm pretty sure they're gonna make an offer.
Almost time to celebrate. It's been a long time coming.
Congrats, hope it works out for you.
I would also hope that you will keep expending you skill sets, and keep learning, you never know when even the accountants will be gone.
Degree is not a guarantee, lots of Dr's out there filpping burgers.
Repeat after me, "Do you want fries with that?"