So, since I am nearly finished with school (3 weeks of class left, graduation date is 5-18), I have been looking more seriously at accounting positions. I sent out a few resumes, and had a phone interview Thursday for a credit analyst position at a bank, and a face-to-face interview Friday for an accounting position at a local construction company.

I know someone who works at the bank, and he helped me with my resume, highlighting job skills his boss likes. After the phone interview, his boss called him to talk to him about me, since I used his name as a referral (with his permission of course). The one thing that might hurt me is a lack of experience.

Saturday morning, I received a job offer from the construction company. It would be less money than the banking position, but it gets me in the door and gets me experience in an accounting position. It should be a bit of an increase over my current job, and offers some perks (profit sharing and 401K after a year, and bonuses at year-end I believe). It's M-F, 8-5, with rare Saturdays and extra time through the week when needed. I would also have holidays off. 2 weeks of vacation after a year with the company.

While the pay isn't necessarily as high as I'd like, there aren't a lot of other jobs out there, and it gets me out of my current job, which is as a merchandiser for Coca-Cola. The holidays are our busiest times, and the hours are bad. 4:30am start time until finished, and every day is different in terms of how long the day is. Plus with this new job I'd be getting accounting experience and could look for something better in a few years when I do have some official work experience.

/end thought process

I had a burrito bowl for lunch -- no meat or cheese, just black beans, brown rice, salsa, lettuce, guacamole. Not a strict vegetarian by any means, but I like the way I feel a bit lighter rest of day without the meat and cheese. Enjoyed homemade buffalo burgers for dinner without guilt. /end thought process

What's keeping your friend from asking his boss if he is interested in hiring you?

i don't see what your question is.

Are you willing to relocate? Jobs seem much easier to find, especially right out of school, if you are willing to move. The benefits seem pretty ****ty at the construction company, I thought everyone matched a 401k sooner than 1 year, and having to wait a year for any vacation seems poor also.

Another thing to consider would be the quality of experience you'd be getting... If it's a small company and you are working on your own, it may not help you a few years down the road like you are hoping. I'd look around more and be willing to move for experience at a larger company. Quality experience should be a huge concern at this point.

But, if it's either a small company or your old job, go with the accounting job! Any experience is better than no experience. And, the longer you are out of school and away from your chosen profession the worse it will look on a resume for potential jobs.

Good luck!

He knows he's interested, just not whether I'm the leading candidate or not. He doesn't want to push too hard or get too involved. I understand where he's coming from. The biggest hurdle I face is a lack of experience in the banking sector. The biggest positive is that I would likely get less pay than someone with experience, and they are a smaller bank, without the ability to get into a bidding war so to speak.

So take the banking job if also offered.

I guess my question is do I take the construction accounting position, which is guaranteed but probably less pay than the other job? Or should I gamble and take a chance that I might get the banking job? Or is there a way to drag it out and try to get the banking job while waiting to start at the construction company?

What if you accept the construction job, then drop it like a sack of worms if offered the banking jobm

Relocating would be difficult, as a I have a home and my wife has some medical issues that she's dealing with. Her current employer is quite understanding and lenient about the time she misses for dr. appointments and the occasional days she can't work. A new employer likely wouldn't be so understanding.

I'm not from a large city, so maybe it's different for larger companies, but I always expected to wait a year for vacation time, as well as most retirement plans. Thankfully, while it's not a huge company, there is an accounting team that I'd be working with. The training is job shadowing and I'll be learning every facet of the department at some point, to help out and fill in where necessary.

Thanks for your thoughts and good luck wish!

I guess that's what I'm wondering....is that acceptable? I mean, obviously I can do what I want, but does that make you look bad, or does it matter? I don't intend to end up in a position where I'd need to worry about what this company thought of me, but any chance that would get out and affect my reputation for future job searching endeavors? Just new at all this and not really sure how to proceed....Kind of pathetic I know.

any pics?

I don't see your problem here. The construction Co. is your chosen field, you will get experience working w/ a team in all aspects of the job, and paid fairly well.

Go with the real accounting job, IMO.

Unless the bank job pays great gobs of gold, of course.

Technically, the credit analyst position uses ratios, financial statements, tax returns, and other accounting-related tools to do the job.

Also, the bank job is probably 5K or so more per year. I don't know anything about the benefits or other details. Both have the same hours and holidays off, although banks are closed on a few of the weird ones like MLK jr day, presidents day, etc., and the construction company probably works those days.

Obviously don't really know enough to give good advice. I'll shut up now.

NO, I appreciate what you were trying to say. Just making sure you know both are technically what I was going to school for.

I work for the state as an auditor, if you don't have high corporate goals a business manager job in local gmt pays close to 100k and they get away with sucking at accounting.

Gl, welcome to the acct world. Prepare to be bored and to gain weight.

I suggest using the touch pass so you don't have a free hand to snack.

Pm me if you have any GMT acct questions

This is my knee jerk answer as well
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however if you live in the northeastern USA the mafia runs most construction
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So you have to ask yourself
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"Do I want to be Tony Sopranos accountant?"
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If it applies
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So you have to work the first 52 weeks straight, at least, before you can take any vacation?

Why don't you just call the hiring manager for the bank and tell him you're most interested in the position he's offering but you just received a nice offer and want to know if he means to hire you before you take it

I know people who have done this and got the job of their dreams thanks to it. Be tactful but honest. It's not hard.

In the end, I'd accept the construction job if you don't have quick word back from the bank. Maybe the bank hiring process is longer. Maybe their benefits won't make up for the extra pay. Maybe their schedule isn't what you're looking for.

You must remember that in the field of business, you must always look out for number one. The businesses you are applying to sure as hell will.

i like the last 2 posts. either way> get out of the current 430am bs and into the field you want to be in. sooner the better. you're young and just getting out of school. if what i pay my accountants is any guide..you'll be just fine lol.

Thanks, definitely good thoughts in the 2 posts above. Also, while I may be just graduating, I'm not a traditional 22-year-old student, so I'm not exactly young. I just finally decided to finish my bachelor's degree in accounting and get out of my hellhole dead-end job.....lol

I found out today when listening to the official offer that I would get a week after 6 months, and then 2 weeks after 1 year. They also pay health insurance premiums. The pay is monthly, which would take some getting used to.

this is the correct play.