I haven’t been studying for my AUD exam. Last month, I posted (I haven’t been studying, but at least I got an interview) and mentioned that I had networked my way into getting a Big4 interview. Well that interview was last Friday and I wanted to provide some background information.
Three years ago (2008), I had an interview with a Big4 accounting firm as an undergrad for a spring 2009 audit internship. A week after my on-campus interview, I received an automated rejection email.
Last Friday, I had an interview with the same Big4 accounting firm. Through an employee referral (i.e., networking), I was given a second-chance interview with that same Big 4 accounting firm. For the past 2 weeks, I had been preparing for this interview by mostly scouring the Internet for any information I could find on the Big4 (at one point, I had about 300-ish browser tabs open). Two days before my interview, I stopped researching and gave myself time to relax and watch movies. At my second-chance interview, I was confident and answered questions honestly by being myself.
For now, I’m keeping this post short and leaving out the details. I plan to make a follow-up post once I hear back from HR later this week. I also want to apologize for the lack of meaningful posts. I’ve got some good advice that I want to share, but it’s difficult to put down into words. For example, I tried to write a post about successful interviewing and how to be yourself. It sounds so silly because when are you not being yourself?
Anyways, the last thing I want to say is that I feel happy for the first time since graduating in May 2009. Unemployment sucks and for the last 6 months I let it eat me alive. While walking through a book store, I happened to pick up a book by John Wooden, A Lifetime of Observations and Reflections on and Off the Court. Wooden’s book really helped me and changed my whole perspective on success, motivation, and life. Wooden helped me realize that passing the CPA exam and getting a job are future outcomes which are a byproduct of preparation and effort. Achieving those outcomes were not going to all of sudden change things and bring me happiness. I found out that I focused too much of my energy toward my career goals when I didn’t even have a career. I was miserable when I was studying and I was even more miserable when I was not studying. I had the mindset that any time spent away from the library was wasteful because it would only delay my future happiness (passing CPA, getting job). I realized that I mistook activity (going to the library and torturing myself to study) for achievement. Going to the library is easy. Studying effectively and learning… not so much.
Some of my favorite Wooden axioms/maxims/quotes found in his book:
John Wooden: A Lifetime of Observations and Reflections on and Off the Court
Do not mistake activity for achievement.
Be quick, but don’t hurry.
Make each day your masterpiece.
It is what you learn after you know it all that counts.
Tell the truth. That way you don’t have to remember a story.
Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best you are capable of becoming.
The journey is better than the inn. -Cervantes
In conclusion, John Wooden taught me to be confident, to be myself, and that happiness is available only in the present moment. His book is an easy read that you can carry around with you and open up whenever you need some direction.
BTW, John Wooden was the legendary basketball coach at UCLA who won 10 national championships in 12 years. He was the kind of coach that cared more about his players development and character than winning national championships.
Tagged as:
be yourself,
big4,
confidence,
happy,
interviews,
John Wooden,
the almost job offer
