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- Mar 9, 2013
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Hello,
This is my first post on the board. I will be graduating this May with a B.S. in Accounting. I have no plans of stopping now. I plan to take the summer technically off from school, but begin studying for the CPA exam. I then plan on enrolling in distance/evening classes at a university nearby to work on earning an MBA. Hopefully, after my fall semester in the MBA program, I can possibly sit for the CPA exam, if I feel that I am ready of course.
The problem is, I have zero accounting work experience to this point. I honestly cannot answer as to why I did not have the common sense to think ahead, and realize that I needed to be working as an accounting clerk of some sort throughout undergrad school. My work experience includes being a Military Police Officer (Marine Corps) for 5 years and then as a 911 Dispatcher for 2 years. I honestly wish that I would have not gotten so comfortable as a dispatcher, and sought truly entry level accounting work.
I have found that practically no companies in my area are hiring any accountants, even clerks, without 3-5 years experience. I have been applying for literally at least 3 jobs per day since January, and have only received two calls. I received both of these calls this week, and interviewed for both positions. The first was as a medical billing specialist (not even accounting I realize, but related in some fashion), but it was on as part-time basis and due to expensive certifications I would have to sign a one year contract with the company. Even if I am offered that position, desperate or not, I won't accept that offer.
The position I interviewed for today was as a sales estimator at a relatively small manufacturing company. I was told the job consisted primarily of reading sets of blueprints from engineers, determining the cost of the materials that will be needed, and then preparing a bid offer for potential customers. I was also told that the hours would be 7 a.m.-5 p.m. M-F, and that to not be surprised if I had to come back up there late at night or on the weekends to work on bids and meet deadlines. So, at a minimum I'm looking at a 50 hour work week, which I'm sure would end up being much more, especially initially as I am sure I would be less efficient in the beginning. I was told there would be no additional compensation for overtime, since I would be a salaried employee. The issue to me is the salary is only $25,000. I realize that I am about to be fresh out of school, and need to grab any opportunity I can get my hands on to have relevant experience to list on my resume. However, I personally feel that expecting someone to not only be finance savvy, but also know how to read blueprints and reports from engineers, plus put in an ungodly amount of hours at work for only $25,000 is a tad ridiculous.
Am I wrong? I want honest opinions. I really like the job description, and could maybe even get past the long hours if I felt I was being adequately compensated. I don't think I should be making $50,000 fresh out of school with no experience, but certainly somewhere around $30-35,000. I have two children, one school aged, and one who would be in daycare all day. I feel I would be working just to pay for daycare, but at least I would have experience.
If I am offered the position, should I accept given the little response I have had thus far, or keep looking a little bit longer?
Sorry this was so long, but I want to know if that seems too low, or just about right. I looked up the average salary for a sales estimator in my area and it was $40,000 at the lowest.
This is my first post on the board. I will be graduating this May with a B.S. in Accounting. I have no plans of stopping now. I plan to take the summer technically off from school, but begin studying for the CPA exam. I then plan on enrolling in distance/evening classes at a university nearby to work on earning an MBA. Hopefully, after my fall semester in the MBA program, I can possibly sit for the CPA exam, if I feel that I am ready of course.
The problem is, I have zero accounting work experience to this point. I honestly cannot answer as to why I did not have the common sense to think ahead, and realize that I needed to be working as an accounting clerk of some sort throughout undergrad school. My work experience includes being a Military Police Officer (Marine Corps) for 5 years and then as a 911 Dispatcher for 2 years. I honestly wish that I would have not gotten so comfortable as a dispatcher, and sought truly entry level accounting work.
I have found that practically no companies in my area are hiring any accountants, even clerks, without 3-5 years experience. I have been applying for literally at least 3 jobs per day since January, and have only received two calls. I received both of these calls this week, and interviewed for both positions. The first was as a medical billing specialist (not even accounting I realize, but related in some fashion), but it was on as part-time basis and due to expensive certifications I would have to sign a one year contract with the company. Even if I am offered that position, desperate or not, I won't accept that offer.
The position I interviewed for today was as a sales estimator at a relatively small manufacturing company. I was told the job consisted primarily of reading sets of blueprints from engineers, determining the cost of the materials that will be needed, and then preparing a bid offer for potential customers. I was also told that the hours would be 7 a.m.-5 p.m. M-F, and that to not be surprised if I had to come back up there late at night or on the weekends to work on bids and meet deadlines. So, at a minimum I'm looking at a 50 hour work week, which I'm sure would end up being much more, especially initially as I am sure I would be less efficient in the beginning. I was told there would be no additional compensation for overtime, since I would be a salaried employee. The issue to me is the salary is only $25,000. I realize that I am about to be fresh out of school, and need to grab any opportunity I can get my hands on to have relevant experience to list on my resume. However, I personally feel that expecting someone to not only be finance savvy, but also know how to read blueprints and reports from engineers, plus put in an ungodly amount of hours at work for only $25,000 is a tad ridiculous.
Am I wrong? I want honest opinions. I really like the job description, and could maybe even get past the long hours if I felt I was being adequately compensated. I don't think I should be making $50,000 fresh out of school with no experience, but certainly somewhere around $30-35,000. I have two children, one school aged, and one who would be in daycare all day. I feel I would be working just to pay for daycare, but at least I would have experience.
If I am offered the position, should I accept given the little response I have had thus far, or keep looking a little bit longer?
Sorry this was so long, but I want to know if that seems too low, or just about right. I looked up the average salary for a sales estimator in my area and it was $40,000 at the lowest.
