Geffen Mesher Career Blog

What is the recruiting process like from the employer’s prospective? I remember going through the fall application and interview process as a student and it was a nice change to be on the recruiting side this year.

As a first year staff I was given the opportunity to represent the firm at various events. At these socials I realized that it is just as important for the firm to sell themselves to applicants as it is for prospective employees to make a good impression. I acted as the campus greeter while first round interviews were conducted, and was able to speak with candidates on a more personal level. The experience was completely different on the employer’s side because I did not have the nervous feelings or fear that existed when I was an applicant. As a greeter it was my job to alleviate some of those butterflies from the students before their interviews, which was an essential task because interviews are rarely a fun experience.

Geffen Mesher holds an open house annually to allow prospective employees to learn a bit about the firm while getting the opportunity to tour the office. After the event there is always a mixer where employees can speak with the candidates, providing a relaxed atmosphere to get to know everyone before stepping foot into the interview room.

I encourage everyone on both sides to get involved in the recruiting process because, besides the obvious free food and drinks, it allows candidates and employers to see if they are the right fit for each other.

Fall recruiting is a hectic time of year, yet a very important process. A lifetime’s work must be summed up and crammed into a thirty minute interview, from which an excellent impression must be made. As a student going through the recruiting process, I remember the amount of effort that goes into preparing a strong resume and cover letter. The countless recruiting events also require a large time commitment, especially when they involve a long commute.

However, there is a lot of fun to be had during this month-long self sales pitch. I was able to go golfing for a day with some of the staff of Geffen Mesher allowing me to get to the know my future co-workers on a more personal level. Also, the staff presence at campus recruiting events made them easier to approach and learn from. Through the various events I was able to get to know about the firm as well as the type of people that work there, which allowed the interview process to go smoothly.

When I was asked up to Portland for second round interviews with Geffen Mesher, I was excited yet very nervous. I had four interviews with employees at the manager and shareholder level in the firm, which can be very intimidating. After the first couple of interviews, they arranged for me to have lunch with two newer staff members allowing me to relax and ask them questions about their experiences at the firm. The application process is a tough one, especially when midterms occur at the same time, but it is also filled with many enjoyable social activities.

Once the process was over, and I had received my offer from Geffen Mesher, I knew that the rest of the academic year would fly by and I couldn’t wait to begin working for such a great firm.

I was an intern at Geffen in the summer of 2007. Before my internship, I had no formal tax or audit experience. My eight-week internship was divided equally between the two disciplines, allowing me to get a feel for each. The point of the internship program is to give the intern a taste of what it is like to practice public accounting. The program also gives the intern a chance to show her mettle.

I was very nervous the day I started given how green I was. But I was welcomed by a family of co-workers who were truly interested in making my internship experience rewarding. I was assigned a mentor, attended in-house training sessions, and worked directly with very seasoned shareholders.

My first tax project is a good example of a “day-in-the-life” of a Geffen intern. A senior manager assigned the project. I listened attentively, wrote down everything the senior manager said, and returned to my desk not knowing what to do next. I walked over to my mentor who gave me a comforting smile to remind me that this is the nature of the job and that the learning curve is very steep for the first few years. She walked me through the initial steps to get me on my way. I worked hard and turned out a product that made the senior manager and client happy. Each time I completed another project, I felt more confident in my abilities and gained a clearer understanding of the subject matter. My summer internship was challenging and rewarding. The combination of great people and quality work is what makes Geffen such a special place.

Geffen Mesher is pleased to announce the addition of Dave Porter to our client service team Dave brings to the team 32 years of private industry and public accounting experience including due diligence, mergers and acquisitions, debt and equity financings, corporate restructuring and financial turn-arounds.