How to Face Rejection in CA Interviews: From Setbacks to Success

                                                                                              Photo by fauxels

🎓 My CA Journey: A Dream Born Late

In 2013, I cleared my 12th boards. That’s when I first heard of the Chartered Accountancy course. Coming from an underprivileged background and a government school, I had never even heard of the profession before. But once I knew about it, I couldn’t unsee the possibilities. In 2014, I cleared both groups of IPCC in my first attempt. I thought I had it all figured out.

“Bas ab toh chir-faad kar denge!” I imagined myself joining a Big 4 firm in audit — full of confidence and purpose. Reality hit harder than expected. 

❌ The First Blow: Zero Callbacks

Without a computer, I rushed to a cybercafé and created my very first resume. I emailed it to every Big 4 firm I could find. Not a single reply. Not even a rejection email. It hurt. Deeply. Already battling the feeling of being “less than” because of my background, this silence was crushing. 

😓 Interview Disasters: My Top 5 Mistakes 

Rejections followed- painfully and repeatedly. Here are just a few lowlights: 

💼 Interview #1: 

Bad Outfit, Worse Impression Tight pants. Crooked tie. Nervous energy. 

Result: Rejected 

📚 Interview #2: Blank on Basic Questions 

They asked about Section 16 of the Income Tax Act. I said, “Sir, heading bata do, andar ka main bata dunga.”

Result: Rejected

🍽️ Interview #3: The Food & Travel Blunder 

"Why audit?"

I said: “Because I love food and travel.”

They said: “We don’t travel. Clients come to us.”

Result: Rejected 

🗣️ Interview #4: Asking for Sympathy 

I asked if I could speak in Hindi and explained my background. But merit, not sympathy, drives hiring.

Result: Rejected 

🌙 Interview #5: Nervous Greeting 

I said “Good night” instead of “Good evening.”

Result: Rejected 

These were just 5 of the 15+ rejections I faced. 

The Desperate Mistake: The Bond Trap

Eventually, a firm said yes. I was so desperate that I immediately agreed to a 3-year bond — no exit, no audit work even. Just before submitting my Articleship form, I got a call from an existing article at the firm:

“Bhai, they lied. It’s just accounting, no audit.”

🔄 The Turning Point: October 28

I was depressed and running out of time to start Articleship. Then came the breakthrough, a mid-sized firm with no bond and genuine audit exposure. I said yes and never looked back. A year later, I moved to a Top 10 firm in Internal Audit. Then finally, I cracked into a Big 4 this time in Statutory Audit. 

🚀 The Rise: From Rejection to Recognition

 I joined the Big 4 as an Associate like everyone else. But within 5 years, I became a Contractual Senior Manager, beating the typical 7+ year timeline. Today:

• I earn more than regular Senior Managers
• I’ve mentored thousands of CA students
• I'm called the "Master Blaster of Audit"

💡 How to Handle Rejection in CA Interviews: Key Takeaways?

What to do after a rejection in CA interview? Rejections can break you or build you. Here’s how to make sure it’s the latter: 

1️⃣ Reflect on Every Interview:

What went wrong? Keep a rejection journal. Learn from it. Each “No” is a guide to your next “Yes.” 

After every rejection, ask yourself:

• What were the technical questions I couldn’t answer?
• Was I dressed appropriately?
• Did I seem confident or nervous?
• Did I research the firm enough?