What would you suggest I do to make my resume and myself more presentable?
I'll give some background. Some of it is really stupid moves on my part, but what's done is done. I need to move forward.
I got undergrad degree in engineering degree back in the dark ages (late 90's). Never worked as engineer, got into some sort of IT/consulting role which I never liked and it never felt right. After 2 jobs in 5 years I ended up unemployed and pregnant (long story).
Stayed home all together for 4 years during which time I got an MBA in accounting and went to work for a Big4 in their financial services group. Was there for 2 years, hated it and left for internal audit position. Was a the new company for 2 years and the company closed.
Did some temp consulting work for about 8 month for a different, midsize CPA firm. Few months after consulting gig ended, the firm offered me a full time position in their financial services group. I stayed there for 3.5 years and left for 25% raise to another comparable CPA firm also in financial services. Was there for exactly 1 year when they had one of their biggest clients (that I worked on) get in major issues with SEC at which point 3 people seniors that worked on it were let go even though we had nothing to do with the regulatory issues and the firm was just 'cleaning the house' for outside perception. Went to work for a small CPA firm this last summer. I hate it and want to get out of here as soon as possible, hopefully by summer or early fall.
Here's the issue. The 4 years that I spend in Big4 and as internal auditor have nothing to with my current experience (5 years now). The problem is whenever I interview, everyone wants to talk about it. And because in Big4 I was in their financial services group it is assumed that I was doing the same type of work as I do now. But it's not true. In fact, I left Big4 because I was working on crappy client
and for 18 months was trying to be assigned to different client with no luck. I left because I wasn't learning anything and didn't see any prospects for myself.
But every time I interview all they want to talk about is that Big4, then they seem disappointing that it doesn't apply to my current work/experience. They they question why I went to work as internal auditor (because it was 15% raise, 15 min commute, and basically 9-5 job, and I had 2 small children at home). It's not my fault that the company closed.
So basically, on my resume I already took out the jobs I had before I got my MBA. Nobody really seem to be questioning it and if they do I say I was SAHM. Seems to satisfy interviewers.
But what do I do with Big4 and internal audit? It's irrelevant. I feel that it diminishes my candidacy during interviews. But I can't just take them off the resume. It's 4 years right after grad school, and I can't just leave them blank.
I'm trying to leave CPA firms and move to a fin services company directly, but so far I haven't had much luck. I interviewed at one company with no good results. But otherwise, there are not a lot of positions available at the moment. And also, I feel that those that are are not impressed with my resume.
As a side note, I'm not a CPA, just an accountant. I have no plans to become a CPA. So staying in CPA firms long term it not really an option as I will hit the ceiling and not be able to be promoted. Which is fine with me, but firms don't like it. I'm not looking for major promotions or such, just a steady employment in a relatively decent environment and benefits. I will be moving in about 5-6 years anyway, but would like to be relatively comfortable in my job until then.