I got feedback recently that I’m “too intense” for a non-accounting role. Apparently I come off as too direct, too detail-focused, too… in charge? I always thought those were strengths in public. Now I’m wondering if I need to actively soften to make a career pivot. Has anyone else had to unlearn parts of their accounting personality to fit in elsewhere? And if so, how do you do that without feeling fake?

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People also look for the ability to flex skills. There’s a time and a place for everything

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You don’t have to unlearn them but you do need to know the time and place for them

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“Too intense” usually means “you hold people accountable and they’re not used to it.”

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Too direct sounds like you may be abrasive in your personality. Too detail focus could mean you're not looking at the big picture and only caring about the small things. Time and place for these things, but that's looking at it between the lines.

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Public accounting shapes your personality and workplace expectations in a way that doesn’t translate in many other careers. I mean even just going from big 4 to an industry (F500) accounting job, I had to completely relearn how to communicate with coworkers and fit into the office.

Was this feedback from an interview?

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