I have just finished AAT level 3 and I am now progressing to level 4. I have studied with a passion and with the same passion I have been looking for a job. However I've started to think there is no job for people with only that level completed....Or I am doing something wrong. I would appreciate any comments maybe pointing what is the best way to search for....
the job market is abn absolute nightmare at the moment with hundreds of CV's hitting agents desks for every available role.
Agents are filtering CVs on all manner of criteria to keep the numbers down.
I know for a fact that ageism is rife as I did an experiment. I applied for some finance roles with my full CV and got no replies. I applied again taking my first position off my CV which subtracts 12 years from my assumed age and got loads of enquiries.
Nothing else on the CV was changed.
Now, it may be illegal but its rife in this business.
Add to that excluding people on the grounds of no degree (no matter how irrelevant the degree is for those who have one), only PQ rather than qualified, gaps in the CV even where such are explained, an expectation that candidates will have experience of the exact software settup, and all manner of other issues and its surprising that anyone gets to interview.
Don't even get me onto quota discrimination where businesses feel that they need to employ for diversity of workforce rather than employment based on the best candidate for the position. (which must really peeve off the people who get the jobs as much as those who don't).
Whilst its a nightmare there are jobs out there if you can get your CV past the agency gatekeepers to the right desk.
All that I can say is keep trying, make your CV searchable on line, try and make as many contacts in the bsuiness as possible, ensure that your Linkedin profile sells you.
I really wish you the very best. Your qualification even at PQ level still puts you above many for roles that become available.
It is a very difficult market out there but keep trying and keep us informed of your progress,
kindest regards,
Shaun.
__________________
Shaun
Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.
Thank you for your reply Shaun... It's not very positive picture... I have been sending hundreds of applications and nothing ... very disappointing as I do love this subject and working in accounts would be my dream... also sad for some people ...;)
I appreciate your answer and will keep looking for.
Ensure that your CV is uploaded on as many job sites as possible.
Job site list:
simplyhired.com
reed.co.uk
monster.co.uk
totaljobs.com
indeed.co.uk
workcircle.co.uk
cv-library.co.uk
jobsearch.direct.gov.uk
Ensure that you have set up email alerts from all of these job sites. Work through the alerts methodically.
Search Google for "job sites" for any that I have missed out and add them to the list.
Ask on this forum if anyone has a job vacancy, or if anyone has a client with a job vacancy. Ask on other forums.
Contact every accounting firm in your area to ask if they or any of their clients have vacancies.
Buy the book "What color is your parachute?" Read it for inspiration and apply its practical advice.
Try volunteering to develop your experience.
Have you done courses in Sage Accounts or Sage Payroll?
As Shaun said set up your LinkedIn profile. Link to anyone you know on LinkedIn. Start proactively searching for appropriate LinkedIn members in your area and ask to link up with them. Read online articles about marketing yourself on linked in.
Make inquiries to your contacts on Facebook.
Have you considered temping? It is a good way to get into a job market and develop experience. A temporary role could turn permanent.
That's all I can think of for now.
Best of luck, don't give up.
David.
P.S. Look for public sector job sites, one in my area is sector1.net.
Have you registered with as many agencies as possible? Have you registered for their job alerts?
-- Edited by David Ballantyne on Monday 4th of August 2014 10:33:36 PM
Not sure how true this stat is but, I read the other day that employers take between 15-20 seconds looking at CVs when initially selecting applicants so my best advice would be to make it stand out.
It should clearly show your best qualifications and experience in a few seconds.
I always get annoyed by people using the generic wording for CVs too but that's just me :)
-- Edited by West Wales Accounting on Tuesday 5th of August 2014 03:23:26 PM
I think that the quoted stats of 15-20 secs is about right for agents, no sure about employers. The issue is though that the CV's are not even getting to the employers desks as agents, many of whom I have found to be jaundiced by experience reject perfectly good CVs as they often don't really understand what they are looking at.
As an example of that some time back I applied for a role that I had spent years doing and could basically do with my eyes closed.
On my CV is DB2 which is a relational database that you access via SQL (Structured Query Language). To say that you have DB2 implies that you are able to use SQL. When the agent did not find SQL in the CV my CV didn't even make it through.
Its a little like saying that a CV has Word, Excel and PowerPoint on it but it gets knocked back because you don't have MS Office as a skill... Thats an extreme example and I doubt if even agents are that stupid.
I actually got the position anyway because I knew someone already working on the project and the agent got taken over the coals as to why I was rejected but not all cases turn out that well.
Make a CV stand out too much and it get rejected the same as the magnolia one's.
I think that the key is to make it easy to read (big font, uncluttered, all key facts on front page, brief introductory paragraph stating what you do, no more than three pages in total, explain gaps, no hobbies, no religion, no school education unless its your first job and make sure that your CV is consistent with your Linkedin Profile as agents and employers will check).
Shaun.
__________________
Shaun
Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.
Thank you for your reply. It is very kind of you to put so many tips and ideas.
I am not sure about putting my CV here as it contains personal information and everyone who checks this forum could find it. However a professional opinion is always appreciated.
I've been doing everything what you mentioned in your message, registered with so many job sites and applied for I think hundreds of jobs... I did everything except contacting local accounting firms as from my previous experience I know that CV left with a staff "gets" lost very often... if you know what I mean.
Also I did Sage accounts, it was one of the units on AAT level 2 but no Payroll.
And yes I must use Linkedin profile , I haven't put much info there so this needs to be updated.
Regarding the public sector jobs there are hardly any offers. I am a bit disapointed now as I do love this kind of job and I study because of that and still no luck...
