Havent posted in along time but do lurk about in the shadows. My question is this.
I have recently lost my job, about 6 days ago I have signed up with an agency and applied for multiple roles, yet to hear anything back at all. But guess its early days. I am also studying level 3 on the first module after completing level 2 with a distinction.
So do I wait for jobs and keep applying or do I start thinking about the potential of bookkeeping, I believe I have to pass 3 units first? The thought of the latter petrifies me, but would suit my availability brilliantly. I am pretty lost and miserable at the moment.
Without wishing to put a downer on things I would say - never fully trust agencies. Its all a numbers game and not geared to looking after you as an individual, Im afraid. That said never wait for feedback - get on to them, be proactive and bug the hell out of them if you need to.
In an effort to avoid dealing with such places, try as many local companies as you can. There are still a fair few who dont use recruiters - look on indeed and gumtree and anywhere else you can think off.
One thing to also consider is temp work in the finance sector, maybe try registering with Hays (I know, Im anti agencies but they do specialise in finance and temping is a good way to get varied experience). Temp jobs are sometimes converted to permanent if you make a great impression, but can also provide useful stuff for your CV. Dont forget to sell the fact that you are a self studier in that regard.
Talk to everyone you know - you never know when someone hears of an opportunity. Anyone owning their own business that you know is a great source of introductions and gossip amongst themselves more than women down the pub sometimes, so use them!
Ive heard tell of AAT students dropping 50+ job applications in before they get a sniff but peserverence pays off......you have to keep trying. (In fact this isnt just in the Accountancy arena, Engineering and other sectors can be the same!)
One thing to say is that Level 2 is very early into the programme so there is much greater competition out there for jobs, so the sooner you can get your level 3 under your belt the better. Use this time as much for that as job hunting. You can get the whole of the next level study work under your belt in say 3 months tops without the employment distraction, although I appreciate with a family there are other pressing issues.
Dont think about the self employed route until you have at LEAST level 3. Sorry but AAT make it look really simple at level 2 - but all they are doing is starting the layers of complexity that they will add with levels 3 and 4. Plus I do reclal you talked about Chartered status when you first came on this site and being self employed would cause an issue for that if you start down the route of going beyond Trial balance. Now is not the time to stop thinking long term, despite an understandable immediate knee jerk reaction to do so.
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Joanne
Winner of Bookkeeper of the Year 2015, 2016 & 2017
Thoughts are my own/not to be regarded as official advice,which should be sought from a suitably qualified Accountant.
You should check out answers with reference to the legal position
Thanks so much for your response. I have kneejerked into purely job searching and let my studies subside a little. I think I need to manage my time effectively and think about the bigger picture. Just really bad timing money wise with a wedding in 2 weeks then christmas.
Yep getting married on the 27th October. Aggghhhhhh. Got a job interview today, and a potential interview at an accountancy firm. Much more positive stuff.
I will certainly so nervous will be my first inerview in about 6-7 years. Prepping as much as I can. Also studying on prepayments and accruals fun fun fun!
Thanks the sun would be amazing.
The key concern of the person on the opposit side of the desk is not so much can this person do the job. To get to interview you already have the job and the interviewer is simply attempting to determine whether you are a true representation of the you on paper. Once you have shown that your CV is completely legitimate then the key criteria from their perspective comes down to one simple question... "Could I spend the next six months of my life sitting opposit this person". I've interviewed several hundred people in my time and I can assure you that an awful lot that are great on paper fail on that one!... And some not so great on paper get the job!
Nobody can just fit straight into a role as if they have always worked in the company but it's the main skill that they will be looking for that you can interact well with others without rubbing people up the wrong way. Unfortunately too many people at interview go for sounding like aggressive go getters rather than someone that you would feel comfortable working with.
Smile. have a firm handshake, know a little about the company before you go there, have a couple of questions ready (one of mine is always "how many screens would I have and how big are they"), try not to take yourself too seriously, try to use the word I rather than we when describing past experience but at the same time speak well of former colleagues and employers... and most importantly, try to enjoy the interview. If you fail you fail. if you worry that you will then such is more likely to come true.
Best of luck lee, the site will be keeping their combined fingers crossed for you.
Shaun.
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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.
Thanks a lot for the advice. To be honest I get really nervous sweaty and downright dread interviews, and probably will be the same come Monday morning. But your take on it is really clever and it would be exactly what I was thinking if I was the one doing the interview. Will just try to be myself I think I am quite personable. Fingers crossed and thanks again.
Knock 'em dead and best of luck for the interview. As you say just be yourself and the two other important things imo (and Shaun also mentioned) Eye contact and firm handshake.
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John
Any advice given is for general guidance and professional advice should be sought applicable to your circumstances.
Just had the interview it went quite well they really put me at ease. Had some really god responses but was a bit patchy on a couple of answers. Think if someone has experence of charity work and grants they would be preferred over myself. Fingers crossed.
Didnt get the job. Apparently they were really impressed with me and its a shame they havent got anymore internal positions, but somebody else had substantial audit experience. Will keep my details on file blah blah blah.
Sorry to hear the bad news but sometimes things seem to happen for a reason... half the time I'm confused as to what that reason might be but I keep telling myself that anyway.
Good luck with the next one Lee and just mark this one up as practice for the real one.
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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.
Just disappointing although not exactly the perfect role the hours and location were great and the people there were really nice. It would have been a great fit. I know I should take the positives it being my first interview but dont feel that way tonight.
Sorry to hear you didnt get the job Lee, but just think there is probably a better one round the corner. Its frustrating I know, but all good experience in the long run.
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Joanne
Winner of Bookkeeper of the Year 2015, 2016 & 2017
Thoughts are my own/not to be regarded as official advice,which should be sought from a suitably qualified Accountant.
You should check out answers with reference to the legal position
Had a message from the chartered accountants that my friend put me in touch with. Have to call her for a chat tomorrow. What should I be saying, dont want to make a tit of myself. Would I be entry level position?
Hey,
Had a very brief chat seemed very nice. Said would call Friday once talked with partners and arrange a face to face the call didnt come and hasnt today either. Will wait until tomorrow then maybe phone.
Also looking at sending a letter and CV to accountancy practices see if they want or need anyone. What do you think?
Hi Lee
I would ring your pal first and see if anything was said to him. Not sure how well those two know each other but worth a punt in case anything was said and that might help determine what you do next. If he knows nothing, maybe leave it until this Friday and then call. You can maybe say that you are going away as you are getting married and didnt want to miss her call with an update blur blur blur....
Re the CV/letter to Accountancy practices - a few on here have said they get such letters out of the blue and one or two dont sound pleased. But I always say - dont ask, dont get. Main thing though is that you HAVE to differentiate yourself somehow # and very early on in the process to spark their interest enough to contact you.
# I say this because imagine getting eg 50 CVs across your desk in a job interview situation (they only read the first two lines if you are lucky on the first sift!) or being bombed with work and getting a unsolicited one (again they wil read a line or two atbest....as they have other unsolicited mail to wade through and a pile of fee paying work that needs doing!) So that impact statement, be it in your CV and/or covering letter needs to be eye catching within the first few seconds!!
Always address it someone specifically and then you can follow it up with a call. Dont wait for them to ring you!
__________________
Joanne
Winner of Bookkeeper of the Year 2015, 2016 & 2017
Thoughts are my own/not to be regarded as official advice,which should be sought from a suitably qualified Accountant.
You should check out answers with reference to the legal position
I will certainly so nervous will be my first inerview in about 6-7 years. Prepping as much as I can. Also studying on prepayments and accruals fun fun fun! Thanks the sun would be amazing.
Hi Lee
Not sure how you are getting on with this part of your studies. If you are on Facebook then take a look at the AAT's facebook page - they are running a tutorial on it - just noticed it in my facebook feed. Doesnt matter if you miss it as you can watch it on catch up.
Hey,
Thanks for thinking of me. Studies took a backseat again to the wedding. But will knuckle down soon. Thanks for the link and the Accruals and prepayments are actually sinking in was dreading them but seem fine.
