Career direction

Going Racing

I am currently looking for a job and finding it very difficult to get an interview.

I completed a commerce degree two years ago and received a 2.2 degree from NUI Galway.

My work experience to date has not been in the financial services sector.

I am currently on job seekers allowance. There is a new work placement scheme where the government pays a candidate an additional E50 per week (total E238) for anyone who gets a place on this scheme provided by a range of approved companies. I looked on the FAS website for accountancy places under this scheme in Dublin and there was only one place on offer for a trainee accountant in a small private practice in Ranelagh.

It is very hard to keep getting rejected at the cv stage when I would jump at the chance to get in the door of an accountancy firm and if given the opportunity would grab it with both hands and put in 100% from day 1. What I cant understand is there is plenty of people in my situation yet the trainee accounts I meet largely are unhappy in their job and dont appreciate how lucky they are to have a traineeship.

I understand that I have to improve my cv so I am currently studying my course notes to refresh my basic accounting skills. I intend to register to do 4 ACCA exams in December but I need to do a recogonised course both for the cv and to help me hit the ground running if I get lucky to get a traineeship or internship.

A postgrad course starting this September is not an option for me at present so what other courses would be recommended?

What else can I do to make myself more attractive to potential employers?

Are there more opportunities in accountancy in Australia?

Thanks for any advice.

Kingkong

Generally Accounting jobs arent on FAS radar so I wouldnt be too hopeful from that front.

Ideally you should be trying to get in on a Graduate programme if you can at all. I know its hard but if you can find a job which will support you doing your ACCA you more likely to complete them and progress in the long run.

In terms of your CV, I would suggest looking into a Masters of Accounting qualification. There though and not easy to get into but if you do it you will land a good Big 4 job.

Theboinkmaster

Going Racing wrote: »

I am currently looking for a job and finding it very difficult to get an interview.

I completed a commerce degree two years ago and received a 2.2 degree from NUI Galway.

My work experience to date has not been in the financial services sector.

I am currently on job seekers allowance. There is a new work placement scheme where the government pays a candidate an additional E50 per week (total E238) for anyone who gets a place on this scheme provided by a range of approved companies. I looked on the FAS website for accountancy places under this scheme in Dublin and there was only one place on offer for a trainee accountant in a small private practice in Ranelagh.

It is very hard to keep getting rejected at the cv stage when I would jump at the chance to get in the door of an accountancy firm and if given the opportunity would grab it with both hands and put in 100% from day 1. What I cant understand is there is plenty of people in my situation yet the trainee accounts I meet largely are unhappy in their job and dont appreciate how lucky they are to have a traineeship.

I understand that I have to improve my cv so I am currently studying my course notes to refresh my basic accounting skills. I intend to register to do 4 ACCA exams in December but I need to do a recogonised course both for the cv and to help me hit the ground running if I get lucky to get a traineeship or internship.

A postgrad course starting this September is not an option for me at present so what other courses would be recommended?

What else can I do to make myself more attractive to potential employers?

Are there more opportunities in accountancy in Australia?

Thanks for any advice.

Work for free in an accountancy practise to build up some experience. Do that for 6 months and then start re-applying. Contact the ICAI careers office for some advice too.

If you have no practical experience and only relying on your education to get you a job then the 2.2 will be adversely affecting you.

Best of luck.

Going Racing

I would be willing to do the 6 months in an accountancy office if I could find one where I was sure I would be learning useful information and not getting taken advantage of by a small accountancy practice.

I wasn't aware reputable accountants took on unpaid trainees. If you know of any I would appreciate a message.

oxysept

Don't just limit your self to Accountancy Practices, think industry / commercial, get some experience in an accounts team, accounts payable / receivable can be good starting places then get some of the eaxms CIMA ACCA CPA ATA. Charterd ACA / public practice is not the only route to a successful career in finance or accounting.

I recently had an open position, the most junior position in my team in an industry setting, we had a stack of CV's to choose from, all had the requisite education qualifications. One of the 1st screening points was had they actually worked in a day to day office environment before.
I've hired people raw from college & from other work environments before, it never cease to amaze me how long it can take some people to adjust to an office job, and I agree with you about the whingers too many trainees think they should be a partner or Director or Controller with in 5 years, accountancy is an experience based qualification more than exam qualification, I've seen TOP of the class graduates that are truly excellent at certain aspects of finance but I wouldn't leave them in charge of a sweet shop, I've seen guys working in finance teams - no qualification since leaving cert +30 years ago that could read more from a set of numbers in 10 minutes than Warren Buffet

I don't envy you the task ahead its hard out there,
but I left college (thrown out failed exams) in the late 80'ss, no 3rd level qualification (still don't have one) did my accountancy exams by myself, started as an accounts payable clerk and I now have a very successful career. Worked for many companies here & overseas - a bit of experience with the right attitude will get you going so do whatever it takes to get that first bit of experience..... don't limit the filed, think creatively (but honestly) as to how you make it past the horrible screening processes.

Going Racing

Thanks Oxy, I will keep looking and start applying for more of the accounts payable & receivable jobs and hopefully get a foot in the door somewhere decent.

eviltimeban

Banned for spamming on behalf of the CAI