Stay or go

Lordan

Qualified in 2010.Have over 15 yrs experience in accountancy in many different sectors. In last few months i left a job i enjoyed which was very varied on a day to day basis to a small niche practice job. Its a nice place and mostly people are decent but the job i was sold is not the job advertised in interview and as its niche the work wont change plus I'm bored. I'm considering leaving with no job lined up. I can get some consultancy work for a few weeks so wouldn't be totally left in lurch.

So my question is would u stay or go without having a job lined up? Also how are people finding the jobs market these days?

Thanks for opinions.

R0N BURGUNDY

Working 7 years in same practice here myself and trying to get into industry. From what I'm hearing with my lack or industry experience, I might need to take on a temporary contract just to get the ball rolling. On the other hand, got advised to hold my horses for up to 6 months (which I'm not prepared to do; 2-3 months max) in order to try and get a permanent move to get me 2 years odd experience before moving into a more senior role..

Lordan

Thanks Ron. I don't really have the same problem in that i have both practice and industry experience post qual. My previous role gave me a great mix of work where no day was the same and if i stay in the new role i lose that cause its my current position that employers will
look at first.

I suppose my issue is which is worse a job which kills my prospects and im bored senseless but im employed or having a gap of say 6 months on my cv if i can't get a job straight away. I also thought being available immediately would go down well with prospective employers.

It seems the norm these days that people in med/top 20 practice are moving to top 4 then on into industry. Would this be an option for you.

diamondtooth

I have a problem about staying or moving too.

I am in a permanent position in the NGO sector, which is quite a specific sector but I really want to move to a more industry/commercial role. However I'm finding the move quite hard, I think people see me as tied to the NGO sector a bit. Having said that I trained and worked in a medium practice for over 5 years and spent 2 years in industry after that.

Does anyone else find that employers at the moment are only looking for people with exactly the relevant experience they need? I don't think there are enough jobs around at the moment for employers to be anything by choosy!

And its hard to put your experience and reasons for career choices across through a CV and not getting the chance to explain it in person :eek:

the goon

Not to hijack this thread but wouldn't mind getting peoples opinion. Qualified in Dec 09, spent about 5 years in practice, including training. Boss knew I wanted to get into industry and managed to get me job as financial controller of small manufacturing company (circa 35 people). Have been here two years. I enjoy the work and it's very varied, dealing with everything from R&D tax credits to the bank to all that's involved with export. That said, like all SME's, cashflow is a constant struggle and so it can be very stressful.
At the end of the day, I would like to try my hand in a multinational. Will my current experience stand to me at all, or will I be back in the queue behind somebody who may not have as much experience but has worked in a "shared services environment" in a multinational before.?

Lordan

I'm not so sure that employers are looking for exact experience I think the agencies have so many cvs to choice from they get to pick the ones which match the job description best. If your cv doesn't match it doesn't go forward or at least that's my experience. The only way to get your cv directly to an employer is direct application.

Well I took the plunge and gave notice so I will be officially unemployed at end Feb. Its actually feels like a weights been lifted. I've been in touch with a few agencies and their gona "keep an eye out for me" so I think I will be doing a lot of the searching directly myself and harassing some reasonably good contacts. 😉

the goon

Hi Lordan, to add my two cents I think you are definitely making the right decision. The easy thing would have been to stay where you are, bored but employed.

From what you say about your experience I am sure you will have no problem getting something more suited. I don't say this simply as a platitude but from talking with a buddy last night who is moving. His c.v is a mix of practice and industry and has just changed jobs. He said that to him the market seems strong at the moment.

As for myself, I imagine I am going to have to try and slip into some contract position somewhere to get the door open. Again, moving to non permanent employment would not be ideal given I have a young family but I do think it is better than just coasting for a few years hoping something will just fall into my lap!

smcgiff

Lordan wrote: »

so I think I will be doing a lot of the searching directly myself and harassing some reasonably good contacts.

Yeah, definitely keep searching yourself.

Also, have an answer ready for this question - 'why did you leave your last position?'.

Good luck!

Johnny_Fontane

Lordan wrote: »

I'm not so sure that employers are looking for exact experience I think the agencies have so many cvs to choice from they get to pick the ones which match the job description best. If your cv doesn't match it doesn't go forward or at least that's my experience. The only way to get your cv directly to an employer is direct application.

Well I took the plunge and gave notice so I will be officially unemployed at end Feb. Its actually feels like a weights been lifted. I've been in touch with a few agencies and their gona "keep an eye out for me" so I think I will be doing a lot of the searching directly myself and harassing some reasonably good contacts. 😉

As a director an 'ahem' agency (and having helped lots of people on here), I can tell you we do have a large number of CV's. The problem is that clients are a pernickety bunch. I'd love to place you all and ride off into the sunset with my loot, but its just not easy. We always have a number of roles that we really struggle to fill (normally small practice positions/tax/specialised FS type positions). Its not for the want of trying, its just that clients do look for what they class as a very specified fit. This is code for 'the candidates need to have great communication skills, good experience and strong references'.

I've no doubt the OP will pick something up, particularly as they become immediately available. But as Smcgiff said, apply directly and use your network alongside keeping in constant contact with good recruitment consultants in specialised agencies.

Lordan

Hi guys, thanks for all your positive and encouraging remarks. I feel this is a very positive step for me. I do have a good cv and experience but its important for me to make the next move the right one.
I have a young family also and as the main earner its important for us that I'm happy in my job. I'm also lucky that financially we're doing ok and can weather a few months off work before i start to worry.
In relation to agencies i wasn't having a go really just trying to show that i understand where they're coming from. I have always found my jobs through agencies however there are definitely a few unscrupulous ones out there and they give all the rest a bad name.
In the last week I've had a few agencies contact me so I'm hopeful things are picking up out there.
Good luck to everyone out there job hunting its tough, stay positive and keep looking do not give up and we'll land our dream job in the end.