Trainee Job

Shamrock776

So I am about to graduate from college and after one or two exams going badly, I basally have missed out on one cap 1 exemption (think I did (CAI)) and got a 2.2 as a result.

Really struggling to find training a contract as they all way a 2.1 degree and can;t see many smaller firms hiring.

Any idea what is the best sites to look or general advice on getting a job with the 2.2.

tkd93

Trust me plenty of small firms would snap you up in a heartbeat.

Keep looking at the training page on ACA website. After that use google.

Ignore the 2.1 requirement in most smaller firms they will often interview regardless.

The_Pretender

With the way the market is at the minute you shouldn't have too much trouble finding a contract. Don't rely on job advertisements; to echo the above you should get an interview with a smaller firm easily enough. Starting emailing your CV and cover letter to firms you're interested in working with.

Also, if you see XYZ Chartered Accountants advertising on on Jobs.ie or the like looking for a trainee with a 2.1 degree, don't be afraid to email them directly anyway explaining why you would like to work for them. The 2.1 requirement is used as a benchmark - it will ultimately come down to the Partner recruiting to decide who to hire. An email tailored to the firm you're applying to may well go ahead of the jobs.ie applicants who've expressed interst in the trainee role along with 50+ other advertisement online.

Jim2007

Shamrock776 wrote: »

Really struggling to find training a contract as they all way a 2.1 degree and can;t see many smaller firms hiring.

How are you going about the search?

The 2.2 is definitely going to be an issue as you'll get filtered out for most advertised positions. That means you need to avoid the process! For advertised positions use LinkedIn etc to try and identify people in the firm you might contact directly. And conduct a cold call of firms that are not currently recruiting, again use something like LinkedIn to identify who to target - don't just call reception.

eeguy

Also remember it's only May.
In my experience, those with the highest results get jobs immediately while those with lower wait a little while.

A lad in my year had 11 job offers, so that's 11 companies waiting for him to say yes or no. When he made his choice, that's 10 jobs freed up for others.
A bit of patience and something will come along.

Shamrock776

Thanks all. I could be a little harsh on my grades but have a month to wait. I may have the opportunity to repeat one exam (medical reasons) so get a full sitting which could be an advantage.

With the way the market is at the minute you shouldn't have too much trouble finding a contract. Don't rely on job advertisements; to echo the above you should get an interview with a smaller firm easily enough. Starting emailing your CV and cover letter to firms you're interested in working with.

Also, if you see XYZ Chartered Accountants advertising on on Jobs.ie or the like looking for a trainee with a 2.1 degree, don't be afraid to email them directly anyway explaining why you would like to work for them. The 2.1 requirement is used as a benchmark - it will ultimately come down to the Partner recruiting to decide who to hire. An email tailored to the firm you're applying to may well go ahead of the jobs.ie applicants who've expressed interst in the trainee role along with 50+ other advertisement online.

Yeah I was considering contracting the listings on the CAI website.

Also remember it's only May.
In my experience, those with the highest results get jobs immediately while those with lower wait a little while.

A lad in my year had 11 job offers, so that's 11 companies waiting for him to say yes or no. When he made his choice, that's 10 jobs freed up for others.
A bit of patience and something will come along.

Yeah true.

How are you going about the search?

Was largely just typing trainee jobs into Google, largely IrishJobs.ie. Quiet annoying a lot of jobs are via recruitment agencies.
_____

Had an interview with hedgeserv recently and think I really messed up the MCQ and was pretty shy in the interview so holding little hope.

jcon1913

Shamrock776 wrote: »

Thanks all. I could be a little harsh on my grades but have a month to wait. I may have the opportunity to repeat one exam (medical reasons) so get a full sitting which could be an advantage.



Yeah I was considering contracting the listings on the CAI website.



Yeah true.



Was largely just typing trainee jobs into Google, largely IrishJobs.ie. Quiet annoying a lot of jobs are via recruitment agencies.
_____

Had an interview with hedgeserv recently and think I really messed up the MCQ and was pretty shy in the interview so holding little hope.

A few tips:

Try to get 2 partner and upwards firms as you will have a better chance of a variety of experience - tax, audit, insolvency etc

Avoid recruitment agencies - IMHO most firms handle the recruitment of trainees themselves because its too important to get wrong

Lots of firms wil be recruiting trainees throughout the summer so hang tight - no doubt you'll have a few offers

Use the ACA trainee firm list but bear in mind these firms get spammed so definately tailor your approach to them