Job Hunt

annalucia

Just writing here as Im at my wits end in terms of job hunting. I have sent out a cover letter and cv hundreds of times, been on 5 interviews with 4 companies in the last 2 years. I have worked for 6 years and have a degree and accounting qualification, its really soul destroying. Is there anyone going through something similar or would have advise on how to get a new job?

ABajaninCork

I feel your pain OP. I've got over 500 applications for various role. Interviews as well. Apart from a six month contract, I've had nothing. Not used to this as I've always worked and had good roles.

All I can say is stick at it. I posted last week venting my frustration, and another poster said a true thing. 'Luck's gotta change sometime!'

I hope we get lucky soon!

annalucia

Good luck with the search aswell

starlit

That is hard going OP. I would suggest either up-skill with a course, further study or emigrate. Accountancy is great to have but unless you have done your ACCA exams and maybe done something to blend well with accounting like taxation, BIS or something different but business related would you progress any bit in your career if its accounting you want to stick with. Otherwise specialise in an area of Accounting like liquidation or payroll or hedge-fund management or credit/risk control maybe? Where the jobs are like and get a cert and experience in them? Have you experience in book keeping?

If you want to move out of accounting do something that be a fast track into another career whether its a change or a partial change which is good!

Have you asked for feedback after the interviews? What are the usual things do they say you may be falling down on and need to work on or is the feedback good but not enough to get a job without certain experience/knowledge of certain accounting software/professional certs? Take on board any feedback they give you and work on that.

I would suggest do a springboard course or a jobbridge but I think for you its real work experience you need or further study like a postgrad or online course or a night course be the best thing for you in your situation. I think one way of getting the work experience is look into jobs in the UK or abroad for short term if you can or a work holiday? Its very hard to progress in accounting in ireland without the ACCA exams done and passed and relevant experience not just the number of years experience tied in with that. It be worth considering specifying in an area of accounting to pursue?

A professional job coach or a recruiter in the accounting field be the best people to go to help you professionally in looking for work. From what I can see your CV and Cover Letter is getting you the interviews and good enough to get you interviews, maybe its the interviews you need to improve on?

I know myself how you feel. I've a couple of years of college and work experience done. I have applied for over hundreds of jobs and haven't had many interviews mostly telephone and a couple of face to face ones. I always ask for feedback, but is getting a little disheartening when I don't hear back or jobs I am qualified or over qualified to do I am not offered an interview its just crazy and then the ones I am qualified or qualified/not experienced enough are the ones I want but don't get beyond interview stage, they don't offer me ones I want but what I don't even want. I rather be happy in the job I am in what ever it is.

I have tried my hand in all areas of finding work - office admin, IT, programming, social media/digital marketing, multimedia, web programming, sales and business and information systems related areas. I think at this stage I have to whittle down my search further or go abroad but its not possible for me to do so at the moment.

I'm from both a Business and IT background and finding it hard to get beyond my foot in the door from previous work experience and college. I went back again a few years ago and at least it has opened more doors for interviews compared to my degree. I am at my wits end too and am considering a couple of online courses to keep me busy, I do a bit of freelance and dabble in a bit of social media/photoshop advertising/digital marketing and a bit of coding or general office duties but really they just keep me occupied really. It wouldn't be a proper job like but fills in the gap in my cv.

Keep the chin up and keep trying! Don't give up! Best of luck with your search! Be positive!

annalucia

Wow, thanks. I see you are in the same boat. I have a Finance degree and ACCA qualified but I am pigeon-holed in Financial services. Think an up skill is in order. Hope you have more success too.

starlit

Oh that's great its great to have the ACCA on your belt. Ya up-skill is best I say, all depends what career path in Finance you wish to go into. Choose wisely. Hopefully it go well for you. You kind of need to stand out from the crowd I suppose but say its time that you up-skill. You have the experience and ACCA and your degree so nothing wrong there. You are getting the interviews. I say up-skill into something that you like, good at and you can get a career out of hopefully where the jobs are and has good job security. Nothing is guaranteed in this economic climate and jobs market at the moment!

If there are any recruitment fairs you be interested in definitely go to them they often have Financial related positions being promoted from some companies.

Best of luck!

annalucia

Ya, the career fairs idea sounds good. I'll check that out. Thanks

The Big Red Button

annalucia wrote: »

Wow, thanks. I see you are in the same boat. I have a Finance degree and ACCA qualified but I am pigeon-holed in Financial services. Think an up skill is in order. Hope you have more success too.

If I were you, I'd be thinking in terms of getting contract work in industry.

Like maybe a 6-9 month contract in an Accounts Assistant / Analyst / AP type role.

You won't get a permanent role like this, as you're over-qualified. But any company should be delighted to get in a qualified accountant on a short-term basis to do a job that you could do in your sleep. The money won't be fantastic, but you're getting in your bit of industry experience, and you're no longer pigeon-holed in FS.

If you approach any of the large recruitment agencies, they should have loads of contract work available.

Also, where are you based? From what I can see, there are absolutely loads of accountancy/finance jobs in Dublin at the moment - but very few jobs anywhere else in the country. If you're not in Dublin, it could be well worth your while considering moving here, depending on your circumstances.

Best of luck with it!

tony81

Hi annalucia. I'm ACCA too and also worked in a boring FS role. I've accepted that I'll more than likely have to move to Dublin (again) for work.

Is moving to Dublin an issue? Because there are actually jobs. Have you been to any recruitment agencies?

I decided to upskill.. I was out of work last October and qualified for a springboard computers course. I really don't know if it will lead to a job but I'll try my best even if it means doing an internship. With springboard you get to keep your dole and get the college fees paid for. My course would have cost €4k otherwise.

Bandana boy

If you have only got 5 interviews in 2 years then it sounds like your CV is the problem.
Either get professional advice on your CV or ask a colleague/ex manager who has been involved in the hiring process to have a look at it.

annalucia

Hi Guys,

Im actually based in Dublin working in my job for the last 4 years so I dont wish to complain as I know I am fortunate to have a job, unfortunately there is 2 months notice required so its hard to apply for contract roles.

I would like to work in industry so that in a few years I have the flexibility to move to my home town where there are a few large MNC. Its just its a big move to go from FS to Industry.

Nobody says that when you are training that once you qualify as an accountant you have to specialise and you are pretty much resigned to working in that sector for life.

I really appreciate all the advise and I think I might need to review my CV alright.

ongarboy

There is a careers exhibition in the National Convention Centre in Dublin on Sep 22 with 100s of employers with up to 4000 job vacancies on offer. I strongly recommend you attend armed with multiple copies of your CVs on hand to distribute. I would also recommend you get a professional review of your CV in advance of this and any other jobs you apply. As terrible as the economy is right now, it seems you are getting more than your share of bad luck based on your significant experience/qualifications. There must be something that is offputting or not appealing in your CV that is making it get overlooked so often. Best of luck!

Link to careers exhibition.

http://www.careerzoo.ie/

smcgiff

annalucia wrote: »

Nobody says that when you are training that once you qualify as an accountant you have to specialise and you are pretty much resigned to working in that sector for life.

In fairness, you were probably screwed long before you qualified.

It was specialising in FS that has caused problems. In general, qualified accountants are among those that can most easily transfer their skills into other sectors. FS or, perhaps, tax being exceptions.

annalucia

Thanks ongarboy, I will look into going to that expo.

LegacyUser

Have you signed up with any recruitment agencies?

Another idea is to set up a linkedin profile, as employers/agents do look at these and will send on job offers from time to time.

Maria1203

can any1 help pls????
im sending between 50-100 cvs a week and dont even get any reply or interviews, i have over 10 year experience in administration (worked in bank than in solicitors and then i was managing a beauty salon), currently im studding Fund Accounting and hope this will help, i had my cv looked at by few professional ppl and they all said same thing that my cv looks great. has any1 else has the same problem or would know what is the problem then??? thanks