Help finding work please.

Lizling

I'm seeing a lot of pointing out the difficulties and not much looking at the positives here. I know it's difficult sometimes, but look on the bright side and stop putting yourself down or you're not going to come across confident enough at interview.

You've got some really versatile, useful qualifications there, including a masters! The type of work you're looking for is realistic. It's not particularly important how long ago you got your qualifications except if you're trying to use the IT or tutoring: it still ticks the 'has degree' box. And your written English is better than plenty of people's - you'd just need to get someone to read through your C.V. carefully but that's always a good idea anyway.

Bear in mind that a lot of people apply for entry level jobs because a lot of people can do them. The higher you aim, the less competition you'll have.

comics

Yeah, I am a realist (aka defeatist), which is why I choose entry level jobs because I know what I am capable off.

I do hope my C.V will at least be seen now. Before I stated what I did in my job, now I state what skills I gained from it. I think it is a lot better now. I also removed my age and gender.

I am also going to brush up on my old studies (just got to remember where I put them), hopefully I can apply for some entry-intermediate openings. I do not want to go into a job, only to look dumbstruck because I forgot all my studies.

My concern is, should I apply in a charity shop/volunteer? I am an optimist at heart, (I only posted here because I have not had 1 interview in 6 months,) I alwaybelieve that I have a good chance at an interview with every application. I do not want to commit as a volunteer only to leave them for paid work.

Horace

Volunteering will give you some more recent work experience and employers could look more favourably upon you. It doesnt matter if you give up your volunteering when you get a paid job because volunteers change all the time.

I think you need to go out and meet people a lot more which will help improve your social skills. Why not join some local meetup groups - they often have low-cost activities and it is a great opportunity to meet new people and make new friends.

Yes it is disheartening when you don't get a response to your application or if you see lots of people going for the same job but the way I view things is that someone has to get the job and that someone might be me. If I get a knockback or even a nil response then I view it as "I wasnt meant to get that job" or "it's their loss". I also happen to know that the jobcentres are really pushing the speculative angle of applying for jobs at the moment - this is what I was told when I went to sign on. Last week I was asked to apply for a temporary job with the jobcentre as in Birmingham they are taking on 30 staff to cover holidays in various centres across the city. I had an assessment on Friday and they did say that they were planning to interview over 100 applicants who were in receipt of dole money. I may be one of the lucky ones although I stand more chance with the MnS programme that I have now won a place on via Remploy (things are especially tough when you have a disability).

Mischa8

DCFC79 wrote: »

Have a look at doing the books/accounts on a voluntary basis eg for charity or a church etc. Look whats local to you and ask around. You say for 6 months you have applied for 3-4 jobs a week but you must be doing something wrong with your application then if not getting interviews. Were you applying for accountancy jobs in this 6 month period or just any kind of job ?

If any kind of job then 3 - 4 jobs a week is a paltry amount, should be applying for that amount a day or even more.

Cant really answer your questions as im not in the accountancy field but there those on here who are that can help.

Sorry for jumping in - but immediately I read this i thought volunteer for charity etc - even management company for flats (small block). I work for solicitors, we deal with small management companies for blocks of privately owned flats, this is mostly as I understand it - dealing with service charges, e.g. calculating costs of maintaining lifts in block or sink fund etc

Also a friend of mine recently got a part time admin job for catholic church charity through her brother (who works in finance but catholic). OK it doesn't pay well, isn;t greatest job but it is a job. and will look better on CV than doing nothing at all, so keep your ears peeled for that or maybe even join a church etc,

DCFC79

Mischa8 wrote: »

Sorry for jumping in - but immediately I read this i thought volunteer for charity etc - even management company for flats (small block). I work for solicitors, we deal with small management companies for blocks of privately owned flats, this is mostly as I understand it - dealing with service charges, e.g. calculating costs of maintaining lifts in block or sink fund etc

Also a friend of mine recently got a part time admin job for catholic church charity through her brother (who works in finance but catholic). OK it doesn't pay well, isn;t greatest job but it is a job. and will look better on CV than doing nothing at all, so keep your ears peeled for that or maybe even join a church etc,

There are possible oppurtunities out there, you just need to cast youer net further. Didnt think of the block of flats option,

comics

Just had a rumage through my house and found my old university notes, had a look and didn't understand any of it (, generally referring to doing accounts and their different formulas). I worry that my knowledge does not reflect my qualifications now. I can probably still do GCSE or A level grade accounts since I went to the library to look at an A level accounting book and found it was doable (and more importantly, fun).

When people volunteer (or get a job) doing the bookkeeping, do they expect you to jump straight in or will you get some help first?

iQueen

Perhaps, by now you have been successful in landing a job or, at least getting an interview?

I did a PGCE at 58 and, 6 months after passing, I landed a job at 59, after making 4 applications and attending 3 out of the 4 interviews I was offered.

First, write a fully detailed model CV. Include everything that is evidence of your skills, experience (in any field - employment, social, voluntary, school, university, community and domestic situations), personal qualities. Provide examples of tasks, projects, and/or experiences that clearly demonstrate your skills, experience and qualities. Do not under-estimate your achievements, no matter how insignificant they appear to you and don't be negative about your educational qualifications!

Second, write a new CV for each application you make. Tailor each CV, using your model CV as a guide, selecting the details that are relevant, and leaving out what is not. Be guided by the advertisement, job description and specific requirements. Emphasise the positive points, and leave out the negatives unless they are essential.

If you have to fill in an application form, provide honest, detailed information, with examples to illustrate how you meet the requirements. Use active verbs, avoid, "I think, feel" etc. Often there is space to include additional information: using your model CV, add in anything relevant and positive, not included elsewhere.

Enclose a formal covering letter. State the position for which you are applying and where you saw the advertisement. Say, simply, what attracted you to this post and why you would be an asset to the company/institution (eg well qualified, flexible, adaptable, happy working alone or in a team, able to use my own initiative when appropriate). State "I can be available for interview at any date and time convenient to you". If you have good handwriting, it often helps to handwrite this 1-page letter.

Spell-check carefully and, if possible, get a capable person to read through your application!

The perfect advertisement attracts only one, perfect applicant. Make sure your application shows that you are that applicant!

If you are invited for an interview, acknowledge the the invitation, confirming the time and place etc, in writing. Email is acceptable, if that is how you were invited, but set it out formally, like a letter (Dear Ms X, Your sincerely etc) - no Hi or LOL!

Looking for vacancies. Apply for any Accounts Clerk posts, in small/medium businesses. In larger businesses, more specific roles may be advertised - Sales, Orders, Purchase Ledger, Credit etc.

Look for jobs with banks, building societies, Local Authorities, national chains, supermarkets, GPs' Practice Management - in fact, any business/organisation that has to keep tabs on its finances.

Send out speculative applications to local Accountants, Insurance offices, Building, Heating, Plumbing companies, New Car Dealers, Industries and any local businesses which may be big enough to employ one or more people in their accounts department.

Have you considered doing a PGCE? Maths teachers are always in short supply. You would be taught how to teach during training and I found that Maths lessons were generally much more orderly than some other subjects! You might also consider teaching Business Studies or ICT/Computing. You can train for Primary, Secondary, or Tertiary level teaching.

Best wishes.

Loft_Boy

Hi Comics

I would say that if you are serious about working in Accounts then the idea of doing voluntary work for a Charity is sound advice. I would also register with some agencies and say you will happily do Temp Admin / Junior Accounts work. Some agencies will have temp positions at the more Junior end where they may only require office experience, this is only likely to be the case for Temp stuff though.

In terms of doing AAT etc, potentially this is a good idea in the future as your degree may give you some exemptions but personally I would steer clear of doing ACCA or CIMA. Essentially doing either of these at this time would probably be a bit of a waste of time as you don't have any experience and would also be quite costly in terms of fees you would have to pay. With ACCA and CIMA it is a fine balancing act that your experience matches your level of exams taken. Some people will whizz through the exams having only previously done some basic ledger work and beleive that by doing the exams they a fully qualified accountant. This isn't the case as you need t have the experience in order to be able to undertake Year End accounts etc. Also by getting through the ACCA and CIMA exams and with having limited experience a lot of employers will not consider you for more Junior - Middle accountancy roles as they will feel you would want to move on quickly

Good luck with your search

Loft Boy

barrywhittakerbmw

If you are yet to get a qualification, this is the time to start. Do not waste any more time. If accounting and finance is really where you want to be, then you better get a certification. There are so many accountants who do not have even the basic qualifications in accounting and who do not have even have a certification, but they have work experience and this informal training can be vouched for by other people in their organization. In your case, since you do not have any certification or experience, i really recommend that you start off with some basic accounting courses like AAT and start searching for part time or volunteer work with your family or friends' family or your local NGO, church or help group. Build up your experience and meanwhile also complete your education. It is a bit difficult but it will pay-off and you will glad to have done it.