What am I doing wrong?

AP007

andrewjf wrote: »

What industry/job types are you applying for?

Accounts roles, purchase ledger or admin. 20+ years in purchase ledger and 6 in payroll.

Any industry.

Pennywise

AP007 wrote: »

Accounts roles, purchase ledger or admin. 20+ years in purchase ledger and 6 in payroll.

That's your problem. Too many people for looking for too few vacancies in those areas which aren't particularly highly skilled - the kind of jobs that virtually any book-keeper could do.

Also, time away is a big problem, especially for payroll. Things have really changed recently, with real-time filing, new pension regime, and various tax/nic changes. 6 months is bad enough, but if you've not been in payroll recently (i.e. your last payroll job was longer ago), then you don't have relevant experience and would need a lot of retraining.

Do you have experience in using the kind of software/systems that are commonly used in the type of firm where you are applying for? Again, time has marched on, and the old stalwart systems are now antiquated and losing popularity. Again, if you've not experience of the kinds of systems being used today, then you need retraining. More and more firms are using "cloud" online systems and doing their procurement via the internet, paying electronically, meaning far less need for purchase ledger clerks.

If others apply for jobs with more recent experience on more modern systems and practices, then they'll get the job I'm afraid.

Also, what is your employment history. Are those 20 years with the same firm - prospective employers may feel you are institutionalised. Are you applying for "like for like" employers, i.e. if your 20 years were in public sector then you won't be attractive to industry and vice versa.

Have you no experience in other accounts areas, such as sales ledger, nominal ledger, VAT or accounts preparation. If not, then you won't be attractive to smaller employers wanting an "all round" book-keeping/accounts clerk who can do the whole job. If you do have experience in these areas, however long ago, then make sure they are highlighted on the cv as it would demonstrate a much rounder experience than the relatively narrow roles of purchase ledger and payroll.

LannieDuck

Have you had any luck with temping agencies? If not accounts-based, maybe admin&clerical? At least that would get some recent work back on your CV.

AP007

Pennywise wrote: »

That's your problem. Too many people for looking for too few vacancies in those areas which aren't particularly highly skilled - the kind of jobs that virtually any book-keeper could do.

Also, time away is a big problem, especially for payroll. Things have really changed recently, with real-time filing, new pension regime, and various tax/nic changes. 6 months is bad enough, but if you've not been in payroll recently (i.e. your last payroll job was longer ago), then you don't have relevant experience and would need a lot of retraining.

Do you have experience in using the kind of software/systems that are commonly used in the type of firm where you are applying for? Again, time has marched on, and the old stalwart systems are now antiquated and losing popularity. Again, if you've not experience of the kinds of systems being used today, then you need retraining. More and more firms are using "cloud" online systems and doing their procurement via the internet, paying electronically, meaning far less need for purchase ledger clerks.

If others apply for jobs with more recent experience on more modern systems and practices, then they'll get the job I'm afraid.

Also, what is your employment history. Are those 20 years with the same firm - prospective employers may feel you are institutionalised. Are you applying for "like for like" employers, i.e. if your 20 years were in public sector then you won't be attractive to industry and vice versa.

Have you no experience in other accounts areas, such as sales ledger, nominal ledger, VAT or accounts preparation. If not, then you won't be attractive to smaller employers wanting an "all round" book-keeping/accounts clerk who can do the whole job. If you do have experience in these areas, however long ago, then make sure they are highlighted on the cv as it would demonstrate a much rounder experience than the relatively narrow roles of purchase ledger and payroll.

Worked in 4 different industries - never in the public sector always private!

I never said I was looking for payroll only that I have 6 years payroll experience.

I am AAT qualified and managed a team of 3

Have used : Agresso, Sage Line 50,Sage Payroll, Pegasus Opera & Senior, SUN Accounts, Tetra 2000, Mentor, MicrosoftDynamics Navision (only at the training/testing stage). Also a competent user of Microsoft Word,Excel 2010, Lotus 123, the internet, email & Barclays Business Master.

AP007

LannieDuck wrote: »

Have you had any luck with temping agencies? If not accounts-based, maybe admin&clerical? At least that would get some recent work back on your CV.

No as they wont help you after 6 months even if it is temp. I Apply for a lot of temp roles like 2 weeks up to 9 mths or so

I don't have much admin experience but am applying for admin stuff as I have to

AlecEiffel

I'm in similar boat though not been told anything about 6 months though it wouldn't surprise me. I'm worried as I have been looking for nearly 5 months and though I've had interviews I obviously haven't received work. Temp agencies have suggested a few medium length roles but the employer has picked other candidates in the end.

LannieDuck

AP007 wrote: »

No as they wont help you after 6 months even if it is temp. I Apply for a lot of temp roles like 2 weeks up to 9 mths or so

I don't have much admin experience but am applying for admin stuff as I have to

Temping agencies won't take you if you haven't been in work for 6 months? (I'm not disbelieving you, just very surprised.)

saintjammyswine

Have you considered AAT teaching? With your qualifications and experience it might be worth contacting your local college that offers it and asking what their requirements are and whether they can offer the teaching qualifications while working.

AP007

LannieDuck wrote: »

Temping agencies won't take you if you haven't been in work for 6 months? (I'm not disbelieving you, just very surprised.)

As soon as I had been out of work 6 mths they didn't want to know

the agency who I spoke to yesterday has had my cv for 24 mths or so and nothing and then says the perm job wont see me as I have been out of work too long and he said all of his clients state NO ONE out of work 6 mths or more

He said:

'I charge my clients a fee for my work and as such I have to respect their requirements and they are usually pretty specific, one of the criteria is always, no one who has been out of work for more than 6 months'

Hudson1984

why are you being honest out of interest?

On my CV I put years instead of months i.e 2011 - 2012 I worked at "x"
rather than March 2011 - march 2012. You can be honest once you've dazzled them at an interview but then you can flip it around and say it means you can start right away.

SO not so much lying just not bringing awareness to the fact you're unemployed as long as you don't list it as present empolyement I can't see that it's doing anything wrong.