MyCIMA

In need of advice - finding a job

Posted: Thursday 27 January 2011 by Kate Parker
Replies : 17
Keywords: career, CIMA Jobs, finding, jobs, Recession, redundancy, work

I started working in accounts in September 2007. After leaving school I was offered a great job working as a management account trainee and so I abandoned my plans to go to university and took up this great opportunity. Unfortunately in Sept 2009 I lost my job and was left mid-way through manergerial without a job or anyway of funding my own way through.

 I have been constantly applying for jobs since then and am in contact with agents. I send my CV via post and email to different companies etc as well as trying the "who you know" route. All to no avail! I have had two interviews since sept 09. The first was in sept 09 for a VERY low paid administrator role, which I was "lucky" enough to get. This job is very unsuitable as I work long hours, do not get study leave or support and can't progress. The second, I lost out when I was in the final 3. So I am currently stuck in a rutt. My wage is spread as thinly as possible at the moment, trying to pay of bills, rent etc. I just about manage to save enough to sit CIMA exams - not the lecture courses though - I just have to put up with trying to learn from the case notes and study text only. Unfortunately the final nail in this coffin is that we recently found out our current jobs are not as secure as we'd hoped.

I am sitting my last managerial level exam this March and hope to be part qualified  after sitting this. Unfortunately, unless I find a better paid job, it will be a long time until I am financially able to sit Strategic level.

 What I was hoping is that someone could give me some advise as to what I can do next, most jobs want a degree, but I am now desperately in need to up the job search! I can't afford to work for free or temp as I have fixed bills to pay. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. 

CV

Posted by Roary The Tiger on Thursday 27 January 2011 15:55

If you have only two interviews in that time it suggests your CV is putting employers off. I would get advice on improving it. A lot of candidates fail to "big up" their achievements for fear of looking arrogant and instead resort to listing duties. This gives the impression that you are nothing more than a book keeper. Think hard about what you have done to improve the way you work. There's always something. Improved times of producing accounts? reduced debtors, improved quality of managent information.

 Also say something about your outside work activities. The employer is employing a person and not a machine. Your out of work activities says more about you than your work ever will.

Good Luck.

I don't think my CV is the problem :(

Posted by Kate Parker on Thursday 27 January 2011 16:27

In regards to my CV, I have often been praised regarding this however the problem being the company has no positions opening or has better qualified applicants (Problem is as so many of us need jobs - fully qualifieds are having to take the simple accouint assistant / payables etc roles which means I don't seem to get a look in! I did also have my CV reviewed by a couple of agencies along the way - the ones that you pay to sort it out- but I agree it might be worth an attempt to shake it up some more- its not working so far right? I always get people comment on my CV as I have some unique parts and my activties / about me always catches peoples interest! I do amend it at least every 4-6 months at the mo.

 

My agencies have been rubbish, I have one offer me a 12k office junior job for a small company with a 1.5 hr commute and when I turned down the interview with the valid reasons, its not really a suitable sector of work, the location isn't easy to get to and I can't afford to pay my bills on that salery, I was greeted with a rather rude comment "well your not ever going to find a job if your turning down roles like this, this is the only type of role your ever going to get, you should get real and stop fooling yourself" - Now I am definately suitable for better roles than that! nearly part qualified, great GCSE and A Levels. Even my admin job sounds amazing compared to that! It must have been a bad day for him and he took it out on me...Needless to say I didn't contact that guy again!

 

Thank you for you post! I will certainly try to take it on board :)

Agencies

Posted by Roary The Tiger on Thursday 27 January 2011 17:15
I hate agencies that do that. They are only looking at making a quick buck off your fees. I hated my previous job (on £25k) and the agency knew this and wanted be to go for jobs on £15k. I was desperate but not that desperate. There are a few decent agencies out there. Mine knew exactly what I wanted but they were a locally respected one and not a "brand". Thankfully I landed on my feet here and love it (and pays much much better). Hope things pick up.

public sector - NHS

Posted by Bernard Chow Wa... on Thursday 27 January 2011 23:52

Kate, not sure where you are located. however, it's worth trying NHS website england. from time to time, different health board may be recruiting. some could be fixed term but you should try. at least, these are genuie recruitment. more importantly, once you're in the job they may retain you (renew your contract) if you're good!

good luck!

Bad Advice

Posted by Roary The Tiger on Friday 28 January 2011 11:26
Don't touch public sector with a barge pole. The sector is in a biggest ever process of downsizing. Loads of finance staff are going to be out of work this time next year and those that are will find it very difficult to gain employment due to the fact the private sector don't see ex public sector as having "real world" experience within a competitive market.

I disagree

Posted by Fiona Wheeler on Friday 28 January 2011 11:58

Although the NHS will be downsizing it still must be one of the UKs largest employers.  IT will still be good experience.  How can working in such a large organisation not be relevant to the private sector,.  Surely you will learn a lot about cost cutting, which is relevant to any prviate sector employer.

I would apply for jobs in the NHS, but I can't as most of the higher level ones require NHS experience.

 Don't rule anything out.  IF you prove your worth you may escape the chop, and the experience could be well worth it.

Same situation

Posted by Aasim Chaudhri on Friday 28 January 2011 14:14

I'm in the same situation Kate. Feel for you. I am halfway trough managerial level now (self study) and have only had two interviews for Accounts jobs since early 2009. Hve been doing the odd retail job to make ends meet but am back out of work again now. See my thread for full details.

I'm trying to find vacancies directly with employers but appart from checking sites of companies I know of and sending off prospective letters I dont know how to find more. Agencies are proving little help.

 

Still not sure if I'm not qualified enough as got rejected from last interview for being too qualified. Anyway am know offering to pay anyoe my first two weeks wages for getting me a look in (see other thread)

I dont think it helps either if you've been out the game a while or a good accounts job is not the last thing on your CV.

 

Az 

Public Sector

Posted by Roary The Tiger on Friday 28 January 2011 15:23

Fiona I work which loads of private sector accountants (ex big 4 accounts company employee who keeps in touch). Most people who recruit in these companies immediately bin public sector CVs me included. Most public sector employees specialise in one sector of the business and very rarely see the "big picture". Biggest is not always best for gaining experience. The thing that puts me (and others) off is that they have little experience of making commercial trading decisions. Often because of their size it is someone elses responsibility for controling pricing, asset management, banking, credit control etc.

Also is it worth getting on board a sinking ship? I certainly wouldn't. Once you're on board you'll find very few life rafts waiting to get you back into the private sector.

And for this reason when it comes to recommending joining the NHS I'm out. 

public sector

Posted by Ben Rowlands on Friday 28 January 2011 15:55

Fiona, I would not listen to 'Roary the Tigers' advice. The NHS is an extermely complex organisation and can offer you an opportunity to gain some really valuable experiance and a long term career if desired.

 'Roary the Tiger' states that most public sector workers very rarely see the "big Picture" but this is a comment from the same individual who states that they immediately bin public sector CV's.

 Having previously worked in public sector I can assure you that there is a wealth of talented and determined individuals. Just because somebody works in the public sector it does not mean they cannot see the "big picture". Some people work in public sector because of the organisations goals, not to make money. You will still gain valuable experiance in accounts preparation, budgeting, credit control, performance analysis, cost control etc.

I left Univeristy ages 22 and worked in public sector (including NHS) for around 4 years gaining valuable experience. As a result of this I managed to gain a position as a Project Accountant within a FTSE 100 company in the Financial Services sector. So therefore please do not assume that all employers are as narrow minded about public sector workers as 'Roary the Tiger' as my current organisation decided that the experience I gained in public sector was transferrable to private sector.

 Also think about what it is you want from your career, you may decide public sector is where you wish to further your career. Do you want to work in a company the exists to make a profit or do you want to work in an organisation that exists to improve the wellbeing of its population? Public sector isnt necessarily bad, and if it is just think of the economy, efficiency, and effectivness savings you can make to the organisation as a CIMA member.

 

public sector

Posted by Bernard Chow Wa... on Saturday 29 January 2011 21:27

totally agree with Fiona & Ben. Roary the Tiger, don't get carried away with our initial discussion. I'm suggesting for job opportunity. So far, any NHS advertisements (if there is any) are genuie recruitments. we all agree that private sector especially those agencies are bad!

public sector does have many qualified professionals. given the climate we're in now, many efficiency saving plans (in £) need to be actioned. these plans are much bigger than most of the SME turnovers. otherwise UK will be like Greece very soon!

any sector is the same. unless you're in high post, all operation level roles (doesn't matter which department) can't see the big picture of the company/organisation. in this case, all the 'commercial trading decisions' are restricted.  nothing is wrong with that, it's part of the learning process. that's why we study CIMA to help us to progress. Hopefully we all can land in FTSE100 like Fiona one day!

quick thoughts

Posted by Polar Bear on Saturday 29 January 2011 22:11

Kate - you mentioned one of the main problems is that you don't have a degree.. maybe its time to get one? have you thought about applying - is it too late?

you might actually appreciate the education a bit more and now is the last opportunity before the fee increase.

With regards the NHS, although it is being restructured its overall budget is ring fenced so I would listen to the fear mongering above - could provide opportunities.

What about applying to one of the big 4 to do their direct entry ACCA program? I know PWC have this. I'm pretty sure you can port most of your exams over from CIMA :) (I await the comments regarding this suggestion!!!)

A CV review sounds like a good idea.

Some questions for you

- are youflexible about your location? what is your location?

- do you have any experience in a specific industry?

Best Wishes

Brian

 

 

 

FTSE 100?

Posted by Roary The Tiger on Sunday 30 January 2011 18:40
Why do you assume all accountants want a FTSE 100 company? I certainly don't. I'm an accountant at a company whose turnover is around £26m and find it hugely more rewarding than when I worked for a large PLC. Biggest isn't always best. Unless you are a CEO or senior board member of a FTSE 100 company the job can be very frustrating as your influence over decisions is very minimal. In an SME I can get involved in all aspects and have more of a say in strategic planning.

FTSE 250?!

Posted by Polar Bear on Sunday 30 January 2011 21:30

Why do you assume all accountants want a FTSE 100 company?

Is this aimed at me?! I don't think I have assumed anywhere that all accountants want to work in an FTSE100 company (or equivalent blue chip).

but as it happens the top two reasons for working in a blue chip would be pay (which tends to be higher) and progression (there are more vacancies at any given time).

Given Kate's main issue is pay and progression it seems to be quite logical to recommend a blue chip company.

I have no doubt the a SME role can be more rewarding and provide a better range of experience!

Polar Bear

Posted by Roary The Tiger on Monday 31 January 2011 11:51

The comment was aimed at Bernard "....that's why we study CIMA to help us to progress. Hopefully we all can land in FTSE100 like Fiona one day! "

 A FTSE 100 company is something I would never consider. He assumes this is the aim of all accountants. It's certainly not mine.

oops

Posted by Polar Bear on Monday 31 January 2011 12:26

I must be overly sensitive ;)

I'll stick to the FTSE 250!

public sector

Posted by Bernard Chow Wa... on Monday 31 January 2011 20:44

Dear tiger, i'll certainly take your point on board, not everyone wants to work in FTSE 100. however, the main intention of writing that is to show that working in public sector is not a dead end job. there is still job progression opportunity whether it is within public or private sector. whole thing just relates back to Fiona's personal experience for inspiration.

 Overall, this is not about where is the best place to work. It's about where can get the opportunity to find a job! I do agree jobs are cutting down in public sector, but i do see from time to time fixed term advertisement for finance/account related job from NHS websites - additional avenues to find jobs!

Worth adding

Posted by Fiona Wheeler on Thursday 03 February 2011 14:37

Just to complete the picture.  My first management accounting role (after a couple of years in what I would describe as a accounts clerk job), was actually in a top 20 Charity.  I did decide after three years then that my next job would be in the private sector.  From there I moved to a FTSE 100 company, a sideways move was required to move from charity to the private sector.

Since then I have worked at several large American companies in contract roles.  Getting the right permenant role in this economic environment hasn't been easy, but I have suceeded in securing a few long contracts, and actually I am glad I have done, as it has given me a much broader experience.

 

Fiona