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Employment Agencies

  • 698 posts
  • # 53746

I have recent experience of being out of work and looking for jobs and found employment agencies seemed to lack knowledge of the ICB and the benefits to their clients of employing ICB qualified accounts staff especially in the sole roles.

All too often they want AAT and will not look at any others CV's

I am hoping the reed accountancy should be more on the ball seeing as reeds are now a training provider for the institute on some courses.


has anybody else come across this problem.

  • Fellow
  • 64 posts
  • # 53752

In Northern Ireland we seem to have a different problem, the more qualifications you have the less chance of getting a job, probably because you can attract a higher wage level, agencies are a complete waste of time here as well though, it's virtually impossible outside larger cities to get a job of any description, never mind one suited to qualifications

  • 19 posts
  • # 53772

Hi Stuart

Yes i have had same problem even been asked what Is ICB never heard of them what do they do , we are looking for someone with AAT haha!!  

  • 5 posts
  • # 53776

I've touted my CV around a few agencies recently, but not heard a word from any of them...even when they have had suitable vacancies advertised on their website.

I can understand that there is an awful lot of competition for each job, with candidates more highly qualified than I am.....but it's just plain rude when an agency doesn't even bother to acknowledge receipt of an application. Even an automatically generated response would be something. After all, I've just given them my life story......

  • 698 posts
  • # 53792

HI Michelle

I too had the same problem however I adopted the tactic of e-mailing my CV then calling the Agency to "confirm" they had received my CV then try and get the into a discussion about the role and my suitability for it.

  • Companion Fellow PM.Dip
  • Practice Licence
  • 1137 posts
  • # 53802

Hi 

I thought this might help,  I started out over 10 years ago and yes it is very difficult to get your first client.  I think Stuarts approach is excellent. If I may, I would like to suggest another.

There are loads of business that contact agencies trying to find a bookkeeper for half a day or day , their reply to businesses is usual we are not interested in such a small time.

 I went to all the accountancy and business agencies , arranged the interview and then told them I had set up my own business and if any business rang up to try and fill a small position would they mind giving them my card which I had ready. This did happen and even though I was not on their books they charged my client for passing my details . I thought that was a bit cheeky,  but 10 years on that client is  one of my best clients.  Some of my friends though I had a bit of a nerve, but it worked and the agency made some money out of it.

Kind regards , Sarah Douglas , Douglas Accountancy and Bookkeeping Services , Glasgow 

 

  • 698 posts
  • # 53822

What a great idea Sarah as you say it is a win win situation you gain clients the Agency does get some sort of fee.

Brilliant!!!!!!!! 

  • 160 posts
  • # 53889

Hi Stuart,

Yes since the recession I have been only earning 4000 per year, and this hs not been with bookkeeping. Since the recession all the agencies have been wanting people with 3 years experience, and a lot of qualifications in accountancy. I am currently doing a degree in accounting, an open degree with the local open University, and this will hopefully start off my career when I have done it.  You can get funding on 30 point courses of your current income is less than 30000pa. i hope that this info helps you,

Kind Regards

Paula Welsh 

  • 7 posts
  • # 71124

My problems is after completion of payroll management diploma level 3, when l sent my application  to recruitors,they requested  for working  experience and not qualificantion and l am filling the inpact. I wish to work voluntary to companies but still l can't get good results from companies. Should somebody help me to get direction!!!

  • 109 posts
  • # 71134

sarah said:

“Hi 

I thought this might help,  I started out over 10 years ago and yes it is very difficult to get your first client.  I think Stuarts approach is excellent. If I may, I would like to suggest another.

There are loads of business that contact agencies trying to find a bookkeeper for half a day or day , their reply to businesses is usual we are not interested in such a small time.

 I went to all the accountancy and business agencies , arranged the interview and then told them I had set up my own business and if any business rang up to try and fill a small position would they mind giving them my card which I had ready. This did happen and even though I was not on their books they charged my client for passing my details . I thought that was a bit cheeky,  but 10 years on that client is  one of my best clients.  Some of my friends though I had a bit of a nerve, but it worked and the agency made some money out of it.

Kind regards , Sarah Douglas , Douglas Accountancy and Bookkeeping Services , Glasgow 

 ”

Sarah - that is a fantastic tactic.  Going to try that one next!!

Thanks

Sandra

  • 7 posts
  • # 71186

Hi Sandra,
                I was talking in the contest as payroller and not Bookkeeping, even so l am now preparing for AAT accountancy Level 3 to back my payroll qualification, but what l really want to put accross is why is it so that it is always the once who have hands before are on demand and most of has not good qualifications but rather on the jobs training. So what happen to us who just come out from school with the qualification?

  • Fellow PM.Dip
  • Practice Licence
  • 115 posts
  • # 71441

sham6352@yahoo.co.uk said:

“Hi Sandra,
                I was talking in the contest as payroller and not Bookkeeping, even so l am now preparing for AAT accountancy Level 3 to back my payroll qualification, but what l really want to put accross is why is it so that it is always the once who have hands before are on demand and most of has not good qualifications but rather on the jobs training. So what happen to us who just come out from school with the qualification?

Hi sham6352

Unfortunately when employers look at your CV, first they look at work experience then they look at qualifications relevant to it. If you have qualfications without relevant work experience they tend to ignore them.

I'm not saying this is right, but that is what they do. The only way round this is first not to get angry about why they think like that - you can't change it - secondly be persistant.

I wasn't first choice for one of my clients, but when their first choice turned out to be a dud they reviewed the applicants again and gave me a go - I think because their 2nd, 3rd, 4th ... choice was no longer available. Now I've been working for them for a while they wonder why I wasn't first choice, but I know why - because I lacked the work experience to back-up my qualifications.

Just keep trying - persistance pays off, in the end.

Mike

  • Fellow PM.Dip
  • Practice Licence
  • 258 posts
  • # 71455

I have only recently qualified with the ICB (February - March 2011), however back when I graduated university (2007) with a BA Hons in Accounting & Finance, I had absolutely no experience whatsoever - it took me just over 4 months and about 25 interviews to get my first job within an accounts department.

If I can persevere then you can do it too!

Just a tip, I found employment agencies to be absolutely useless, they are all in it for commission so they only put candidates with qualifications and A LOT of experience through to interview stage - and most don't even bother to acknowledge receipt of your CV.

If you want a foot in the door you must apply to employers directly, you do not have to go for top employers i.e PwC etc. - but instead go for the small/medium companies as you are much more likely to get a foothold there.

Hope that helps!

Edited at 27 May 2011 09:05 AM GMT

  • 5 posts
  • # 88327

Stuart,


Further to your comments last year, i have just seen an advert for Accountex 2013 via Linkedin "Accountex is the UK's only National Exhibition for Accountants and Finance Directors working in practice, business and the public sector."


Yet when i was asked during ticket application for my institute in a drop down menu, ICB did not appear !!!!!


It seems even our own profession need enlightenment.


        

  • 35 posts
  • # 88328

I hate these people with a passion. How they make their money really is beyond me, since they take bone idleness to a new level. I have had more problems with them as a group than everyone else put together over the last 20 years, during which time I have come across ONE individual who has given me the impression they really know what they are doing.

I will still try out Sarah's suggestion and see what happens. Nice idea and not one I had thought of in my one month of self employment :)

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