The Book-keepers Forum (BKF)

Post Info TOPIC: AAT Level 3 qualified


Veteran Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 47
Date:
AAT Level 3 qualified


Hello,

I have just finished AAT level 3 and I am now progressing to level 4. I have studied with a passion and with the same passion I have been looking for a job. However I've started to think there is no job for people with only that level completed....Or I am doing something wrong. I would appreciate any comments maybe pointing what is the best way to search for....

Thanking you in advance

Michelle



__________________


Forum Moderator & Expert

Status: Offline
Posts: 11981
Date:

the job market is abn absolute nightmare at the moment with hundreds of CV's hitting agents desks for every available role.

Agents are filtering CVs on all manner of criteria to keep the numbers down.

I know for a fact that ageism is rife as I did an experiment. I applied for some finance roles with my full CV and got no replies. I applied again taking my first position off my CV which subtracts 12 years from my assumed age and got loads of enquiries.

Nothing else on the CV was changed.

Now, it may be illegal but its rife in this business.

Add to that excluding people on the grounds of no degree (no matter how irrelevant the degree is for those who have one), only PQ rather than qualified, gaps in the CV even where such are explained, an expectation that candidates will have experience of the exact software settup, and all manner of other issues and its surprising that anyone gets to interview.

Don't even get me onto quota discrimination where businesses feel that they need to employ for diversity of workforce rather than employment based on the best candidate for the position. (which must really peeve off the people who get the jobs as much as those who don't).

Whilst its a nightmare there are jobs out there if you can get your CV past the agency gatekeepers to the right desk.

All that I can say is keep trying, make your CV searchable on line, try and make as many contacts in the bsuiness as possible, ensure that your Linkedin profile sells you.

I really wish you the very best. Your qualification even at PQ level still puts you above many for roles that become available.

It is a very difficult market out there but keep trying and keep us informed of your progress,

kindest regards,

Shaun.

__________________

Shaun

Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.



Veteran Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 47
Date:

Thank you for your reply Shaun... It's not very positive picture... I have been sending hundreds of applications and nothing ... very disappointing as I do love this subject and working in accounts would be my dream... also sad for some people ...;)

I appreciate your answer and will keep looking for.

Regards
Michelle

__________________


Senior Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 155
Date:

Hi Michelle,

Sorry to read about your difficulty.

Put your CV on here so we can offer advice on it.

Ensure that your CV is uploaded on as many job sites as possible.

Job site list:

simplyhired.com

reed.co.uk

monster.co.uk

totaljobs.com

indeed.co.uk

workcircle.co.uk

cv-library.co.uk

jobsearch.direct.gov.uk

Ensure that you have set up email alerts from all of these job sites.  Work through the alerts methodically.

Search Google for "job sites" for any that I have missed out and add them to the list.

Ask on this forum if anyone has a job vacancy, or if anyone has a client with a job vacancy.  Ask on other forums.

Contact every accounting firm in your area to ask if they or any of their clients have vacancies.

Buy the book "What color is your parachute?"  Read it for inspiration and apply its practical advice.

Try volunteering to develop your experience.

Have you done courses in Sage Accounts or Sage Payroll?

As Shaun said set up your LinkedIn profile. Link to anyone you know on LinkedIn.  Start proactively searching for appropriate LinkedIn members in your area and ask to link up with them. Read online articles about marketing yourself on linked in.

Make inquiries to your contacts on Facebook.

Have you considered temping? It is a good way to get into a job market and develop experience. A temporary role could turn permanent.

That's all I can think of for now.

Best of luck, don't give up.

David.

P.S. Look for public sector job sites, one in my area is sector1.net.  

Have you registered with as many agencies as possible? Have you registered for their job alerts?



-- Edited by David Ballantyne on Monday 4th of August 2014 10:33:36 PM

__________________


Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 9
Date:

Not sure how true this stat is but, I read the other day that employers take between 15-20 seconds looking at CVs when initially selecting applicants so my best advice would be to make it stand out.

It should clearly show your best qualifications and experience in a few seconds.

I always get annoyed by people using the generic wording for CVs too but that's just me :)



-- Edited by West Wales Accounting on Tuesday 5th of August 2014 03:23:26 PM

__________________

Accountants & Bookkeepers in West Wales

www.westwalesaccounting.co.uk



Forum Moderator & Expert

Status: Offline
Posts: 11981
Date:

Hi,

I think that the quoted stats of 15-20 secs is about right for agents, no sure about employers. The issue is though that the CV's are not even getting to the employers desks as agents, many of whom I have found to be jaundiced by experience reject perfectly good CVs as they often don't really understand what they are looking at.

As an example of that some time back I applied for a role that I had spent years doing and could basically do with my eyes closed.

On my CV is DB2 which is a relational database that you access via SQL (Structured Query Language). To say that you have DB2 implies that you are able to use SQL. When the agent did not find SQL in the CV my CV didn't even make it through.

Its a little like saying that a CV has Word, Excel and PowerPoint on it but it gets knocked back because you don't have MS Office as a skill... Thats an extreme example and I doubt if even agents are that stupid.

I actually got the position anyway because I knew someone already working on the project and the agent got taken over the coals as to why I was rejected but not all cases turn out that well.

Make a CV stand out too much and it get rejected the same as the magnolia one's.

I think that the key is to make it easy to read (big font, uncluttered, all key facts on front page, brief introductory paragraph stating what you do, no more than three pages in total, explain gaps, no hobbies, no religion, no school education unless its your first job and make sure that your CV is consistent with your Linkedin Profile as agents and employers will check).

Shaun.





__________________

Shaun

Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.



Veteran Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 47
Date:

Hello David,

 

Thank you for your reply. It is very kind of you to put so many tips and ideas.

I am not sure about putting my CV here as it contains personal information and everyone who checks this forum could find it. However a professional opinion is always appreciated.

I've been doing everything what you mentioned in your message, registered with so many job sites and applied for I think hundreds of jobs... I did everything except contacting local accounting firms as from my previous experience I know that CV left with a staff "gets" lost very often... if you know what I mean.

Also I did Sage accounts, it was one of the units on AAT level 2 but no Payroll.

And yes I must use Linkedin profile , I haven't put much info there so this needs to be updated.

 

Regarding the public sector jobs there are hardly any offers. I am a bit disapointed now as I do love this kind of job and I study because of that and still no luck...

 

Again thank you for your help.

 

Regards

Michelle



__________________


Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 5
Date:

Michelle

 

Please email me your details - katy@fmaccs.co.uk - Fairmile Accounting are in search of bookkeepers and I am keen to discuss further.

 

Thanks

 

Katy



__________________


Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 5
Date:

Michelle

Drop me a line at katy@fmaccs.co.uk - Fairmile Accounting are currently recruiting for AAT qualified bookkeepers.

Thanks

Katy



__________________


Master Book-keeper

Status: Offline
Posts: 8646
Date:

Michelle hasnt been around for 12mths.

__________________

 Joanne 

Winner of Bookkeeper of the Year 2015, 2016 & 2017 

Thoughts are my own/not to be regarded as official advice,which should be sought from a suitably qualified Accountant.

You should check out answers with reference to the legal position



Master Book-keeper

Status: Offline
Posts: 3904
Date:

Which goes to show an opportunity will come up if you wait long enough biggrinbiggrin

 



__________________

John 

 

 

 Any advice given is for general guidance and professional advice should be sought applicable to your circumstances.



Master Book-keeper

Status: Offline
Posts: 8646
Date:

Lol, so true

__________________

 Joanne 

Winner of Bookkeeper of the Year 2015, 2016 & 2017 

Thoughts are my own/not to be regarded as official advice,which should be sought from a suitably qualified Accountant.

You should check out answers with reference to the legal position

Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.

Tweet this page Post to Digg Post to Del.icio.us
Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
©2007-2024 The Book-keepers Forum (BKF). All Rights Reserved. The Book-keepers Forum (BKF) is a trading division of Bookcert Ltd. Registered in England Company Number 05782923. 2 Laurel House, 1 Station Rd, Worle, Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset, BS22 6AR, United Kingdom. The Book-keepers Forum and BKF are trademarks of Bookcert Ltd. This forum is a discussion forum only. There will usually be more than one opinion to any question and any posting should not be viewed as a definitive solution. No responsibility for loss occasioned to any person acting or refraining from action as a result of any posting on this site is accepted by the contributors or The Book-keepers Forum. In all cases, appropriate professional advice should be sought before making a decision. We reserve the right to remove any postings which are offensive, libellous, self-promoting or engaged in covert marketing. We will not notify users of removals. The views expressed in the forum posts are those of the individual and do not necessary reflect or agree with those of The Book-keepers Forum. Any offensive or unsuitable posts will be removed by the moderators. Any reader of this forum can request for a post to be looked into by sending an email to: bookcertltd@gmail.com.

Privacy & Cookie Policy  About