Anyone here work in Accountancy recruitment?

Rosbif · 21 Jul 2011 at 18:31

Hi everyone,

I'm seeking the professional advice of someone who works in recruitment and specifically accountancy (non qualified)

I'm trying to get my first accounting job in a medium or large company. I have experience in that I used to maintain the accounts of a small company t/o 500k 15-20 employees, I used to process invoices, do the VAT return, payroll, bank reconciliation, cash reconciliation, payment runs

I just don't know how to dress it up in corporate speak so that when a recruiter reads my CV it fits their criteria instead of going into the bin.

I'm looking to get a job as an accounts assistant or something like Purchase/Sales Ledger, as I know I can do these jobs, I just cant get recruiters to talk to me let alone send me to interview!

Please help!

Vonhelmet · 21 Jul 2011 at 18:34

Which agencies have you tried?

mattx2 · 21 Jul 2011 at 18:42

Go look at some jobs you want look at the job description copy paste bits you can do into your cv from a few job postings and you have a professional cv in corporate speak

Disco Boy · 21 Jul 2011 at 18:48

15-20 employees with a turnover of 500k? Are you sure?

Rosbif · 21 Jul 2011 at 18:56

The recruiters or agencies have been all sorts. I've used Reed and Totaljobs to find the vacancies and applied through those sites.

Mattx2 that is possible if I can find a good well thought out advertisement. Most of these ads are full of spelling mistakes and fundamentally lacking in depth about the role.

secretspy · 21 Jul 2011 at 19:04

Disco Boy said:
15-20 employees with a turnover of 500k? Are you sure?

Not hard to believe when I'm in a similar company

Have you thought of perhaps doing a course to gain more qualifications?

I currently do exactly what you've just put but am also doing an AAT course.

Ring Peace · 21 Jul 2011 at 19:08

There is some pretty decent info on reed and monster websites for setting out your CV, you can also search for some CVs online to get some ideas. Reed has a free CV assessment, they will tell you what is wrong about your CV but will charge you to fix it, but it will give you some ideas about what needs to be changed.

Register with a local recruitment agency and get an appointment with them, they will help with a CV if you are subtle about it, and is good interview practice.

Good luck, I am doing the same at the moment, but with 10 years more experience and it is tough out there.

mattx2 · 21 Jul 2011 at 19:11

Maybe try efinancial look for accounting or reconciliation roles at one of the banks or asset managers

J-FRO · 21 Jul 2011 at 19:14

Not hijacking thread, but I'm in a similar boat with regards to the legal profession. I want to be a solicitor and have finished the GDL and am now looking for more experience before pushing on with training contract applications. So I feel your pain OP.

On that note, anyone here working in the legal profession and knows that their firm/practice is seeking a paralegal/legal assistant of sorts. Please message me and let me know!

Ring Peace · 21 Jul 2011 at 19:14

CV Structure

Name Address Contact

Profile

Skills

Career (recent job on first page)
Old jobs (over 10 years old) just a small summary

Education

References available on request

semi-pro waster · 21 Jul 2011 at 19:47

I don't know if you've got a degree but it may be worth looking into graduate training schemes - pretty much any degree will do as long as it's a 2:1 or above (usually although some places accept less) and that should get you in the door with training paid for. Even if that's not a route you specifically want to go down it might help to speak to those recruiters as they should have an idea of who you need to contact in the company/what you need to show if they don't deal with it themselves.

Vonhelmet · 21 Jul 2011 at 20:39

20 employees on a turnover of 500k? How much is everyone getting paid?