New Job!!

Amie1977

Yay!! Just got a job as a Purchase Ledger Clerk!!

Just goes to show that the jobs are there to get....keep going all you job hunters...perserverence pays off!!

Paisley

Congratulations on your new job

adiba

Congratulations!

I'm also looking for a new job, finding it quite difficult at the moment as all my previous jobs have been admin/customer service roles and I'm now looking to get in to accounts. Just started my Level 4 as well and what I really don't want is to finish the qualification and have no work experience. I have just recently started voluntary work as a supporting treasurer at a local charity which is going well. All the jobs advertised want relevant experience or are full time roles, I need part time work as I have a little girl. Sorry about going on, just feeling a bit frustrated at the moment! But well done!

Louise89

Congrats! Its such a great feeling when you land a new job! Good Luck

Louise89

adiba wrote: »

Congratulations!

I'm also looking for a new job, finding it quite difficult at the moment as all my previous jobs have been admin/customer service roles and I'm now looking to get in to accounts. Just started my Level 4 as well and what I really don't want is to finish the qualification and have no work experience. I have just recently started voluntary work as a supporting treasurer at a local charity which is going well. All the jobs advertised want relevant experience or are full time roles, I need part time work as I have a little girl. Sorry about going on, just feeling a bit frustrated at the moment! But well done!

Many companies take on interns/volunteers for a couple of months or so and some even pay their expenses too.
They may even take you on full time if they have an opening or you've impressed them.

What you're doing at the moment is a great way to get experience if you have none and looks good on a CV.

It can be frustrating but just keep on trying & good luck!

uknitty

This is exactly what I have done - 3 months unpaid in a practice while on my maternity leave. Even getting unpaid work experience can be hard though, but it is just a case of keeping on knocking on doors (metaphorically !). Yes its frustrating, but the more people you approach the better your chances.

The only advice I can offer is try and prioritise which companies may be the best ones for you to apply to ? I got a list of firms - yell is the most obvious starting point, but you can get lists of local members from AAT, ICAEW, CIMA and ACCA. First check out the companies that have websites and get as much information on them as possible.

Find out how large the practice is, do they have a formal "work experience" programme in place ? Who works there and what professional qualifications do they hold ( practices that already employ MAAT's may well be more responsive to requests from AAT students) Are there any upcoming seminars or events at the practice ? If so would it be OK for students to attend ? Do the practice specialise in a particular area or industry sector? Find out as much as possible as you can about the practice, partners and company culture and send a tailored CV and cover letter.

It may well be that you end up contacting every single accountant in a 30 mile radius, but it you send your CV out in say batches of 5 (targeting the ones from your research that you feel will be most receptive to hearing from a student) it is easier to tailor your application . You will stand out more if you can say why you want to gain experience with their particular company as opposed to just sending a blanket letter out to each and every firm.

In the first instance the internet is your friend when information gathering, but if the company doesn't have a website, I really don't see the harm in making a ****quick*** phone call to ask if the practice have a formal work experience programme and if so, who should you apply to. Recruiters do this day in day out to pick up jobs, so as long as you are not overly pushy or take up to much time I really don't think it is rude to ask the question.


Good luck and let us know how you get on

uknitty

Amie1977 wrote: »

Yay!! Just got a job as a Purchase Ledger Clerk!!

Just goes to show that the jobs are there to get....keep going all you job hunters...perserverence pays off!!

Congratulations! Was this the job that is closer to home for you ?

adiba

Thanks for the advice uknitty, will definitely take it on board and start researching local practises as although I do enjoy the voluntary work I am doing now, it would be great if I could find some work experience in a practise environment. Will let you know how I get on!

Amie1977

Yep, just 5mins down the road!!

I think I did well because they liked the fact that I am paying for my AAT myself so it shows that I really want it....that would be my advise to anyone looking...push the fact that you are paying for it yourself (and don't ask if they would fund it!)

The only problem now is that I am ready to sit AP1 and AP2 but don't want to ask for time off when I haven't even started yet!! May have to wait till I get a bit more settled before that and just study the next sections instead!!