What a shock!!!!!!

System · April 2006

:shock: Before I come to this country I always had respect of British people through their history of both Christianity and Royal. I thought democracy and peace is what represents British however since I relocated here in 2003 I have witnessed shocking attitudes. I have never seen such prejudice in my entire life; I thought Afrikaners are the worst people.
The concept of equal opportunities is a principle of democratic society. Why professional people minimize the job opportunities for the individuals due to their social status? As future AAT members it is vital that we develop a clear understanding of prejudice and discrimination especial in the north west side â€œ Wigan and surrounding areasâ€, so we can challenge all the barriers that are facing non British AAT Students and members. The AAT needs to recognize that many problems that affect students who fail to meet the work experience requirement to gain full membership arise due to discrimination.
I personal I have registered with many agencies for nearly two years but I have never even being placed for a interview on all jobs I apply through them till this day. I work as a care assistant to meet the ends needs and pay for my Acca. I have even applied for office work at work instead been given the role they employed externally .Today I went out for the first time in Wigan and I meet one of the consultant of the agencies, to my surprise I didnâ€™t even speak to her but she just called me the N**** word and B***** words out of the blue but for the past two years whenever I go to the office she seem to be polite â€œ we will forward your CV, we will call you when a suitable chance is available or we will call but you will never receive any call from themâ€. Rom this day I now see why I canâ€™t get a job even the junior ones around here.
I am doing my ACCA and I will be setting my june exams on the 5th and 6th however I am still unemployed and the chance of loosing my AAT full membership are wide.
I have learned how Wigan people are Hypocrisy â€œ double standardsâ€

System · May 2006

Re:What a shock!!!!!!

I seem to recall your problem on an earlier thread and I must whole heartedly disagree with you that Wigan people and surrounding districts are prejudiced! I live in Bolton and my brother lives in Wigan and I don't think your problem stems down to prejudice.

Firstly, you need to complain about the Agency woman to her superiors - that goes without saying.

However, you are like a lot of others on the forums who are in the same boat as you and struggling to find a job. They don't seem to rant on about the colour of their skin or their religion. The problem is down to experience -v- qualifications and opportunities. The problem is NOT down to the colour of your skin/religion and some people would find it offensive that you (once again) have said that people in and around Wigan are effectively racist. This is a very serious accusation to start throwing around the internet that could land you in hot water if you're not careful.

Try to consider the whole picture - what does your CV look like - are the jobs you are applying for relevant to your requirements - have you registered with more than one Agency - are your salary expectations too high/too low. These are the points you need to consider - not whether (in your opinion) people in and around Wigan are racist.

At the present time (and in the current climate) job opportunities are not as abundant as they were two year's ago. The market is very volatile but you simply have to keep going and applying for jobs. Agencies are renowned for either fixing people up with the wrong types of jobs (purely for commission purposes) or not getting in touch with them at all.

This post is of a strong tone - but it is meant to be. Racism is a topic which I find abhorrent and I would re-iterate that racism is NOT the problem here - it is a combination of job scarcity, candidates demands/requirements but most of all competition with others.

Good luck with finding the right job.

Regards
Steve

System · May 2006

Re:What a shock!!!!!!

Well said, Steve.

When I first read this post it made my blood boil - not because of the comments made but because of the easy option to shout "racism" just because the job isn't being offered on a plate.

There are loads of students posting on this forum about the problems they are having getting a job. Accountancy is a very multi-cultural career and is one of the least racially biased professions along with doctors and solicitors (in my opinion).

The agency person should not be racist and should definitely be reported but do not tar everyone with the same brush, Markzone, otherwise you are just as bad as she is.

System · May 2006

Re:What a shock!!!!!!

I agree, I read this post but couldn't think how to reply adequately, fortunately Steve has done it for me.

Annette

System · May 2006

Re:What a shock!!!!!!

TLG i did not mean all British people however how will you Interpret the issue of people who are double Standards!!! what are the chances of someone who is not afraid to call me names for no reason to be able to give me a job? if i am called names by people out there who are non professionals i don't think i will ever think that it is related to my job search. Analyze this issue for me and tell me what would u think if it is you on my shoes. in the my past three years here i have never thought it the way i did after this issue. in the 1st place do you think it is an easy process to report her to the agency!!!

System · May 2006

Re:What a shock!!!!!!

Steve i do get your point dude!!! what would i think if someone who you think is helping your chance to enhance your career call you names out of the blue!!!

System · May 2006

Re:What a shock!!!!!!

Hi

I'm not going to really comment on the issues prejudice, as I think these have been covered adequately already.

You don't say how substantial your accounting work experience is? As has been said, there are 'tonnes' of posts on here about the difficulties in finding accounting related jobs when the person doesnâ€™t already work in accounting. You say you have been turned down for office work with your present employers, but could this be due to experience issues? Since they already employ you, why would they harbour serious prejudice?

Neil

System · May 2006

Re:What a shock!!!!!!

The fact that this person called you the names they did just goes to prove their narrow-mindedness and the ignorance of everyday life. You are well within your rights to be angry about such actions and I implore you to make official complaints against the individual concerned. There is absolutely no need for that kind of behaviour whether out in social circles or not. There is quite clearly a disciplinary case here and you must follow this up.

On the flip side, it would be unfair of you (as TLG says) to tar everybody with the same brush. In my experience the fact that you are struggling to find a suitable job is not down to the colour of your skin or your religion. It is simply a case of matching the right individual to the right position.

In 1999 I made the decision to move from Industry into Practice as I knew that the only way I was going to qualify was by doing this (personal circumstances dictated this decision for me). Because I had not got any practice experience at the time, I found that some Accountancy Firms didn't even bother replying to my application, let alone inviting me for interview. This was simply a case of (a) not having any Practice experience at the time and (b) most positions I was applying for were semi-senior roles.

Eventually, after months of trying I secured a Senior position within practice. My boss at the time offered me the job because he knew that I was keen to learn and keen to qualify. He did say that my experience in practice at the time lacked but he was prepared to give me a go. Seven years later I'm still working there and now qualified. It took me months to get the right job but I was determined to get it.

The point I am trying to make is not to let it get to the point where you start getting personal about people's opinions. There are thousands of people (like you) trying to get into Accountancy but it is one of those professions where everybody wants to get somewhere but there are simply not enough vacancies to go round. You need to keep applying and if you don't get the result you want then continue applying - you will get there in the end.

Kind regards
Steve

System · May 2006

Re:What a shock!!!!!!

Steve Thank you for your advise i am currently doing part-time Voluntary project which i believe will open the doors to talk to people about my career. I have five years working experience as accounts assistant which i attained in south africa. I think your advise is realistic so i will keep my head up. I will get over the issue which happened yestarday and make sure it wont sidetrack my Confidence.

System · May 2006

Re:What a shock!!!!!!

Glad to hear it and I wish you all the best of luck in your vocation. I know it can be frustrating especially when you receive a lot of knockbacks but like I say the best thing you can do is not to take it too personally - by doing this your judgement can become inappropriately clouded.

Kind regards
Steve

p.s. it is still important that you lodge a complaint against the Agency woman that insulted you. Don't let her get away with this.

System · May 2006

Re:What a shock!!!!!!

I am just amused that the opening thread about racism and prejudice finishes with a summary that everone in Wigan is hypocritical

System · May 2006

Re:What a shock!!!!!!

as a born and bred wigan person i was sad to read the comments about wigan and the general perecption you had. please do not judge an isolated incident and judge everyone the same!racsism is not something the friendly people of wigan are about!
i myself had difficulty getting my first job in wigan as a trainee accountant. not because of creed, race, or gender but because of a shortage of job vancanies in wigan being a town.
my advice to you is do as i did, get on the train and commute into manchester or liverpool. they are cities with more vacancies in this feild and within commuting distance. the rates of pay are higher.
i still had difficulty as there were others with work experience but i percevered and got a job in manchester. the 2 years experience has paid dividends since.
good luck to everyone trying to get there first job in accounts.
if people have a bad attitude to you they are not worth working for there are better employers out there!

System · May 2006

Re:What a shock!!!!!!

Markzone,

I am from bradford which is very well known for having a cultural mix. Can you guess what the number one excuse is when I get a job over a fellow candidate, who happens to be asian? "Because he's white".

I can see from your text there are numerous written English errors, I don't know what your spoken English is like but perhaps that constitues to your difficulty finding work.

Good luck and stick at it, but don't be so defensive

David.

System · May 2006

Re:What a shock!!!!!!

i am 26 and a single mother.

i began to study aat 4 years ago as it was sold to me as a worthwhile qualification.

after much blood sweat and tears i have 1 exam left to pass to attain aat qualificaton- the new standard DFS.

I have already atempted this exam twice and feel as if i am banging my head against a wall!

as a single mum it was only last year i was able to begin my job hunt (in bolton) when my child started school.

after many applications for jobs am begining to feel it has been a gross waste of time, effort and expense as due to lack of 'employment' history (even though i have worked 2 days unpaid per week for 9 months simply to add to my cv) and have never been offered an interview!

sadly i am reaching the point of giving up as it is becoming obvious that my age is pricing me out of the market when there are so many school leavers to choose from

System · May 2006

Re:What a shock!!!!!!

Hi Hel

At the age of 26 your still very young, so I wouldnt say its your age against you, more likely the same problems anyone making a career change is against.

I started in accounts at the age of 23 having followed a completely different path at college and in work. The only thing you can do at the moment that will pay dividends is to not give! If you do then you'll just be giving in.

Neil

System · May 2006

Re:What a shock!!!!!!

hi!

i appreciate the moral support! x

the point i am trying to get across is that it is not a racism issue on this thread, but possibly a general predujice issue!

employers can pay less for a school leaver than someone else inexperienced at 26 (even though i'd apppreciate the opportunity more!).

it is so disappointing when i have stressed out over so many exams, devolved assesments and assignments, not only to trip at final stage (added to by standard changes) that because nobody has paid me to work in accounts so far that i wont get my letters!! GUTTED!

the only way around my situation that i can see is to take up nail art and be my own selfemployed book keeper!! seriously!

System · May 2006

Re:What a shock!!!!!!

I think you should just draw a line under this whole post.. Right here!

System · June 2006

Re:What a shock!!!!!!

______________________________________________

System · June 2006

Re:What a shock!!!!!!

Do the Equal Opportunities Commission (and the Commission for racial Equality?) still exist?

Why not complain to them - it's their job to investigate!

Also check out the The Race Relations Act 1976 (General Statutory Duty) Order 2001.

There's no reason to tolerate racial discrimination in this day and age.

Age Discrimination is being similarly banned from next October.

System · June 2006

Re:What a shock!!!!!!

HEY!!! I drew the line!!!

But anyway - i feel this has already been answered but being from Manchester and proud to be North Western I do feel I have to put my two penneth in.

As my mother always taught me, if at first you don't succeed, try and try again. Don't let race, religion, age or any discrimintation get in your way and don't use it as a reasonf or not getting the job you wanted... instead use it to your benefit and learn from comments made, put yourself across differently and you will get what you want at some stage. Keep on trying!

System · June 2006

Re:What a shock!!!!!!

Quote

pay less for a school leaver than someone else inexperienced at 26 (even though i'd apppreciate the opportunity more!).

......and thats not predudice????!!!!

haha just playin !!

System · June 2006

Re:What a shock!!!!!!

if you think you're too old at 26, what hope do I have as a 46 yr old hoping to complete technician next week :?
in all seriousness, I went into the local agency a few weeks a go to dip my toe in the water. I explained that I was retraining at my expense and would be looking for work - I was told that "there probably won't be a lot of interest, but you can leave your CV if you really want too" :shock: :shock:

System · June 2006

Re:What a shock!!!!!!

Hi

The problem with agencies is 2 fold:

1) First off, I have yet to meet an agency that actually 'recruit'. All they do is advertise a vacancy, pick over a few CVs and give the appropriate ones to the client to look at. If you ever see adverts for vacancies for recruitment agencie, 9 times out of 10 they want someone with sales experience, not HR/Personnel experience. Despite that the fact its the employer who does all the hard work (i.e. the job spec, final selection etc) the agency gets a very tidy fee.

2) My second point is that using an agency is the norm for the accounting profession which is not of much benefit to the candidate as you dont actually get to impress the employer. As for employers, because of this 'norm' their hands are tide as the majority of candidates are looking via agencies and so the employer has to go to the agency if they want to cast their net wide.

Neil

System · June 2006

Re:What a shock!!!!!!

Hi,

I just wanted to offer some support to those of you looking for jobs.
I changed careers 3 years ago at the age of 30. Before that I was a Dog Groomer. I paid to start my own AAT course and a year into it I started to look for a job. Most agencies looked at my CV, smirked and said they would call me if anything came up. Of course I never heard from them again.
Eventually, one agency took the time to speak to me and find more out about me and what I could do and within a month they found me the perfect job. I am now studying the technician stage which is being paid for by my employer. I have had a promotion and I really enjoy my job.
So persevere and try not to let people at the agencies get you down. It is hard not to take the rejection personally, I know, but try.
Good luck with your quest for jobs.
Tracey

System · June 2006

Re:What a shock!!!!!!

GillG wrote:

if you think you're too old at 26, what hope do I have as a 46 yr old hoping to complete technician next week :?
in all seriousness, I went into the local agency a few weeks a go to dip my toe in the water. I explained that I was retraining at my expense and would be looking for work - I was told that "there probably won't be a lot of interest, but you can leave your CV if you really want too" :shock: :shock:

I think it's October when the Age Discrimination legislation goes live, isn't it? After that, you can DEMAND an explanation of such ageist nonsense. Unless they have some other reason!

System · June 2006

Re:What a shock!!!!!!

Firstly, I would like to say that you need to report the Agency woman to her superiors.

Some words of advice:

You need to improve on your English and the post makes very hard reading.

I know of several people with first class degrees in accounting who can't eve get junior jobs. This is because they lack experience, and sorry to say are a bit too old be applying for junior jobs. You really need to be on the ball when starting off your career.

Its not down to the colour of your skin, as to whether you get a job in accounts or not.

When I left school I found it very hard to find my first accounting job, and therefore had to accept a job in retail banking. I then gained some experience in the financial industry and started my AAT. I applied for my first accounting job and got it.

In summary, you need to brush up on your english, do some unpaid work experience in accounts and perservere.

WATERFALLS

System · June 2006

Re:What a shock!!!!!!

What makes you think that you would appreciate the opportunity more than someone who has just left school? If someone is looking for a career in accountancy, surely no matter what age they are they would be grateful!

What a shock!!!!!!

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