What’s next now you have received your FAE results?
So you have received your FAE results, congratulations!
The positive hiring trends in Ireland within the Accountancy sector mean this is an extremely positive time to be receiving your FAE results. Demand for Newly Qualified Accountants has steadily increased for the past 12-18 months and employers are eager to employ new, vibrant and hardworking talent.
As a newly qualified accountant, your skill set and professional qualifications are held in extremely high regard by organisations. Your qualification is in demand and so in order to secure your next role you need a clear idea of what you envision your next role to look like and ask yourself 'what effect is it going to have on my career?’
Play to your strengths, what are you good at and what aspects of your job do you like the most?
If you choose Industry the choices are endless when it comes to the type of organisation you would like to work for. Throughout your time completing your training contract you may have come into contact with companies that you now have the opportunity to be a part of. Moving into Industry can act as an amazing career launch pad – and while you may choose a particular sector at the moment, there is scope to move in the future. Choose FMCG now and in two years’ time, you may find yourself working in Technology.
For those of you who choose Financial Services, the roles which open up to you are stimulating and challenging and for many, the regulated and fast paced environment is appealing. As well as this, the global nature of these businesses and well-recognised brand names mean you will gain valuable experience and professional development opportunities. Financial Services is a fast paced and ever-changing environment meaning a varied career with strong opportunities for growth.
Here are our tips on how to weigh up your options and approach your job search.
1. Stay with your current employer?
It may be the case that you will stay on and continue to work for your current employer. While the majority of people in your situation may leave, do not rule it out as a career option for you.
2. Make a plan
As mentioned above the choice you now have as a newly qualified accountant is large and will have an effect on the rest of your career. Don’t be tempted to apply for every role you see, be picky in your search and apply only for roles that you really want. As well as this, don’t take a role purely for financial reasons, ensure it ticks all the boxes you want. A clear thought-out plan ensures you are efficient in your search from the beginning.
While you have this fresh new qualification bear in mind your first role may not be your “ Dream Job” but a stepping stone in the right direction to it. Use it to gain experience and sectoral knowledge, opening up your opportunities should you choose to search for something new in the future.
3. Update your CV
While you do have choice there is also strong competition from your peers who enter the job market now as newly qualified accountants alongside you. Ensure your CV is updated, thorough and well put together to give you the best chance. Ensure you are including keywords from your experience such as IFRS, GAAP, SOX, Internal Controls, Audit etc. Employers are interested in seeing all aspects of your experience including technical knowledge.
4. Meet a recruiter
Partnering with a recruitment agency can put you in a strong position. Your recruiter knows your capabilities and relevance for roles. They also have strong relationships with their clients and act as trusted partners to their clients, therefore they are able to introduce your profile to a company, before even sending a CV, creating a much more powerful connection than you submitting a CV through a portal or career page. At the latter end of the process if you are fortunate enough to receive a job offer they are aware of the true constraints on salary and will be able to negotiate the best deal for you.
Our Accountancy team are working with global clients on exclusive roles so get in touch to chat about market opportunities or our service can be as simple as offering you career advice.
Call 01-6618740 to speak with us today, email your CV to info@executiveconnections.ie or take a look at the current Accountancy opportunities on our website.
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