JOB SEEKING TIPS FOR MATURE CANDIDATES
By Karin Lanigan
Research the market
Spend time researching the market to assess what skills and experience are in demand. The easiest way to do this is to check recruitment websites and to talk to the specialist finance and accountancy recruitment agencies who will help you gain a better understanding of the skills and competencies employers are looking for. You then need to assess how your skills, know-ledge and experience rate relative to your peers and other candidates in the market.
Keep your skills up to date
Having assessed your skills, you should be able to identify any gaps that might exist and can use this information to select courses to help you upskill. Remember, chartered accountants who are between roles can avail of certain CPD courses at reduced rates.
Updating your knowledge will allow you to compete more effectively in the market. You will be in a stronger position to market yourself as an attractive proposition to employers. Remember to include the details of the courses you have completed on your CV. This information will be of interest to an employer as they can see that you have been using your time wisely and have had the initiative to keep your skills and knowledge up to date.
IT skills
A powerful way of showing a prospective employer that you are interested in staying up to date is to keep your IT skills and experience current. You can do this by attending courses as well as by being aware of current trends and developments. One recent important development has been the emergence of networking websites such as LinkedIn which is now a very important tool when it comes to networking and job hunting. You should ensure that your profile is current and provides a comprehensive overview of the skills, knowledge and experience that you can bring to an organisation. Remember to include your LinkedIn profile address on your CV.
Step out of your comfort zone
When at a career crossroads don't be afraid to take a lateral move that will allow you to use the skills, knowledge and experience you have in a new way. Keep an open mind in terms of trying something new. Push your-self outside of your comfort zone. Taking the time now to make this lateral move could be time well spent. Your overall marketability and career prospects could be greatly enhanced as you will have a stronger platform from which to develop your future career path. You are also demonstrating to potential employers that you are open to new ways of thinking and that you keep up to date.
Contract and interim roles
In the current environment employers are often reluctant to recruit a permanent member of staff but they still need to hire someone to get the job done in the short to medium term. This presents a potential opportunity for a candidate who is not working but would like to make a contribution whilst earning and building on their experience. Contract and interim assignments are ideal in this instance. Don't be afraid to broaden your horizons and con-sider these opportunities. They can serve to enhance your experience and may provide you with additional knowledge and skills whilst also exposing you to a totally new sector or discipline. You are also demonstrating to future employers that you had the initiative to take on a contract role and that you are versatile and can adapt. The other aspect, of course, is that you never know where this initial contract may take you and if you perform well it could even lead to a more long-term arrangement emerging.
‘Hit the ground running’
In a dynamic work environment organisations need employees who have the ability to transition their skillset and competencies seamlessly. You need to show that you can ‘hit the ground running’ and can make an impact and a difference in the short term. It is vital that you demonstrate this in your CV as well as articulating it in an interview. You must also display a consistent track record of achievement and development during the course of your career. Companies are more likely to recruit a candidate with a proven track record. It will be more beneficial for them in terms of results as well as requiring a less timely and costly induction process.
Remain positive
A positive mental attitude will help you to remain motivated and will make you a more attractive proposition for an employer. Being positive will show employers that you can deal with any adversity that is sent your way. If you are finding it difficult to be positive make sure to surround yourself by positive people and try to concentrate on the positive things in your life. Tap into this positive energy. Switching off the radio and TV from time to time can help too!
Go easy on yourself
Don't talk yourself down. Beware of what you are saying to yourself and if it is negative try to change this sentiment. If you don't believe in yourself it is less likely that someone else will. Make sure to spend time doing things that you enjoy. It will provide you with a chance to de-stress, unwind and recharge your batteries. Ultimately this will help you to perform better and reap more results from your job search process.
Sell yourself
When it comes to your CV and interviews you only have one opportunity to really shine. You must make the very best of this chance. Preparation is key and be sure to seek professional assistance in these areas. Remember, the Institute's Careers Advisory & Recruitment Service is there to help.
When it comes to selling your skills, knowledge and experience you have to differentiate yourself from the competition and make it clear to a prospective employer why you are THE best candidate for the job. You must demonstrate the added value you can bring to an organisation both in your CV and during the interview process. You will be recruited based on your previous track record so it is vital to showcase your achievements to date. To help you differentiate your application from others you should tailor your CV to suit the particular role you are applying for. Highlight the most relevant aspects of your experience for that specific role.
When preparing for an interview, have solid examples ready to demonstrate the relevance of your experience and clearly show the synergies between your experience and that required by the organisation.
Focus on suitable roles
Don't flood the market with CVs. Ireland is a small place and you don't want recruiters to become weary of seeing your CV. Receiving rejections can be demoralising and will sap your confidence, so why subject yourself to this needlessly? Invest your time and energy wisely by applying for positions that you are genuinely interested in. This will increase your chances of securing an interview. Make sure to keep a record of the applications you have made and to follow up if you do not get any response within 2 weeks. Send a quick email or call the organisation to ascertain the status of your application. This way you will know exactly where you stand in relation to each of your applications.
Salary expectations
Know the market and the rates on offer. Try to strike a balance between requesting a competitive salary that reflects the market and one that does not devalue your experience or price you out of the market either.
Demonstrate flexibility
Be sure to articulate in interview that you are flexible and open in terms of the role and salary level you will consider. In some instances it may be worthwhile taking a role at a lower salary level initially, proving your capabilities to the organisation and then using this track record as leverage to gain an increase. The company can then see that you can really add value. You can then also use this opportunity to clearly outline your plans for the next 6 – 12 months. This way you show the organisation that there is a role and a need for a person with your skillset. Starting a role on an initial part-time basis may also be an option to consider or suggest.
Networking
In the current environment companies recruiting are very conscious of costs. If they can recruit a candidate directly and eliminate a recruitment fee they will. Also there are risks associated with potentially recruiting the wrong person for the role so if they can gain some reassurance by recruiting a candidate that is referred and comes recommended they will. Therefore building on your network of contacts can prove to be very beneficial. One way of building on your network of contacts and gaining more experience is to volunteer. This will help to keep you busy whilst also giving you the feel good factor.
Finally, remember that your qualification and experience are a valuable resource that should never be underestimated.
Karin Lanigan is Careers & Placement Executive with Chartered Accountants Ireland
By Karin Lanigan
Research the market
Spend time researching the market to assess what skills and experience are in demand. The easiest way to do this is to check recruitment websites and to talk to the specialist finance and accountancy recruitment agencies who will help you gain a better understanding of the skills and competencies employers are looking for. You then need to assess how your skills, know-ledge and experience rate relative to your peers and other candidates in the market.
Keep your skills up to date
Having assessed your skills, you should be able to identify any gaps that might exist and can use this information to select courses to help you upskill. Remember, chartered accountants who are between roles can avail of certain CPD courses at reduced rates.
Updating your knowledge will allow you to compete more effectively in the market. You will be in a stronger position to market yourself as an attractive proposition to employers. Remember to include the details of the courses you have completed on your CV. This information will be of interest to an employer as they can see that you have been using your time wisely and have had the initiative to keep your skills and knowledge up to date.
IT skills
A powerful way of showing a prospective employer that you are interested in staying up to date is to keep your IT skills and experience current. You can do this by attending courses as well as by being aware of current trends and developments. One recent important development has been the emergence of networking websites such as LinkedIn which is now a very important tool when it comes to networking and job hunting. You should ensure that your profile is current and provides a comprehensive overview of the skills, knowledge and experience that you can bring to an organisation. Remember to include your LinkedIn profile address on your CV.
Step out of your comfort zone
When at a career crossroads don't be afraid to take a lateral move that will allow you to use the skills, knowledge and experience you have in a new way. Keep an open mind in terms of trying something new. Push your-self outside of your comfort zone. Taking the time now to make this lateral move could be time well spent. Your overall marketability and career prospects could be greatly enhanced as you will have a stronger platform from which to develop your future career path. You are also demonstrating to potential employers that you are open to new ways of thinking and that you keep up to date.
Contract and interim roles
In the current environment employers are often reluctant to recruit a permanent member of staff but they still need to hire someone to get the job done in the short to medium term. This presents a potential opportunity for a candidate who is not working but would like to make a contribution whilst earning and building on their experience. Contract and interim assignments are ideal in this instance. Don't be afraid to broaden your horizons and con-sider these opportunities. They can serve to enhance your experience and may provide you with additional knowledge and skills whilst also exposing you to a totally new sector or discipline. You are also demonstrating to future employers that you had the initiative to take on a contract role and that you are versatile and can adapt. The other aspect, of course, is that you never know where this initial contract may take you and if you perform well it could even lead to a more long-term arrangement emerging.
‘Hit the ground running’
In a dynamic work environment organisations need employees who have the ability to transition their skillset and competencies seamlessly. You need to show that you can ‘hit the ground running’ and can make an impact and a difference in the short term. It is vital that you demonstrate this in your CV as well as articulating it in an interview. You must also display a consistent track record of achievement and development during the course of your career. Companies are more likely to recruit a candidate with a proven track record. It will be more beneficial for them in terms of results as well as requiring a less timely and costly induction process.
Remain positive
A positive mental attitude will help you to remain motivated and will make you a more attractive proposition for an employer. Being positive will show employers that you can deal with any adversity that is sent your way. If you are finding it difficult to be positive make sure to surround yourself by positive people and try to concentrate on the positive things in your life. Tap into this positive energy. Switching off the radio and TV from time to time can help too!
Go easy on yourself
Don't talk yourself down. Beware of what you are saying to yourself and if it is negative try to change this sentiment. If you don't believe in yourself it is less likely that someone else will. Make sure to spend time doing things that you enjoy. It will provide you with a chance to de-stress, unwind and recharge your batteries. Ultimately this will help you to perform better and reap more results from your job search process.
Sell yourself
When it comes to your CV and interviews you only have one opportunity to really shine. You must make the very best of this chance. Preparation is key and be sure to seek professional assistance in these areas. Remember, the Institute's Careers Advisory & Recruitment Service is there to help.
When it comes to selling your skills, knowledge and experience you have to differentiate yourself from the competition and make it clear to a prospective employer why you are THE best candidate for the job. You must demonstrate the added value you can bring to an organisation both in your CV and during the interview process. You will be recruited based on your previous track record so it is vital to showcase your achievements to date. To help you differentiate your application from others you should tailor your CV to suit the particular role you are applying for. Highlight the most relevant aspects of your experience for that specific role.
When preparing for an interview, have solid examples ready to demonstrate the relevance of your experience and clearly show the synergies between your experience and that required by the organisation.
Focus on suitable roles
Don't flood the market with CVs. Ireland is a small place and you don't want recruiters to become weary of seeing your CV. Receiving rejections can be demoralising and will sap your confidence, so why subject yourself to this needlessly? Invest your time and energy wisely by applying for positions that you are genuinely interested in. This will increase your chances of securing an interview. Make sure to keep a record of the applications you have made and to follow up if you do not get any response within 2 weeks. Send a quick email or call the organisation to ascertain the status of your application. This way you will know exactly where you stand in relation to each of your applications.
Salary expectations
Know the market and the rates on offer. Try to strike a balance between requesting a competitive salary that reflects the market and one that does not devalue your experience or price you out of the market either.
Demonstrate flexibility
Be sure to articulate in interview that you are flexible and open in terms of the role and salary level you will consider. In some instances it may be worthwhile taking a role at a lower salary level initially, proving your capabilities to the organisation and then using this track record as leverage to gain an increase. The company can then see that you can really add value. You can then also use this opportunity to clearly outline your plans for the next 6 – 12 months. This way you show the organisation that there is a role and a need for a person with your skillset. Starting a role on an initial part-time basis may also be an option to consider or suggest.
Networking
In the current environment companies recruiting are very conscious of costs. If they can recruit a candidate directly and eliminate a recruitment fee they will. Also there are risks associated with potentially recruiting the wrong person for the role so if they can gain some reassurance by recruiting a candidate that is referred and comes recommended they will. Therefore building on your network of contacts can prove to be very beneficial. One way of building on your network of contacts and gaining more experience is to volunteer. This will help to keep you busy whilst also giving you the feel good factor.
Finally, remember that your qualification and experience are a valuable resource that should never be underestimated.
Karin Lanigan is Careers & Placement Executive with Chartered Accountants Ireland
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