Careers

From tailored content and engaging storytelling to formatting finesse and proofreading, Concepta Cadogan explains how to prepare a CV and cover letter that resonate with employers in today’s competitive job market Many see writing a Curriculum Vitae (CV) and cover letter as an administrative chore. However, successful job seekers know that this is the first chance to gain the interest of their potential new employer. While your CV feels very personal to you and highlights your strengths, a HR manager or employment agency will see hundreds of CVs for one role. They will look only at the CVs that stand out.  The 2018 Ladders eye tracking study showed that recruiters spend roughly six to eight seconds skimming a CV before deciding to long-list it for a role.  So, when you are writing your CV, you should take several steps to make sure it stands out from the rest. Do your research Read up on the organisation you are applying to, its history and culture.  Try to put yourself in the position of the hiring manager and think about what they are looking for in a candidate. Use this newly gained knowledge to temper the tone and style of your cover letter and CV.  For example, you wouldn’t write the same CV for a role at Google as you would for one at a local County Council. Write a commanding front page Recruiters scan the front pages of CVs and only look at the details once they have trimmed down to a shorter list.  Your front page must be easy to read, with short and attractive summaries. There is nothing wrong with writing in bullet points or emphasising specific achievements, but make sure it’s concise. Focus on storytelling Start your CV by framing your bigger career picture before adding those smaller bullet points. Tell engaging before-and-after stories. Consider: what were your previous places of employment like when you started there?  what were their biggest challenges, and how did you help meet them? how are those organisations better because of you?  Flexibility Companies and roles are all different. You may have expertise in various areas and several roles in your background. Do not write a general CV and expect it to fit all situations.  Instead, tailor your work and emphasise the roles and responsibilities that the employer explicitly states they are looking for in the job description. Be honest History is littered with examples of people who have been a little too creative with their CVs and had it backfire on them, so don’t fall into the same trap.  It is easier than ever for employers to check your background, and with employment screening services such as Checkback.ie, it has become the norm among executive placements. Save yourself time, energy and embarrassment and tell the truth! Sell the sizzle While you should always tell the truth on your CV, there is no reason you can’t use subtle techniques to ensure it gives the best impression of your experience.  Using proactive action words or power verbs such as ‘actively’, ‘developed’, ‘implemented’ and ‘designed’ increases hiring rates.  Make sure you write about what you have achieved and how you have contributed to the organisations where you have worked rather than simply listing routine tasks that anyone could have done. Format When we think about CVs, people picture a white, A4 paper document, but sometimes you may need to think creatively.   Many examples of CV styles and formats exist on blogs, YouTube and other social platforms.  When being creative with your CV, make sure you think about the practicalities.  For example, a recruiter may be unable to open a file or web link due to their organisation’s IT policy.  Many hiring managers cannot edit a PDF file, so make their lives a little easier and provide your CV in Word format. The cover letter Often, you will be asked to provide a cover letter with your CV, but even if the employer doesn’t explicitly ask, it is generally good form to provide one.  Like the CV, you must remember that the hiring manager will see these every day of the week. Yours will need to sparkle to stand out. A good tip is to imagine you are answering the question, “Why should I see you”?  As with your CV, you must keep it short and to the point; about half a page is optimal.  Make sure you focus on the goal you want to achieve – you want to get in front of the recruiter to tell your story. In the cover letter, list at least two reasons why this employer would want to speak with you and clearly give contact details so they can pick up the phone immediately. Proofread It’s important to remember that the biggest reasons for rejection of a candidate are poor spelling and grammar on their CV and cover letter.  Before sending them off to potential employers, check both of your documents carefully and, if possible, get someone else to read them over to ensure they are error-free. Concepta Cadogan is Director of Accounting & Finance at Lincoln Recruitment  

Negotiating a pay rise can be difficult and maybe even awkward. Concepta Cadogan, Director at Lincoln Recruitment Specialists, outlines nine tips to make the process easier and get you closer to that bigger pay packet The art of salary negotiation is a crucial career skill that will stay with you throughout your working life.  To succeed during a salary negotiation, you will need a little preparation, rehearsal and correct positioning to ask for and receive the pay you deserve. Most companies will have a standard annual pay rise for all employees to cope with inflation, but what do you do if you think you are worth more?  We’ve put together some tips for when you want to ask your employer for an increase but can’t decide what is the best way to go about it.  Good preparation and research Benchmark yourself. Look at fellow employees and people in other organisations doing similar jobs. How do you compare?  Benchmark your role This should be based on similar roles in your firm and against market rates.  Suppose you work in a fairly structured area such as accounting. In that case, this is as simple as looking at job boards and comparing your salary against others advertised but remember to use companies of similar size and in the same location as yours.  Decide what you feel is fair Once you have seen what the market is paying, set a top rate and a bottom rate that you think are a fair reflection of your value to the organisation and that you’d be happy to accept. Don’t just focus on the money Is only money important to you, or would you prefer shorter hours, training opportunities, flexible working or a promotion?  If your firm cannot offer more money, it may be more amenable to non-cash benefits that would increase your total package but would cost it little or nothing to provide. Put together your business case Treat your salary negotiation like any other pitch you make in your job.  Put together a compelling argument as to why you are worth investing in. Think about how your job has developed, where you have contributed above and beyond your pay grade and how it makes sense for the company to reward you.  Practise arguing your case several times in front of a mirror and then on someone else. Ask them to judge whether it makes sense and if it is compelling. Get your timing right If you march into your line manager’s office and demand an increase when they have assembled a complex budget, you may get a less favourable reception than you’d want.  Alternatively, the upcoming company-wide pay round or your appraisal meeting are perfect opportunities to speak with them and put your case. Keep your cool Negotiating a pay increase is a stressful and emotional time. From your point of view, you aren’t being valued enough, but there is a possibility that from your employer’s standpoint, times are hard, and the last thing it needs is staff unrest.  Try to focus on the facts wherever you can, and don’t take the results personally. Be ready to negotiate Any manager worth their salt will come back with a counteroffer. If it’s not what you want, ask for time to consider it (it doesn’t hurt to let them stew a bit!) and decide if you want to stand your ground. Get it in writing Finally, once an agreement has been reached, ensure you get a letter stating what you have agreed.  If your manager is too busy, write it yourself and let them know that you are doing this to ensure that both sides understand what was actually agreed. By being professional and organised, you can prove to your employer that you are worth investing time and money in and by following our tips, you should get the desired result. 

With a Chartered Accountancy qualification in hand, new members can explore a range of career paths and options. Claire Doyle and Anne Carter describe their perspectives on the post-qualification career The training contract goes by in the blink of an eye. It’s easy to remember FAE results morning and the sense of relief, pride and satisfaction from seeing that you have finally passed – if only we could bottle up that feeling!  In the midst of all the studying, you think this day will never come and when it does, you think to yourself, where did the time go? Once the results are in, you begin to think, what's next?  Start thinking about this question during your training contract. Use the time, as well as all the study, to think about the areas that you enjoy in your job and might look to pursue after you qualify.  Once the contract countdown calendar is complete, you can get signed off as a Chartered Accountant. Finalise your CA Diary as soon as possible, regardless of whether you stay or leave your training firm and start thinking about your future. Should I stay or should I go? Whether or not to remain in your training firm once you are qualified is the dilemma that faces many of us at the end of the training contract. There is no right or wrong answer, and this will come down to your own personal preference.  Staying – Claire Doyle (CD) If you are unsure about the type of role that you want, staying on is a great option, even if only for a few extra months.  In the long term, I knew that progressing to be a Big Four partner was just not for me! Rather than working on multiple clients in different industries, I was keen to deepen my knowledge and skillset in a sector that aligned with my interests.  After switching firms, my main clients were in the life sciences/pharma space, and I was naturally drawn to continuing my development in this area. Leaving – Anne Carter (AC) Leaving my training firm wasn’t an easy decision. At that point in your career, you have formed friendships, you are continuously learning and have become more senior in your training firm.  Make a list of all the pros and cons of staying and leaving, thinking about the bigger picture, like what direction you may want to take in your career.  The important thing is not to jump at the first option offered by recruiters. Know what industry you want to be in or what skills you would like to gain and tailor your job search based on that.   Career concentration Moving areas within a firm – CD If you stay with your training firm, moving departments can be challenging and is rarely guaranteed.  In my experience, if you want to try a new area, you need to move firms and be prepared to sell your transferable skills.  Coming from a tax background, I found it can also be hard to apply for a financial accountant job when other candidates are coming from audit.  However, do not be afraid to apply for a role with a company you like just to get your foot in the door. Utilise the interview process to determine whether they offer secondments or exposure to other areas of finance.  Reach out to current employees and ask questions to show that you are interested in joining the organisation, and they may refer you for a role.  Five years post-qualification Having the opportunity to travel as much as possible is an amazing benefit. You can use your qualification as your passport to travel and work abroad. Global mindset – CD If you decide to move into industry, take the time to get to know the company, the various functions in and outside of finance, learn about the products, etc. This will be invaluable when you are asked to assess the impact of a problem for your company.  Keep a global mindset. This doesn’t mean you need to relocate to another country but use your understanding of country-specific issues and pain points to ensure that you can give the best solutions. Secondments – AC My first role post qualification was in internal audit. I moved on to my current company where I remain in internal audit, but I’m also getting an opportunity to go on secondment to one of our operational companies as part of an ERP project implementation.  The opportunities are there to be had if you put some thought into where you see yourself and have meaningful conversations with peers, mentors and managers. Salaries Check the scale – AC When looking for your first role post qualification, it’s important to be aware of the salary scales for accountants who have recently qualified. Several recruitment firms publish salary scales annually.  It is also important to note the different salary bands for practice versus industry, the different business sectors and previous experience, etc. Check the location – CD Salaries may also differ based on your location.  Unless your role specifically requires you to be office based, hybrid and remote working now provide flexibility in your work location.  In my experience, industry roles offer a bonus based on a percentage of your salary and can include equity, which gives you a stake in the business. Networking  Start early – CD Building your network is super important. You could be talking to a future client or someone whom you will lean on for advice.  During my training contract, I was more focused on passing exams than joining the student societies and it was only when I moved to Dublin that I wanted to reconnect with fellow ACAs and with the Institute.  The Young Professionals – AC The Young Professionals Committee will offer you a network to create new friendships, make potential future work connections, a space to have conversations with your peers, ask any questions that you have about the profession, and a variety of social events throughout the year.  It will also give you a different perspective of Chartered Accountancy outside of your workplace and a place to meet like-minded individuals. Claire Doyle is International Tax Manager at PTC Therapeutics Anne Carter is Group Internal Audit Assistant Manager at CRH Both are members of the Young Professionals Committee

Confidence when interviewing can be a challenge, especially if you are nervous or unsure of yourself, but with the right preparation and mindset, anyone can ace an interview, says Donal Whelan, Managing Director of Lincoln Recruitment Are you in the middle of a job search, preparing for an interview or going for a promotion? Can you identify a common factor that applies to all three?  The presence of confidence  As recruiters, we meet a variety of candidates every day, and while the majority of them have serious potential, something that is not as common among them is the presence of confidence.  Confidence, believe it or not, is a mindset, and something that we can hone in preparation for our job search. Below are some simple ways to communicate confidence during your search, which may make all the difference in you securing that dream role. Fake it until you make it This is an oldie but a goodie!  Very few people wake up each and every day feeling ready to take on the world, but everyone has the ability to act like they are to some degree.  Think about somebody in your office who you would consider as confident. How do they act and carry themselves?  Take note of their behaviours and mannerisms, and try to emulate them while in interviews, the first day of work and while networking. You also have the added bonus of feeling more confident because you are acting confident. That confidence will rub off on the people around you.  Fail to prepare, prepare to fail Unsurprisingly, if you are unprepared for an interview, you will come across as nervous – that’s a given. There is nothing worse than fumbling over your words and being at a loss for basic information because your nerves have gotten to you.  Virtual interviews, the most common type of interview these days, makes it much easier for you to have access to your notes and interview prep docs.  Keep a list of your skills, achievements, projects, software used, courses completed, etc. at your disposal for reference during the interview, and make sure your notes are targeted to the role and interview at hand. Dress the part You want to be taken seriously in your job search and sometimes that means dressing in more corporate attire. Likewise, sometimes that isn’t necessary at all! It depends on the organisation to which you are applying.  Take into account the role and the type of company you’re looking to get into and dress how you think fits the company culture and dress code.  If you feel comfortable in your appearance, this will shine through during the interview. Take constructive criticism kindly Whether it’s a recruiter or a hiring manager you’re dealing with during your job search, chances are they’ll say something about you or your CV that you may not agree with.  If you take constructive criticism as a personal insult rather than well-meaning advice, it will result in a dip in confidence.  However, if you take constructive feedback as a learning opportunity and avoid becoming disheartened, you will feel better equipped for future interview processes.  The more knowledge you have about what appeals to employers, the more confident you will feel going into your interviews, and the better chance you have of snagging your dream job.   

Evan O’Donnell, Assurance Associate at PwC, Co-Chairperson of CASSC and Vice-Chairperson of CASSI, has taken full advantage of the student societies, and thinks you should, too I am in the third year of my training contract with PwC, and I can honestly say I have enjoyed my Chartered Accountancy journey so far. Don’t get me wrong, the immense exam material, gruelling exams, busy season hours and never-ending deadlines can take time to get used to, but like anything in life, balance is key.  CASSI networking Throughout my three years, I have been involved in Chartered Accountants Ireland student societies.  Joining a regional society committee or Chartered Accountants Student Society of Ireland (CASSI)committee opens the door to a world of opportunities. Not only is it advantageous from a CV and career point of view, but the network of similar colleagues on similar life paths also creates lifelong bonds.  The fun, banter and laughs I’ve shared with my fellow students and colleagues over the past three years have made the route to becoming a Chartered Accountant an enjoyable one.  More than a bean counter I have spent three years on Chartered Accountants Students Society Cork (CASSC), serving as the Education Officer, Vice-Chairperson and Co-Chairperson, and enjoying every minute of it.  Through organising academic and social events for my region, I have learned how to be an event planner, a traffic warden, a bouncer and, most importantly, an effective communicator!  Who says the role of an accountant is solely bound to calculators?  Exam camaraderie I have been very fortunate that there are more than 30 other graduates in my intake at PwC Cork, which has certainly aided the exam process.  Having a large network of like-minded individuals who are going through the same challenges as myself, such as meeting audit deadlines, completing the CA Diary and sitting the Chartered Accountancy exams, has proved to be incredibly beneficial.  My advice to any current student who is debating whether to join a regional or national student society would be to go for it! The worst that can happen is that they’ll have buckets of fun with fellow students! 

When you are nearing qualification, many questions about your future career prospects can come to the fore. Brian O'Connor answers the most common queries from students In 2022, over 1,000 accountants due to finish their training contracts in 2022/2023 have attended the CASSI & Barden Finance Leader events. Inspiring leaders from companies such as Kerry Group, Mandiant and Paddy Power Betfair shared their stories and gave their career, CV and interview advice. They answered many questions, but you had more. So, we put your questions to our resident experts. Practice vs industry Is it better to stay on in a Big 4 firm after qualification or go out into industry? Is it better to get your post qualification experience (PQE) within a training firm or in industry? It's hard to get objective advice on this one. A partner will always want you to stay on, and a recruiter will likely advise you to move. Let's try to get an objective opinion by looking at the questions through different lenses. You should seriously consider staying on to become a manager post-contract if: you wish to become a partner; you'll gain exposure to a different client base; or you get to move into another department that will help you eventually move towards your preferred position. You should not consider staying on to become a manager post-contract if: you don't wish to become a partner; you plan to move to the client-side or industry in the long term; or you weren't fulfilled by the work you during your training contract. We regularly hear people tell recently qualified accountants: "You should stay on to become an audit manager, and then you'll be able to move to the client-side or industry at a higher level." This statement is fundamentally incorrect. Suppose a company is looking for a financial controller or finance manager, for example. In this case, they will (99 times out of 100) look for a qualified accountant with 'x' years of post-qualification experience outside of practice because their first choice will always be someone with practical experience as a financial controller. For the vast majority of hiring managers, there's no contest. Practical industry or financial services experience post-contract wins.  If you stay in practice, you'll increase your salary and benefits as time goes by. You'll become increasingly valuable, but you won't appreciate the same value for client-side roles – your peers who moved straight out of a training contact will.  As a first or second-year manager in external audit, you'll still be able to compete for positions in internal audit, technical external reporting and project-based transformation. Broader financial accounting or analysis will likely become increasingly difficult to access. I work in industry and don't have the knowledge one could gain in practice. I think this may undermine my career potential. Should I get practice experience? Ultimately, it should not matter if you are trained in practice or industry. What matters is the calibre of the people you trained with and the calibre of the training you received. Some job specifications will say "Big 4 trained", which means "big company trained". If, however, you have trained in a small company and want to work in a larger corporate, a stint in a big practice will stand you in good stead. Is age a factor for recently qualified accountants looking for a move into industry? Broadly speaking, it is not. A newly qualified accountant is a newly qualified accountant. As long as your salary expectations and attitude align with being a newly qualified accountant, the vast majority of employers will look at you as such. Would you have any tips for moving from a small practice to corporate finance after qualifying?  To be honest, this is not a move that typically happens in a single step. The 'like-with-like' principle matters here. You are more likely to access a role that has something in common with your current or most recent role. You've likely had small company exposure if you're small practice trained. Most corporate finance (CF) activity takes place through larger companies. Getting exposure to larger companies (be that in audit, restructuring or similar) is likely a good first step. Then you can look again to move internally to a CF or related team in 18 months. A diploma in CF is not a prerequisite. It can't hurt, but it also does not guarantee you anything. If you're serious about CF, get into a more prominent firm first, become an expert with Excel and financial modelling, and push internally to get into CF or a related area, like transaction services, valuations, etc. Working abroad What is your view on working abroad after your training contract, and what would be the best way to get work abroad?  I am a big fan of working abroad – world and life experience are hugely valuable (and the earlier you do it, the better).  Maybe take a contract in industry locally for 12 months before you go to give yourself a shot at the better jobs when you move, but working abroad in your first couple of years post-qualification in a good role with a good company is never a bad thing. It's best to connect with a local recruiter in the target country to get a feel for things on the ground before you go. Other alternatives might be to work with an Irish company and move internationally with them in time or work in internal audit and travel the world while remaining anchored in Ireland. Are Irish tax exams useful if you move abroad? A: The tax exams here are specific to Irish tax legislation, but many tax professionals secure roles abroad in jurisdictions with similar rules (e.g. the UK and Australia). Some of Ireland's tax qualifications have international recognition through affiliate networks. Of course, some tax consultants who move abroad also choose to complete the relevant tax qualification in the country they are working in, but it's not always a requirement. Finding jobs and recruiters Where's the best place to find job opportunities? A good expert recruiter in a reputable firm should always be your first port of call. (Of course I'd say that!).  Ask around to get referrals. A good recruiter is going to provide better insight on getting access to the right job than any Big 4 partner, auntie in HR, or friend who moved jobs recently. LinkedIn, IrishJobs.ie (and similar) and your own network are other credible sources. What experience would you look for in a recently qualified accountant?  The answer depends on who's looking. Relevant exposure to similar companies and organisational structures is typically number one on the list. Companies might also look to see if you have worked with the firm's more high-profile clients. (If you have, don't be shy about it.) From there, hiring managers look at performance ratings, FAE results and general academic background. After that, they typically look to see if you took on any special projects, secondments, or if you were involved in any extracurricular activity at your firm. For niche roles, they will look for niche experience. (Technical exposure to a particular IFRS, for example). All of the above should be clearly stated on your CV. What's the best way to find out if a company's culture is a good fit for you? The simple answer is to meet the people there. Company culture is defined by the people that work in the company, not by some set of values on a website. Find people you like, admire and respect, and you'll be on the right track. Setbacks Will newly qualified accountants who struggled or took longer than typical to pass their exams be affected when they interview or apply for a job? In reality, this can be a challenge and can make it much harder for you to access some larger corporate teams. Sometimes there are mitigating personal circumstances. If this is the case, you should make it clear in your cover letter and during the interview.  However, your flexibility on the nature of the role you take to lead you into the right company and make a fresh start can make all the difference. The further post-qualification you are, the less relevant this becomes. What is the best way to present setbacks in your career, like exam repeats, training contract terminations, etc.? Do you try to gloss over them or dissect the situation? Setbacks are an opportunity to show how you have overcome them, learned from them, and are stronger and wiser as a result.  Overcoming adversity is an asset. Do not hesitate to talk about setbacks if they come up in an interview. Some hiring managers will specifically ask for an example of a setback, how you dealt with it and what you learned. No contract What advice would you give someone on the flexible route who is not in a practice/training contract? To be honest, I'd give the very same advice as I would to people in practice.  The like-with-like concept does mean that you will have only gained exposure to one (or two) types of companies/structures rather than many types as you would in practice. That said, your practical accounts prep experience could give you an edge. Brian O'Connor is a Chartered Accountant and an Associate with Barden's Accounting & Tax practice