Careers

Not achieving your desired exam results isn’t the end. Bernie Duffy, Senior Associate at Barden, explores your employment options, opportunities and interview prospects after you have had to repeat an FAE exam There are two things to remember if you did not get the FAE exam results you were hoping for:  Even though it may seem like it, this is not the end of the world, and there are plenty of options; and  Many highly intelligent and successful people have found themselves in the same situation.  Working with Barden and having the chance to collaborate with some of the most successful accounting professionals in Ireland, I know of at least five CFOs of incredible companies who did not pass their FAEs on their initial attempt, and some of them attribute not passing as pivotal moments in their career.   Not passing your exams is a cloud, for sure, but with many silver linings. Figuring out your employment options After the results have sunk in and you have had time to chat with family and friends, the first step to take is to speak with your employer.  Arrange to have an initial chat with your manager or partner. Make sure it is someone who has worked with you and with whom you have a good rapport – they are likely the person who will support you when putting a case forward to HR to repeat the exam.  Ask if your employer is willing to support you in resitting the exam, both financially and with study leave or time off in lieu. In the best-case scenario, they would be supportive of this. If, however, staying with your current employer isn’t an option, you could use this time off to focus on preparing for the repeat exam.  Understandably, this might not be a financially viable option for everyone, but if you are in a position to put your head down, focus on passing the repeat and look for a role once you have completed the exam, this can take some pressure off. If this is feasible, the January exam sitting could be the most achievable.  If taking time out is not an option, there will be plenty of companies that hire at this level and are happy to support you on this journey.  We would suggest looking at “finalist” level accounting roles, which are generally tailored towards people close to qualification but not yet fully qualified. In most cases, companies will offer exam support and salary increases or even promotions once you have passed the exam. Taking a break You can also use this as a defining time in your career to consider your long-term options and career goals. This will be different for every individual; some people will be more comfortable going into another practice firm, and others will use this opportunity to pivot their career towards industry.  Whether it’s a move to a smaller practice where you can gain accounts preparation experience or a move into a finalist accountant role in industry, you can use the situation to develop your skillset and experience further, providing you with more employment opportunities in the future. Prepping for the repeat Take some time to reassess your plan for success in the repeat exam. There may have been other personal factors contributing to the exam result, but be honest with yourself: do you feel you could have done more?  As noted by Edel Walsh, focus on creating a realistic study plan and exam techniques, timings on questions, organising your notes and folders, speaking to friends or colleagues for advice or considering signing up for some additional revision courses as a refresher.  It may also be worth considering if you have selected the right elective or if you could potentially be more interested in another one. Approaching a repeat during an interview A question we are frequently asked is how to approach the question about not passing an exam in an interview and what employers’ opinions on it are.  We would always advise focusing on the positives from the situation and showcasing what you have learned from the experience and your plan to ensure success going forward.  Answers such as, “It was the first exam I had ever failed and was actually a very important learning opportunity for me. I think I am more resolved and resilient as a result” might be useful. Most employers realise that failure is inevitably a part of life, and it is how you deal with and overcome it that counts. No matter your circumstances, there are plenty of options available to you. Do not let one exam define you. Instead, use it as a motivation to become even more driven and successful.  Remember, you learn more from failure than success.

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.