Are you experienced? Find out how you can get essential work experience and boost your chances of securing a graduate job.
A common complaint from many employers is that students aren't equipped with the right skills for the work place. Although students have the right amount of academic knowledge they are lacking the softer skills of communication and team work. The reason for this is that not enough students are exposing themselves to the working environment.
If that isn't a reason enough to get a work placement than students should also think about the competition for top graduate jobs. An employer is more likely to give a job to someone who has some experience than to someone with none. So it is important that you try and make yourself a marketable a candidate as you can.
Securing work experience placements is not easy especially if you are hoping to get paid at the same time. Only the larger accountancy firms actually offer paid placement schemes, which fill up quickly.
However, there are lots of opportunities to get unpaid work experience. There are many small practices that would be willing to take on a student to help out in the office.
Accountancy Work Experience Top Tips
Investing in work experience can be beneficial to your future career in many ways: it is an opportunity to get an insight into a particular industry and find out what actually goes on; you can develop the skills that are important to employers; it is proof to prospective employers that you really want to work in that industry if you have the relevant experience; and it is an opportunity to get your foot in the door and build contacts within a firm.
Accountancy summer/one year Internships
The large accountancy firms often run internships through the summer holidays or a placement year. They provide you with the opportunity to gain an insight into the organisation and how they do business while you get paid. They also offer a great networking opportunity and if you create a good impression you may get offered a job once you finish your degree.
However, you should be aware that these positions are just as coveted as graduate jobs so you will need to apply early. Also the application process can sometimes be more demanding and in some cases can involve having to attend several interviews. You will need to put in a lot of research and preparation to have a chance of securing a position.
So how do you get an internship? Ask your careers service to help. They should know who are offering internships and will help you through the application process. You should also look on websites of individual firms. You will need to research the organisation as though you are applying for a real job.
Voluntary Experience
What a lot of students don't seem to realise is that there are lots of opportunities to secure unpaid experience. Although the large accountancy firms offer placements they are not the only places you can go for relevant work experience. There are a whole range of small practices local to you that you can apply to.
These positions can often offer students a lot more in-depth experience as you will get involved in a wider range of activities than you would do in a larger firm. Also there is the opportunity to negotiate with a smaller practice over hours of work so you could fit it in around your studies and work full time during the summer.
So how do you get a voluntary placement? You should again speak to your careers service and also your tutors and university departments to see if they know of any local businesses that have expressed an interest in work experience for students. Aside from that you can approach these firms directly. Research the types of firms in your local area and send them a letter along with your CV. Many small firms can often do with an extra pair of hands and are more likely to take you on if you are offering your services for free.