Second job lost in 2 months

Second job lost in 2 months

Didn't find your answer?

Some of you may remember back in March I qualified from ACCA and left my 8 year job for a new practice, after 2 weeks they let me go saying my experience didn't match their expectations although I did a 45 mins test and 1.5 hour interview.

Well after that awful experience and being out of work for a month, I kept positive and few interviews.

One of the interviews was with a company who needed temporary staff to begin with for their big audit with a view to go permanent, I said to the agency after the interview that it went well but I would want a permanent position.

They rang back saying the company is offering me permanent position at 30K so I was happy and accepted the job. Soon as I started, the partner went to holiday for 2.5 weeks and I was at the audit for 4 weeks, I have been at the office only 2 weeks when on Friday the 2 partners call me in and say that it's not working out. Now I haven't put a foot wrong, was always polite and punctual but probation periods are just a joke now as companies can do what they wish.

Their excuse was experience again but I was getting on ok, I admit I don't have the experience I should have but am very hard working and quick learner.

It is 5 weeks before my holiday, they have given me 2 more weeks to look for another job but which job will take me on knowing I got a pre booked holiday.

Maybe the qualification doesn't mean anything after working hard 4 years from the beginning with many sleepless nights of studying because I haven't been trained up properly, maybe the company used me for audit and just let me go.

I am seriously thinking I made the biggest career mistake choosing Accountancy.

Especially on here, I see lots of sophisticated accounts questions being asked and answered and say to myself 'I never came across that'.

Sorry for the rant, feeling bit deflated.

Thank you

Replies (17)

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By mark08
24th May 2014 21:53

Thanks Basil appreciate it.

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By ShirleyM
24th May 2014 22:05

That's really tough!

I wouldn't worry about having holidays booked. That wouldn't affect my decision at all. A long period of notice would maybe affect my decision and you don't have that setback, so keep trying. 

Hopefully, you will be 'third time lucky', and get the job that's right for you.

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By mark08
24th May 2014 23:06

Thank you Shirley it's demoralising but got to keep fighting.

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By mrme89
25th May 2014 00:02

It's a difficult market.

Don't let it ruin your holiday.
See it as a good break. Come back, refreshed and focused and find the perfect job.

Good luck!

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RLI
By lionofludesch
25th May 2014 08:46

Same thing happened to me

Mind you, it took two years in my case, so possibly came as even more of a surprise.  I'd was managing my own portfolio of clients, had a payrise at the end of year 1 which was more than I was going to ask for - then out of the blue, the branch partner asked me into his office and told me he was going to have to "let me go".

Baffling - even now.  But I'll never know the answer.

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By User deleted
25th May 2014 09:58

Ask for more feedback

Why not ask for a bit more informal feedback on why it didn't work out? Keep it friendly and stress that you want to improve your chances for the future. It may be that unknowingly you're doing something that puts people off (farting in confined spaces, slurping your tea...) or that you've a gap in your experience that they think is vital and that you could work on so that future employers don't have the same thoughts. 

That aside, look on it as a good thing - you're finding out quickly that those employers aren't right for you. You can dress that period up easier on a CV than if you'd been let go after a few months both times. And you're not wasting much time on them. There'll be something better down the line, you just have to look for it and be patient. And definitely don't give up. You've proved that you can get interviews and job offers - that's the hardest part, getting through the door. Carry on doing what you're doing there and lay off the baked beans and you'll be fine :)

And enjoy your holiday!

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By mark08
25th May 2014 12:44

Haha thanks Flash Gordon
Cheered me up but I definitely didn't fart lol.

I think it is down to experience, the trouble is I am 34 time is running out. I wouldn't mind if I was 26 and in this position but all you guys are right, on to the next opportunity.

Thank you everyone.

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the sea otter
By memyself-eye
25th May 2014 13:39

Time running out?

At 34?

Blimey, I didn't start accountancy until I was past 40 - time is NOT running out for you you've just been unlucky.

By the way, there's no point in farting unless it's in a confined space (in a lift is good). :)

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By andy.partridge
25th May 2014 14:20

Agree with Flash

If they are decent people they will give of their time to help you. If they don't have the time then the problem might not be you at all but their wholly inadequate recruitment processes.

You sound like you are generally pretty upbeat about things, which is important to maintain in future interviews. Remember that where you are light in technical experience you might add value with your life experience. Have you analysed where your age might be an advantage versus a candidate in their mid-20s?

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By Tosie
25th May 2014 19:41

Contract work

Why not accept short term contracts to build up your experience ?

You have done nothing wrong just been unlucky. £30k is not a top salary for a qualified and firms should know that they would have to pay more to get somebody who can handle every aspect.

Good luck.

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By thecreativeaccountant
25th May 2014 21:28

Have you considered a job in industry?

Admittedly it's been many years since I last worked in industry, but I recall that my ACCA qualified colleagues were highly regarded. You can start off in an assistant accountant or finance manager type role on a reasonable salary. If you find the right company, you will get all of the support and training that you need to get up to speed.

As Tosie has already mentioned, you shouldn't find it difficult to find some contract work to build up more experience.

Sounds like you have had dreadful luck. Don't let it get you down.

Best of luck for the future.

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By susanreed
26th May 2014 10:55

Industry work
You say you spent 8 years in a previous job - clearly you were doing something right. What sector was it in? Could you look for an industry job in that sector. Businesses love accountants who actually understand the business rather than being number crunchers.
34 is nothing. I am past 40 and after 9 years out of work, I am starting again. Enjoy your holiday!

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By nathanhamill
26th May 2014 15:32

Industry

Get a job as an assistant accountant in industry.  A lot of accountants think that a piece of paper means they should know everything but learning only starts in the real world.  Sometimes a lot of s**t comes your way in a short period of time (I speak from experience) and you just have to keep going.  What helped me was a quote from Oliver Wendell Holmes "But sail we must..."  Look it up.  BTW, at 34 you're only a child!  Make sure your parents know where you are at all times!!!

 

Good luck

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By mark08
26th May 2014 15:37

My previous job was in practice.

Thanks everyone for great advise, the problem is not earning during 3 weeks before holiday and 2 weeks whilst on holiday as I doubt employers might take me on for 3 weeks before holiday but I will start the search straight away.

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By MDK45
26th May 2014 16:24

As for the sophisticated questions and answers on the forum, I thought as you did but I sort of realise now that they would be the type of Q&A that are 'way out' and not 'run of the mill' else they would not be asked on here!

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Routemaster image
By tom123
26th May 2014 19:12

Goodness you have had some bad luck

None of us know what's around the corner - especially those of us who work for someone else (like I do). Most of those on this site will have had career setbacks. I finished uni in the early 90's in the teeth of a recession and ended up managing a shop for 18 months - wondering why I did an accountancy degree.

Like others on this thread, I seriously recommend an industry job ( and don't forget that doesn't mean factories etc - although I like working in them).

Perhaps, and excuse the language, the profession is acting a bit 'up itself' at the moment and feeling a bit over important. No disrespect to others on this site - just you may be feeling it has behaved a bit like that to you.

A good friend of mine ( a lawyer) said that as well as you being lucky to get a job, any job is also very lucky to have you - it's important to remember that.

Good luck - in a short while you will look back and laugh. Remember Only Fools & Horses - this time next year you could be a millionaire.

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Accountants Northampton
By Shamrock
27th May 2014 10:46

Not the end of the world.

I've recently started my own practice, but before that I worked In Industry in 2 companies where I underachieved and in 2 companies where I overachieved, the latter were far more senior roles so I managed to pull my finger out just in time. The reality is its a luck dip every time you find a new job as it is very difficult to gage the atmosphere in the business and the quality of the management at the interview stage. That's why I've started my own business so I have complete control over my success, but you have to remember the more effort you make the more opportunities you will come across.

 

 

 

 

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