How I Made Partner

London - New York - London

Have you heard?  Think Global Recruitment will be visiting London tomorrow to deliver a presentation outlining the options open to you and amazing benefits if you take your CA qualification overseas!  We will take a tour around the globe, outlining what it is like living and working each location and the types of opportunities available for qualified accountants. 

While we have been working away, organising this fantastic evening, one of our colleagues got in touch with Nassim who Think Global Recruitment assisted in her move back in 2003.  Nassim, originally from London, moved over to New York and has now returned to the Big Smoke where she has made Partner (Head of Valuation Control Group) at PwC!  Here's what Nassim said when we caught up with her:

Can you confirm your original location and current location?

I'm originally from London, I moved to New York and now I am back in London.

Why did you originally move overseas?

I was a junior at the time, 25 years old and had just qualified with my ACCA at Deloitte in London.  I wanted to have international experience, learn as much as I could and join my sister over in New York.

Did you have any concerns with moving overseas?

Yes, I was young and naive.  I had established bonds at home, I was worried about leaving relationships - my family and friends.

When you arrived in your location, how long did it take to settle?

At first, I struggled with the clash of ideas, I had a volatile six months where there were ups and downs and I didn't really feel like I fitted in.  However, after that passed, I felt a sense of belonging.

What was the biggest benefit of moving?

I met my husband!  I loved PwC and I would not be in the position I currently hold in London without the experience.

Did your move meet your original expectations and how?

My expectations were surpassed.  I loved New York and PwC.  There was a strong internal network and once I was part of that, people believed in me, it was exciting to be trusted.

Did you feel that your move improved your standard of living?

Yes, there and subsequently.  I do not think my career would have been nearly as successful without my time in New York.

What were the highlights of your location?

I loved the city, the people, and the "work hard -play hard" attitude.  My firm was an amazing place to work.

What cultural differences did you notice?

Similar to London but they worked harder, longer and then socialised hugely.  It was a very mixed cultural team, less old school hierarchy than London.

When and why did you leave New York?

I was there for seven years and it was a very difficult decision to come back to London but I wanted to be near my elderly parents.  I had built up a strong network in New York and was concerned at the prospect of building up another one in London.

What, in your opinion, are the advantages of working overseas?

Experiencing a different culture is invaluable, makes for well-rounded people, increased business acumen, I would not be as good at my job without my time in New York.  For someone who is driven and ambitious - working abroad is now part of who I am.  I am a better Partner because of my ability to understand cultural differences which have given me insight and different views.

What advice would you offer to other accountants who are thinking about working overseas?

Absolutely no hesitation in advising anyone driven enough and with enough support from family and friends to make an international move.  An international move gives an adrenalin rush and a real buzz of learning and being challenged. 

How did Think Global Recruitment assist you in securing your job overseas?

A friend of mine recommended Think Global Recruitment to me, I knew exactly where I wanted to be and which firm I wanted to work for - Think Global Recruitment got me everything I was looking for.

What are the advantages of applying for a job through Think Global Recruitment?

They have a network of contacts with the best employers, excellent screening and interview preparation and support all the way through the process.

Do you believe the original move that you made with Think Global Recruitment has enhanced your career?

I categorically know, I would not have the role I have today and would not be as good at it without Think Global Recruitment and my time in New York.

Nassim has done an incredible job getting where she is today.  If Nassim's story has inspired you, please contact Emma: emaloy@thinkgr.com to register for our event.

From Ireland to New York, Senior to Partner!

We recently caught up with Emmet who attended a Think Global Recruitment Worldwide presentation back in 2004.  At the time he wasn't exactly sure where he wanted to go, but after the presentation realised that the USA was a location that he was really interested in.

Before Emmet knew it, he had secured a position with a Big Four firm in New York as a Senior Associate.  Just over 8 years later, he had worked his way up to became a partner and says:

"I arrived with just a bag on my back; I now have a wife, five kids and a house in the suburbs... I'm living the dream"

That's not to say it was easy, Emmet worked incredibly hard to get to where he is today.  We asked him to tell us more about his move and career so that others can have an insight into the world out there... Here is what he said:

Did you have any concerns with your move?

When I first moved to New York, I had never been to the States.  The first time I arrived in New York

was with my contract in my hand and my bag on my back so of course, I was full of concerns - as you would expect, having moved 3,500 miles away from home.

On the other hand, I knew that if there was a chance that it wouldn't work out, there would have been plenty of other options for me.  My qualifications are like a safety net, having these would have given me the opportunity / freedom to apply to other firms or move back to Ireland (in a worse case scenario).

It takes a lot of bravery to step out of your comfort zone but this is what has made me successful. 

When you arrived in New York, how long did it take you to settle in?

Given that I made the move ten years ago, it's quite hard to say!  It probably didn't take that long...  I lived in corporate housing for a month, after which, I really had no choice but to settle in and find an apartment and make a new home.

You have to have the right mental attitude or you'll never settle, you have to be all or nothing and overcome the home sickness that you'll get.

When you move to a new country, the best way to enjoy it is to embrace everything about it, enjoy the new culture and surround yourself with people who have been in the same situation as you.  It's great to go out and start new activities, keeping yourself busy so that you don't start to feel home sick.

I'm quite lucky in New York, there is an area which has a heavily Irish population.  I don't really see the point in spending my time there; I came here to experience something new.  But it's still comforting to know that if I ever do get home sick I can visit the area and the shops and pick up some home comforts.

Did your move meet your original expectations and how?

What I thought and what the experience turned out to be were significantly different and it has evolved over time.  

I originally planned to pop across to New York for two years or until my first visa ran out, just to get exposure and gain some international experience and do something different with my career.

I originally expected it to be a tough environment because it's 3,500 miles away from home, and it was, I worked long days and weeks.

Now I can change my job and do different things within the firm so it's always interesting... My move has exceeded my expectations.  I would consider myself to be less Irish as the time goes on and more American because I've integrated so well into the new culture. 

What was the biggest benefit of moving?

Moving to New York gave me so many more opportunities.  I don't think I would have made partner as fast back in Dublin, or even at all...

Everything is a lot closer together in New York, I can visit three clients in one day!

There is also the reputation of working in New York, so close to Wall Street.  People know that you have worked hard to get to where you are.

Do you feel that it has improved your standard of living?

Significantly.

To get to where I am in my career... Being part-owner in one of the largest professional services in the world... There is now way that this would have happened back in Dublin.

I arrived in New York with only my bag; I now have a wife, five kids and a lovely house in the suburbs with a pool.  I am living the dream.

That isn't to say it was easy though, I had to put a lot of work in to get to where I am but if you do it, if you can work hard, you will get the rewards.

What are the highlights of New York?

The career acceleration in New York is second to none.  The opportunities are endless and every day is an adventure.  With my firm, I have visited the likes of; Brazil, Japan, Europe, Singapore - all over the world.

Knowing that my kids and their kids down the line will be so much better off than I was growing up is really comforting. 

New York is a very highly aggressive, tough, place to work - you have to be a stellar performer, you have to be willing to work 14/15 hour days, six days a week, if you want to advance in your career.  When you do all of that, then you can have the perks and bonuses, to get to where I am has been a solid ten years of hard work.

Does/did anything disappoint you?

The ex-pat lifestyle can be quite difficult sometimes.  If you have a problem or you need help with something, people have to do you a favour to help you, for example, if you need someone to babysit the kids - you can ask a neighbour or a friend but then you owe them.  They are doing you a favour.  Back home you can ask your family to do this and they are obligated to, family are there to help you out in times of need. 

Life is very expensive in the USA; the system is very much based on capitalism, expenses, commuting, health insurance etc.

Are there any cultural difference?

The way New Yorkers work is very unique.  The US approach is a lot more black and white, there is a right and wrong way of doing things here.  There's not really an in between, the Irish approach tends to be more grey, more ambiguous. 

There is also a social factor to take into consideration.  In Ireland on a Friday night, the new guys would all be hanging out in the local bar, getting to know each other.  In New York - it is so vast that these people live quite far away from each other, they have more things going on, different commitments.  New York is very vast compared to Ireland.

There's also things like, the US school system, the different 'grades' etc.  It's all different to back home and with things like this, it kind of gets to the point that unless you grew up in the USA, you'll never really understand.

What advice would you offer to other accountants that are thinking about making a move?

Having an accountancy qualification is like a safety net.

If you move overseas for a job and it doesn't work out, there will always be another firm that you can work at, qualifications are the key.

I would do the experience all over again and recommend it to anyone.  You learn nothing from being inside your comfort zone.  You need to get out, test your resilience and build the skills and experience you need to advance in your career.

If you work hard, there will be rewards but if you're just looking to take it easy, there's no point because it's not going to be easy.  You're going to miss births, deaths and marriages because it's too difficult to make it back home.  This is something that you will have to be at peace with or it's not going to work.  You need to embrace and recognise the ex-pat lifestyle. 

By embracing this experience you will be giving yourself huge development opportunities, you really are elevating the ceiling on your career. 

There will be huge development opportunities if you choose to take this route and work hard with your career.

What are the advantages of applying for a job through Think Global Recruitment?

Think Global Recruitment gave me access to top tier opportunities that I might not have had if I applied on my own. 
    
I never would have thought of applying to my firm in New York if Think Global Recruitment had not presented the opportunity and persuaded me.

They checked how I was getting on in my new role a few months after I started and offered assistance at all levels.  During this time they were always interested in finding out about my new experience, about how I was settling, not just the office side of things.

There is a human connection there, Think Global Recruitment told me all the things that people who are moving overseas actually want to know.  For example, how many people work in the office, what the culture is like, the cost of living, things to do when I get there etc.  All the information they provided me with gave me a vision of what to expect on my arrival.

Is there anything you would like to add?

There are so many opportunities to connect with people.  We made a connection ten years ago and look, we're in touch again now.

You never know who you're going to meet and how you can work with each other in the future, every connection you make is vital.



Well done to Emmet who has achieved so much!  'Improving Lives' is our vision and we are delighted to have played a part in improving Emmet's. 

Well Done You Made It!! Now Collect Your Ticket...

The day is finally here, all that hard work and the long hours

waiting in anticipation are over. The FAE results have been published! A massive well done to all of those who have passed. You should be incredibly proud of yourselves - we're not accountants but we know it was hard. Once the celebrations are over (have a drink or two for us please) you will probably being thinking 'what next?'...

We have said it many times before and will continue to declare for many years to come - your CA qualification is like a ticket to the rest of the world. You can move virtually anywhere and many accountants do.

Last week we visited Dublin to present and meet with over 50 trainee and recently qualified CAs. It was just phenomenal to be around so many young professionals who are considering an international move. Some of whom, had already gone ahead and got their visas for their chosen destination and some who were open to anything but seeking guidance. It really was a fantastic atmosphere. We

carried out our Worldwide Opportunities presentation which briefly covers nearly every location across the globe (if only there was time to detail each individual place - we'd be old and grey by the time we finish!) and everyone was so enthusiastic to learn.

We told them about the accountants that we have already assisted in their move to the stunning beaches of Bermuda and the opulent countries of the Middle East. We told them about the serene temples and rich culture of Thailand and the thriving business and financial centre in Singapore. Also, Canada - home to spectacular natural scenery and a bustling metropolitan core. And the Czech Republic, known for it's night-life and growing economy. Name a country and I bet we've assisted a CA in moving there. If we haven't... Well, we probably have.

What country takes your fancy? Many accountants that we talk to take on a two year contract so that they can experience another country and culture. This is more than travelling, it's living and working. And not only is it one of the most life changing experiences that you will probably ever have, it is incredible experience to have on your CV. It proves that you are independent and willing to do anything for your career, it makes you stand out from other people interviewing for jobs and on top of all of that, the exposure you will gain is second to none.

If you don't believe us about how you can Improve your Live by living and working overseas, here are a few quotes from Irish Chartered Accountants who took their qualifications to the other side of the world...

Emmet - NYC - Audit Associate to Partner in 10 years

'To get to where I am in my career... Being a part owner of one of the largest professional services in the world... There is no way this would have happened back in Dublin. I arrived in New York with only my bag; I now have a wife, five kids and a lovely house in the suburbs with a pool. I am living the dream. That isn't to say it was easy though, I had to put a lot of work in to get where I am but if you can work hard, you will get the rewards.'

'The career acceleration in New York is second to none. The opportunities are endless and every day is an adventure. With my firm I have visited the likes of, Brazil, Japan, Europe, Singapore, all over the world'

'I would do the experience all over again and recommend it to anyone. You learn nothing from being inside your comfort zone. You need to get out, test your resilience and build the skills and experience that you need to advance in your career.'

'By embracing this experience you will be giving yourself huge development opportunities, you really are elevating the ceiling on your career. There will be huge development opportunities if you choose to take this route and work hard with your career'.

Aisling - Hobart, Down Under - Audit Senior to Assistant Manager in 8 months

'It probably took about three months to settle in, we spent a lot of time going on trips and doing fun things, we kind of felt like we were on holiday for a while'

'The work life balance is amazing, they love Irish and British people because we work so hard. Their busy season here is just like normal busy back home. If you work until 7 you are generally the last person to leave, they all go home at 5.15pm. It's appreciated if you stay late, not expected.'

'I am getting massive exposure to larger clients over here. There's loads of different offices with a lot of different cultures.'

'My firm is heavily into investing in people. Training is really important to them. I'm doing a coaching course at the moment where I look at everyone and see how I can help them do better. I think this will look great on my CV. They are really into training and getting you involved.'

'Just do it! Your won't regret it.'

Katy - Sydney - Assistant Manager to Manager

'Yes, I love my job, my place where I live and the weather!!'

'It shows you are adaptable and makes you very independent and self-relliant.'

Helena - Cayman Islands - Audit Senior to Manager

'Having international experience on your CV is viewed positively by future prospective employers... The proximity of the Cayman Islands to the United States and South America is ideal for additional travel.'

'I love the Cayman Islands, it's so beautiful. I expected George Town to be bigger and more developed but I now like its quaint charm. The beaches are postcard perfect and I love the outdoor activities. I am currently learning to sail and I love it!'

'I have met so many amazing people from all over the world. I sit next to a guy from Zimbabwe and we have become the best of friends. An unlikely pair but a friend for life.'

'I feel a great sense of achievement for moving here alone and making a success of it, it's scary as well as exciting but more than worth the risk.'

'My work day flies because I am so happy.'

'If you are thinking about it, stop thinking about it and just do it! You will never look back. For me it's been and remains to be a very positive move and I love my new life.'

From all at Think Global Recruitment, Congratulations, you made it!!

Now collect your ticket...