Jason's Story: A professional accountancy qualification is a passport to working anywhere!

Jason attended an event we held in Dublin and before long he was on his way to work for PwC in Sydney. It was there that he met his wife and got introduced to a fantastic new city.

Jason who is now Deputy Director Corporate Finance and Operations for University of Newcastle, Australia, allowed us to catch up with him to hear how his move benefited his career. 

 

Why did you originally decide to move overseas?

I attended the Think Global Recruitment event in Dublin and heard about opportunities in Australia and began to think about that as a location.  I was invited to Birmingham where the Big Four pitched to a room full of recently qualified accountants.  That led to an interview with PwC Sydney and then I got the job! I felt I wanted to break out of my comfort zone and move abroad whilst I was still young.
 

What was the biggest benefit of moving?
 

I found Sydney to be a fantastic city.  Along the way, I met a lady from Singapore who was also working for PwC Sydney and we are now married!  Professionally, I have done better than I would have had I stayed in Ireland.  There is so much to do socially and I love living in a city with a big ‘wow’ factor.  There is a strong Irish ex-pat community, and I’ve had lots of visitors, so have never felt very homesick.
 

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

 

Money was not that big a motivator for my move, but I’ve enjoyed the lifestyle it has afforded me.  There was a ‘living-away-from-home’ allowance and lots of tax breaks.  The outdoor life improved my standard of living too – the culture was initially unfamiliar, but once I got used to it, I loved it!

 

What were the highlights of your location?

 

Sydney is a beautiful city, with amazing beaches, stunning weather, a lovely outdoor, healthy attitude and very sport-orientated.  As a city, it is easy to get around and I was always proud to show it off.

What location are you in now?
 

After 5 years I moved to Newcastle, north of Sydney with PwC. My contract as a foreign employee had been extended and extended and I wanted to put down roots and get Australian citizenship.  I thought this was best done out of a main city and somewhere a little similar to Cork, where I am from.  Newcastle has 180,000 inhabitants and is a major port, similar to Cork.  I had met my now-wife by this point and wanted to buy a house for us both, which I have done in Newcastle.

 

What, in your opinion, are the advantages of working overseas in terms of gaining future employment?

 

In my opinion, overseas working is virtually mandatory to achieve progression in the Big Four.  It is essential for learning new skills and bringing new knowledge back to use in future work.  It demonstrates the ability to be tenacious, self-reliant, to work with a number of very different people in diverse cultures.

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

DO IT! For several years! It shows global companies that professionals are also global in outlook, have a 5 year plan and stick to it.  A professional accountancy qualification is a passport to working anywhere!

 

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

 

Think Global Recruitment is a truly global company and the contacts you have are unrivalled.  The event that you held in Dublin initially gave excellent information and the Birmingham event was, at the time, really novel.  Having the Big Four pitch to us candidates was great and a nice change from candidates just having to convince employers.

 

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

 

The events allowed me to hear all of my options and I would not have thought of Australia had it not been for your consultants.  I was given good, honest advice and what I wanted was the most important thing.  The international contacts, the knowledge of the consultants, the willingness to listen and support – all of these things made you stand out.  I have recommended you to people over the years so I’m a huge fan of Think Global Recruitment.

 

 

If this story has inspired you then please share it and help those who may be considering making the move abroad. For any further enquiries please contact pmcloughlin@thinkgr.com 

Abigail's Top 10 Tips for Recruiting Internaitonally

Thinking of Recruiting Someone from Overseas?
Expert Tips for Ensuring your
International Recruitment Goes Smoothly

By Abigail Stevens, international recruiter for 20 years

Recruiting internationally is essential for so many roles now.  With the economy picking up, post the longest and deepest worldwide recession we have seen, many new jobs are coming onto a market that is exceedingly candidate short.  For those that have not recruited internationally before, and those that have, but not always successfully, it can cause concerns.  However, these concerns are easy to overcome and should not put you off.

In the 20 years that I have been moving professionals around the globe I have, as you would imagine, picked up many tips on best practice to ensure everything goes smoothly.  Here are my top 10:

1. Market Testing - Do your research, make sure you will be able to get a visa for the ideal candidate to make the move from overseas for the role you have in mind.  As a rule of thumb, if the person you need has to have a professional qualification and you can't find someone suitable within the country of the recruiting firm, it is probable that you will have an immigration case to sponsor someone to take the role.  This is likely to involve "Market Testing", which means advertising the vacancy for a certain number of days, prior to offering someone who will need sponsorship.  Don't leave this until after you have found the person because you could lose that person again during the testing time.

2. Keep Momentum Going - When someone applies for a job they are generally most excited about the prospect during the early stages of the application.  It is a big move for them to relocate overseas and they need to feel comfortable with the process and their choice.  As time goes on, they may start to have concerns about the efficiency of an organisation, doubts about making a move, a change in personal circumstances and a whole range of other issues that make them pull out of the process.  Statistics show that you are 53% more likely to get a positive answer to an offer made in writing within 21 days of the recruitment process starting, than one made 30 days plus.  Even higher odds if made within 2 weeks.

3. Help the Individual Visualise the Opportunity - Often, it is not practical to meet someone face to face or show them around your offices when recruiting from overseas.  However, individuals need to feel comfortable that they are making the right move when it is such a big one.  Providing information such as number and backgrounds of people they will be working with, what the office looks like, what people do socially, values and culture of the organisation, what it is like living and working and cost of living in the location, will go a long way towards helping the person visualise themselves working there.

4. Disclose Likely Salary Package Early - Whilst the best recruits will put career ahead of money motivations, there is no point on holding back on this information until an offer is made, it is a waste of everyone's time. 

5. Do Not Think You Can Pay Staff From Overseas Less - If you are hiring them to do the same job as others they are likely to do as good and in many cases a better job than your local staff.  They will find out if you are paying them less than others and they will become unhappy, unproductive employees, or even leave.  Or if a competitor offers them more money you will lose them.

6. Offering a Relocation Package Will Save You Money! - Research shows, if you provide an allowance for moving, initial flights and other assistance such as immigration agents, information of the area they are moving to etc., the individual is more likely to 'hit the ground running' and be far more productive from the start.  They are also more likely to be loyal to the company and stay longer.

7. Include a Clawback Clause - It is more the norm now for international employers to include a clause in contracts that allows them to reclaim back a proportion of relocation costs, in line with how long they have stayed with the company, for the first 2 years.  I.e. if someone hands their notice in after 1 year and hasn't really met expectations, then the company is able to claim back 50% of the relocation costs.  This helps towards replacing the individual.  It can be used at discretion if say someone has to leave to return home due to close family illness.

8. Keep in Touch Post-Acceptance, Pre-Start -  If someone has a long notice period, or a visa is being applied for, a lot of time can elapse between the person accepting the role and actually starting.  It is normal for that individual to be really excited when they first secure the role.  However, as time goes on, the individual can sometimes start to lose that initial enthusiasm.  After all, they are going to be surrounded by their colleagues, friends and family who will start to say things such as 'we are really going to miss you'.  Keeping in touch with the individual will really help with this.  Maybe through sharing internal communications, announcements, exciting news in the media, giving them a buddy pre-start date or introducing them to others who are about to join the company and moving from the same area.  Whichever way, it is nice for them to receive written and verbal communication from their new employer during this period.  

9. Help Them Settle In - Provide them with information on areas to live, how to set up a bank account, how to get a mobile phone, interesting places to explore in their new location and anything else that they may not be culturally aware of.

10. Catch Up Regularly Post-Start - You have spent a long time building a relationship with this person and helping them make one of the biggest moves of their life.  It's great to meet informally and sometimes formally to ensure they are settling well and help with any hiccups there may be.  It is also rewarding to hear, first hand, how you have improved someones life!

This is a topic that I have grown to know a lot about over the last 20 years.  I will be covering all areas of international recruitment on Periscope moving forward.  Please follow me on Twitter @AbigailStevens & @ThinkGlobalRec to find out more about dates and times!

Abigail

Our Top 10 Things to do in the Channel Islands!

As you may know, our Managing Director has been touring the globe this, so far with stops across the UK, Middle East, Australia, New Zealand and Germany to name but a few!  The other week, she packed her bags again and headed down to the beautiful islands of Guernsey and Jersey in the Channel Islands and returned with a ton of jobs!  We thought that we would share with you, our top 10 things to do in these less-well-known accountancy hubs!

1. Explore the surrounding islands

There are a number of small islands that make up the Channel Islands.  Full of breathtaking landscapes, a mixture of British and French culture and the best seafood you'll find in the UK, the Channel Islands are the perfect destination for a spot of island hoping!  Ferries are regular between the islands and there is so much to explore.  From Herm - the island with no cars, to Jersey and Guernsey - the two most populated islands, steeped in history and vibrant bars.

2. Soak up the history of WW2 in Jersey's War Tunnels

Learn about the dark history of the German Occupation of Jersey during World War 2.  The deep tunnels have been converted into an underground collection of galleries and information about the truly horrifying events that took place in the 1940s.

http://www.jerseywartunnels.com/

3. Don your wetsuit and take to the sea! 

Test your resilience at Jersey Seasport Centre where you can choose from a range of activities such as jet skiing, wakeboarding, water skiing, banana rides and many more!  The Channel Islands are infamous for their range of water sports.  Book your spot here: http://www.jerseyseasport.com/ 

4. Splurge at the shops!

There are many well-known high-street shops in Saint Heilier and a handful of local shops.  There are two main markets in Jersey so there really is something for everyone!  You will find souvenir and gift shops on just about every beach with lots of homemade treasure for you to take away.

5. Relax on one of the Channel Islands' many sandy beaches

Guernsey beaches are said to be the nicest within the British Isles.  Vazon Bay has won the title of 'Britain's Cleanest Beach' so is definitely worth a visit.  With warm temperatures in the summer, these beautiful landscapes are the perfect locations for building sandcastles and enjoying an ice cream! 

6. Indulge in a scrumptious meal in Saint-Malo

Saint-Malo is a walled city, ideally located in the north western corner of France and has one of the highest concentrations of restaurants in Europe!  Being a seaport city, the food is mostly-as expected- locally sourced seafood!  There are frequent ferries from both Jersey and Guernsey over to this fantastic city in France.

7. Come face to face with Orangutans at Durrell Wildlife Park

This zoological park is a must visit to anyone on the island of Jersey!  The park does tremendous work to protect endangered species and is an excellent day out!  The zoo is home to a gorilla, lemurs, meerkats, frogs, iguanas, snakes and many more!  Find out more here: http://www.durrell.org/wildlife-park/

8. Watch the sunset at Corbiere Lighthouse

Take in the stunning views from Jersey's most south west coast.  At certain times of the year you can experience a guided tour around the inside of the lighthouse which is iconic to Jersey's landscape.  Or, if you're not feeling brave enough to cross the causeway before the tide comes back in, there is a nearby car park which the locals say is the best place to watch the sunset and get a bag of chips!

9. Party the night away in Jersey

For quite a compact island, Jersey has a surprisingly vibrant array of nightlife,  There are plenty of local bars and nightclubs in the island's capital Saint Helier.  Big name DJ's have been known to visit the islands.  One of the most popular hang outs is said to be Chambers Bar which is known for having live music, good food and plenty of wine!  http://www.everyoneschambers.com/

10. Pray at the Little Chapel

Guernsey's Little Chapel is said to be "the smallest functioning chapel in Europe, if not the world".  It was created by Brother Deodat in 1914 and based on the Grotto and Basillica at Lourdes, the Rosary Basillica.  This beautiful chapel is decorated with seashells and small pieces of broken china.  It's so small that there is only room for around eight people, it's perfect for a photo opportunity while exploring the island!  http://www.thelittlechapel.org/

Erasmus and My Life in Europe

Having had the initial fears and thinking about every possibility that could go wrong, I took that plunge and boarded my train...

I, like many students of languages are offered the opportunity to live abroad for year. This is the amazing chance to emerge yourself in the language you are studying and gain a more in depth view at the culture and language.

I had the opportunity to live in Belgium for six months and Austria for a further six.

I had, embarking on a journey to live in a country I didn't know, to go to a university I had only recently begun to research. There was a certain rush of excitement, that sense of unknown and discovery that lay ahead.

I think the main challenges were faced in the initial weeks, the fear of not finding a place to stay, not knowing anyone and not knowing your way around. These quickly fade as you do inevitably find a solution to all these issues and before you know it, this new, scary life has become your norm.

Personally, the help of strangers and support from the university made it very easy to integrate. I quickly learned where the best pubs were, found a great social network and had settled into my new house.

In my situation there was the added element of the language barrier, however prepared I was for lectures back home didn't quite prepare me for the nuances of a native speakers, speaking in dialectal French..
 I was very fortunate to have been in a small town. The people there were friendly and the amusement of a Scotsman being in the town allowed me a certain leeway. I found on the whole that people were very accommodating and would take the time to help me understand and be understood. You get accustomed very quickly to the suddenly ever-present language and soon it is normal.

Having spent my six months in Belgium, I was feeling very settled into this life and had built up a very strong set of friendships. It was a strange thought that I would have to give all this up to start again in another country, with another language.. And as it turned out, another dialect, this time Austrian.

With this move came the change to a city, which in comparison to Belgium was huge and filled with distractions. Personally my German was always weaker and I definitely struggled to acclimatise. The one saving grace was that English was a bit more prevalent and being a touristy city, more widely used in the service industry, meaning my mistakes with the menu were few and far between.

Once again though, I had to set up my 'home', this time student accommodation., and try and establish a new circle of friends. Being a bigger city there were plenty of ways to meet new people and soon enough I found myself in that pleasant swing of things. With week after week passing quicker and quicker.

I was truly sad to leave that year by the end of it all. I had had my ups and downs, made a fool of myself linguistically and made new friends for life, bound by a common experience of life abroad.

In that year I saw a big transformation in my confidence. I had made that leap into the deep end and I found I could swim. University had previously been preparing me for talks about politics and the economy, which is very academic and sophisticated, however you realise that in the grand scheme of things that these aren't very useful if you are actually in the country and you can't think of the word for flea as your carpet starts to jump..

But all in all, the experience was rewarding and deeply fulfilling. My languages improved no end and I came back with an appreciation for new cultures, ways of life and I had gained independence and the ability to thrive in new situations.

So if you are thinking and worrying about life in a different country, don't. It may seem scary now but when you are living it it is fun and afterwards you will wonder why you ever worried at all.

Still to this day I would go back and live abroad in a heartbeat.

By Roger, Think Global Recruitment

Making an International Move - What our Team Think

Are you considering an overseas move but a little uncertain? Do you want to make a move but you’re not sure where to go?

To celebrate the return of our Accountancy Worldwide Forum in South Africa, October 2014, I have started digging through our files and tracing down candidates that we have assisted in their international move to find out their thoughts on the process, the locations and what they are up to now.

While I’m doing this, I thought it would be interesting to look at the people that sit next to me every day – what are their thoughts on moving overseas? Where have they lived? What makes them interesting? And finally, what advice would they give to someone who is considering an international move?

From Austria to India, New York to Bermuda, Thailand to Australia, Germany to South Africa, our team have all lived overseas and that’s what makes us experts! Before I begin, I will give you a brief overview of the team members that I have spoken to, where they went and how long for.

Abigail Stevens, Managing Director, Sydney

While backpacking through Australia, Abigail fell in love with Sydney so she got sponsorship and decided to live and work there for three years. 

Alistair Mills, Recruitment Manager, Melbourne

Alistair was made redundant during the recession and wanted to try something new. He had a friend who traveled to Australia and loved it so it seemed like a good place to go. Alistair worked in Melbourne for 1 year.

Calum Smith, Recruitment Consultant, New York

Calum had always wanted to work in New York and got the opportunity straight after university, he had no plans at the time and thought that there was no better time than then to experience the city! Calum lived in New York for 4 months.

Daniel Scott, Recruitment Consultant, Austria & Spain

Daniel lived in Austria and Spain for 7 months each. Though it was compulsory for his university course, he fell in love with both and stayed a little bit longer. He really didn't want to return home after his time was up!

Kevin Dillon, Recruitment Consultant, Thailand & South Carolina

Kevin lived in South Carolina for 6 months due to his university course, he had always wanted to experience life in the USA and enjoyed living and working on the beach while he was there! After finishing university he said that he always wanted to travel and so he moved to Thailand to teach English and stayed there for 1 year before returning to the UK to begin his career with Think Global Recruitment.

Lara Caswell, Administrator and PA to Directors, Mozambique & South Africa

Lara decided that she was fed up of living in the UK, she wanted to encounter something new and begin an adventure. So, she moved to southern Africa where she ended up living and working in various locations for seven years!

Michael Black, Recruitment Consultant, Colorado

Michael lived in Colorado for 6 months during the skiing season, his cousin lived in Denver and so he had a connection there. He had always wanted to work and live abroad so this was his opportunity.

Roger Edwardson, Recruitment Consultant, Belgium & Austria

Roger lived in both Belgium and Austria for six months each as part of his university course. Because he was studying languages, he was really keen to get involved with this aspect of his degree, it was a chance to live in his target area and immerse himself in a different culture. 

Emma Maloy, Marketing Assistant, Germany

I lived in Germany for nearly five years in two different locations. The reason I moved was due to family commitments. I feel very lucky that I had the opportunity to experience a similar, yet very different, way of life and given the chance to go back - I would take it in a heartbeat! 

The general consensus when I asked why everyone moved over seas came down to:

‘I wanted to try something new’

And why shouldn't you? One of our newest recruiters, Kevin Dillon, commented on his time in Thailand stating,

‘I wanted to travel before starting my career and especially somewhere that I didn't speak the language, I wanted to challenge myself.’

Referring back to my last blog, I stated the importance of stepping out of your comfort zone and this is exactly what he did. I guess this is what we all did...

Of course if you’re moving away from home, no matter how long your stay, you will always have concerns niggling at the back of your mind. I know that my biggest concern when I moved to Germany was the fact that I was leaving all of my friends behind, not knowing if I would get the chance to see them again and knowing that I would have to make new friends and adapt to a new, very strange environment. It was truly terrifying but incredibly exciting. Here’s what some of our team members had to say about their concerns:

Alistair Mills, Melbourne –‘I went on my own so I was nervous about meeting new people and settling in. I arrived in Melbourne with just a back pack so it was a little overwhelming however I had a new place to live and a group of friends in no time. It forces you out of your comfort zone and really gets the best out of you. It’s a big decision and of course it’s a little daunting but ultimately really rewarding.’

Abigail Stevens, Sydney –‘Before going I knew nothing about Australia at all, except for what I learnt from Home and Away! I didn't realise there would be big modern cities and it would be a great place to take my career forward. I therefore only had Australia on my itinerary for a three month stop over – I ended up staying three years!’

Michael Black, Colorado –‘I was worried about the altitude (9,000 feet) and being away from the folks, but I fell in with a great group of guys and settled in very quickly.'

Calum Smith, New York –‘No concerns whatsoever – just a lot of excitement at the thought of it!’

We all have our concerns when making such a dramatic, life changing decision, we are only human after all (except maybe Calum – who didn't seem to be nervous at all). At Think Global Recruitment we go out of our way to help anyone who is worried or concerned about their move, we want them to feel safe in the fact that they are making one of the best decisions they will ever make.

Moving on to my next question for the group, did their move meet their expectations? Every single person said no. It exceeded them. It’s hard to envision what it will be like when you are literally stepping into the unknown, you know it’s going to be scary, you know it’s going to be exciting and you know that if it all goes wrong – you can come home but when it comes down to the nitty gritty, you have no idea. 

When I asked the team what disappointed them about their move, Kevin mentioned that the size of beer cans in America are considerably smaller than the UK and Alistair noted that Australian TV is rubbish. Both huge deciding factors when moving overseas! On a serious note, nothing was really disappointing. It's such a fantastic experience that the highs most definitely exceed the lows.

So what advice would our experts offer to those considering a move…

Alistair Mills, Melbourne -‘Go for it! It’s an amazing experience and something that you will look back on with great memories for years to come! From a practical sense, make sure you research the location and find a role that you will be able to do comfortably! Use a recruiter to make sure you have some help with each stage of the way and to secure you the best deal!’

Abigail Stevens, Sydney -‘Do it! It will give you amazing life experiences and friends for life. You will become a more rounded individual with increased knowledge and confidence.’

prolonged her visit) –

Calum Smith, New York – ‘Embrace it – go with a completely open mind and just take every experience in, good or bad! I would also recommend immersing yourself in the local culture wherever you go!’

Daniel Scott, Austria & Spain – ‘My one piece of advice is if you get the opportunity to travel and experience a new culture or new environment, DO IT!’

Kevin Dillon, Thailand & South Carolina – 'Buy the ticket and take the ride! Go head first into each and every situation and do things out with your comfort zone on a regular basis. Try and integrate into the local community and culture as much as you can, you’re not going to like everything but at least you can say that you tried. If there’s anything that you couldn't or wouldn't do at home that you've wanted to do then this is your opportunity!’

Lara Caswell, Mozambique & South Africa - ‘Throw yourself into it wholeheartedly, to this date it is the most exciting, rewarding thing I have ever done!’

Michael Black, Colorado – ‘Do it! It’s a great thing to do, build your confidence and experience; I wish I had made the move sooner as I did so much growing up when I was there.’

Roger Edwardson, Austria & Belgium – ‘Make sure you do research on the location and try and visit there beforehand to get a taste of the culture. Also make sure you talk to locals and don’t be afraid to ask for help.’

Everyone was so enthusiastic about living overseas that when I asked if they could open a Think Global Recruitment office in another country, would they? Everyone said yes.

Obviously our moves have given us the experience needed to be able to advise others on living overseas but how else has it enhanced our careers? I believe that it gives you edge, makes you stand out from the crowd, people are instantly interested in you because you have done something different.

Daniel Scott, Austria & Spain - 'You learn a lot about yourself and also a lot about how to handle situations and interact with people on a different level to what you would at home'

Roger Edwardson, Belgium & Austria - 'My time overseas improved my language skills and gave me a great sense of independence'.

Abigail Stevens, Sydney - 'I know about living and working overseas first hand and now help others to Improve their Lives by doing the same. I believe I gained the confidence to run my own business through the overseas move. I am used to being out with my comfort zone and meeting new people and this really helped.'

I must admit, when I initially typed the questions into an email, I expected that everyone would have vastly different answers, how could they be the same when we all traveled to opposite ends of the globe? We all returned home, not one of us wanted to come back and every single person has had the best time that they could have imagined. I would personally advise every single person to take the plunge and live in another country, experience the culture, the beauty and the excitement. Whether it’s for three months or three years, you will not regret it.

So, there’s a little bit more about our team, if you have been placed by us (or would like to be) and would love to share your story, get in touch!

By Emma Maloy, Marketing Assistant

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THINK GLOBAL RECRUITMENT!

It was big celebrations at the Think Global Recruitment HQ in Edinburgh this week, not only have we secured new positions for a number of professionals seeking international moves but we also celebrated our 13th Birthday. It was the 7th July 2000 that the company was formed and ever since then we have made it our mission to IMPROVE LIVES of everyone we work with.

From a team of 3 that had a small office space in Edinburgh to now having a penthouse HQ that looks onto Edinburgh Castle and having placed professionals all over the World from Australia to Canada and everywhere in between.

It is an exciting time to be part of the company as it continues to grow and develop. We recently launched an International Oil and Gas division to go along with the International Accountancy and Finance.

We have also recently started a series of webinars where we present information to professionals who are looking to gain advice on many different areas of the recruitment process whether it is internationally or locally. To keep up to date with when the next webinar is please click here and we are more than happy to take suggestions as to content and subject matter that we discuss.

Here's to success for the next 13 years!

Cheers!

TGR HQ

THINK GLOBAL RECRUITMENT LAUNCH GLOBAL RECRUITMENT WEBINARS

Last month Think Global Recruitment launched ‘Global Recruitment Webinars’ allowing the company to invite industry leaders in both recruitment and accountancy to present to professionals on a host of topics.

Presented by Abigail Stevens (Managing Director– Think Global Recruitment), the first webinar discussed ‘Interview Preparation’ and was presented to an enthusiastic audience. Covering the full interview process from phone, video and all the way to face-to-face, Abigail has almost 20 years recruitment experience and has conducted literally thousands of interviews both for internal and external vacancies, covering a whole variety of roles and therefore knows every potential pitfall and is excellently placed to advise professionals seeking advice.

Although a new service line for Think Global Recruitment it is something that the company hugely enjoyed setting up and promoting. Abigail Stevens received great feedback from the participants. They all agreed that they felt far more confident and prepared for any interviews in the pipeline. All attendees that supplied feedback noted that they are more aware of how imperative it is that you tailor each application to the role and company that you are applying for.

Some top tips that were discussed in detail were:

TOP 10 TIPS TO ENSURE A SUCCESSFUL INTERVIEW PROCESS

1. Research - Read up on the company and do your research. Look at web site, financials, media page etc (keen)
2. Key Skill - Know what key skills are required and whether you have them (capable/confidence)
3. Practice - Practice answering difficult questions - Put yourself in the interviewers shoes
4. Salary - Never bring up the topic of salary before the interviewer does.  It is often best to discuss salary at offer stage. Ensure they know its not all about money (keen)
5. Most important - The interview practice is invaluable. It’s better to turn down an offer than be rejected. You may decide mid-interview that you really want the role but interviews feedback shows you have already blown it by that time (first five minutes)
6. Recap - Recap through your experiences.  Know your key achievements
7. Sell Yourself - Be confident in an interview but do not rely on your CV.  Remember to sell yourself.
8. Turn weaknesses into positives
9. Questions - Prepare questions before the interview (keen)
10. Closure - Ask what the next step will be and   indicate that you are keen (keen)

  

The GlobalRecruitment Webinars are an opportunity for professionals who are considering their next career move to receive first-hand advice on such things as ‘Interview Preparation’, ‘Living and Working on Offshore Islands’ and ‘Living and Working in Emerging Markets’. We are always open to suggestions on subject matter and topics that can be discussed so please feel free to leave a comment in the space below of any suggestions of topics.  We look forward to meeting you there.

The next two webinars cover the following:

Interview Preparation - 11th July 2013 at 10:30am GMT
Living and Working on Offshore Islands - 18th July 2013 at 7pm GMT

WORLDWIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCED ACCOUNTANTS

There is a world of opportunity out there for experienced and qualified accountants,   maybe not as much as pre global down turn; however, there are still plenty of roles available if you look across the global market. Accountancy is still a profession that is in high demand.

The main effect of the current economic climate for experience accountants seeking a new role is that potential employers are focused on finding specialists and often have very specific skills/experience criteria they seek to match. 

 

There is another interesting swing around the globe also worth noting.  Insolvency is in high demand in a number of countries, including Australasia and the Caribbean and on the reverse side Transaction Services is in demand in Europe.  

Language skills, in particular fluent German or French, can be a ticket to secure very interesting, sought after roles throughout Europe, including Switzerland. Alternatively, Mandarin and a proven track record of career progression is appealing to employers in Hong Kong, China and Singapore, whilst Arabic speakers can enjoy an excellent career throughout the Middle East.

Audit experience in the financial services sector will secure that offshore experience, weather it is the Channel Islands, Caribbean or Luxembourg.   

Audit remains the skill in the largest demand. Mainly because CA firms are the biggest employer of accountants and they need a large number of auditors to service clients who have to be audited.  In the current market employers generally require experience of auditing the relevant sector their clients are in.

The demands of employers have definitely tightened up. Historically they would be happy to cross train sectors and provide language training.  

However, it is highly likely criteria will open up again as the economy stabilises again.  Previous financial down turns and recessions have seen a high demand for experienced accountants in the following years and there are signs this will happen again.  Although many firms tried not to decrease the number of trainee accountants they hired in recent years, they had no choice in the end. We are also seeing statistics that show new generations are not choosing accountancy as a career, which will lead to a further shortage.

A recent survey published by the Education and Employees Taskforce targeted 11,000 13-16 year olds in a bid to chart the job aspirations of teenagers against the employment market from now to 2020. It stated that less that one in 30 young people are currently considering jobs in banking and finance which will result in experienced accountants being in even more demand.

A report conducted by Markit, surveying the UK job market has documented a rise in the need for both permanent and temporary accounting/financial professionals from 2012 to 2013. The report which collates data supplied by recruitment agencies also noted that the key skills that are in short supply in accountancy is ‘Accounts, Audit Managers, Credit control, M&A, Tax and Purchase ledger’.

       

With the job market gradually improving both internationally and domestically and the need for experienced accountants and their skill set greater, the openings for accountants is on the rise and the opportunities are better and will continue to increase. Having an ACCA qualification is your ticket to opportunities all over the world and the future looking far more positive than it has in recent years.  

Written by Abigail Stevens, Managing Director, Think Global Recruitment

Think Global Recruitment does Oil and Gas

Having successfully recruited exclusively for the international accounting and finance sector for over 12 years, Think Global Recruitment is delighted to announce that we are operating in a new sector. We have now got a division actively recruiting into the international Oil and Gas industry.

With this new division comes a new team, with a new team comes new clients, new clients lead to new jobs and with new jobs leads to a world of new professionals that are looking to take their career international! This excites all of us at Think Global Recruitment as nothing gives us a better feeling then meeting new people and discussing the ways in which we can improve their lives. We are a recruitment consultancy that has been built upon ensuring that we give the best service to the professionals we work with and the companies that we recruit for.  

Managing Director Abigail Stevens has been investigating this avenue for some time and has decided that now is the best time to launch it, she said; “Having successfully used our model to assist companies recruit the best Accountancy and Finance talent across the globe, we felt we could use the same model for another sector.  We wanted a sector that was not as reliant on the same economic factors, but one that sometimes found it hard to find the professionals it required on its doorstep.  That’s where we can come in and source for those hard to fill vacancies by providing applicants from overseas with the right skill set and motivation to make the move.  Oil and Gas ticked all the boxes.”

Furthermore, Operations Director Cramond Perry who has over 15 years experience in the Oil and Gas sector is equally optimistic with the path that Think Global Recruitment have taken when launching the new sector of the company and said; “ I've always been impressed by how international the teams were in the oil and gas industry generally and how mobile and flexible most of the workforce are prepared to be. I enjoyed seeing more of the world at the same time as progressing my own career and am looking forward to supporting this sector which is currently booming on buoyant commodities prices and a severe skills shortage.”

Andrew Sharp has been assigned the task of establishing the Oil and Gas department and with extensive experience not only recruiting into this sector but also on an international scale, Andrew is a great fit to make a success of  this new venture.

Having assisted hundreds of professionals to make the ever daunting international career move, nobody is better suited to give advice not only on the role and company that each professional will be applying for, but also the in-depth advice on the location and social opportunities that each location provides. Think Global is not only about helping find that perfect job for you, but also about helping you find the location that suits you best; socially, financially and professionally and that is why our vision is “Improving Lives”.

OPEN FOR ADVICE - ASK ABIGAIL

It's the New Year and for many of you that means making resolutions of changes you wish to make in your life, whether it is starting the gym or changing jobs.

In my career I am proud to say that I have helped improve people's lives from every Continent in the World and understand the obstacles that are in the way of progressing your career Internationally. I have updated my blog to provide an 'Ask Abigail' section to allow anyone that has questions to ask. Just click on the tab or here to find the list of topics that I am happy to provide comment and advice on.

Above is a cut-out of a feature in the December issue of the CA magazine where I was asked to provide comment for accountants who are considering 'Finding work in Canada'. I was approached by ICAS to supply comment on the topic because of the experience I have in not only the Accountancy recruitment sector but also in regards to moving overseas and relocation. I take pride in providing honest and free advice and have in the past discussed provided comment in multiple international accountancy journals.

Think International Knowledge Busters

Think Global Recruitment thought it would test its international general knowledge last night and enter a team into a popular local pub quizz. 

It is not about the winning, but winning certainly feels good.  So winning we went for and winners we were! 

It was not a 'walk on the park' though.  There were certainly some excellent teams amongst the 10 that participated.  

The most fun part and probably the thing that got us to the winning point, was working as a team.  Everyone had something to offer to gain us those much needed additional points.

Well done 'Think' quizz team!  A great fun and interesting night out. 

This beautiful city I live in...

I have always said that I live in the best city in the UK and one of the best 2 cities to live in the world! To confirm this Edinburgh has won lots of awards. The most recent being The Top Gobal City. It is interesting that some many people considering a move to the UK always think of London first. London is a great city to visit, vibrant with so much history.. but hey that could also be a description of Edinburgh. Edinburgh then has the added bonus of stunning countryside, hills and lochs very nearby.

Not been to Edinburgh? Surf the internet to see more. Visit the numerous photography and tourism web sites. My favourite pictures are by Angus McComiskey a local photographer with amazing talent. He really captures the true beauty and vibrance of everywhere he photographs.

Guess which other city I love to live in and received the Judges Selection for Most Outstanding Global Entry... Sydney of course!

How right they are!

I believe in living where you want to work and not really letting work dictate where you live. Although I can definately see at some point in a career its worth sacrificing a period of time to live somewhere not perfect to gain the right experience.

This is why I have not got to a point in my life where I will be splitting my living between these two great cities, with the added benefit of being able to visit cities on both sides of the world on route or from the cities I am based in. I can not wait!

If you could choose anywhere in the world to live, where would you choose and why?

To Makeover or Not Makeover?

Happy Monday all. I know many do not like Monday's because that means a whole work week in front of them. However, if that is the case I challenge them to consider changing jobs.... Radical? Well you are in work more of your waking hours than anywhere else and if you do not enjoy those hours then you should vote with your feet. Stop! Do not rush out there and hand your notice in though. Wait will you have something else to go to. It is important not to have gaps in employment dates on your cv (resume). Believe me the amount of accountants we have seen get rejected for gaps on cvs is extremely high.

There are heaps more jobs on the market now then over the last 18 months, so if you are considering a move and felt there was nothing to go to before, take a look now. If you are an accountant our web site has some very interesting and varied roles. We specialise in moving accountants around the globe. Why not consider an overseas move? After the tough times we have had in the UK over the last couple of years, maybe its time for a clean slate... or a Make Over?

Who else will be considering a make over? Well the top CA firms seem to have been giving it a go, recently PricewaterhouseCoopers have made the much anticipated change to pwc. Causing a little confusion as to if they are now 'pwc' or 'PwC'. Their logo seems to indicate 'pwc', but the media article on their sight indicates PwC, then why change their PwC logo other than to take off 'PricewaterhouseCoopers'? BDO also seem to be dropping off the various other names they have historically had to simply be BDO. This seems a good move to me. Rumour has it Ernst & Young will be next for the make over.

The question is, why spend such a large budget on a change, just as everyone is tight for money and coming out of a recession? Maybe that is just it. The firms have made a lot of change, redundancies, cut backs etc to survive this period and maybe feel they need a fresh image to forget the past.

Any comments on why companies change their brand? The pro's and the con's of doing so? ....