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Author: Scott Lowes

Tips on handing in your notice

Posted on by Scott Lowes

Handing in your notice can be both a great and awful experience. Whether you’re moving on to your dream job or you’ve just had enough of your current role, it can be easy to use your notice period as a time to not adhere to rules and to tell them what you really think. However, it’s always best to remain professional.

Here are a few tips to help you when handing in your notice.

Write a resignation letter

A resignation letter is one of the few documents you should still deliver by hand, rather than email, and this is for a number of reasons.

Firstly, it’s always best to make sure it’s been received, and it gives you a chance to discuss things further with your boss.

There’s no need to go into too much detail in a resignation letter. In fact, you need little more than to notify them that you intend to leave the business state your notice period.

It’s not necessary to state why you’re leaving, but feel free to include this information if you wish – just keep it professional.

It’s always worth including a thank you for the opportunities they’ve given you, even if you didn’t enjoy the job. After all, you might need a reference from them in the future.

Choose the right time

Picking the right time to hand in your notice makes all the difference to the reaction. Try to avoid busy or stressful periods, as you don’t want an over negative reaction to your news. Try to pick a quiet time of the week that will give you plenty of chance to discuss the matter in detail. The more respectful you are in dealing with the situation, the better the reaction is likely to be.

Prepare what you’re going to say

Knowing what to say when resigning can be difficult, especially if you have a good relationship with your employer. It’s worth practicing in advance or writing down the main points you wish to discuss. Whatever you choose to say, keep your emotions in check and remain professional. If your boss chooses to take your resignation badly, the worst thing you can do is rise to it.

If your reasons for leaving the company are negative, then choose your words very carefully. It’s not unreasonable for a boss to react badly to negative feedback about their company or management style. Consider phrases such as “the role just isn’t for me” or “I think it’s time I explored opportunities elsewhere.” If they ask for more information don’t feel obligated to give it. After all, you’re the one in control of this situation.

Be aware

This is often the time when your employer will tell you that they can resolve all your concerns, increase your salary or offer you the ‘world’ so you will stay.

Remember, you are handing your notice in as you have already gone through the decision-making process to find a new job. You have met with new companies and established that you can advance your career elsewhere.

Don’t let your employer’s reactive response to you leaving stop you from progressing your career. We have seen it time and time again, that those who decide to stay based on promises made when handing their notice in are typically looking to leave again within 6 months.

The main thing to remember when handing in your notice is always to remain professional. It’s much better to leave a job with your head held high than to voice your true feelings. Leaving a good last impression makes all the difference and will work in your favour in the long run.

For advice about your career options, contact Levitate Recruitment. We are specialists in assisting practice-trained accountants and insolvency professionals secure new opportunities across the UK and Overseas.

 

Relocating to the Channel Islands – A Candidate’s Experience

Posted on by Scott Lowes

Making any career move is an important decision, one that is only intensified by the possibility of relocation.

We have reached out to a number of the individuals that we have assisted over the years who have successfully made a career move overseas.

We spoke to Hugh who we assisted make a move from the Caribbean to a Top 10 Accountancy Practice in the Channel Islands.

Overview

Position before moving: Insolvency Assistant Manager 

Company before moving: Specialist Insolvency Firm

Location to and from: Moved from the Caribbean to the Channel Islands

Experience Background: ACA Qualified Accountant with over 3 1/2 years of insolvency experience in Ireland and the Caribbean.

Role Secured: Insolvency Manager with a Top 10 Accountancy Practice    

  • Why did you first consider making a move overseas? I had previously worked in the Caribbean, following which I moved to the Channel Islands. Due to the nature of the work I had previously specialised in the move made sense. I had heard nothing but good things about the Channel Islands. The location allows me to continue specialising in offshore work whilst being slightly closer to home.
  • What locations were you interested in and why? I was initially offered a job in Hong Kong, again this was due to the nature of the work. I was also interested in the Channel Islands for the same reason.
  • What were your personal circumstances at the time of the move – single/married/homeowner. I was single.
  • How did you find out about opportunities and start to apply for roles? I had heard Levitate Recruitment were the best at what they do in sourcing tailor-made roles for applicants. Therefore I reached out to Scott at Levitate Recruitment and discovered a number of options that suited my requirements.
  • What useful information was provided to you by the recruiter? I was provided with a number of differing options that allowed me to have a better understanding of the variance in roles within the jurisdiction. Levitate Recruitment also provided me with a market overview in the Channel Islands, enabling me to form a more definitive opinion on my choice alongside managing expectations regarding salary and position.
  • How did the interview process work? Due to being in the Caribbean the interview process was all done over Skype.
  • How long did it take to secure a Visa or work permit and what was required from you? The process was very quick, my new firm did the majority of the leg work prior to my arrival. It took no longer than two months.
  • Please can you walk us through your first 3 months in the new location/job and how you managed to settle into your new life? Due to how busy my firm is at the moment I have had to hit the ground running, this suited me perfectly as I prefer to jump straight in. I had moved previously to the Caribbean so was prepared for the period of upset and readjustment. The key piece of advice I can give to anyone who is considering a move is to say yes to all social events when you arrive in a new jurisdiction.
  • How do you feel it benefitted your personal development? I feel that it has benefited me greatly, it widens your social circle whilst also motivating you to push yourself beyond your comfort zone constantly. The juice was very much worth the squeeze.
  • How do you feel an international move benefitted you professionally? I can safely say moving abroad has benefitted my career hugely, I have been exposed to a huge array of cases that would never have been possible had I stayed in the UK or in an onshore jurisdiction.
  • How long was the process from you speaking with Levitate to you actually making the move? Levitate were fantastic at pushing matters forward for me, I initially reached out in March and made the move in June.
  • What value do you think working with Levitate had for you securing an opportunity overseas? Levitate are renowned for their professionalism and expertise in the offshore market, therefore they had access and points of contact in the larger firms that would not have been possible otherwise with other recruiters.
  • What was the hardest part of making an international move? The hardest part is always moving away from a pre-existing friend group and comfort in a current role. However, once you start thinking about making such a move internationally the positives always outweigh the negatives.
  • What advice would you offer someone thinking of making a move overseas? Consider why you truly want to make the move, it should not just be for something different, it should tick the boxes personally and professionally. I am incredibly pedantic, so I make lists. Make a list of the positives and the negatives of moving and this will answer the question for you.

There is currently a soaring global demand for qualified accountants and insolvency professionals. With our extensive network of relationships with large international accounting firms and insolvency specialists, Levitate Recruitment are well-versed in placing talented professionals in overseas roles.

If you are interested in making your career a journey and are considering a move overseas, do not hesitate to contact us.

Join Levitate Recruitment

Posted on by Scott Lowes

Salary: £25,000 – £40,000 Basic DOE

First-year Minimum OTE: £50,000 2nd Year OTE: £75,000 3rd Year OTE £100K+ (Uncapped commission structure) + Lots of other company Benefits

Levitate Recruitment have had an outstanding 2016 and we are now keen to strengthen our team further and offer experienced recruiters the chance to become part of our ongoing success. Applicants must have previous recruitment experience and ideally have exposure within Accountancy & Finance or within a professional services sector.

We operate in a market that is very job-rich so most of your time will be spent developing relationships with potential candidates.

Why Levitate Recruitment

  • We are a market leader across the UK and overseas in Accountancy recruitment.
  • We have rapid expansion plans that can offer fast track career opportunities through to management and director level.
  • You will work closely with the company Directors who are very active recruiters and well regarded within the UK and International accountancy market.
  • You will be working in a competitive and dynamic environment with an amazing opportunity to earn money due to our uncapped commission structure.
  • Access to a database of over 25,000 relevant candidates and clients and we will provide you with all of the tools required to be an authority within the accountancy recruitment market.
  • Quarterly appraisals and salary reviews
  • The opportunity to join the management team and build a team around you.
  • Uncapped commission offering outstanding earning potential
  • Quarterly company days out – All paid for by the business
  • Mobile Telephone
  • 25 Days holiday + Public Holidays
  • Flexible benefits

The Role

  • We are seeking experienced Recruitment Consultants to join our experienced team in Manchester City Centre (Spinningfields).
  • As an experienced consultant, you will work closely with the Directors on a daily basis and you will emerge yourself within the public practice accountancy and advisory market.
  • As our clients are professional service firms, you will always be working with professionally-minded individuals and be expected to provide a consultative approach to their future endeavours.
  • We work across the UK and overseas and can therefore provide you with the opportunity to develop across multiple geographic locations and accountancy sectors: Sector specialisms include:
  • External Audit
  • Corporate Finance & Transaction services
  • Tax – All Areas
  • Restructuring & Insolvency
  • Forensic Accounting
  • General Accounting & Business Services

The Person

This role would suit someone with:

  • At least 12 months experience in Accountancy & Finance recruitment but we are also open to experienced recruiters from other sectors.
  • An ability to think on your feet and be creative.
  • A consultative sales approach.
  • An ability to negotiate and influence decision-makers.
  • An ability to build long-standing relationships.
  • The right mindset- honest and flexible with the determination to succeed.
  • The character to thrive under pressure and work well to financial targets.
  • Excellent communication and team working skills.
  • Competent IT skills.
  • A dynamic, self-confident and motivated outlook.
  • The ability to prioritise.
  • The desire to work in a highly pressurised yet fun environment.
  • The drive to work within an environment with uncapped earning potential.

If you are interested in the above opportunity please call Scott Lowes at Levitate Recruitment or please apply today.

 

Relocate Down Under?

Posted on by Scott Lowes

Have you ever considered relocating down under? We are working with a number of Australian clients that can offer excellent opportunities for UK trained accountants and corporate finance professionals to move to Australia across all of the major cities to include:

  • Sydney
  • Melbourne
  • Adelaide
  • Perth
  • Brisbane
  • Canberra

Benefits of Living & Working in Australia

  • Often voted as the happiest country to Live
  • The number 1 destination for UK migrants for the last 20 years (Office of National Statistics)
  • Politically safe with a government that does not get too tied up in other countries policies
  • A higher standard of Living – Over 90% happy with the housing
  • Higher salary packages with good benefits
  • Provides a better work-life balance
  • The warm climate provides an amazing outdoor lifestyle
  • English speaking so easier to communicate and meet new people.
  • Higher salaries for shorter days
  • Great for families offering plenty to do with children and an excellent schooling system
  • A generally strong economy with a wealth of natural resources
  • Diverse culture with cosmopolitan cities.
  • Living in Australia offers one of the healthiest and happiest lifestyles in the world, with an extremely welcoming and laid-back population, and an average day that revolves around being outside and quite often down at the beach.
  • Some of the nicest beaches and clearest waters in the world – Nearly 80% of the population live within 50 km of the coast, so you can be sure to find yourself within easy reach.
  • The working days are not as long allowing a better work-life balance and Australia also boasts twice as many sunny days as the UK which is sure to bring a smile to your face when moving there to progress your career.
  • Australia has topped the charts on many occasions for the best country to live in (Read here) and many of its cities rank in the top 10 for the most desirable cities to live in.
  • People that we have previously placed have reported that they find themselves a lot more relaxed after making the move Down Under, saying they can approach life in Australia in a much calmer frame of mind than they used to.

The Process

The process of securing a role in Australia and making the move is similar regardless of your accountancy specialism but there are specific times during the year that firms will recruit for Audit professionals so that they are there for the busy audit season. The majority of firms will begin a recruitment drive in March of each year so it is worthwhile speaking to a specialist Levitate consultant at this time. For Insolvency professionals and other accountancy specialisms, there are no specific dates that firms will recruit and demand is often driven by market conditions.

  • Interviews will typically take place over the Telephone or via Video call.
  • Offer packages will typically include the cost of your flights and Visa.
  • The majority of firms will also provide accommodation for the first 2-4 weeks.
  • From interview to start date typically takes around 3 months but this can be quicker.

How can you make this happen?

The first step is to contact one of our specialist International consultants who can walk you through the process in further detail. We are happy to answer any questions you may have and once we have a good understanding of your experience and motivations, we can begin to work to the time scales you have set to make this dream move a reality.

We will also take time to assist you in writing your CV to appeal to the hiring managers in Australia and once an interview is requested they will walk you through a tailored interview coaching session so that you can demonstrate your experience and strengths effectively.

If this sounds like something you would like to explore then we would love the opportunity to speak with you.

‘Hidden’ Job Opportunities

Posted on by Scott Lowes

Not seeing a job advert that matches your career aspirations?

The accountancy and insolvency job markets are as busy as they have ever been. Just because you can’t see a job description that ticks all your career aspirational boxes doesn’t mean that opportunity is not out there.

For one; job descriptions can be typically generic in nature and are often reused by firms over several years to advertise a set job title. Most of the time the person the firm hires is not the one that best matched the job description. A firm will take the best person for their business and can mould the role around that individual.

In a market where Accountancy and Insolvency professionals are in high demand, firms are scrambling to attract the best in the industry by defining job roles around the best candidates in the market.

Secondly, a large percentage of job opportunities are not actively advertised.

Some firms may not advertise themselves and only reach out to specialist recruiters about their current and future requirements to ensure they can review relevant/suitable applicants as opposed to wasting time sifting through the hundreds of irreverent ones that an advert attracts.

Additionally, Specialist Recruitment Companies (such as Levitate Recruitment) maintain regular contact with Partners and Hiring Managers across a range of firms. Within the Accountancy and Insolvency market we are; kept informed of the type of professionals they would be interested in speaking with even if they don’t have an active need and we are advised of future growth plans/timeframes and what their staffing requirements will be. Another reason some businesses will sometimes not have an active advert in the market is that they want to keep the role from being public knowledge to avoid internal issues.

At Levitate Recruitment, c.70% of the people we have assisted secure a new job each year have joined a firm that didn’t have an active job advert in the public domain.

Knowing about these hidden/un-advertised jobs gives you a significant advantage in securing your next career move as you will be one of the first to know about it, resulting in less competition for the role.

Levitate Recruitment are a specialist recruiter within the Accountancy Practice and Insolvency market. If you would like to have a confidential conversation to discuss the type of opportunities that you would be interested in hearing about either now or in the future, then please let us know.

We understand that you may not be actively considering your career options at this time, however, we would still be interested in speaking with you even if you don’t feel you would be looking for a move in the next 18 months. This would enable us to keep you aware of any opportunities in the interim that met your aspirations.

For advice about your career options, speak to Scott Lowes at Levitate Recruitment, specialists in placing practice-trained accountants and insolvency professionals across the UK, and find the right role to suit your ambitions.

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