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Word Count: 1929
Table of contents
1.0 Introduction……………………………………………………………………………3
2.2 Occupational Research………………………………………………………………….4
2.1 Terms of Reference………………………………………………………………….4
2.2 Methodology…………………………………………………………………………4
2.3 Main findings………………………………………………………………………..5
2.3.1 General employment trends in accountancy…………………………………5
2.3.2 Opportunities for recent graduates in accounting……………………………6
2.3.3 The skills/knowledge and experience required………………………………7
2.3.4 Criteria of selecting graduates in my chosen organizations………………….8
3.0 Personal analysis………………………………………………………………….…….8
4.0 Gap analysis…………………………………………………………………….………9
5.0 Career Action Plan……………………………………………………………….……..9
6.0 Conclusion……………………………………………………………………….…….10
7.0 References……………………………………………………………………….…….11
8.0 Appendices …………………………………………………………………….………13
Introduction
In this assignment I am required to prepare a report that demonstrates my awareness of the knowledge, skills as well as experience that I require as a recent graduate so as to enter into my chosen graduate employment area which is accounting. This report will also require me to do a lot of research as well as self-reflecting and also it will greatly support my future career decisions and planning as well as helping me in the transition to career opportunities after I complete my undergraduate studies.
In the report I will start by identifying six organizations that offers the employment opportunities I am looking for. These organizations ranges from large corporate organizations, small and medium enterprises, public corporations and nonprofit making organizations. I have considered the general trends expected in the career field I have chosen in the identified organizations and the opportunities that exist for recent graduates. I have also considered the skills, knowledge as well as experience required for the opportunities I have identified as well as the selection criteria for graduates (International Graduate Programme, 3).
The reason why I have decided to do my research in the field of accounting is mainly because I am currently in my final stages of pursuing a bachelors degree in BA Accounting and Finance from HIBT, Hatfield, UK. Hence I found it necessary to research on my related future employment field because it will help me identify my potential future employers as well as determining the right career path to take in the process of my career development plan.
SECTION ONE
Occupational Research
In this first section of the researching and report it is required to be a factual reflection of the findings that have been determined from the occupation or the chosen field of graduate employment whereby in this case will involve the accounting graduate employment opportunities (Levitt and Harwood, 2009).
Terms of Reference
In the attempts of compiling this report I set out to research about six organizations that included two banks, two large corporate organizations (multinational companies), one public organization and one nonprofit organizing representing the international nongovernmental organizations. In compiling this report, a research was done on these six organizations in order to determine the available employment opportunities within them.
Also future trends in graduate recruitment, recruitment and selection methods used in this organizations have also been considered. Moreover, the required skills, knowledge and experience in these employment opportunities were also considered as well as the criteria which the identified organizations uses to select graduates to fill the available employment opportunities.
Methodology
The research was approached from several points of view whereby it was first broken down into specific subsections that were then researched on separately. The research started by the identification of the six organizations in which employment opportunities in the chosen field which is accounting were available. The identified six organizations were: Standard Chartered bank, Lloyds Banking Group, Coca-Cola, Nestle, CARE International and the Ministry of finance in the UK. This was to make sure that the research covered a wide range of organizations and the way they handle graduate employment opportunities (International Graduate Programme, 3).
During the research both secondary and primary sources of information were utilized with most of it been obtained from secondary sources. The main secondary sources of information that were used involved accessing the identified companies’ websites and their reports from where most of the information was obtained. Moreover, contacting the employers through their respective websites formed the main part of primary source of information even though some of it was obtained from speaking to recent graduates (Graduates, 5).
Main findings
General employment trends in accountancy
Accountants performs very vital functions whereby they offer a wide array of accounting and business services to their employers and clients. Generally, such services are public, government and management accounting and also the internal auditing. In all these fields, accountants continues to execute their fundamental tasks of analyzing as well as verification of financial documents (Accountants and Auditors, 4).
Due to the trend changes in the field of accountancy, jobseekers who get professional recognition by licensure or certification, accounting proficiency as well as auditing computer software together with the specialized expertise gets an added advantage in the job market.
Computers are currently dramatically changing the work done by most accountants. By use of specialized software packages, it is possible for the accountants to summarize all the transactions that have taken place in standard formats for the purposes of financial recording as well as organizing the available data in specialized formats in order to facilitate financial analysis (Accountants and Auditors, 4). Therefore due to these trends, a large number of accountants have currently embraced extensive computer skills as well as specializing in correction of problems using accounting software or even embarking on the development of software that addresses their unique data needs.
Opportunities for recent accounting graduates
During the research on the employment opportunities within the identified six organizations several opportunities were identified all of which are distinct from each other. For instance, in the identified nonprofit organization which is CARE International an internship programme was identified which required students or those who have recently graduated. Also in the two multinational companies that were identified such as the Nestle and Coca-Cola Graduate programme and GL financial analyst were both respectively identified (GL Financial Analyst – 12 Months Secondment, 4).
Moreover, two banks were also identified in the research whereby the Standard Chartered had an employment opportunity in its International Graduate Programme which takes students on annual basis. The Lloyds Banking Group had an internship programme which consists of a ten week duration open to university students as well as recent graduates (International Graduate Programme, 3). Moreover, the public sector organization identified was the ministry of finance in the UK . The civil service graduate fast stream opportunity was identified which consisted of an accelerated development and training of recent graduates who are potential of being future leaders (Recruiting process, 3).
The skills/knowledge and experience required
In all the identified opportunities each one of them required specific skills, knowledge whereas only one required some prior experience. For instance, the internship programme at CARE International required the candidate to be 18 years and above. Possess good teamwork skills as well have been enrolled into an undergraduate, graduate or postgraduate programme whereas those who have recently graduated were also eligible to apply (Recruiting process, 3). The Nestle Graduate programme needed the candidate to a bachelors degree in order to qualify for the application. The Coca-Cola opportunity required a self driven and enthusiastic individual with a bachelor in accounting and some experience in general ledger experience (Graduates, 5).
Both of the bank opportunities required the candidate to possess a bachelors degree in a business related course, determined to achieve, strong numerical and analytical skills, team work oriented as well as customer service focused (Selection Process, 3). However, the public sector opportunity required the ideal candidate to be a graduate, hard working and in possession of excellent analytical skills.
Criteria of selecting graduates in my chosen organizations
However, all the above mentioned opportunities usually have different selection criteria for the potential candidates. For instance, the nonprofit organization involved submitting a completed CARE’s online application which is then evaluated (Recruiting process, 3). Those who have attained the required qualifications are therefore contacted for an individual interview. Also the Nestle and Coca-Cola involved submitting the applications online followed by group interviews which would then be followed by contacting the successful candidates who are then subjected to an individual interview with the company HR (GL Financial Analyst – 12 Months Secondment, 4).
However, in the two bank opportunities the selection criteria was similar involving online application for the opportunity which is then followed by the reviewing of the applications whereby the most qualified individuals are contacted to attend an individual interview. Moreover, the ministry of finance opportunity there should be a direct application to the ministry upon the opportunity advertisement which are then evaluated to determine the most qualified candidate who is then contacted for an individual interview leading to job placement (Selection Process, 3).
SECTION TWO
Personal analysis
Throughout the research I have managed to engage myself in a self reflection process which has enabled me to determine my competencies and other qualifications required in the employment opportunities that I have identified in the research. I posses strong knowledge in computer literacy which is very crucial in most of the tasks I will be supposed to do upon securing an employment opportunity (Graduates, 5). Also I have the ability to speak both English and Arabic. Moreover, I am very hard working and always determined to achieve my set goals. This has been possible because of my ability to work under very minimal or no supervision. I also have some experience in problem solving as a result of my volunteer experience in the student council while I was in high school.
Gap analysis
In the comparison of my personal analysis and the skills, knowledge and experience which are required by various opportunities identified I managed to highlight the gaps that existed between the requirements for the employment opportunities and my current knowledge and skills. For instance, I am not excellent in communication whereas some of the opportunities required effective oral and written communication. I also don’t have wide experience as required by one of the opportunity I identified. Moreover, team work is very critical in most of the opportunities but my ability in team work participation is not satisfactory. Presentation and analytical skills is also another crucial aspect which I need to improve on as well as working toward improving my interview skills.
Career Action Plan
The career action plan I have implemented will definitely play a great role in bridging the gaps that have already been identified in the research as well as in the personal analysis. The career action has involved putting in place necessary measures in order to bridge the gaps that exist between my personal skill and knowledge and what is required by employers in specific employment opportunities (Levitt and Harwood, 2009). For instance, the issue with the communication skills will be solved through buying of some books that will be read within the two years. Also the issue of job experience will be solved by looking for a job placement lasting for between 8-12 months (Graduates, 5).
Moreover, presentation and analytical skills will be improved by buying books on the subject. Team work is also another crucial aspect which will only be solved through participation in groups and volunteering to lead whenever possible. Interview skills and mainly handling the aptitude tests also needs to be addressed by attending several workshops on this topic as well as buying some books to improve my skills on the same (Selection Process, 3).
Conclusion
Having completed the whole assignment I just feel excited. This is mainly because I have managed to research through the possible employment opportunities that exists in the organizations I have identified. Moreover, this assignment has also helped me so much in the process of determining what is required of me in the job market.
The career action plan that I have developed will act as a guide tool which will help me to actualize all what am expected to in order to secure the career I want (Levitt and Harwood, 2009). It will usually act as my road map to help me bridge all the gaps that exist between my current knowledge, skills and experience with what is expected of me in the job market.
References:
Accountants and Auditors. Available at: http://www.collegegrad.com/career/accountingcareer.shtml [Accessed on March 19, 2011].
Bloomfield, W.M. 1989. Career Action Plan. Princeton, NJ: Meridian Education Corp.
CARE USA FELLOWSHIP PROGRAMS. Available at: http://tbe.taleo.net/NA5/ats/careers/jobSearch.jsp?org=CAREUSA&cws=8 [Accessed on March 19, 2011].
GL Financial Analyst – 12 Months Secondment. Available at: http://careers.cokecce.com/jobdescription.aspx?JobID=2349022&search=n&CatText=Global%20Business%20Functions&cntryCode=XX&stateID=All&catID=&keyword=Keyword&locValue=South%20East%20Region [Accessed on March 19, 2011].
Graduates. Available at: http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/career_grads.htm [Accessed on March 19, 2011].
International Graduate Programme. Available at: http://www.standardchartered.com/careers/graduates/programmes/international/index.html [Accessed on March 19, 2011].
Levitt, J.G. and Harwood, L. 2009. Your Career: How to make it Happen. Mason: South-Western Cengage Learning
Recruiting process. Available at: http://www.careers.nestle.com/join_che/Nestlé+Affiliates/recruiting_process.htm [Accessed on March 19, 2011].
Selection Process. Available at: http://www.lloydsbankinggrouptalent.com/selection-process/ [Accessed on March 19, 2011].
Appendixes
COVER LETTER
xxxxxxxxxxxx,
5 Barlow Close, Hatfield,
Axxxxxx,
0xxxxxxxx.
Date: xxxxxxxx.
Human Resource Manager,
Standard Chartered Bank,
1 Basinghall Avenue, London,
EC2V5DD,
+44(0) 20 7885 9999.
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am so much interested on your International Graduate Programme in the accounting and finance option available in Standard Chartered Bank. I recently visited your web site and where I got the information about this programme where new applicants are taken on annual basis. I have a genuine interest in the banking sector management which I think can be achieved through this two years programme.
I have enclosed my curriculum vitae with this cover letter. It is describing my educational background as well as the experience I have. I have completed my graduation with a bachelor’s degree in business administration in May 2004.
I am very hardworking teamwork oriented and always tries my best to hit deadlines. Also I am capable of speaking English and Arabic together computer proficiency in Microsoft office applications. Moreover, my participation in the volunteer programme at high school’s student council helped me so much in gaining conflict and problem solving skills.
I have researched about your bank amazed by your good performance especially you recent annual report is just exiting. Standard Chartered Bank have a growth strategy that foresees the future trends thus having a competitive edge in the banking industry.
I will be completing my education from HIBT, Hatfield, UK mid this year. I am in my education final stages pursuing a bachelors degree in Accounting and Finance. I therefore believe that my strong and genuine enthusiasm combined with good work ethic will be a crucial asset for the bank.
Thank you for your precious time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Thomas K Eden.
Enclosure Resume.
CURRICULUM VITAE
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