PQ magazine
Page Personnel Finance contribute top advice and handy hints to PQ Magazine every month.
September 2010
Bradley Glen, Manager in London, offers his expert view on the 'State of the Market'
1) So what is the job market like for PQs right now?
There has been a definite increase in the number of PQ jobs that we have registered and filled this year. Granted it is not at the level it was of a couple of years ago, but it is certainly improving. That said, it is still very competitive at the moment so candidates have to show they can bring value to a role, whilst also being realistic about salary demands.
2) With so many people chasing the same jobs what one thing can candidates do to stand out?
I think there is a combination of things rather than just one that are all equally important. Make sure your CV stands out - what are your achievements? For example, where and how have you improved efficiency, what processes and procedures have you implemented? If you are not working at the moment or looking for a step up, seek opportunities of practical voluntary work. It will enhance your exposure and make your CV stronger. Finally, don't let your exams run away from your experience. At the moment, understandably, we are seeing an increasing number of candidates who are concentrating on their exams without having the practical experience to go with it. Employers favour the relevant experience just as much they do the qualifications.
3) All the job ads seem to have disappeared. So, if things are getting better where do you find the good jobs?
As the market is very competitive, a number of organisations don't want to advertise their roles and get inundated with CVs, so they come to us to fill the position for them. Increasingly, because of the good relationships we form, companies are asking us for candidate recommendations for interview, resulting in there being no need to advertise the job. As such, I would recommend registering with a consultancy, such as Page Personnel, to ensure you're in the best position to take advantage of such opportunities. We are a Part Qualified specialist recruiter and have roles with all with all the big brands and organisations of smaller sizes across all sectors, including not for profit, commerce & industry and financial services.
4) What is the job market going to be like in six months time?
Looking into my crystal ball, I think we will certainly see an increase in the number of PQ roles. Confidence in the market is returning. Even sectors that may be viewed as retracting in size will, I believe, see growth. For example, although cuts are being made within the Public Sector (Central and Local government in particular), I suspect that other sectors, such as the Not for Profit Sector, will have to step into the breach to cover these services. This will most certainly result in the need for more staff as their operations grow in size. Indeed, charities have held up well during the recession and are always looking for good quality candidates who can add value to their finance functions. The commercial sector is certainly picking up and a lot of organisations are or will be looking to expand their finance departments and attract new staff. At the same time, as confidence returns to employers, employees are now beginning to feel more confident about job security and are moving from one organisation to another. Again, this will result in more opportunities becoming available.
Personal profile
Name: Bradley Glen
Job tile: Manager
Your first job: Internal Recruitment Officer at IBM
Claim to fame: I was once interviewed on John Craven's Newsround
Fav TV show: Family Guy, Match of the Day
Last CD bought/downloaded: Oasis Time Files 1994 - 2009
Bookmark with :
 |
Delicious |  |
 |
 |
StumbleUpon |
