Over 40’s looking for new accounting & finance jobs may be faced with some barriers, so here are just a few things to consider when job searching to help get by and overcome these issues.

Do not stay out of accounting employment for too long

If you have been laid off or you have decided to move jobs to reduce your hours, then if possible try to jump straight into another job or at least do not hang around for too long unemployed. This will make your life a lot more difficult when applying for any new job in accounting.

Keep your skills current

It is important that your accountancy skills do not become outdated and are up to date with those required in the present day. You may also need to keep up to date with the current computing skills as technology and computers are increasingly being used in every business. By keeping on top of your own personal development, you will be a more attractive option when applying to new accounting jobs.

Network

By networking and keeping in touch with people you have worked with and met over the years, you may be able to contact them to find out if they know of any opportunities around. As you age, you meet more people and your network grows. So, you can really use this developed set of connections to your advantage at this stage of your career. When possible, get even more involved in networking opportunities to meet more people.

Pick accounting companies strategically

Some companies are well known for recruiting graduates so to avoid a battle and something that may be unachievable, target those companies who are more inclined to recruit the older generation or have a diverse set of employees already. It will make your job easier and heighten the chances of being accepted.

Consider accounting temp jobs

You can always register with accounting employment agencies and ask them to help you find a new role. They may be able to help place you in accounting temp roles to generate some money short term before finding you a more secure longer-term placement.

Consider not taking pension and benefits

When applying to a job, you may be able to negotiate not receiving a pension but just a salary. You may already have a pension from your old company and so may not necessarily need this benefit. A company may jump at the chance of this, as you are ultimately a cheaper alternative. You may want to also consider other options to negotiate your position in the company e.g. flexitime, part-time or telecommuting.

Seek advice

If you are not having luck finding a new accounting job, you feel you are being discriminated against and you want to find out if the company is acting illegally or not, speak to a lawyer or contact one of the organisations set up to help older workers e.g. Age Positive. They will help you work out what you can do in the situation you are faced with.

Jobs in the finance industry are diverse and far reaching. Banking jobs have long been viewed as dull and uninteresting but this could not be further from the truth. With roles in financial planning, investment banking and real estate to name but a few, career paths in the finance industry are plentiful.

Commercial banking jobs are wide ranging, they offer great entry level positions and good career progression. The many large organisations in commercial banking also offer good employment security. Commercial banks provide employ more people than any other sector of the finance industry, they offer good opportunities to understand the world of business and interact with customers.

The world of corporate finance is wholly different as it usually entails working ‘in house’ using your technical knowledge to plan for a businesses future, the work is driven towards the growth of the business. Fundamentally jobs in this sector of the banking industry create value for their company, they are predominantly performance related so subsequently can be high pressure, although this pressure is elongated and based upon long term goals.

Financial planners carry out similar tasks to those in the corporate sphere; these jobs however are focussed upon helping individuals plan for their future. The work requires outstanding interpersonal skills while it can be ultimately rewarding; both financially and personally. For this role understanding of estate planning issues, investments and taxes is a prerequisite.

The field of insurance also offers a variety of finance jobs; insurance is increasingly becoming a lucrative field as more and more people become dependent upon it. Jobs in this sector include calculating risk and anticipating future problems. Job roles include underwriter, customer and sales representative, as well as asset manager. Today the insurance industry is trying to leave its negative image in the past and promote the idea that their industry is there to help people in times of need.

Investment banking has long been seen as the most lucrative sector in the financial industry. The job includes purchasing assets, trade securities and offering financial assistance. As well as large multinational investment banking firms there are smaller companies that operate on a more regional level. These jobs are important to world finance as the work larger companies undertake is often for governments.

Being a money manager is one of the most rewarding jobs in banking. It fundamentally involves the investment side of the stock market. Dealing in stocks and bonds makes up the majority of the work although freedom to work how you like is a large constituent of these jobs.

Unfortunately starting in money management is difficult, top companies only hire experienced individuals, although experience can be gained with local pension fund companies and insurance companies. Understanding portfolio theory, fixed income investments and gaining official qualifications will assist in getting this type of finance job.

Finally there is the financial field of real estate, jobs in this sector are diverse and vary from construction to mortgage brokering and leasing. With over a third of the world’s wealth tied up in real estate this is a financially rewarding sector to enter. The close ties real estate has with society in terms of infrastructure development gives these jobs a sense of social responsibility, while the work offers different challenges on a daily basis. Of all the jobs in banking this is often the most interesting field to enter.

As previously stated, jobs within the banking and financial industries vary greatly; with so many disparate fields there is much to offer prospective financiers. The skills needed in the banking industries are considerably unique to each field. However, if you feel you are shrewd with funds and in most cases great with people, working in the finance industry could be the career path for you.

Rather, they will need to get a job with a great company and then continue their financial education in order to move up to bigger and better positions. While this may seem like an arduous process, Quanta Consultancy Services provides a proven and efficient recruiting and training process that will make any finance professional successful.

With fifteen years of experience in the recruiting industry, Quanta has many connections to great jobs in finance throughout the United Kingdom. As well, Quanta consultants offer decades worth of experience in a variety of fields that will prove invaluable to prospective employees. Finally, a peak into Quanta’s history shows that the original specialty of this agency was in recruiting IT professionals for the financial sector. All of these factors should convince finance professionals to use Quanta to find their next job.

With connections to companies both big and small, Quanta can provide a wide variety of experiences for finance professionals. For those looking for contract work to gain experience in a variety of finance jobs, qualified consultants will be able to the perfect position. As well, those looking for something more lasting or permanent will be able to find their dream job through Quanta’s proven job placement program. From financial analysis to credit management, finance professionals will be able to find the ultimate job with the help of Quanta.

Quanta finds great finance jobs for their employees while providing ongoing professional development programs for the duration of employment. Whether the employee is a recent graduate or a season financial professional, Quanta has training courses that will improve job performance and client marketability. As well, Quanta’s professional development programs are flexible to meet the time constraints placed on finance professionals. For business analysts that can fit in a day’s worth of resource management training, Quanta can fit them into their training schedule. Equity developers that need additional training in organizational skills and resource optimization can take a week’s worth of courses to ensure they have the proper skills in the workplace. In all, Quanta’s proven QuantaSensus training suite will provide any finance employee with the tools they need.