It’s important that you apply for the position as the employer has requested. They are likely to get many applications, so you need to make things as easy as possible for them to process your response.
Some will have online application forms (either their own company one, or our form on the CA training website), others will request a CV and covering letter.
We can’t emphasise enough how important first impressions are, so when you are ready to apply, the following advice may help you to convince a prospective employer you are the right person for the job:
Your application form or CV
This is your first opportunity to sell yourself to a prospective employer. So it pays to take your time. Always be positive when describing yourself, your background, skills and abilities. Be concise. Keep your CV to no more than two pages of A4. A long, rambling document will just put prospective employers off. The same applies for answering questions in an application form, you must keep your answer relevant to the question. It’s a good idea to check their website for the kinds of words and messages that they use themselves.
Focus on the aspects of your career, education and skills that are directly relevant to the job you are applying for. Re-write your CV for different positions if necessary. And be careful when you are completing more than one application form at once, don’t just cut and paste all your answers. Don’t forget to double-check your CV and application form for spelling mistakes or typing errors. You don’t want to be rejected at the first stage because of a silly mistake.
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Don’t forget to write
Even if it is not specifically asked for, always send a covering letter. A well well-written letter can make all the difference between getting that all-important interview, or not. Again write your letter for each specific application, and refer to any particularly relevant skills or qualifications in your CV. It will put employers off if they feel they are just another address on your mailing list. So do some basic research, and let the employer know you’ve made the effort to learn about their company, and what has attracted you to them.
Some companies receive a lot of applications, so don’t forget to make it clear which position you are applying for, and make sure it reaches the appropriate person or department. It’s also useful to keep a copy of your letter, as they will probably bring it up at interview.
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The Interview
Prepare yourself. Do your homework and find out about the company. Visit their website and read their press releases. If you can demonstrate that you know a bit about them it will always impress. It’s not just common courtesy – it’s good common sense. Make sure you display a positive attitude throughout. Employers will prefer a bright, motivated candidate to someone who appears disorganised, bored or uninterested, whatever your academic qualifications.
If you’re not used to being interviewed, then practice can pay dividends. Although you have no control over what you may be asked, you can usually predict some key questions; “Tell us a bit about yourself”… “Why do you want to train as a Chartered Accountant?” and “What attracted you to this position and why do you think you are a suitable candidate?” A bit of rehearsal with a friend or family member will help your answers appear natural and confident.
Hopefully you will be offered a position and will be well on your way to your exciting new career as a CA. But don’t be too hasty to accept the first position you are offered. Three years is a huge commitment from yourself and your employer, so make sure this really is the right position for you. And if things didn’t go your way, it’s not the end of the world. As you can see from this directory, there are plenty of training positions on offer. So take a deep breath. Learn from your mistakes and do better next time.
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