All my career FAQs in one place? Great idea!
We all have questions about our careers, some unique and personal to us, others more general, but nonetheless important.
ACCA Careers has created a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) area where we answer all the big ones on CVs, interviews, skills, job hunting and more.
It’s a great, easy to use resource that brings together into one place all the careers-focused advice the ACCA regularly creates for its members and future members. See it as a living careers advice library, one we will keep updated.
Take a look at a few examples.
CV FAQs
What if I don’t have any work experience?
Focus on every experience you have including academic, voluntary, any office based work or other projects or initiatives you have been involved in.
More advice: How to write an intern CV | How to gain work experience
How do I present transferable skills in my CV?
We've written several pieces on transferable skills in CVs. You can find them here: How to present transferable skills in a CV | 3 things you should know about transferable skills and CVs
How do you structure a CV?
There are two ways to structure a CV, the reverse chronological structure and the skills or competency style CV.
Find out what they are which is right for you: How to structure your CV effectively
Job hunting FAQs
How can I make myself more employable in a crisis?
There are several ways, including being proactive and showing initiative, upskilling, gaining work experience (volunteering, internships etc), engaging on social media and via blogs, gaining qualifications, targeting healthy sectors and tailoring your CV and cover letter closely to every job application.
More advice: 7 ways to make yourself more employable in a changing world
What are digital skills and why are the so important for accountants?
Digital skills are more than just basic IT skills. Most accountants will work with cutting edge cloud accounting technology, as well as with big data.
More advice: What does it really mean to be a tech-savvy accountant? | The digital accountant: digital skills in a transformed world | Digital skills have become even more important for accountants | Finance professionals must embrace the power of digital transformation
What are soft skills and how important are they?
Firstly, they're very important. They can be the deciding factor when an employer decides to make a job offer. Imagine you're up against people who all have ACCA and some experience. There needs to be differentiating factors and these are often soft skills. Soft skills are interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively; teamwork, ability to negotiate and influence; ability to innovate; being open-minded and inclusive; leadership and many more.
More advice: Achieve ‘the perfect blend’ of soft skills | Improve your soft skills and fulfill your potential
How employable are ACCA members?
Very! In any given month ACCA Careers will list in excess of 100,000 global job adverts seeking ACCA members or students. Some of the big name companies that feature on the site include EY, Amazon, PwC, Nestlé, Deloitte, Credit Suisse, Balfour Beatty, KPMG, Cisco, DBS, State Street, Standard Chartered, Accenture, GSK, Shell, Morgan Stanley, and many more.
More advice: Common questions about ACCA and employability | ACCA Qualification prepares future-proof professionals
Job interview FAQs
How do I answer questions about weakness?
No one's perfect, so don't be afraid to admit weaknesses, but also know the difference between good weaknesses and bad ones.
More advice: What’s your biggest weakness?
What questions should I ask an interviewer?
The questions you ask provide one of your final opportunities to sell yourself to the interviewer, so try to use this opportunity to find out more about the organisational structure, your prospective role in it, the nature of the job, the challenge it offers and its career potential.
More advice: Top questions to ask in a job interview | How to research potential employers
How important is time-keeping?
This is a no-brainer - it's very important... don't be late, be early.
More advice: The art of good timekeeping
Cover letter FAQs
Do I need a cover letter?
The need for cover letters has diminished in the advent of the internet. If an employer asks not to be sent a cover letter with a job application or if there is no way to upload one alongside your CV in an online application, then don't send one. However, if there's an opportunity to send a cover letter, then it is generally expected that you should. If you're sending an application in the post, it's absolutely necessary. By email too as an attachment alongside your CV, or treat the email itself as a cover letter (but pick one - attachment or email - not both). On some online platforms - job boards or company websites, for example - that might not allow you to upload more than one document (your CV), there is often a field in which you can paste your cover letter.
What makes a brilliant cover letter?
A few things, including tailoring your letter for each application, keeping it short, it should complement your CV, it can provide additional information to your CV and explain things like career gaps, among things.
More advice: How to write a brilliant cover letter
Find all the FAQs here