Archive for March, 2008
Thursday, March 27th, 2008
1. Lack of knowledge about the company – This is basic interview preparation. Research the company and the industry. Avoid questions like “so what do you guys actually do?”
2. Poor appearance – Always sway to the side of caution. Many companies now operate casual clothing arrangements but suit and tie unless you are told otherwise.
3. Poor preparation – Know what the employer wants and how you meet these needs with supportive evidence.
4. Mess up the basics – Basic like arriving on time.
5. Over enthusiasm OR lack of enthusiasm – How you say it and your body language is as important as the words you say. You only have one chance to make a first impression. Lack of enthusiasm or perceived desperation can kill your chance of landing a job.
6. Any negativity – avoid at all costs particularly about previous roles, employers and companies. Keep your comments positive
7. Poor listening skills – If you are unclear about a question that has been asked seek clarification rater than rambling on about unrelated stuff. Listening is a key interviewing skill.
8. No supporting evidence – Supporting evidence creates a bigger impact. Be able to back up what you say you can do with examples.
9. Lies damn lies – Lies will come back to bite you on the backside.
More mistakes you should avoid!!!!
Tags: Balbriggan, Drogheda, Dublin, Dundalk, Interview Advice, Kildare, Louth, Meath, Navan, Swords
Posted in Interview Advice | 1 Comment »
Wednesday, March 26th, 2008
Irish employees of Bear Stearns are believed to be expecting job loss news in Dublin. This follows the sale of the firm to JP Morgan Chase at a greatly reduced price. Rumour has it that the company may announce redundancies this week. Staff were told that they would be provided with information after the Easter Break. It is believed that JP is reviewing global business.
Bear Stearns employees about 150 staff in Dublin across Bear Stearns Bank and Bear Stearns Dublin Development Centre.
This is certainly not good news for the Banking & Finance sector in Ireland ot the Job market in general. This sector is viewed as a key pillar of the jobs market. This is further evidence that the troble in US is rippling to Ireland.
It was reported yesterday that 34,000 banking jobs have been terminated on Wall Street in the last 9 months.
Tags: Banking, Banking & Finance, Bear Stearns, Bear Stearns Bank, Development Centre, Dublin, Financial Sector, Ireland, Irish Jobs, Jobs, JP Morgan Chase
Posted in HR, Job loss, Jobs, News, Redundancy | 1 Comment »
Saturday, March 22nd, 2008
Are you struggling to perform at interviews?
There are some interesting blog posts on this site offering FREE advice on interview preparation. Preparing for interviews is the key to success. There is a fine line between interview success and interview failure and preparation can ensure that you get more success than failure.
Key areas to cover when preparing for interviews include;
- Try to access information about the recruitment process
- Research the employer and the industry
- Identify what the employer is looking for
- Identify how you meet those needs and supporting evidence
- Know your CV
Good luck with your interviews
Tags: Competency Based Interviews, Drogheda, Dublin, Dundalk, Expert, Interview Advice, Interview Coach, Interview Coaching, Interview Preparation, Kildare, Louth, Meath, Navan, Phone Interviews
Posted in Interview Advice | No Comments »
Friday, March 21st, 2008
With many Multinationals heading for the Irish exit door and redundancy announcements filling the newspapers one would be entitled to feel a bit pessimistic. You have two choices – feel sorry for yourself or you can take control of your own destiny and create your own dreams. This can be by landing a dream job or going it alone.
I have worked with many employees who have suffered redundancy and while a good percentage of them are negative there are many who respond positively to the event. One such response is to go it alone.
This option is not the right option for everybody BUT for those of you who are thinking of taking the leap and starting your own business here are some tips.
- Take all the advice you can get. There are many sources out there and much of it is FREE. Financial Institutions & Banks, friends and family. Often overlooked is the competition.
- Have a plan – great companies are very rarely built on great ideas. They are a combination of planning and people. A strong business plan will provide valuable direction and help you secure financing.
- Avail of free funding and financial support – for example the County Enterprise Board offer a variety of support.
- Training – all though not essential a “start your own business” course will give you some good advice. There are various other relevant courses for entrepreneurs.
- Financing – You can spend your own money BUT I prefer to borrow. Even with the turmoil in the Irish market the banks are relatively supportive.
Success – whatever direction you take.
Tags: Banks, County Enterprise Boards, Enterprise Ireland, Entrepreneurs, Funding, Irish Enterprise, Start Your Own Business, Starting A Business In Ireland, Training
Posted in Entrepreneurs, Jobs, News, Redundancy, Work-life Balance | 1 Comment »
Friday, March 21st, 2008
Do you have CITRIX?
Are you fluent in German & English?
Are you customer focused & want to work in Technical Support?
Do you have a Degree in IT?
Do you want to work in Ireland?
If you have answered YES to all the above questions then I have the job for you. For full details about this job and how to apply click here.
Alternatively for information or to apply email chealy@apariant.com (NB: Do not edit the subject heading “CAREERS ref: 122″)
Tags: Apariant, Cathal Healy, Citrix Careers, Citrix Ireland, Citrix Jobs In Ireland, Citrix Systems Ireland, German, German Technical Engineer
Posted in Jobs, Recruitment | 1 Comment »
Wednesday, March 19th, 2008
If you think a professional CV does not help you chances of securing a job then ask any HR or recruitment expert. I know what reply you will get. A professional CV works!!
So what makes a IMPACT CV?
Some of the key areas include:
Format - Clean CV that are easy to read. You help the recruiter!! White spaces, bold headers and bullet points are some suggestions.
Layout - Let the recruiter see the information that they need. CV should not really be anymore than 2 pages AND key information must be located in the 1st page.
Content – Need focus – 90% of CV’s fail because they lack focus. Write your CV for the recruiter and not for yourself.
Basics – We are taking about simple stuff like accurate spelling and grammar, correct contact details and things like reverse chronological order.
For more interesting articles and FREE CV advice visit cv4jobs.ie
Jobseeker Tips – CV Writing Tips & Help —– Cover Letters
Tags: Cork, CV Advice, CV Preparation, CV Writing, Dublin, Format, Galway, Ireland, Kildare, Layout, Limerick, Meath, Waterford
Posted in CV Ireland, Recruitment | No Comments »
Wednesday, March 19th, 2008
There have been quite a few new kids on the block in Ireland over the last decade and many of these have taken awards at the SFA awards.
This year Aran Candy took the top award at the SFA National Small Business Award 2008. Aran Candy is a Dublin based gourmet jelly beans producer and a good one at that (Tested the products!!). The company is aka The Jelly Bean Factory and it has manufacturing premises in Blanchardstown.
Aran Candy received a 15k cash prize and a lifetime membership of the SFA. I certainly know which of the prizes appeals more to me – 15k to spend on Jelly Beans.
Aran Candy is a great success story founded by a father and son. They are now one of the largest producers globally with 10 key customers in Ireland and 120 further customers globally.
The full list of winners in SFA Awards 2008:
INNOVATOR: (up to 50 employees): Easy Fix Rubber Products
MANUFACTURING: Ecocem Ireland
FOOD & DRINK: Aran Candy
SERVICES: Home Instead Senior Care
OUTSTANDING SMALL BUSINESS (up to five employees): Atomic Sports
BEST IN HR DEVELOPMENT AWARD (up to 50 employees): CCP Recruitment
Tags: Aran Candy, Atomic Sport, CCP Recruitment, Drink, Easy Fix Rubber Products, Ecocem Ireland, Food, Home Instead Senior Care, HR, Manufacturing, Services, SFA, SME
Posted in HR, Jobs, News | No Comments »
Wednesday, March 19th, 2008
There has been mixed news either side of St Patrick’s Day on the jobs market. Last week Wavin announced that it was making 50 staff redundant in Dublin & Cork. This week IBM announced that it was created 21 new jobs in an IDA backed project in Dublin. For more information on these stories visit Jobsnews.
Tags: Balbriggan, Construction Sector, Cork, Dublin, IBM, Ireland, IT, Research, St Patrick's Day, Wavin
Posted in Jobs, Redundancy | No Comments »
Monday, March 17th, 2008
We keep you posted on recruitment and HR issues on this site. We also report on job loss and redundancy in Ireland.
If you need outplacement services why not contact Measurability.
Measurability offer outplacement services across all industry sectors in Ireland – Manufacturing, Construction, Retail, Pharmaceutical, IT, Banking & Finance and more. They provide services nationwide in regions such as Dublin, Cork, Waterford, Limerick, Galway & Sligo.
Tags: Banking, Construction, Cork, Dublin, Finance, Galway, IT, Limerick, Manufacturing, Outplacement Company, Outplacement Consultancy, Pharmaceutical, Retail, Sligo, Waterford
Posted in HR, Outplacement Services | 2 Comments »
Monday, March 17th, 2008
The internet and technology has changed many areas of life including recruitment. Initially it was the introduction of online jobboards but now it is Bebo, Blogs and Second Life.
Many companies are now considering Second Life as a platform to attract, meet, provide information and provide open days to potential employees. Yes virtual questions and answers!! Sounds mad BUT if you don’t explore this option you could be missing out on a wealth of talent. Many progressive companies have started – have a look for your self. There are company offices and even recruitment agencies. I hope they are better than the agencies in the real world.
I find it hard to get many clients to use psychometric testing when recruiting so I don’t know how I could get them to log into Second Life.
Tags: Bebo, Blogs, Ireland, Jobboards, Psychometric Testing, Recruitment Agencies, Second Life
Posted in HR, Jobs, News | No Comments »
