Gilead Sciences says it plans to establish a European Financial Shared Services Centre at its base just outside the city. The biotechnology company plans to create 30 new jobs in Cork as a result.

The European Financial Shared Services centre will process the company’s finances for its European operation. Gilead Sciences currently employs 125 people at the plant in Carrigtwohill.

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40% expect to let staff go

70% dont expect to be in business next year if things don’t change

The worst hit sector is Construction followed by Retail, Distribution and Manufacturing.

The biggest problems faced by SME’s include fall in orders BUT more worryingly lack of access to credit. Hmmmm – gues those banks are not fulfilling their side of the deal!!

ESB has announced the creation of 3,700 GREEN JOBS. IKEA is holding final rounds of recruitment for the grand opening of its Republic store in July (expect plenty of competition!!).

Around the country there was more job loss misery with news from XILINX & New Oceans Limited in Dublin, Irish Dresden in Limerick, BeoCare & Beru Electronics in Kerry and Agilisys Contact Services in Clare. A total of 300 jobs to be lost with the above announcement with many of jobs lost is very badly affected regions.

1. Applying for jobs you are not qualified for. (From a jobseekers perspective you have to try …. certainly in a skill shortage market)

2. Sending generic cover letter’s. (Absolutely agree – you won’t get called for interview in a tough job market)

3. Seen-it-a-million-times Objective on your CV “challenging opportunity with a forward-looking company where I can utilise my knowledge, experience and skills to our mutual advantage.” (You can forget about these right now – worst start possible to a CV – no point!!)

4. Making your CV a list of past duties. (You have to make an impact and include achievements!!)

5. Lie or exaggerate about ANYTHING (Are all CV’s not self promoting documents. In fact most hiring managers expect some lies on a CV. I have to agree with this point though …. do a CV well and you don’t have to lie)

6. Keep making repetitive “notice-me” calls to ask if your CV was received. (Yes this can be harassment – one call or ideally call before you send it)

7. Slow response to messages left on your answering machine or voicemail. (You obviously don’t need the job if this is the case)

8. Lack of flexibility for phone-screening interviews. (Previous comment)

9. Not providing salary requirements when requested prior to the interview. (If asked provided – if don’t have one then let employer know your current salary)

10. Fail to research the company prior to the interview. (No brainer!!)

11. Arrive at your interview late. (Previous comment)

12. Rude to the receptionist. (especially if the person at reception is on the interview panel)

13. “See attached CV” instead of filling application completely. (Lazy!!)

14. Lack of interview preparation. (EHHHH!!! – forget about annoying the hiring manager – you are wasting your time attending interview)

15. Ask “What’s in it for ME?” type questions at the interview. (Well “me” is part of the process so you can ask these questions but just disguise them)

16. Fail to send a thank-you letter after the interview. (not that common in Ireland BUT nice touch!!)

17. Call for update before decision date (this is a number one annoyance – don’t do it)

Each workshop is limited to 15 places so book now to avoid disappointment – email paul@measurability.ie or via booking for contact us

Get your CV and Interview Skills up to date and land a job with a great company with exciting opportunities.

Yes redundancies are coming thick and fast in Ireland. I would point out though that redundancy is a thing we will have to accept as part of the employment landscape. Employers can no longer afford to stand still and employees the same. Both need to be constantly reinventing themselves to stay ahead of the competition.

The survey goes on to indicate that there will be more competition for jobseekers and that employers have said that they are experiencing an increase in the number of CV’s sent in the first 6 months of the year. This is stating the obvious but is in fact very true. Jobseekers need to equip themselves for a competitive job market ensuring that the have impact CV’s to stand out in the crowd and effective interview skills to land the job.

The final point of the article indicated that employees should stay put and ride out the storm. I would not agree with this point so much. You see there are excellent opportunities in a downturn. Yes we read the stories about job loss but we do not read the stories about employers hiring key staff to help them through this tough period. Recession or a downturn can provide plenty of opportunities for companies and individuals if you look for them and more importantly take action. Many companies come out of a downturn in a much better position. Equally individuals can gain in these tough times.

Some years I read an interesting comment in a business book – “there is a recession but I have decided not to take part.” This comment is worth some thought.

Women in Ireland cause more traffic congestion then men. Not because they are worse driver but because they are more likely to be in the car. Women are likely to use their car to travel to work, to go to the supermarket, to pick up dry cleaning and dropping children to school.

Women also get more abuse on the roads from men and other women. Men and women are more likely to beep at women.

Finally the level of corruption in a country can be linked to safety on its roads (interesting). This point is backed up by the fact that Norway, New Zealand and Sweden are least corrupt and have the safest roads.

On the subject of roads and cars …..

Why do women not acknowledge when you show them courtesy on the road? A little hand salute or the hazard lights would be nice.

Why do so many drivers stubbornly insist on staying in the fast lane when they have a queue of cars behind? (My pet hate on the road)

WORKSHOP CONTENT

Career clarity & career direction
Career planning
Expert advice to market yourself – CV’s & Cover Letters
In-depth understanding of Job Search strategies

ABOUT THE WORKSHOP FACILITATORS

Jane Downes of Clearview Coaching Group www.clearviewcoachgroup.com and Paul Mullan of Measurability www.measurability.ie are two of Irelands leading Career Coaches helping jobseekers across Ireland successfully navigate career hurdles.

WORKSHOP INFORMATION

Location: Dublin City (D2)
Date: 18th October
Time: 10.00 – 2.00

For more information email info@measurability.ie or post a comment

www.cvsandinterviews.ie – Offers expert advice on CV preparation and Interview preparation. Interview Coaching tips and techniques to help you succeed in the job market.

www.cvs4jobs.ie – Offers expert advice on how to prepare a killer CV. There are also related career topics.

www.careersandjobs.ie – Offers advice on everything to do with Careers and Jobs. Read excellent post from a leading Irish Career Coaches, Interview Coaches and CV experts.

www.jobsnews.ie – Offers up to date jobs news in Ireland – new job creation and job loss.

www.hrandrecruitment.ie – Offers articles about hr and recruitment issues in Ireland such as psychometric testing and outplacement services.

I hope you find the above sites useful.