Careers and Jobs

Great news for the Connaught region with Thermo King announcing the creation of 19 new jobs. Thermo King designs and manufactures transport refrigeration equipment and currently employ 600 staff at its Galway city plant. Thermo King has been operating in Galway since 1976 so it is a well established employer in the region.

This new initiative will see Thermo King design and manufacture greener products for the EMEA markets. These environmentally friendly products will also be more cost efficient.

If you want to find information on these jobs why not view the website www.thermoking.com.

If I remember Celestica announced about 100 new jobs in Galway at the end of 2007 so this has been a positive period for Galway in the jobs front.

Careers and Jobs keep you informed about all new job announcements and loss in Ireland across all regions. The site also contains a vast amount of Career and Jobs advice to help you to find and secure a job in Ireland. We also recommend tools and services that can help you including recruitment agencies, online job boards, career coaches, CV services and interview coaches. Please view the rest of the site and recommend it to your friends.

There is much information online about how to prepare for interviews. Particular focus is on how to handle difficult interview questions or how to handle competency interviews. There isn’t much focus on phone interviews and how to prepare. Below is some information on phone interview preparation and advice.

What is a phone interview?

It is what it says on the tin. A phone interview is a screening interview carried out over the phone. Organisations will normally use this screening method when there are geography issues with recruiter and applicant or in situations where there are high volumes of applications and this acts as an initial sifting tool.

Are they easy or hard?

It depends on the individual. Personally I prefer face to face interviews but there are many applicants who prefer the phone interview as they feel more relaxed. Communication your message over the phone is more difficult as body langage is removed from the equation

How to prepare for a phone interview?

Your preparation should be similar to that of a face to face interview. Put in as much effort as I have know phone interviews to be as detailed and as long as a face to face interview. They are normally less detailed though with the client focusing on the key selection criteria. Prepare the normal topics – identify what the clients is looking for, identify how you meet these needs with appropriate examples, know your CV, know about the employer and industry and be clear why you want the job.

Phone interview tips

1. Ensure that you are in a location where you will not be disturbed.

2. Have your CV in front of you during the interview.

3. SMILE before you pick up the phone!!

The above information was provided by an Irish Career Coach & Interview Coach servicing clients in across Leinster (Meath, Dublin, Louth, Wicklow & Kildare)

One of the first questions I am asked when discussing CV services is “where are you based?”

The first question I would ask – “What do you charge?” OR “What is your experience?” not “where are you based? as I know that this is not important.

Looking for a CV service in Ireland

For those interested in a CV service in Ireland don’t limit yourself by geography. It does not matter where the CV service provider is based. The important thing is that you get an “IMPACT CV”. Phone and email communications is all that is needed. In fact I think that face to face meetings for CV design just adds time to the process and we all know what increased time means – increased cost. If you are based in Kerry you can still get your CV designed in Dublin and visa versa.

Looking for Career Coaching or Interview Coaching services in Ireland

Now if you are looking for Career Coaching or Interview Coaching then location is more important. To be honest I hate coaching over the phone and if I cannot meet a client I will pass them on to a partner in the region. So if you are based in Kerry then search for Career/Interview Coaches in the region. I might compile a list in a later post.

There are many providers in Ireland for CV, Interview Coaching & Career Coaching. It is important to shop around. Remember price should be a factor BUT not your key motivation. Check out the background, experience and views. I know some great people BUT I will only tell you about them if I cannot help you myself.

Need a CV Service in Ireland.

If you want an Interview Coach in Leinster (Louth, Meath, Dublin, Kildare, North Wicklow)

If you want a Career Coach in Leinster (Dublin, Louth, Meath, Kildare, North Wicklow)

If you want Career Assessments & Career Tests in Ireland.

Is information about a potential employer important?

It certainly is and it is a key component to proper interview preparation. There are a few of reasons. It shows the interviewer that you have prepared for the interview and provides evidence that you have a focused to job hunting. Secondly it benefits you by confirming that this is the company that you want to join.

Sources of information.

The Internet – Most companies will have a website that can provide valuable information. It is important that you search beyond this. Do online searches to find up to date information that could help you stand out from the competition. Most of the competition will just use the company website.

People working for the company – A great resource providing valuable insider information. If you don’t know any employees then ask your network of friends, work colleagues or family.

Competition – Request information from competitors about the potential employer and information about the competitor.

Papers – Many interviewers will ask what news caught your eye in the morning papers so have a quick read before any interview. It is important that you do not miss any information about the company. I have seen this happen.

Article provided by Paul Mullan a Career Coach in Ireland

We make many tough decisions BUT one of the most important relates to our career. The crazy thing is that most of us spend more time planning a summer break. We all need help whether we are graduates beginning our career, career change professionals, parents returning to the workforce or employee affected by displacement or redundancy.

I have outlined some tools and resources that you can help you with career choices.

The internet – There is unlimited information on the web but you need to take care with FREE advice.

Career Guidance – This resource is available in most schools and colleges. The focus is largely on students and you will probably need to be attending the institution.

HR Departments – These professionals have worked in areas such as recruitment, training and development.

Recruitment Consultant – Again could prove to be a valuable asset. Be aware that although they may be a valuable source of career advice this is not what they do. They find people jobs. You may come across a nice consultant but most don’t want to be wasting time in this area.

Outplacement Consultants – Great resource and normally paid for by the employer.

Family & Friends – Unless they fall into any of the above professions I would probably avoid this option.

Professional Career Coach – Measurability offer expert advice across career areas like career planning, career tests, job search tools, CV Design and interview preparation.