Careers and Jobs

We have been posting quite a bit recently about job loss and redundancy in Ireland. I guess this is what is making the headlines in the news. One cannot argue that we are facing a tough job market. Even “Comical Ali” could not deny this (Remember him – “What tanks?”).

There are opportunities in a difficult market. They may be more difficult to find but you have to believe they are there and put in the effort to find them. More often that not those who don’t achieve don’t believe. Remember if you believe that there are no jobs out there this will be your reality.

I have been working on quite a few projects with employees affected by redundancy in the past 12-18 months and I can tell you there have been many more positive stories than negative. Quite often many participants moved on to a better place. Some actually set up their own ventures.

It is important to understand that what worked in a buoyant market may not work in a tough market. There is much Career Guidance & Advice available. You must take this on board and change your strategies until you achieve your goals.

Take the 1st step today

Let’s look at some of the common problems faced by jobseekers.

1. Can’t find the jobs!! – You need to try out other job hunting strategies.

2. Not getting called for interview!! – You need to take a critical look at your CV & Cover Letter – CV Writing Tips– Cover Letter Tips

3. Failing at interview – Change your approach to interview preparation – Interview Tips Skills

Career Coaching – Job Search Strategies from leading Career Consultant

There are many strategies to source new employment in any job Market. This article will outline some of the popular job search strategies and how to get the most out of these strategies. If you are searching for a new job then this article will help improve your efforts and results.

Online Job Boards – This is probably the most popular strategy for jobseekers to source new employment. The last decade has seen many job boards spring up as the popularity increases. The most popular job boards in Ireland include RecruitIreland, EmployIreland, IrishJobs and Monster. There are also niche job boards focusing on certain sectors including SalesJobs, AdminJobs.

How to get the best out of online job boards – Many of these sites make searching easy with job alert functions which will send you the latest relevant jobs. By all means use these tools but I recommend that you visit the site every 2/3 days anyway to do a manual search.

Newspaper Advertisements – Job advertisements in the local and national newspapers has witnessed a steady decline over the last few years with most newspapers increasing online presence with most owning the job boards. Having said this it is still important to review the national and regional papers. The most popular national newspapers include The Irish Independent on Thursday and The Irish Time on Friday.

How to get the best out of newspaper advertisements – There are no shortcuts when using newspapers and a job hunting strategy. I guess quantity is the important point here. If you are actively job hunting you need to look at the job advertisements whenever possible. Most people buy a paper each day but I would certainly recommend Irish Independent on a Thursday and Irish Times on a Friday.

Recruitment Agencies – Love them or hate them agencies play a very important function the job market placing thousands of jobseekers in new positions every year. There are approximately 400 recruitment agencies in Ireland recruiting staff across a variety of skills and industry sectors. Agencies range from the large household names to niche recruiters focusing on a particular sector or skill-set.

How to get the most out of recruitment agencies – The most important point when dealing with agencies is to identify the agencies that recruit for your skills. It can be confusing as there are 400 agencies in Ireland. Speak to friends, family or work colleagues to get recommendations. Alternatively another tip is to do a search on one of the outlined job boards and see what agencies are advertising similar jobs to those you would like. Once you have identified suitable agencies it is important to meet your recruitment consultant and build a relationship. You must also take a proactive approach and stay in touch BUT do not stalk your recruiter.

Networking – It is estimated that 50% of jobs are never advertised so if you are relying on job boards, newspapers and recruitment agencies you will not be accessing the “hidden job pool”. Networking is an excellent tool where you utilise your contacts in an effort to unearth and secure a new job.

How to get the most out of networking – Many jobseekers can find networking difficult and unnatural. It is a skill and can be learned. I recommend that you start with a familiar network such as friends, family and work colleagues as these are familiar names and faces. To extend this network you can attend work related or industry related networking opportunities. Remember

Speculative Applications – This strategy is normally at the bottom of the list because it involves the most work and feel like a waste of time. There is an element of luck but by initiating this activity you are actually creating your own luck. Speculative applications involve identify and targeting suitable companies or industry sectors that potentially require your skill-sets

How to get the most out of speculative applications – An important point with speculative applications is to start your search quite focused. Pick an ideal location and industry sector. Otherwise it can seem like a daunting task. When you approach companies try to speak with the relevant hiring manager before you email or post a CV. Remember try to target hiring or department managers directly and avoid HR.

Need a CAREER COACH or CAREER CONSULTANT? Contact Career Coach Ireland

Career Workshop in Dublin on 18th October. For more information email paul@measurability.ie. The workshop will be run by two of Ireland’s leading career coaches and costs 165.00 euro

“There’s no scarcity of opportunity to make a living at what you love. There is only a scarcity of resolve to make it happen.” – Wayne Dyer

Two of Ireland’s leading career experts will be launching a Career Workshop in October. Paul Mullan founder of Measurability & Jane Downes founder of Clearview Coaching Group will facilitate the workshop in Dublin. The final details will be released shortly.

Key focus for the workshop

- Career Direction – expert tools and advice to help provide career direction
- Action – Expert CV advice and job search strategies to help fulfill your career goals

About the Workshop Leaders

Paul Mullan is a leading Career Coach and successfully runs Measurability. He has vast experience across career coaching, assessment, HR and recruitment. Paul has helped many individuals find career direction, market themselves through impact CV’s and secure job offers through Interview Coaching. You will regularly read Paul’s Career Doctor articles in Irish Independent and expert career advice on RecruitIreland. Read Paul’s profile – Career Coach

Jane Downes is an established Coach working with individuals and companies throughout Ireland. Her company Clearview Coaching Group is an established brand. Jane is a career coaching expert for RecruitIreland and regularly comments on career matters in the national media. Read Jane’s profile.

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

Contact Measurability for Career Coaching, Interview Coaching & CV Writing. Paul Mullan is a leading Interview Coach, Career Coach and CV Expert.

Career Coaching

I have noticed a few recruitment agencies advertising Career Coaching services online. Unlike previous years these now seems to be a formal service offerings and not just lip service to attract job hunters. For many jobseekers it may seem quite normal for a recruitment agency to offer career coaching BUT beware.

There may be genuine intent from these recruitment companies but the nature of their core business and revenue could impact any career advice. Recruitment Agencies are all about putting bums on seats. A colleague once described agencies as “glorified dating agencies”. I worked in recruitment and I believe recruitment agencies have a key role to play in the job market placing jobseekers in jobs. There could be a conflict of interest though when offering career coaching services. Ask yourself if the career coaching service is leading you down a path prompted by potential placement revenue.

If you are a jobseeker seeking career advice thread carefully. You could get an excellent career coaching service from a recruitment agency but remember there is the risk of conflict of interest.

Support through Career Coaching and a Career Coach

I just posted about a new site careersportal which offers career support for second and third level students. It is designed to help them find the right career path. So what about those of us who didn’t have good career advice and fell into the wrong careers? There is help there for you too. I will outline where you can get career support in Ireland.

Career Coaching – How can it benefit?

Career Coaching has many benefits for job-seekers. Here is a list of some of the benefits you can get from a career coach:

• Clarification of your current job/career situation
• Identify your needs
• Self discovery
• Development of new perspectives
• Conquer job uncertainty and fears
• Identify career passion
• Identify strengths
• Improve decision-making
• Hemp avoid similar mistakes
• Overcome career hurdles
• Initiate momentum and maintain focus
• Clarify direction and solutions
• Increase positive thinking
• Improve performance and results
• And of course – RESULTS!!

Career Coach – A definition

A career coach is a professional who provides jobseekers with expert career advice, career guidance, and career support. A career coach takes the role of observer and listener. A career coach looks at the now and supports goal development, plans, and action. A career coach is dedicated to providing the tools for career success.

If you need a Career Coach or are interested in finding out more about Career Coaching why not contact a leading Career Coach now. Measurability offer expert career coaching to clients across Leinster – Dublin, Meath, Louth, Kildare & Wicklow. Paul is a leading Career Coach in Ireland regularly commenting on a variety of recruitment sites and he is a career expert with Irish Independent and Sunday Tribune.

If you don’t want to pay for expert career coaching advice there are other options you can explore aside from a career coach. This post outlines some of these options

Measurability provides a professional CV writing service to jobseekers across Ireland. They service all roles, all levels of the organisation from Graduate to Executive across industry sectors and business functions.

Need a professional CV? Contact Measurability now!!

Measurability will help you

• set the right positive tone with your CV
• produce a strategically targeted CV
• project a professional image and confidence
• clearly outline achievements and results
• highlight experience qualifications and key skills

Professional CV Writing Service across Ireland – CV Advice & Preparation

It does not matter where you are based in Ireland – Measurability can help you. CV design is facilitated via phone and email so there is actually no need to meet. Measurability services 32 counties – Cavan, Monaghan, Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo, Roscommon, Carlow, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Louth, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Wexford, Wicklow, Clare, Cork, Kerry Limerick, Tipperary, Waterford, Tyrone, Derry, Antrim, Armagh, Fermanagh & Down.

Professional CV Writing Service for all Sectors

Measurability offers CV writing services for all industry sectors including Banking & Finance, IT, Construction, Pharmaceutical, Call Centre, Manufacturing, Medical Device, Software, Retail, Engineering, Public Sector and much more.

Career Coaching & Interview Coaching

Measurability also offers career coaching services, career tests and interview coaching services to jobseekers in Ireland.

“Is Career Coaching or Interview Coaching worth the money?”

Many jobseekers ask this question when they set out on their job hunting journey. It is the million dollar question and this question can be asked about any service though.

Is a mechanic worth the money?
Is a barber worth the money?

Services are worth the money when you get a good service for the money paid. Career Coaching and Interview Coaching is no different.

A good coach can help you achieve your career goal. You have to ask yourself if this is worth paying for. If you do the research and choose a coach as you would any other service. Need a coach in the Dublin, Meath, Louth, Kildare or North Wicklow?

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