Careers and Jobs

Leading career expert Paul Mullan will be presenting a FREE presentation at 6.30pm on 25th March sponsored by the Dublin City Central Library. The topic – “Job Hunting – Creative ways to increase visibility & land more opportunities”. For more information and to book a place email businesslibrary@dublincity.ie.

For those of you who use Linkedin you can also access free tips, advice and discussions in “Measurability Careers & Jobs Club” Group on LinkedIn.

Happy Job Hunting

FREE Career Workshop for jobseekers.

There will be FREE Career Workshop for jobseekers on 30th September. The event is being run by the NRF and will have spaces for 100 lucky people. If you have some free time it may be worth a visit.

The workshop will run for 90 minutes and will cover:

• Writing a world class CV
• Where to find the next job
• Advice on dealing with recruitment agencies
• Improving interview skills and techniques
• Networking skills
• Negotiating salaries

The goal is to provide insight and support to candidates who are currently in a difficult job market. Free Jobseekers Workshop is targeted at all levels of candidate, from junior through to senior management.

Where & When?
September 30th from 6PM to 7.30PM at the Grand Canal Hotel, Dublin 4 and will be presented by NRF Committee member Peter Cosgrove.

Register
To register a candidate for the NRF Jobseekers Workshop or offer your services for the CV Clinic please contact the NRF office on 01-8161754 or email name and contact details to director@nrf.ie

I really cannot comment how valuable it will be. Certainly seem to be trying to cover quite a bit of information in a short space of time BUT all you need is one gem of information that could land you your next job. Remember even if the presentation is nothing new you still have the opportunity to mix and network.

Interested in a paid career service – CV writing or Interview Coaching?

In tough times people quite often turn to self help books for inspiration and support. This multimillion dollar industry is preying on the vulnerable and quite often churning out the same stuff under a new revolutionary formula. Most of the readers are looking for quick fix and easy solution BUT in reality there are no easy solutions. Ask any successful person and they will tell you this – “the harder I work the luckier I get”. I recall a book I read some years back which did make sense but on further analysis it was nothing different than that which my mother had drilled into me throughout my youth. Below I have outlined some her classic advice …. and it is not write a CV or prepare for Interviews …..

Nobody likes a misery guts – Sulking and complaining never won any friends. Are you complaining? Are you blaming? Has it assisted your job hunting? I understand that job hunting in a tough market is difficult particularly for those out of work. However negativity will not bring anything to the table. People don’t like to hear it will actually switch off or worse avoid you all together. More importantly negativity will drain your own energy. If you are out of work and struggling to find employment or if you are seeking a career change without success – complaining or blaming won’t assist in any way.

Smarten yourself up – When this was said to me it was about physical appearance but for the purpose of this piece I mean how you market yourself. Ensure that your CV and cover letter are sharp. Ensure that they make the right impact. CV Writing Service in Ireland.

You need to work harder – We have all heard the saying – “work smarter and not harder” In reality you should be doing both. You need to work smart and hard. You need plenty of activity but channeled in the right direction. If you are unsuccessful in your job search – have you explored all the available channels? A friend said to me recently that he had tried everything to get a job but he never asked me for help!! Proactive job search channels will help you access the hidden job market. My friend’s girlfriend got an administration job last month that was never advertised.

I don’t want you hanging around with him – Parents can always spot a bad egg and are skilled at identifying unsuitable associates. You need to use this strategy when job hunting in a tough market. You don’t need negativity when job hunting in a tough market. Spend less time talking to your negative friends and more time talking with the positive and bubbly element of you close network. Surround yourself with support BUT not those who fester negativity and doom and gloom.

Turn off that TV and do your homework – I was never a big TV person as a kid but I guess anything came above homework. The reason I say turn off the TV is because the current content will not inspire you. Most of the news in the papers and on the radio is negative. Reading and listening to this everyday will not inspire you. Remember bad news sells at the minute and the media is ensuring we get our fill of it.

I attended a seminar in Ballsbridge Court Hotel on Wednesday 23rd organised by PA assist and Osborne Recruitment. The seminar was titled “staying up in down times” and focused on motivational advice and personal marketing expertise to help jobseekers in a tough economic climate. This was a great evening with 3 key speakers – Kirishna De, James Sweetman and Brendan of Osborne Recruitment. Due to the nature of my work I am aware of many of the strategies but I still left with great tips and nuggets of information. Speaking to some of the other attendees they left the seminar burdened with positive energy and ideas.

The event commenced with a motivation and success presentation by James Sweetman. I have been aware of James but never met or heard him speak before. James outlined some excellent motivational strategies for jobseekers in difficult job market conditions. He encouraged individuals to cast off the shackles and move out of their comfort zones into uncharted waters. James touched on a number of key strategies I feel strongly about – Jack Canfields E+R=O and the importance of shutting out the bad news and negative people. James delivered the presentation with humour and laced with excellent motivational stories.

James was followed by Brendan Murphy of Osborne Recruitment. First thing that struck me about Brendan was his honesty. Brendan delivered an open and frank assessment to the job market followed by some of the key elements for marketing yourself during job applications and interviews. Even with the limited exposure to Brendan & Osborne I get the impression that working with his recruitment company would be a positive experience from an employer or a jobseeker perspective. Osborne Recruitment is a successful recruitment consultancy recruiting across a number of industry sectors.

Last but certainly not least Krishna De spoke about the use of online technology and social networking to market yourself, enhance networking and make yourself recession bullet proof. This was the session of personal interest for me and it did not disappoint – very informative and again well executed. I had a great interest in this section from a business development point of view BUT to enhance my knowledge to support my private career coaching and corporate outplacement clients. Krishna De is a leading personal branding consultant and social media marketing expert.

Overall I though the night was very worthwhile and plenty of new ideas but also reinforcement of existing ideas and strategies. As pointed out it is very easy to slip back into old habits and comfort zones.

Well done guys and gals!!

I am inundated with requests for information about how to avoid redundancy. My response is the same. In most cases redundancy and decision-making cannot be controlled by the employee. I recommend the following tips for those seeking a pay rise and they can be useful for those seeking to avoid redundancy if only to refocus efforts away from the negativity of possible job loss.

Employees need to demonstrate quality and value to an organisation through actions and a passion for work and their job.

Try to volunteer for extra responsibility and go the extra mile and put in the extra hours if required.

Ensure that you react to special requests and urgent tasks from your superiors quickly and efficiently.

Try to dress for the job professionally and conduct yourself accordingly

Keep up your efforts for a continued period of time as this is what is noticed more that short bursts of energy.

Act on feedback from your boss particularly any development issues raised at your last performance review. This will make an impact.

Don’t be afraid to tell your boss about your desire and goals to do well within the company. Outline what you want to achieve with the company.

There have been many job loss announcements in Ireland and job loss can be a tough time. Many organisations provide outplacement services to support jobseekers but there are still many who have little support. A career consultant can help. Attached is an article about career coaching and career tests and how it can help individuals looking for new employment or changing jobs.

Although this site is about Jobs & Careers I stray away when I find other information I like to share. It is a tough job market and there are many more pressures on us. This wonderful message by George Carlin helps put it all into perspective.

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more,but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment,more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We’ve learned how to make a living, but not a life. We’ve added years to life not life to years. We’ve been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We’ve done larger things, but not better things.

We’ve cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We’ve conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We’ve learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete.

Remember, spend some time with your loved ones,because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you,because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn’t cost a cent.

Remember, to say, “I love you” to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak, and give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

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

The economy is falling apart all around us and now we are being told that the future looks even bleaker than the present. Looks like Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) will fall unless our students take more courses in science, technology, engineering and maths.
I am not surprised students are not taking maths judging by recent leaving results.

From experience students education and career choices are dictated by the economy and what sectors are strongest. There was a huge surge towards IT until the dotcom bubble burst. Then the numbers of IT grads dropped dramatically to a situation were we now have a skills shortage of graduates in this area. So where did they go after IT – to Pharmaceutical of course as this was the big growth area.

I agree that we need educated graduates to fill roles and future role BUT should we be pushing students towards jobs and roles that are not the right fit for them. It is a tough one with strong arguments for both cases. Personally I meet many people daily who are miserable in their career and were pushed a particular direction by a parent, mentor or through guidance. With this in mind I would be for individuals following a suitable path and not a secure path or one with opportunities.

I would be interested to hear other views