Careers and Jobs

Terrible news on the jobs front yesterday as 270 staff lost their jobs a few weeks before Christmas. There were 3 counties affected with 110 jobs lost in Galway, 70 jobs lost in Kilkenny and 90 jobs lost in Limerick.

110 jobs lost at Thermo King in Galway

Galway suffered the biggest job losses on the day with 110 going at Thermo King Refrigeration. The company based in Mervue produced equipment for the European transport sector. The company employed 600 staff in Galway.

70 jobs lost at NN Euroball in Kilkenny.

NN Euroball announced it would close operations yesterday. The American company based in the IDA Industrial Estate at Purcellsinch produced high precision metal bearing components for the car industry.

90 jobs lost in Limerick with Filtertek & Brothers of Charity

Filtertek announced that it would be laying of 59 of its 99 staff at Newcastle West. Economic conditions were again cited as the key reason. In Limerick city the Brothers of Charity announced that shortfall in funding will result in 30 people losing their jobs.

Symantec in Dublin

Symantec has announced that it will be letting 70 staff go at its Blanchardstown operations in Dublin. This is a big blow as Symantec have been a key employer in the area for a good number of years. For more information about this announcement read more …

Abtran in Cork

Abtran has announced the creation of 100 new jobs in Cork. This will bring its total headcount to over 500 in Cork. For more information about this announcement read more …

Iralco – Job loss fear!!

There are fears for 400 jobs at Iralco in Westmeath as it was announced that a liquidator has been appointed for the plant. Iralco manufactures car components and has been established in the region for 42 years. What makes this announcement worse is that Iralco is one of the biggest employers in the region.

Workers a reported to have been told that the plant would close BUT management refused to confirm if the closure would be permanent or temporary. Unions are working frantically to see if there is any way to save the jobs.

In related news Smurfit Kappa announced that 24 staff would lose their jobs next month. This is more bad news for Waterford as over 500 jobs hang in the balance at Waterford Wedgewood.

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)

It certainly does not seem to get any brighter for the Construction Sector. The latest report from Hook & MacDonald indicates that house building will fall further next year to almost 60% less than the 2006 record. This will mean a 38% to 48,000 completions this year.

I was speaking to a friend last week who indicated that his friend had negative equity on a house he bought 18 months previously. I read the papers and watch the news stories but this is when the demise of the sector really hit home. Ok there have been some positive announcement for the sector such as Arnotts but generally speaking it has been quite grim

Can infrastructure projects and commercial projects soften the blow for the construction sector?

I guess only time will tell.