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

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

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)

There is much more to CV writing than simply listing everything you can about your work experience, education, skills and hobbies. It requires a focused approach putting more emphasis on the recruiter than you. 95% of all CV’s fail because they lack focus.

CV Format & CV Layout TIPS

You must avoid using the first person pronoun – Start sentences with action verbs or power verbs instead of first person pronoun. Examples of power verbs include; managed, developed, created and organised.

Keep your sentences short - CV’s need short, crisp statements and don’t get carried away. Remember that statements do not have to be complete sentences.

Use plain English – Don’t believe the urban myth that bigger words create a bigger impression. I saw a cover letter the other day with the word “sterling” and not used in the currency context.

Use bullet points – Bullet points make it easier for the reader. Paragraphs can be daunting. There are pro’s and con’s for both but my research with clients concludes that bullet points come out on top.

General to Specific – Organise you information that it flows from general to specific points.

This CV advice was provided by Measurability. Measurability writes CV’s for jobseekers at all levels of the organisation and across industry sector. Measurability write CV’s for clients nationwide Donegal, Cavan, Monaghan, Dublin, Meath, Louth, Kildare, Wexford, Wicklow, Carlow, Laois, Offaly, Westmeath, Cork, Limerick, Tipperary, Clare, Waterford, Galway, Sligo, Roscommon, Mayo, Leitrim, Kilkenny, Longford (and the other county I cannot seem to get – ha ha)

Following on from the post yesterday I have done a bit more research on how to find retail jobs in Ireland.

There are a few key agencies who recruit for retail jobs – Eden Recruitment, RightFit 4 Retail, Excel Recruitment, Star Retail. You can also get access to loads of jobs on the jobboards including EmployIreland and retailjobs365.

Remember my advice on the previous post. Visit shopping center websites as many of them see to advertise all open vacancies on their sites. I think this is a great idea BUT also a great resource if you seeking work in Retail in Ireland.

I pointed out Dundrum & Blanchardstown Shopping centres BUT there are many similar centres around Ireland. The Jervis Centre in D1 does not list jobs but it does list all the shops and contact details – missed opportunity I guess as these shops are probably paying elsewhere to find staff.

“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?