How To Prepare For Your First Nursing Job Interview
Applying for your first healthcare job can be an exciting yet challenging experience. Healthcare workers play a crucial role in providing physical, emotional, and psychological support to patients and their families. It is a very rewarding career with many options to work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and even schools.
While it is natural to feel both anxious and eager as you prepare for your interview, knowing how to make a great impression is vital in standing out amongst the competition. By taking the time and by following our below guide on how to prepare for your first nursing job interview, you will have everything necessary to put your best foot forward.
Nurses and Midwives account for nearly 50% of the global health workforce.
Research the organisation
It is a good idea to research the organisation. This will allow you to get a feel of their mission, values and services. It will also help you to gain an understanding of what they are looking for in a nurse and how you can become a valuable member of their team. A little bit of research can go a long way. The following points can show the interviewer that you are interested and have made an effort. It will become very clear to them that you want to make a good impression.
Search for recent news or press releases. Doing so will demonstrate to the interviewer that you have been following their healthcare updates.
Reading reviews from patients or employees will allow you to judge if it is a reputable hospital or organisation.
Studying the organisational chart will help you become familiar with who is interviewing you and what questions are appropriate to ask.
Understanding the company will not only impress your interviewer, but it will help you determine if this is the right fit for you. Remember to always approach your research with a professional attitude and take notes to refer back to. It will demonstrate that you are proactive, detail-oriented, and invested in finding the right job.
Know your CV
Knowing your CV inside and out is crucial. Your CV is a summary of your professional experience, qualifications and education. It contains important information that prospective employers will be interested in, such as your nursing license number, any relevant certifications you’ve obtained and key skills you’ve honed throughout your career.
Take the time to carefully review and reflect on your CV. Make sure you read through it to refresh your memory on your specific skills that can best relate to the position on offer. This way you will be in a better position to discuss these skills in detail. It will help you provide concise and confident responses to any questions related to your experience or qualifications. Preparing in this way allows you to showcase your expertise and highlight why you’re the right candidate for the job.
At Recruit Island, our team are on hand to supply you with tips on CV preparation and interview techniques. We place registered nurses in a wide range of positions that include:
– Staff Nurse Jobs in Hospitals and Care of the Elderly Facilities. – Intellectual Disability (Learning Disability) Nurse Jobs. – Psychiatric (Mental Health) Nurse Jobs. – Nurse Manager Jobs.
Prepare questions
It is essential to have a list of questions ready to ask your potential employer. Asking thoughtful questions not only shows your interest but helps you learn more about the organisation and its values. There are many questions you can ask in relation to:
The hospital’s patient-to-nurse ratio: This will give you an idea of how busy and stressful work can be.
How the organisation supports its nurses: Do they have flexible working hours or support groups?
Opportunities for professional development: Upskilling is vital as it can open up many work opportunities.
Specific responsibilities of the role: This will help you decide if your interests and skills are suitable.
Don’t be afraid to ask about the interviewer’s own experiences working at the hospital. It will help you stand out as a candidate and ensure that you have a clear understanding of what the position entails. An interview is a two-way conversation, therefore it is important to have some thoughtful questions ready. Doing this will demonstrate your passion for the profession and show that you are comfortable in high-stress situations, such as interviews.
By following the above steps, you will be able to showcase your talents as well as your professional abilities, helping you secure the position of your dreams. Best of luck from all of us at Recruit Island.
Contact us today for all our current nursing vacancies.
At the start of a new year, there is a lot pressure to get back into the usual daily routine after the Christmas break. January can be an especially challenging month for everyone, but with a little effort you can set yourself up for success this year by trying our 5 tips to get you through January that will help you by reducing stress levels and encouraging productivity. From learning a new skill to staying social, these methods are simple yet highly effective approaches towards making sure you hit the ground running this month. If you’re ready to discover how you can get through this January in the most productive and healthy way possible, read on!
Art helps to increase the connectivity and plasticity in the brain. New or complex activities will lead to the creation of new connections between brain cells.
When it comes to life satisfaction, starting a new hobby can be incredibly rewarding. Not only does it open up the opportunity for you to gain knowledge, but it also sets you on the path to discovering and improving your capabilities in other areas of life too. Enrol in an art class or try your hand at knitting, two cosy skills for these cold, winter nights. Learn to play an instrument or join a sports club. These can be rewarding hobbies that can impact your future in very positive ways, from meeting new friends to discovering talents you never knew you had.
Go for a Lunch Walk
It’s important to find meaningful ways to spend our lunch break while the sun is out and make the most of our valuable time during the day. In January it’s dark in the mornings and dark when work is finished so it’s difficult to get some sun rays. Some great options are taking a walk or jogging around the neighbourhood or local park to get that vitamin D in. Not only does this help you stay physically fit, but it can also be great for recharging mentally. Studies say the best time to get some Vitamin D from the sun would be between 10 o’clock in the morning and 3:30 in the afternoon. Ideas will be flowing when you return to work and you’ll be feeling more productive after that 3 pm slump.
Eat Healthily
To stay healthy in the colder months, aim for around 2,000 calories a day for women and 2,500 calories a day for men. This is the same as your recommended daily calorie intake, but you need to increase it slightly to keep warm!
Winter can be a difficult time for healthy eating habits; with holidays like Christmas and New Year’s, there can be temptation around every corner, like finishing off that box of Quality Streets. However, by learning some new skills in the kitchen, you can set yourself up for delicious and nourishing meals for the rest of the winter. It is important to keep your immune system strong during winter and to create dishes that are good for both your body and soul.
Try these 3 simple ideas:
Start your day with porridge which is filled with energy-boosting iron, and add sliced fruit to make it more flavoursome.
Eat smaller but healthier meals by portioning them out by hand instead of emptying them out, which can leave you eating more than your body needs making you feel lethargic.
Hand Portioning Guide:
A portion of protein is 1 palm.
A portion of fat is 1 thumb.
A portion of vegetables is 1 fist.
A portion of carbohydrate is 1 cupped handful.
A snack portion, if needed, would be the complete size of 1 palm.
3. Cook and then freeze nourishing soups and stews to keep you warm and full during these dark days. TIP: Adding some ginger to them can aid in warding off flues and colds.
Apply for that Job/Course
Job hunting can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t need to be. With the right preparation and guidance, you can take your career in a new direction and make strides towards achieving your dream job! Whether you are applying for a new position or want to explore potential courses, there are many options available that could help move you closer towards achieving your goals. From researching job openings to preparing resumes and cover letters – begin with baby steps in January and work your way towards the end goal. Recruit Island’s New Year New You blog gives you the current job openings available now. It could be the boost you need to start your new career journey.
One company with current vacancies, offering further development courses is Servisource, who have a Learning and Development programme that provides internal staff the option to develop their leadership potential, and confidence, and equip them with the necessary skills to become future leaders within the business.
Another useful learning platform is LinkedIn Learning, it provides video courses taught by industry experts in software, creative and business skills and is a subsidiary of LinkedIn. All the courses on LinkedIn fall into four categories: Business, Creative, Technology and Certifications.
It can be a great way to learn while working, with plenty of options to choose from. There are so many different upskilling courses, just begin with the first step of applying/joining and you’ll be a pro in no time!
Loneliness is associated with higher rates of: Depression, suicide, heart disease and dementia.
It’s important to stay social and avoid hibernating during the month of January. As January begins and winter continues to bring feelings of isolation during these challenging times, it is more important than ever to stay connected with friends and family. It’s the perfect time to rekindle relationships or build new ones that can help you feel connected in an isolated world. It should be a priority for you in order to prevent feelings of loneliness and seasonal affective disorder (SAD). SAD is a type of mood disorder, a variant of major depressive disorder (MDD) associated with seasonal changes during the winter months.
So call that friend and go for that coffee, join a Meetup group or call a family member and check in.
Similar to other depressive disorders, SAD tends to be more prevalent in women than men. SAD is generally first diagnosed between the ages of 18 and 30, but SAD can and does affect any age group.
It’s good to take care of yourself during January and these tips will help you to do just that. Working long hours can take its toll, especially in the winter months, it’s important to stay on top of your routine and remain positive. Soon January will be over and spring will be blooming in no time.
Check out our current vacancies and opportunities today!
How to Attract Top Talent: Employer Branding Strategies for Irish Companies No matter what industry your Irish company is in, it is essential to step up your employer brand in order to attract and retain the best employees. There are some straightforward strategies that can help even the smallest organisations win over potential candidates and…
How To Prepare For Your First Nursing Job Interview Applying for your first healthcare job can be an exciting yet challenging experience. Healthcare workers play a crucial role in providing physical, emotional, and psychological support to patients and their families. It is a very rewarding career with many options to work in a variety of…
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International Volunteer DayToday December 5th marks International Volunteer Day celebrating the theme of solidarity through volunteering. This year’s campaign highlights the power of our collective humanity to drive positive change through volunteerism. There are many advantages of volunteering, it is an excellent way to meet new people, give back to the community and help people…
Now that we have reached a new year, you may be considering what kind of changes you want to make to your life. Is there something missing, do you need a new challenge, something more fulfilling? Maybe a career change is what you need and maybe a new year means a new job! If so, it’s essential to do your research and take the time to find the right job to suit you, that’s where Recruit Island comes in.
There are numerous rewarding jobs out there that you could be a great fit for and here at Recruit Island we want to give you an insight into some of our current positions that offer a host of opportunities across numerous disciplines. There is an increased demand for specialised skills and roles across all medical fields – creating more opportunities than ever before! In this blog post, we will explore some of these new job options available at Recruit Island, helping you decide which one might be best suited to your unique skillset.
Academic Personal Assistant/HCA
Irish Wheelchair Association estimates that over 60% of individuals currently receiving Personal Assistant services or Home Support, require significantly more hours than they’re receiving.
Are you a people person, looking for some seasonal or temporary work? Then a job as an Academic Personal Assistant or Health Care Assistant (HCA) could be the job for you. This job involves supporting students with disabilities who are registered with the Disability Office on a 3rd level campus. It is a very rewarding job as it involves assisting the student around campus to lectures, carrying bags, opening doors, and note taking during lectures, among other duties. It is a great chance to work on a one to one basis instead of within a large healthcare environment such as a hospital. This opening is located in Cork City and the full outline of this position is listed here.
Kitchen Porter
Is cooking your specialty? Do youenjoy working in catering with different types of people? Why not apply to become a Kitchen Porter, a job that is full of variety. Our agency supplies kitchen porters to hospitals & healthcare facilities in the Dublin 6 area. We work with over 60 clients across Dublin, so you’ll get the opportunity to build experience in different healthcare facilities. Preparing the catering department for the start of service and assisting in the serving of food to patients on wards are just some of the duties this position entails. More specifications are outlined on our website.
Software Engineer
By 2030, it is estimated that 45 million people worldwide will be working as software engineers.
Do you have experience working in IT and have a flair for computers? Then a role as a Software Engineer may be for you. This role is located in Co. Mayo and is a full-time role in a hybrid work setting. It is ideal for someone who is highly motivated and interested in learning new technologies. This industry is very reliable to work in with all of the details available on our website.
Client Relationship Manager
If you think you have a good head for business, then perhaps the role of Client Relationship Manager is for you. This position is based in the Leinster area with the role being primarily in business development. It involves liaising with numerous different departments and personnel and would be suited to someone who is highly driven. It might just be the opportunity you need to excel in the workforce. Details of this position are outlined here.
You can also check out our job seekers platform which allows you to keep track of the jobs you have applied for and where you can input your resume. It’s like having your own personal job seekers portfolio! If you don’t know what you’re looking for or what might be suited to your skills, then you can submit your CV to our website.
A change in your career could be exactly what you need and here at Recruit Island, we make sure you are supported through every step of the hiring process. January is a month that encourages you to take a look at the previous year and how fulfilled you were in various aspects of your life and then allows you to plan for the current year. How can you achieve your goals and live a life most suited to your talents? Now is the time to find out!
A full list of job opportunities are listed on our Recruit Island website.
How to Attract Top Talent: Employer Branding Strategies for Irish Companies No matter what industry your Irish company is in, it is essential to step up your employer brand in order to attract and retain the best employees. There are some straightforward strategies that can help even the smallest organisations win over potential candidates and…
How To Prepare For Your First Nursing Job Interview Applying for your first healthcare job can be an exciting yet challenging experience. Healthcare workers play a crucial role in providing physical, emotional, and psychological support to patients and their families. It is a very rewarding career with many options to work in a variety of…
5 TIPS TO GET YOU THROUGH JANUARY At the start of a new year, there is a lot pressure to get back into the usual daily routine after the Christmas break. January can be an especially challenging month for everyone, but with a little effort you can set yourself up for success this year by…
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International Volunteer DayToday December 5th marks International Volunteer Day celebrating the theme of solidarity through volunteering. This year’s campaign highlights the power of our collective humanity to drive positive change through volunteerism. There are many advantages of volunteering, it is an excellent way to meet new people, give back to the community and help people…
Today December 5th marks International Volunteer Day celebrating the theme of solidarity through volunteering.
This year’s campaign highlights the power of our collective humanity to drive positive change through volunteerism. There are many advantages of volunteering, it is an excellent way to meet new people, give back to the community and help people in need. It gives you a sense of purpose while also increasing your social skills. It can even help your chances at gaining employment as it looks good on your CV, showcasing your commitment to improving yourself and helping others in society and the world.
60% of hiring managers see the act of volunteerism as a valuable asset when making recruitment decisions.
92% of human resource executives agree that contributing to a nonprofit can improve an employees leadership skills.
6.5% of working-age people worldwide engage in formal volunteering via an organisation or association.
3 Types of Volunteer Work
There are many different types of volunteering programmes and it can be difficult to choose which one is the best for you. Here we list 3 types of volunteer work where you can put your skills to good use and help out.
Volunteering for Environmental Issues
As people are becoming more environmentally aware, volunteering in this area is becoming more popular. People know that it is vital to act sooner rather than later when it comes to our environment. This type of work can include farming, environmental conservation and even working with ecovillages. It can be fun if you like the outdoors, like animals and don’t mind getting a bit dirty.
2. Volunteering in Healthcare
This is an ideal situation for medical students in order to gain training however, you don’t have to be a medical student to do this type of volunteering. You could simply visit patients in hospital to keep them company, work in health food shelters or even fundraise for cancer research, the list is endless.
3. Volunteering in Education
This is a great way to give someone the knowledge you possess and can involve working with children or adults. There are a range of countries where you can travel to and do this. It will allow you to gain teaching experience as well as helping those in need.
Servisource and Volunteering
At Servisource and CPL, we have the opportunity to get involved in a volunteering programme called INSPIRE, an online mentoring programme. we believe in giving back to the communities in which we operate, which is why we actively encourage our people to avail of this chance to get involved. With our Volunteering Time Off initiative, we ensure that employees get paid for any days off used to volunteer. The programme aims to match a young person with a professional role model to support and guide them. We know that mentoring works and having a positive role model in life is critical in order to prosper.
About the Mentors
INSPIRE works by matching a young person with an experienced professional. We want you to be that positive role model and make a difference in a young person’s life. Volunteer mentors commit to regular meetings with their mentee for up to one year and Innovate Communities provide the required training and support to help them become a successful mentor. This mentoring programme is online as you could be matched with a student from anywhere but if proximity permits you can meet them in person.
This is what the mentors have to say:
Ciaran – Senior IT Developer
I find I’m feeling quite energized seeing how the mentee is drawing on my expertise. There is a real sense of satisfaction about being able to help someone younger from my community. I’m learning there’s more to these young people than I may have thought. I see my mentee’s confidence building with every meeting. I see him leading more with every interaction and being more and more specific and honest about what he needs from me.
Marian – HR/Training Consultant
I’m really enjoying it. I’ve noticed my mentee’s thought process has widened from when we first met. She is thinking about the bigger picture, the longer term and about her career.
About the Mentees
Mentors are currently working with over 150 young people aged between 18 and 25 years of age. These mentees are diverse– Irish, Migrants and Immigrants (First Generation), Irish Black, Irish Asian and represent many different nationalities. They are HEAR (Higher Education Access Route) students studying Business & Management, Computers & ICT, Health & Social Care and Science and Pharma etc. The majority are the first in their family to go to college, don’t have a professional network to engage and have voluntarily signed up to INSPIRE to receive access to a mentor.
There are a range of volunteering opportunities to choose from around the world. With an array of benefits from it such as valuable work experience, learning new things and making new friends, why not give it a try and see how your help can benefit the world. You can find out more about the INSPIRE mentoring programme here and even sign up with their online application form.
So happy volunteering and let’s help each other in solidarity throughout the world!
You can find out more about our opportunities below.
How to Attract Top Talent: Employer Branding Strategies for Irish Companies No matter what industry your Irish company is in, it is essential to step up your employer brand in order to attract and retain the best employees. There are some straightforward strategies that can help even the smallest organisations win over potential candidates and…
How To Prepare For Your First Nursing Job Interview Applying for your first healthcare job can be an exciting yet challenging experience. Healthcare workers play a crucial role in providing physical, emotional, and psychological support to patients and their families. It is a very rewarding career with many options to work in a variety of…
5 TIPS TO GET YOU THROUGH JANUARY At the start of a new year, there is a lot pressure to get back into the usual daily routine after the Christmas break. January can be an especially challenging month for everyone, but with a little effort you can set yourself up for success this year by…
New Year, New Job Now that we have reached a new year, you may be considering what kind of changes you want to make to your life. Is there something missing, do you need a new challenge, something more fulfilling? Maybe a career change is what you need and maybe a new year means a…
5 Ways to Manage Your Workload in the Run-Up to Christmas Christmas time always creeps around faster than expected, the month of December seems to come and go in the blink of an eye. You decide to check over that list of things to do before the end of the year and instead of ticking…
International Volunteer DayToday December 5th marks International Volunteer Day celebrating the theme of solidarity through volunteering. This year’s campaign highlights the power of our collective humanity to drive positive change through volunteerism. There are many advantages of volunteering, it is an excellent way to meet new people, give back to the community and help people…
Networking at work is a vital pathway to career growth and there are many benefits to it. Sometimes networking can be confused with selling, but it actually means creating long-term relationships that are mutually beneficial. This in turn, leads to building a good reputation over time.
Networking is not about trying to meet as many people as possible, but rather it is trying to meet the right type of people that will be able to endorse your specific skillset, show you opportunities and point you in the direction of other well-connected people. It is an essential process that should be implemented throughout all stages of your professional journey. Here we take a look at 5 benefits of networking at work.
85% of job positions have been filled through networking.
Almost 100% believe that face-to-face meetings build stronger long-term relationships.
Here are 5 of the biggest advantages of networking:
1. Raise Your Profile
One of the first benefits of networking that is extremely important in career building is being able to raise your profile, you can do this by being visible and getting noticed. The way you can do this is by attending as many social and professional events as possible which will help get your face known.
When you are attending these events, you must provide value for other attendees (it’s not all about you), long lasting relationships are built on trust and providing value to each other. You can create value by listening carefully, following up on conversations, remembering names, and offering your knowledge and expertise.
2. Advance Your Career
Having the ability to go out and network with people within your industry can hugely benefit your chances of climbing the ladder in your industry.
You can advance your career and build your reputation by being knowledgeable, reliable, and supportive by providing useful information to people who need it.
3. Strengthen Business Connections
“Sharing is caring”, for lack of a better term, is what networking is all about. You must be willing to share the information you have and not just take information from other people. It is about forming trust and helping each other reach your individual goals. Staying in regular dialogue with your contacts and finding ways to assist them will help strengthen your relationship. This will plant the seed for a long-lasting relationship and for when you need assistance to achieve your goals.
4. Access to Job Opportunities
Having the ability to expand your contacts can lead to many new opportunities for business, career advancement or for personal growth. When you are actively networking it keeps you at the forefront of people’s minds when new job openings become available, and it will increase your chances of being introduced to relevant people or potentially even a referral.
As your career advances a lot of jobs do not get advertised, so being recognised in the right network of people can open the door to more career opportunities that you may not have otherwise.
5. Career Advice and Support
Receiving career advice from experienced people within your industry is another important benefit of networking. When you are discussing your common challenges and opportunities this can lead to important suggestions and guidance. When you can offer good advice and support to your contacts this will set a strong foundation when you need support in return.
So why not get networking and soon you’ll be climbing up that career ladder in no time!
View all our current vacancies on Recruit Island that can help you get your foot in the door and start networking.
How to Attract Top Talent: Employer Branding Strategies for Irish Companies No matter what industry your Irish company is in, it is essential to step up your employer brand in order to attract and retain the best employees. There are some straightforward strategies that can help even the smallest organisations win over potential candidates and…
How To Prepare For Your First Nursing Job Interview Applying for your first healthcare job can be an exciting yet challenging experience. Healthcare workers play a crucial role in providing physical, emotional, and psychological support to patients and their families. It is a very rewarding career with many options to work in a variety of…
5 TIPS TO GET YOU THROUGH JANUARY At the start of a new year, there is a lot pressure to get back into the usual daily routine after the Christmas break. January can be an especially challenging month for everyone, but with a little effort you can set yourself up for success this year by…
New Year, New Job Now that we have reached a new year, you may be considering what kind of changes you want to make to your life. Is there something missing, do you need a new challenge, something more fulfilling? Maybe a career change is what you need and maybe a new year means a…
5 Ways to Manage Your Workload in the Run-Up to Christmas Christmas time always creeps around faster than expected, the month of December seems to come and go in the blink of an eye. You decide to check over that list of things to do before the end of the year and instead of ticking…
International Volunteer DayToday December 5th marks International Volunteer Day celebrating the theme of solidarity through volunteering. This year’s campaign highlights the power of our collective humanity to drive positive change through volunteerism. There are many advantages of volunteering, it is an excellent way to meet new people, give back to the community and help people…
It’s no secret the pandemic has upended our lives. With remote work becoming more commonplace, hybrid work has become the new normal for many organisations. Hybrid work is a combination of working from your own space as well as a company location. This may come in the form of say 3 days at home and 2 days in the office or any other combination.
It’s not an easy process moving from a fully remote working environment into a hybrid one. It may take time to adjust back to office life, after all, the pandemic is still present in society and it’s important to put health first, especially your mental health. Employees have become accustomed to the working from home ways with many starting new roles fully remotely, this is why most employers want to ease their employees back, instead of forcing them into how work life was pre-pandemic.
3 Ways Businesses Can Make Hybrid Work a Success:
1. Develop a work culture based on mental health and well-being. Whether it’s creating a free counselling programme for employees or organising online meetups such as Pilates classes, ensuring a happy work environment should be a priority. At Servisource we have a dedicated space for our Mental Health Toolkit which can be accessed by all employees of CPL. It includes group exercise activities, virtual cafes to discuss important topics relating to mental wellbeing as well as access to a free counselling service. This gives employees the reassurance that their employer knows how important they are.
2. Create a safe office working environment with health monitoring systems in place such as hand sanitisers available at desks and perhaps allowing only a certain amount of people in workspaces at the one time. If someone’s sick, it’s best for them to stay at home in case other people are infected. These small changes can help people feel at ease who might have some lingering anxieties about returning back to the office.
3. Sending the proper work equipment to employees so they have the ability to work efficiently during their workdays at home. This allows them to feel confident while away from the office. Many companies use the hot desking system in the office whereby desks are allocated to workers when they are required or on a rota system, which ensures everybody has a desk when they are working from the office.
4. A proper work/life balance is important and this is why Sevisource has created a new Balance Time scheme for its employees. This is a flexible time currency for everyone in CPL to cater for all of the non-work commitments as and when they arise. It is our unique flexibility offering, reflective of the people that work for CPL.Whatever your reason, we want to empower you to best balance your time and to be proud to do so. This means if you have an appointment or task that you need to fulfil during the working day, Balance Time can be used. You essentially take the time to fulfil the appointment or task, but you make back the time within 1 week.
Technological advances since the pandemic began also make it easier to stay connected remotely. This has resulted in the popularity of flexible working arrangements throughout the workforce. Workspace systems such as Microsoft Teams and Zoom can allow workers to message and video each other, enabling everything to run more smoothly.
However, just like everything else, there are some advantages and disadvantages to the hybrid working setup. Let’s take a look at these.
Advantages of Hybrid Work:
The hybrid working environment can allow employees to have a nice balance between home and office life. Having the option to go to work and see colleagues but also spend more time at home with family, is ideal for most workers. They have the ability to look after their children or older family members and it allows them to be more flexible. That work camaraderie is still present when they are in the office which prevents feelings of isolation from creeping in. Stress levels are also lowered because of this flexibility and less time spent travelling to work in heavy traffic. Costs on office expenses and travel are also avoided.
Advantages of Hybrid Work
Improved work/life balance
Lower stress levels
Flexible hours
Less time commuting to work
Lower costs
According to statistics, the most frequently mentioned benefit of homeworking was increased well-being through avoiding the commute (46% of survey participants), followed by enhanced well-being because of greater flexibility of hours (39%).
Disadvantages of Hybrid Work:
However, there’s a real probability that when you work from home you end up spending too much time at your desk and work time can eat into your personal time. You might end up going over your required work hours without realising it or going back to your computer to finish something off. It’s important to separate your work time from your personal time while working the hybrid life.
Disadvantages of Hybrid Work
Feelings of isolation
Work intrusion
Reliance on technology
Distractions at home
Scheduling difficulties
Statistics also state a reduction in distractions while working hybrid also featured at 33%, although given that lockdown enforced homeworking regardless of home circumstances, some employees were still dealing with increased distractions.
There’s also a reliance on technology and if the WIFI happens to malfunction, then certain tasks can no longer be fulfilled. A stable internet connection can be difficult in rural areas, but it has greatly improved since the pandemic. Distractions while working at home can also occur especially when taking care of family members. A comfortable environment with a proper work set-up is important which allows you to keep on top of work duties and schedules.
What does the above tell us? Overall, there are advantages and disadvantages to working hybrid, both for the employers and the employees. Companies are making time to allow employees to work in a way that is most comfortable to them, especially in a world that has changed so much since the pandemic began. Mental health is important and when you have happy workers, you have a happy, thriving business.
How to Attract Top Talent: Employer Branding Strategies for Irish Companies No matter what industry your Irish company is in, it is essential to step up your employer brand in order to attract and retain the best employees. There are some straightforward strategies that can help even the smallest organisations win over potential candidates and…
How To Prepare For Your First Nursing Job Interview Applying for your first healthcare job can be an exciting yet challenging experience. Healthcare workers play a crucial role in providing physical, emotional, and psychological support to patients and their families. It is a very rewarding career with many options to work in a variety of…
5 TIPS TO GET YOU THROUGH JANUARY At the start of a new year, there is a lot pressure to get back into the usual daily routine after the Christmas break. January can be an especially challenging month for everyone, but with a little effort you can set yourself up for success this year by…
New Year, New Job Now that we have reached a new year, you may be considering what kind of changes you want to make to your life. Is there something missing, do you need a new challenge, something more fulfilling? Maybe a career change is what you need and maybe a new year means a…
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When you’re in an interview, it’s important to be mindful of the things you say. In addition to being an opportunity to show off your qualifications, an interview is also a chance for the employer to get to know you as a person. How the interviewer determines whether you’re a good fit for their company and culture comes down to what you say and how you say it in the interview. It’s important to stay positive and enthusiastic throughout the interview, even if you’re feeling nervous. It’s also better to know what not to say so you can avoid any awkward situations which may result in you losing that job you’ve always dreamed of. Remember, the interview is your chance to sell yourself as the ideal candidate, so take a deep breath and focus on putting your best foot forward.
We want to help you get that job so here are 5 tips on what not to say in your next interview:
1. Negativity about your previous job.
Remaining professional and positive during an interview is especially important. The interviewer may ask you questions like “Why are you looking for a new job?” or “What didn’t you like about your previous positions?”. Your ability to answer these questions while avoiding a negative manner about your previous employer or job can show the interviewer that you can remain professional.
Positive answers to these questions can fill the interviewer with confidence that you will be a good addition to their companies’ culture and that you will not say anything negative about them in the future.
2. Don’t only give yes or no answers.
Interviewers will ask you an array of different questions. It’s important to reply as best you can and not just with a simple yes or no answer. If the hiring manager asks you a question you don’t have an answer to, you can ask them to elaborate.
If you are still unsure about what is being asked, then it’s better to tell them you would be happy to answer after you do some follow-up research. This shows that you have an eagerness to learn, which will give a good impression.
3. “I don’t have any questions.”
At the end of the interview most interviewers will ask if you have any questions. It is important when preparing for an interview to have some meaningful questions prepared to ask the employer, this shows that you have an interest in the company and in the position.
4. Don’t bring up the S word.
If you can help it, don’t be the first one to bring up the S word, salary. If you are too quick to mention money, it might come across to the employer that this is the most important aspect of the job for you. This is an especially mortal sin at the first meeting. When you find out more about the company and your role, you will be able to better determine your salary range.
5. Questions about annual holidays.
It’s better to avoid any questions referring to how many annual holidays the job offers. This information will come in time and it’s more formal to wait until after the first interview or until the interviewer brings this subject up first. You can ask about what benefits the company has to offer when you get through to the 2nd stage of the interview process.
It’s better to be well prepared and as formal and polite as you can be in any interview. If you take note of the above points, then you have more chance of succeeding and you’ll be on your way to that new career you’ve always wanted.
Check out what jobs we have on offer below and put these interview tips to the test.
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Asking for a pay rise is not an easy task as many people are reluctant to ask out of fear of rejection or causing a rift with their boss. However, as the old saying goes “those who don’t ask, don’t receive”. It is highly unlikely your boss will randomly drop by your desk one day and subtly announce he is increasing your salary. Why not ask for it yourself?
We’ve spoken with employment experts in Servisource Workforce Solutions who have over 20 years’ experience in the recruitment industry to get their take on how best to ask for a pay rise.
Do I Deserve a Pay Rise?
This is more down to gut instinct than anything else. Have you been consistently performing at a high level for a period of time? Have you recently upskilled with extra training? Are you outperforming members of your own team? Are you contributing to the success of your company to the best of your ability?
If the answer is yes to any of the questions above and you believe you deserve a pay rise, then don’t be afraid to ask for one.
The important thing is to take a step back and reflect on your performance over the past 12 months. While it is easy to get caught up in the things you’ve done well, it’s vital you focus on the things that haven’t gone so well.
As we will see, planning and carefully choosing the right moment to ask will increase the chances of success, however, you need to ensure that if there are any areas you drastically need to improve in, you must do so before asking for more money in your pocket at the end of each month.
The Planning Stage:
Salary calculators such as CPL’s Salary Guide for 2021, are very helpful tools that can assist you in finding out how much you should be getting paid for the work you do.
If your work directly affects sales for the company, it is also a good idea to get an estimate of how much the company benefits from having you on the team.
This should help you get a rough figure in terms of how much you wish to increase your salary by.
How Should I Ask for a Pay Rise?
The best way to ask for a pay rise is in person. You are far more likely to get a pay increase by having a face-to-face conversation than sending a half-hearted email or a text to your boss.
By meeting face-to-face with your manager, it allows you to witness their reaction but also negotiate and produce counterarguments.
Depending on the size of your company, you may need to approach your line manager first. Going over your line manager’s head, straight to your boss, bypassing the chain of command, is never a good idea.
Your line manager may even be able to assist your request and offer a recommendation to the boss for an increase of your salary.
Timing is Everything:
Your annual performance review offers a great opportunity to ask for a pay increase. A lot of the time it’ll coincide with the end of your company’s financial year, meaning salaries are finalised for the year ahead around then.
You don’t have to wait for your annual performance review though. While there is no perfect time, some moments are better than others. An example would be after an achievement, you may have completed a successful project, you may have clinched a deal, brought on a new client, increased monthly sales to record levels or maybe your manager asks you to take on more responsibilities.
Bad Times to Ask for a Pay Rise:
After a deal is lost.
Poor financial results.
A global pandemic.
Monday mornings.
Fridays.
What if Your Pay Rise is Turned Down?
Unfortunately, despite your best efforts, your boss may refuse to increase your pay. There could be many reasons for this such as not enough money in the budget to accommodate the pay rise or your manager does not believe you warrant a pay increase. Whatever you do, keep your cool. Losing your temper or turning the meeting into a war of words will achieve nothing.
Try discussing a timetable with your boss and some goals you need to achieve in order for them to grant you a pay rise. If management makes it clear that you will not be getting a pay rise anytime soon, you’ll have to decide whether your current employer values you enough and if it’s worth staying with them or if it’s time to seek somewhere new and somewhere better.
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The structure of recruitment has had to change to meet the requirements of the pandemic. Most interviews are now held online instead of face to face. This should not make job seekers complacent however, as there is very little difference between face-to-face interviews and those done via online platforms, meaning the same preparation is required. This article lists 6 ways to prepare for online interviews and is packed with tips on all the do’s and dont’s for when you finally get that call.
Make sure that you have a suitable location to conduct the interview, ideally a quiet and tidy room to eliminate any and all distractions. The last thing you want is for your potential employer to be focusing on your Winnie the Pooh teddy or the empty water bottles you’ve been meaning to discard for weeks instead of how great you could be for the role. Notify all family members or housemates that this room is off limits during the time allocated, we all know the video of Professor Robert Kelly’s interview getting gatecrashed by his two young children. While hilarious for those of us watching, Robert Kelly can get away with it but you as a potential employee cannot. So lock that door if needs be and make sure that are no interruptions.
2. Check That Connection
Always make sure that you are fully set up on the device and the platform you are working off. Do a test call to a family member and make sure that the internet connection, sound and video are all working to the best quality. A bad connection could lead to a postponed interview and this does not often make the best first impression to a potential employer. You can trust that the competition will have made sure to have their equipment fully functioning and this could be the difference between getting that job you have been dreaming of or missing out.
3. Dress to Impress
The biggest mistake a candidate can make is to think they do not need to dress professionally for an online interview. Dressing suitably and professionally not only shows the interviewer that you are serious about the position on offer but also gives you, the interviewee, a sense of confidence. So put away the Disney slippers and baggy sweatpants and get suited and booted and I don’t mean just from the waist up, you need to be fully presentable not only for the benefit of the employer but for yourself.
4. The Name of Shame
This one might not seem like a big deal and often gets overlooked but my advice to candidates doing an online interview is to first make sure that their username on the platform they are using is interview and work appropriate. While BilboSwaggins and LiverpoolfcFoLyf were ok for your MSN back in the day, it can make it hard for an interviewer to not only keep a straight face but can leave them questioning how seriously you are taking the interview and the position they are offering. Where possible, use your first and last name in some format so it is clear to the interviewer who they are linking up with.
5. Say That to My Face
Eye contact and visibility are just as important on an online interview as they are face-to-face, so make sure that you are fully visible on the screen and maintaining eye contact regularly throughout the call. As intriguing as it is to watch your neighbour cut the grass, or to stare at that nice vase of flowers on your desk, try to position yourself in a suitable position without distractions. Your full attention should be on the interviewer and the questions being asked.
6. Don’t Worry, Be Happy
Last but not least, relax!! Try to calm your nerves and get settled in your surroundings prior to the interview. An interviewer can still pick up on nerves even when not face-to-face. Nerves are to be expected so don’t be worrying, if you have done your homework and have followed the above steps, then you have given yourself the best chance at securing your dream job.
So put these tips to the test and check out our jobs on offer:
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You have just gone through the grueling job seeking process of scrolling through numerous job boards, prepping for interview stages and finally you have been offered that amazing job you have always dreamed of. What next? It’s time to hand in that notice of resignation. This can be quite daunting especially if you have spent a long time with your current employer and have strong relationships built within the company.
As a Recruitment Consultant – I have placed many people in new positions however I find the toughest part of the process for my candidates is having to hand in their notice and avoiding those counter offers.
Let us take you through the below guide of the best steps to take when handing in your notice.
BE PREPARED
Before handing in your notice wait until you have received your New Job Offer in writing or email. When writing your resignation letter be clear and concise and have a positive conclusion. Why are you leaving? Try to avoid being negative or making things personal.
BREAKING THE NEWS
As soon as you have received that job offer – hand in your notice. This gives your employer time to find a suitable replacement. Schedule a meeting with your manager at their earliest convenience and let them know that you are leaving. Most employers will wish you success in your new position – some employers may not be so congratulative. Be firm on your decision and keep the conversation short and sweet. If you require a reference this is a good opportunity to ask for it. Your employer may be in shock and overloaded with information – give them a few days to process the news.
STICK BY YOUR DECISION
In the moment you hand in your notice or in the days following– your manager may approach you with a counteroffer. Unless a promotion or different role has been offered – it is a good idea to resist this offer immediately. Remind yourself of why you were seeking change and how unhappy you are in your current position. Accepting the counteroffer may seem like a great short-term solution – however long term you will be in the same situation – unchallenged and seeking change. Think about your new position and why you applied for it in the first place.
BE PROFESSIONAL
It is extremely important that you leave on good terms – especially if you are seeking a reference from your manager. You should never speak negatively of your employer or the company you are leaving as you never know if you will be working with them again in the future so it’s a good idea to not sour those relationships.
Many companies will conduct an exit interview. This is an opportunity to provide constructive feedback to your employer without being too critical. Provide them with an idea or objective that they could work towards achieving rather than focusing on the negative.
Never bad mouth your company to current or future colleagues as it is unprofessional and will reflect badly on you.
CONCLUSION
Hopefully these pointers help to make this process easier for you. It’s a big change moving to a new job – but if it’s what you are seeking, it can be the first step in the right direction. Always remember to look at the bigger picture and when it comes to your career goals you need to be strategic and put yourself first!
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