As we step into the promising year of 2024, the Irish job market is poised for growth and transformation. Whether you’re a seasoned professional seeking new challenges or a fresh graduate embarking on your career journey, now is the perfect time for unlocking your potential. Various insights can help job seekers thrive in the dynamic world of Irish recruitment, ensuring this year becomes a year of remarkable opportunities.
The employment rate in Ireland is at its highest rate since records began in 1998. In the second quarter of 2023, there was an employment rate of 74.2% among people aged 15-64, an increase of 0.7% on the same period in 2022.
Embracing the Evolving Job Landscape
The Irish job market is undergoing significant changes, largely driven by technological advancements and global events. Emerging sectors like green energy, digital healthcare, and fintech are experiencing rapid growth, creating exciting opportunities for job seekers. Because of the acceleration of remote work, geographical boundaries are less relevant. To thrive in this evolving landscape, job seekers should stay informed about these trends, acquire relevant skills, and be open to flexible work arrangements. It’s a year where adaptability and a willingness to embrace change will be key to unlocking potential and securing that dream job.
Crafting Your Personal Brand for Success
In the digital age, personal branding has never been more crucial. Your online presence, from LinkedIn profiles to social media, can leave a lasting impression on potential employers. Start by curating an online image, ensuring it aligns with career goals and values. Share accomplishments, insights, and expertise demonstrating thought leadership in the chosen field. Don’t underestimate the power of storytelling as unique experiences to create distance from other candidates. By strategically shaping a personal brand, it is possible to attract the right opportunities and connections that can propel a career forward.
Mastering the Art of Interviewing and Networking
Mastering the art of interviewing and networking is essential for success in the competitive job market. Begin by thoroughly preparing for interviews, researching the company and role, and practicing responses to common questions. Showcase skills and experiences effectively, highlighting how they align with the company’s needs. Don’t underestimate the value of networking. Attend industry events, join online communities, and connect with professionals who can offer insights and job leads. Remember that networking is a two-way street, and building authentic relationships can open doors to opportunities that might not have been previously considered. Whether it’s a job interview or a networking event, approach each interaction with confidence and a willingness to learn and grow.
Through the above insights, job seekers can embrace the evolving job landscape, craft a personal brand, and master the art of interviewing and networking. The journey towards a fulfilling career starts here. As an Irish recruiting company, we understand the rich tapestry of skills that our local talent pool possesses. Our mission is to connect talented individuals with opportunities that allow them to thrive and excel. 2024 is looking to be a year of remarkable achievements and opportunities in the world of Irish recruitment. Get ready to unlock your potential!
Recruit Island can help find the right employment for you in 2024 and beyond.
Freelance vs. Full-Time: Exploring Flexible Work Arrangements in the Irish Job Market
The way work is conducted has undergone a significant transformation in recent years. Traditional 9-to-5 office jobs are no longer the only option for those seeking employment and other more flexible arrangements have gained popularity. By exploring flexible work arrangements in the Irish job market it is evident that there are many pros and cons between freelance work and full-time employment.
Fun Fact
A 2018 Eurobarometer survey found that Irish people reported having more access to flexible work than their European peers.
Freelancing: The Pros
Flexibility: The freedom to set individual schedules is possible, allowing a better balance of work and personal life. This flexibility is especially appealing to individuals with caregiving responsibilities or those who prefer non-traditional working hours.
Variety: The option to work on diverse projects is possible for different clients, which can be intellectually stimulating and helps expand skillsets.
Autonomy: Can have total control over projects, rates, and work environment.
Potential for Higher Earnings: While not guaranteed, some freelancers can earn more than their full-time counterparts, particularly if they specialise in high-demand skills.
Freelancing: The Cons
Income Inconsistency: Fluctuations in income may occur due to the unpredictability of project availability and payment schedules.
Lack of Benefits: Typically benefits such as health insurance, paid time off, or retirement plans, are not received which can be a significant drawback.
Self-Employment Tax: Individuals are responsible for handling their own taxes, which can be complex and require careful financial planning.
Isolation: Working alone is common, which can lead to feelings of isolation and a lack of camaraderie with colleagues.
Full-Time Employment: The Pros
Steady Income and Benefits: Employees enjoy a stable income, along with benefits like health insurance, paid time off, and retirement plans, providing financial security.
Career Advancement: Many full-time positions offer opportunities for career growth and development within a company.
Social Interaction: Office environments foster social interactions and teamwork, which can be personally fulfilling and professionally beneficial.
Structured Workday: Employees typically work set hours, allowing for a clear separation between work and personal life.
Full-Time Employment: The Cons
Limited Flexibility: Often have less control over their work schedules, which may not suit individuals with specific lifestyle needs.
Less Autonomy: They may have less say in the projects they work on and the direction of their work compared to freelancers.
Commuting: Commuting to an office can be time-consuming and costly, adding stress to daily life.
Office Politics: Jobs can come with office politics and bureaucracy that some may find frustrating.
Which Option Is Right for You?
The choice between freelancing and full-time employment depends on individual preferences, circumstances, and career goals. Consider the following factors when making your decision:
Financial Stability: If financial stability and benefits are a top priority, full-time employment may be the better choice.
Independence: If independence and flexibility is a priority, then freelancing could be the way to go.
Personal Life and Work-Life Balance: Assess personal responsibilities and how they align with preferred work arrangements.
Long-Term Goals: Think about long-term career goals and how freelancing or full-time employment might help to achieve them.
The Irish job market offers a range of flexible work arrangements, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Whether choosing to freelance or pursue full-time employment, it’s essential to align decisions with career goals, lifestyle, and financial needs. Keep in mind that the best choice may evolve over time, so stay open to adjusting work arrangements to suit the changing circumstances and aspirations. The key to success is finding the right balance.
Recruit Island can help find the right employment for you
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.
Freelance vs. Full-Time: Exploring Flexible Work Arrangements in the Irish Job Market The way work is conducted has undergone a significant transformation in recent years. Traditional 9-to-5 office jobs are no longer the only option for those seeking employment and other more flexible arrangements have gained popularity. By exploring flexible work arrangements in the Irish…
The Most Effective Networking Strategies for Job Seekers in Ireland Networking is a crucial aspect of the job search process in Ireland, as it can help you uncover hidden job opportunities and gain insights into the job market. Having the right strategies can help you create meaningful relationships with industry professionals or even secure your…
Diversity and Inclusion in the Irish Workplace: Best Practices for Recruiters and Employers Diversity and inclusion in the workplace are becoming increasingly important considerations for employers, recruiters, and HR professionals. This is especially true of Irish workplaces, organisations must be proactive in their efforts to create diverse and inclusive teams. It is not only a…
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.
Freelance vs. Full-Time: Exploring Flexible Work Arrangements in the Irish Job Market The way work is conducted has undergone a significant transformation in recent years. Traditional 9-to-5 office jobs are no longer the only option for those seeking employment and other more flexible arrangements have gained popularity. By exploring flexible work arrangements in the Irish…
The Most Effective Networking Strategies for Job Seekers in Ireland Networking is a crucial aspect of the job search process in Ireland, as it can help you uncover hidden job opportunities and gain insights into the job market. Having the right strategies can help you create meaningful relationships with industry professionals or even secure your…
Diversity and Inclusion in the Irish Workplace: Best Practices for Recruiters and Employers Diversity and inclusion in the workplace are becoming increasingly important considerations for employers, recruiters, and HR professionals. This is especially true of Irish workplaces, organisations must be proactive in their efforts to create diverse and inclusive teams. It is not only a…
Searching for a new job can be quite daunting for most people.
You are putting yourself out there – showcasing your best qualities – with a fear of being rejected.
I myself found it difficult to put myself out there to kickstart my career. I started my previous part time job at the age of 17, fresh out of school and although I felt considerably unfulfilled in that position, I ended up staying there for 8 long years!
We as humans hate the idea of change. But why? We can’t avoid it. Our entire life is filled with it. So how do we try and combat the fear of change, to be our best selves.
“The grass won’t be
greener”
Many people want to change careers but there is always the fear of it not being what you hoped. In fact, this can be the reason why many people won’t change careers. They are unhappy and complain day in, day out but when it comes to leaving they think:
What if the new job isn’t any better?
What if I uproot everything to be placed
somewhere that I dislike even more.
What if? What if? What if?
But ask yourself, what is the worst outcome here? You move
from one job you’re not happy in to another?
Ok, so look again, and don’t settle until you find somewhere
that does make you feel happy. Find somewhere that you don’t dread travelling
to each morning.
And WHAT IF you just happen to find yourself in a new job
that you absolutely love. Because that’s what happened for me.
It took me 8 years to pluck up the courage to realise what
if the grass isn’t greener on the other side, it certainly isn’t green where I
am. So, I did my CV, applied for somewhere new. I joined Servisource in 2018
and haven’t looked back once.
Putting it simply, when applying for a new job, you are
basically trying to sell yourself.
You are putting your best qualities, talents and weaknesses
out there to people you don’t personally know. To get that rejection phone call can leave you
feeling sad and hopeless. It can even leave you doubting yourself
professionally. “Am I not good enough? Maybe I’m better off where I am”. But
the best thing you can do from rejection is learn and take away something
positive from it. 🙌
Think about it – would you blame yourself if a date didn’t go as planned? Would you never go on another date as long as you lived because one person rejected you?
Simple answer is, NO!
Take a step back and reflect on what has happened.
Where did it go wrong?
How can I improve on that?
Instead of putting yourself down and overwhelming yourself with negative thoughts; concentrate on one key area that you can improve on, that you can control and take it from there.
During my time job searching I was coming across many job
specs with responsibilities and requirements that I had no experience in.
This really put me off applying for roles that I had an
interest in because of the fear of not being good enough.
Instead of looking at the things that I could do, I was
constantly looking at what I couldn’t do within the job spec. (effectively I
was pigeonholing myself)
What you need to realise is, no one is ever perfect for the
job, and in fact no one wants to hire someone who is over qualified for the
job, because there is no room for that person to then grow.
If you are familiar with many of the job specifications but
not all, don’t let this put you off. If you have an interest in the position
and feel you would be right for the job, take a deep breath and proceed with
your application; focusing on all your core skills.
Time Consuming
Working full time, balancing family life and trying to
search for a new career on top of this can take up a large chunk of your time. Trawling
through endless job posts, writing individual cover letters, altering your CV
each time to suit the Job Requirements.
And this is before you even get to the interview stages!
Job searching does take time and focus, because you need to
put your best foot forward. Try to set some time aside each week to sit down
and little by little you will get work done.
Alternatively, why not register with a recruitment agency. Recruitisland.ie offers many different job opportunities daily, so why not create a candidate profile, upload your CV and let us take time to help you on your job search.
Recruit Island has numerous strong relationships with a wide
range of well-known clients, so this can make it a lot easier to get your foot
in the door.
Standing out from the
crowd!
In this day and age, there is a surplus of candidates with
many similar skills and qualifications as yourself.
So how can you differentiate yourself from the crowd?
The most important thing is to let your personality shine through. For me, I struggled to write
in the interests and hobbies section of my CV.
But if you like to go surfing or horse-riding or even write
blogs, write it in there – if you’re feeling confident even attach a link to
your blog! This allows the reader to have a feel of what you are all about.
Adjust
your CV to suit the job that you are applying for. It is very important
that you do this, someone who’s going through a pile of CV’s can spot a generic
one straight away. So, it’s very important that you tailor your CV and cover
letter for the job you are applying for. Make the effort.
Ways to stand out could be as easy as writing a
catchy opening in your cover letter to catch the readers eye. If you are
successful enough to get to the interview stage, there are many ways that you can
be remembered.
Do your research on the company, inside out.
From the start up date to the different processes and IT systems that they use.
Find out what charities they are working with and familiarise yourself with
those charities. These are all potential topics for you to discuss during the
interview process. It also shows the employer that you have taken an interest
in the company and what they do.
Also, don’t be afraid to ask questions. Ask
about the company, ask about the daily routine of the role you are applying
for. This again shows that you are visualising yourself in the position and
allows them to give you an insight into what the role entails.
At the end of the day it is your life, your career. Where
you end up is all down to what action you take.
Taking all the above factors into consideration and over
coming those fears allows you to take a step outside of your box. To challenge
yourself and put the effort into finding your dream job.
For me, it was a daunting experience to even get to the
stage of applying for my first job. But
when I eventually plucked up the courage to make my first application for a
job, the feeling was like none other.
To think back to why I was so afraid of change and all the
“what ifs” and negative mind frame I was in. If I didn’t overcome those fears I
would still be working in that job that gave me no fulfilment and left me
unhappy.
If you are considering changing career or looking for
something different, why not make it your first step to upload your CV to recruitisland.ie
to see what else is out there for you?
As love is in the air with Valentines Day approaching and you have gotten through the dreaded drought of January, things are starting to look up……..or are they…….. do you love everything in your life or is it time to make some changes?
Sitting at your desk doing your typical 9-5 Monday to Friday job? Bored, no satisfaction, no love or motivation, no promotions available?
BUT Hey – its close to home and you know the job inside out?
If you are settling – you need to question:
What am I doing here?
Do I want to continue doing this role forever?
Do I love what I am doing?
Am I really in a job that I love?
There comes a time when you realise that the job you are in
is not for you anymore.
You don’t have the same passion and drive as you used to,
It begins to eat into your confidence,
Your self-moral is leaving you feeling that the monotonous job is not testing your skills anymore.
Sound like you?
It’s important with any job that
it challengesyou and feeds your ambition
and motivation.
Do you feel a Sense of Loyalty:
Are
you married to your job out of loyalty?
Oftentimes, when you are with a
company for a long period of time; there’s a loyalty aspect which forms that
can eat into your personal life and prevent you from spending your time at home
with family and loved ones. This leaves you with no quality time for yourself.
Do you feel Stuck in a Rut?
By staying long term in the same organisation, you can begin to lose touch with the outside world and you find it difficult to move away from what you know; even when you do not love what you do.
The thing is – Unless there is room for growth, promotion and the ability to progress within the company (new challenges/motivation/love for the role); you will feel that you have had your fill and want something new to bite your teeth into.
When you have made the decision to
move on 🙌 numerous
things begin to run through your mind.
The Right
Choice?
When everyone leaves a job;
whether it be a long term position to a temporary role; it is common to
question yourself and pray that you are making the right choice.
Regret /
Fear
You pray you will find that dream
job, take the leap and WON’T regret the
move.
The single task of moving out of your comfort zone gives you more ambition and confidence, just remember that you can do any role that you desire if you put your heart and mind into it. You just need to get over the initial fear (fear of change, fear of insecurity, fear of the unknown, fear of facing fear and stepping out of your comfort zone).
If you have had various roles in
the past 2 years; many would pray that this does not look bad on your CV.
On the one hand, it is good to
stay long term in a company as it will grow your skills and experience, but
sometimes you have to take the leap as the role is just not for you leaving you
very unhappy.
“Job hopping”– as discussed in
our blog “What
Will Temp Look Like In The Future” – shows that you have ambition, you are
welcome to trying new challenges and you are adaptable which are all strengths.
As long as you have good
reasoning behind leaving your previous roles and sell yourself to your employer
there is no reason as to why you shouldn’t get your dream job, it just might
take a little longer than planned.
So, we all have an image of the job we would love in our heads:- Aircraft Pilot, Scientist, Doctor, Actor, Vet, HR, Finance etc etc.
For everyone it’s different. So how do you define the following:
What your dream job would be?
What is your driver?
Factors to be considered:
Internal Factors:
The line of work you would love to get into?
The role: What type of career are you looking for?
Maybe you are at the beginning of your career and you are still lost as to what your ideal career would be?
Maybe it’s a complete different direction you wish your career to go in?
Would you love it to be office based, maybe you have a head for figures or maybe you are a people person and would love to be in a helping role.
Maybe you’re in a line of work that you just happened to fall into, maybe it was the only job at the time that was available when there was a shortage of roles?
2. Do you have the qualifications for the role, are there particular traits you require to do the job?
If you do – great, if not – never panic. There are numerous online courses or distance learning that you can do in the comfort of your own home or if you need more direction there are multiple evening courses you can take. If you put some research and time into it, you will find the one that will suit you best.
3. Is salary an important factor to consider?
Salary – You need to identify your priorities in a role – would it be the salary to provide for your family or to sustain a life that you enjoy? It could be that you are in a lot of debt and need to get it cleared so you need to ensure that salary is one of your top priorities.
Put a plan in place of all the outgoings you have and the monies you would need to fulfill your personal experiences outside of work – this will give you a good indicator as to what salary you would require.
Experience: Following salary will come experience – you may not have acquired enough experience or have the qualifications to get you to your goal salary so be prepared to put your ideal salary to the back burner for now; but have that as your end goal. Experience will only come in time so make sure that you are on the right career path allowing you to move up the ranks.
External Factors:
What is important to you?
Our blog article “Be
Successful in Your Job Search – Tips for Success” touches on the importance
of self-reflection in order to identify your values, interests, skills, goals and
what you want from a job.
As important as it is to be doing
the job of your dreams, there are other factors that you need to consider when
researching for that dream job.
Flexi Time – for a lot of people this is a big factor, when you have a family or outside commitment, it’s great to find a company that have flexi time as an option.
Location – Is there going to be a long commute to the role that will eat into your time and are you committed to doing a long commute over a long period of time.
Working from home – is this something that is important to you? Not all companies offer this so it’s important when moving to a new role, that you have done your research.
Always remember to take control of your career – “You only get one shot” in life so make sure you follow the career path of your dreams.
About one third of human life is spent working. It is imperative you are in a job you love and only you can make this happen.
Take that first step today and MAKE THE CHANGE, you could be sitting in a month / years’ time in that dream job you always wanted.
This is where we come in to help 😊
…………..
At Servisource we are here to assist you in finding your dream job. Go onto our online Jobs board Recruit Island where you can retrieve contact details of our highly skilled consultants.
We have plenty of information should you need career advice, assistance with interview techniques or need assistance in preparing a CV.
You will find hundreds of jobs we have on our website. If you are seeking roles within Admin & Finance, Healthcare, Construction, Logistics & Warehousing, Education Support; wanting to work with a Globally renowned company or wanting to get into the Public Sector we have it all.
Article Written By:
Lisa Russell| Account Manager |
Admin & Finance Division
Are you sabotaging your own job search by engaging in self-destructive behaviour? We would like to share some warning signs to help you.
Do you rule yourself out?
When job searching, do you often ‘rule yourself out’ if; when reading a job spec, you don’t have a certain skill?
“I didn’t apply for that position because it states in the job spec they require “X” skills, and I don’t have that”.
Just remember, managers are not always trained in writing strong job descriptions and can sometimes include anything and everything they ‘want’ within the job spec.
Generally, job seekers should apply the 80:20 rule:
Apply for positions where you meet about 80% plus of the job requirements.
Do you find self-doubt and self-elimination prevents you from applying for roles?
Oftentimes, low self-esteem, insecurities in a role or feelings of ‘not good enough’ to apply for a role stops you from opportunities in life; even applying for your dream job.
job search
Do you have a clear career focus?
Focus is the “key to job search success”
Focus isn’t just a mindset: it’s an act of doing, an action that, when used properly, can propel your job search.
Think about it – you need to:
Internal focus to identify strengths, weaknesses, passions, core values and skills, target industries.
Focus on your cover letter (generic cover letters don’t “cut the mustard”
Focus on your CV
Focus on your interview skills / prep
Focus on your mindset; maintain positivity, maintain curiosity
Focus on your behaviour & productivity levels
Another crucial aspect of the job search is knowing what you want from a role and company. Are you able to define and communicate what you want for your next role to potential employers?
People associate change with a loss of control, money or pride; fear of being outside of their comfort zone, feelings of uncertainty and dread. It’s the unknown.
The majority of the time, it’s not the change itself, but rather our interpretations of it, that make the situation appear negative.
Is it better to embrace change rather than letting fear get in the way of happiness?
Force yourself to interpret the fact of change from a wildly different perspective, don’t let past experiences skew your mindset.
If you are unhappy in your current job; do something about it! Contact Us Today
Do you avoid Networking?
It is commonly said that 80% plus of available jobs never get posted whereby recruiters or hiring managers fill roles through referrals (SO GET NETWORKING!)
Yes, it can be intimidating and scary but remember, you network every day; everywhere you go!
Professional networking is about making contacts and building relationships that can lead to jobs or other work-related opportunities.
Get Social
We don’t just mean go on Facebook all day! Become an influential expert in your field, an influencer who adds value, a unique hidden resource. Build your brand.
Adopt a networking lifestyle.
Attend Industry Events and/or Job Fairs
Industry events and job fairs give you the opportunity to ask a lot of questions, be asked a lot of questions (a months’ worth of interviews in one day!) and are also a GREAT place for networking & an opportunity to learn about your chosen industry and make new contacts within that industry.
Do you use the same CV to apply for all roles?
If you are submitting the same CV for all roles, this can be seen as lazy which may lead to the recruiter or hiring manager to presume you are applying to many positions at once.
Customisation is Key!!
Both your CV and cover letter should be updated specifically for the position you are pursuing. Job descriptions are a combination of requirements (needs) and wants (would be nice to have) therefore highlighting and relating your relevant experience for the specific role is important. Quantify your achievements in any given role. Showcase your value and how you can help the company.
It is becoming common-place, especially if your CV is online (such as LinkedIn or online job boards), the recruitment process is streamlined. This means your CV will be pre-screened by algorithms; signifying the importance of optimising or customising your CV to include core keywords from the specific job spec.
You could even earn bonus points if you research the company values and include aspects of these within your CV & Cover Letter. Your cover letter is an opportunity to demonstrate a personal connection between yourself and the company, similar to an elevator pitch when you are networking.
Make yourself accessible to recruiters and hiring managers.
Did you know that our recruiters don’t just post their open vacancies on Recruitisland.ie?
They also actively look for people to fill their vacancies by searching through our Candidate Profiles.
Do you feel you are a failure if you are not successful at interview?
Oftentimes, candidates lose self-esteem as they go into interviews believing that there are two outcomes: pass or fail. You are qualified or have specific experience; if the hiring manager doesn’t get you, they don’t deserve you!
Example: When you go on a date with someone and there’s no chemistry, do you feel like a failure?
No – because if you are not a match, you are not a match.
So don’t let one or two rejections get in the way of you finding your perfect career.
STOP DOING WHAT YOU ARE DOING!!
Basically, if you are engaging in these behaviors, take a step back, analyse what and why you are engaging in such destructive behavior and take action.
STOP avoiding or doing all of the above. A behavior change in all of these areas can have big results in your job search. Never give up trying to do what you really want to do.
If you can dream it, you can do it 🙌
Recruit Island is ‘an island of opportunity’ where your goals can be achieved – have a look at all available jobs and lets make those dreams come true!
So you‘re thinking about working in the customer service industry, but you’re not sure if it’s the right move for you?
When you’re a ‘social butterfly’ it can be difficult to know what job you fit into; which is why we have put together a few of the top benefits of working in customer service:
Benefits of working in customer service:
Interacting with the public on a daily basis:
One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer has towards an organisation. The whole point of having customer service representatives is to make customer experiences more positive and create a better brand reputation for the company.
As a customer service representative, you are the first point of contact for customers whether it be via phone, email or in person.
You are invaluable to your organisation in that you consistently provide accurate product/service knowledge, information and appropriate education in order to help customers successfully navigate challenges and queries they are having; while being accountable to brand, policies, metrics, processes, and standards.
If you are a chatty, approachable person; interacting with the public on a daily basis should be a huge draw to you to work in the customer services industry; whether it be in an office or in a shop.
The chance to help make a difference
Although customer services can be difficult at times, the feeling when you help someone to achieve the best possible outcome with your expert knowledge and enhance their customer experience is amazing.
No matter what industry you work in; the most important role of a customer service advisor is resolving customers queries or issues while adding value to the interaction making transactions smoother and less complicated; which for most people, is a big benefit to working in customer services.
Team spirit
If you are a customer service adviser, there are almost always a big team alongside you. The benefit of this is not only the creation of close friendship, but also the opportunity to tap into your colleagues skills and knowledge in order to solve customer queries or issues.
Transferable skills:
In customer service, you gain invaluable skills which can assist you throughout your career and also use to excel in your personal life.
Skills required / gained in customer service roles include:
Interpreting a situation & how to approach the conversation:
Customer service representatives must have the ability to read people, even if it via a telephone call. Knowing how to approach a customer coming on the phone really angry is the difference between good and bad customer services. Commonly, if someone shouts at you, people get their back up straight away and shout back. In customer services, you must practice patience …. which leads me on to my next set of required skills…
Patience & relationship management skills:
Working in customer service is definitely no easy job. You converse with all kinds of customers, some very polite whereas many others are more often , pretty rude.
Customer service representatives have to practice patience and remember that the customer is only reaching out for support as they are confused and frustrated about a product or service.
It is really important that customer service representatives take the time to understand the customers needs – asking probing questions and communicating efficiently and effectively ….
Communication
One major benefit of working as a customer service representative is the training on how to speak to customers. Learning to communicate well according to the requirement of the customers, whether it be verbally or non-verbally.
Other game changing skills learned in customer service is how to listen properly to a person.
Listening is one of the most important aspects of customer service. Understanding the customers requirement quickly; portraying empathy towards the situation and using all of the above skills will make or break your customer service career.
Empathy is important as, even when you cannot help the customer with exactly what they need, empathy and understanding goes a long way in controlling the perception the customer has about you and your company based off of the language that you use.
Changes in language helps to negotiate how the customer hears your response, such as the use of positive language.
Technical skills:
Working in customer service will familiarise you with a number of different operating systems and programs that will be useful in many other careers such as data programs and/or client relationship management platforms that make your role, and the customers experience of your service, much easier.
Why Customer Service?
Customer Service is the heart of all businesses. Customers are brand loyal. When people spend money, they are likely to return to a business they know and with they have a positive experience.
Quality customer service is therefore directly linked to client retention. Ultimately, all employees should be focused on enhancing customer loyalty.
From dealing with the public to managing workload, liaising with other internal departments to using your initiative for decision making, nearly all of the experience you gain in a customer service job will benefit you in your next career move.
How to get a role as a customer service representative?
Decide what industry you want to work in. Select this based on interests and experience.
Always tailor your resume to each role you are applying for focusing on customer care experience, all experience working with the public counts – Customer care experience is not just in a call center, it could be bar work, shop assistants and Retail Work.
Do your research on the role and business. Know their history, how long they have been in business, any awards won etc. Being able to refer to this during your interview will impress and may help you secure your role.
Have answers ready, if you are asked about a time you went above and beyond for a Customer or Client have this prepared before your interview.
Be Confident. And believe in yourself.
Commonly, customer service interviews are based around competency based questions. We have put together common questions you may be asked in a customer service interview:
What do you know about the company?
What is customer service? / What does customer service mean to you?
Tell us about a time you went above and beyond for a customer and delivered excellent customer service?
Tell us about a time you had to deal with an irate customer? How did you handle it & what approach did you take?
Can you provide an example of when you identified a potential issue and how you worked to provide an effective solution?
Tell me about a time where you identified a new and improved way of serving the customer
Past experience and what you did to consistently deliver on goals even in face of obstacles
Tell me about a time you felt you were a brand evangelist. What was behind your passion.
What ideas do you have to improve a customer experience or improve a company brand?
Give me an example of a time you had to adapt to new targets. How did you work to reach and exceed the goals?
Tell me about a time when you had to become proficient in new functional or technical skills.
Can you give us an example of a time you have leveraged on your knowledge and experience to increase you team performance.
Give me an example of a time that you used your skills to coach/mentor another teammate on a business process or tool.
Tell me about when you had to work on many tasks at the same time, and were working against tight deadlines. What was the results and impact?
Tell us about a time you have to take a decision and you didn’t have all the information that you needed. What did you do and how did you make your decision?
Remember you can make a big difference.
The key to good customer service is building good relationships with your customers. Thanking the customer and promoting a positive, helpful and friendly environment will ensure they leave with a great impression.
Working in Customer service is a very useful role to have on your resume. Some Customer Service Representative progress within the same business reaching to management level quickly and some candidates use this as stepping stone to their next career move.
At Servisource, we know that the smooth running of your entire company depends on the quality of your customer service staff.
With the improved economic climate, and the increase in job prospects; many workers are considering career or job changes; making competition rife. If you are serious about finding your dream job, you must be ready to apply for a job instantaneously – on your mobile device and social media!
Mobile device use in Ireland:
It is not hard to tell, Ireland is mobile mad! 90% of Irish adults (three million people!) have a mobile device. The numbers of people with access to a tablet has increased from 64% to 71% (higher than the European average (Ipsos MORI on behalf of Deloitte).
37% of Irish people access the internet most often via a mobile device. In 2018, more people accessed the internet on a mobile device than desktops. 52.2% of all website traffic worldwide was generated through mobile phones, up from 50.3 percent in the previous year (Statista 2018).
The dominance of smartphones and their usage is only going to increase in the coming years which means that activities that we conventionally used PCs and laptops for; including work & job seeking, will migrate onto the mobile device.
43% of mobile device owners in America have used their mobile to look up information about jobs and 39% have used their phone to submit a job application (Pew Research Centre, 2015).
Today, job seekers expect to view jobs seamlessly on their mobile device and apply to them quickly and easily. A copy of your resume must be easily accessible.
Is the CV Dead?
Because of this increase in mobile device usage, many are insinuating that “In the game of getting noticed, the CV is dead”.
Let’s not get carried away with this – the CV is no longer THE ONLY way of securing an interview; with many job seekers using various relevant channels to get noticed; interlacing a coherent story to promote themselves.
The online age has shifted a lot of information online into digital form; where applicants enter their work and educational history into a form which allows employers and recruiters to find top talent.
Additionally, with the increase in AI tools, employers can use specific software to weed out the no-hopers.
The A.I. Paradox:
Because of the pace of technological advancement and innovation, there is an argument rising that robots will eventually take our jobs. However, “technological change leads to job creation as well as automation, and these two effects are interdependent: History has repeatedly borne this out”(Cisco, Oxford Economics, 2017).
Technology, whether it be “workforce science”, “data aggregation” or “Big Data” has already changed the way people find jobs. Look no further than the way job recruitment has changed.
Traditional routes of job seeking such as sending a CV to 25 recruiters or companies and waiting, is over. Companies are harvesting and interpreting online activities of potential candidates; availing of large databases of candidate information; using data aggregation and keyword analysis to find suitable candidates in order to identify the candidate with the “perfect fit”.
That being said, we may have to assume that with the increase in A.I, work in the future may not be full-time equivalent spanning a person’s lifetime – there is already a shift in full time to contract or agency work, which is likely to become the norm.
Tell the story of your brand – YOU!
Of course, none of this means that a well-thought out, up-to-date CV is useless. Self-assessment provides invaluable information to enable career decisions; where you can identify the match between your acknowledged values & skills to the requirements of career fields and suitable companies.
Even if you don’t upload your CV in full to a website, the process of writing a CV will have helped you focus on how best to present your strengths and your brand – YOU!
What can Recruit Island do for you – the job seeker?
Recruit Island is a huge repository of information about job seekers and the skills they have. It is a platform where people can advertise their talents, store their work personas in a searchable, communicable form showcasing a lifetime of work.
Tip: for instant access to jobs, add Recruit Island to your Homescreen
Mobile device
Mobile device
If you are browsing Recruit Island for career opportunities on your mobile and find the perfect job, click the ‘Apply Online’ button. You will first be asked to fill out your contact details then add your CV.
Attach your CV to your application from your cloud storage application (Google Drive/Dropbox/Box/One Drive) or upload your CV from your mobile device or tablet.
Once uploaded, complete the remaining fields and hit “Send Application”
How do I sign up to text alerts?
If you are searching for jobs mainly from your mobile device, let the jobs come to you! Sign up for text or email alerts whenever a new, relevant, job is posted on Recruit Island.
Choose the most relevant category for your dream job
Click the Subscribe Now button.
What can Recruit Island do for you – the employer?
Online platforms are fast becoming the quickest way to shortlist quality staff and if an employer knows what they want, they can make a sound recruitment decision quickly and effectively.
We are offering, for a limited period, FREE 30 day job posting for employers and companies hiring.
Escape the recruitment nightmare, visit Recruit Island where we have thousands of profiles already live, make your next recruitment process an easier and more rewarding experience.
Are you struggling to be successful in your job search – need tips for success?
Knowing how to be successful in your job search is a skill in itself, and one which most people overlook and underprepare for. This is an investment of your time; however finding that dream role will be worth it.
Although time consuming, the job search process begins with inward self-reflection.
Do you know your values, interests, skills and goals?
Do you know what you want from a job, from an employer or what you can offer?
Self-assessment provides invaluable information to enable career decisions; where you can identify the match between your acknowledged values & skills to the requirements of career fields and suitable companies. This is so important to be successful in your job Search as it is the core reasoning that pulls you toward a specific role or company.
To be successful in your job search, focus is also important. Focus is not just a mindset: it is an act of doing, an action that, when used properly, can propel your job search; making the process both more enjoyable and productive.
Focus your mind on the job search itself:
Be in the right mindset, have a ‘learners’ mindset, read everything, research networking opportunities in your chosen field, reach out to someone new on social media. Find out about potential job openings via multiple channels. BE POSITIVE.
Candidates are reacting quickly when they spot a good opportunity; but what does that mean for job seekers?
Do not wait to apply for a role. Keep your CV up to date and react immediately. The best day to respond to a job listing is the day it appears.
Tip: We would recommend signing up to job alerts and check listings regularly, so that you know when new job postings appear.
Of course, your dream job search will come down to more than clever submission times or days. Your CV will not get you the job, but make sure your CV piques the interest of the recruiter/employer in order to secure an interview.
It is also noteworthy to ensure your subject line is concise and to the point. Do not use subject lines such as “My CV” or “CV for Job”; ensure you communicate the entire message (Example: Jack, 5+ years’ experience, .Net Developer for Job code 123456 – CV Attached).
A brief and concise cover letter that spells out clearly how your qualifications match the job requirements is also beneficial. Connect the dots for the recruiter, highlighting why you’re the perfect candidate for their job.
In order to put your best foot forward and be successful in your job search, we have put together the most common CV challenges and advise on how to fix them.
CV is too long: including too much information is just as bad as not including enough information. Describing what you did in various roles can eat up a lot of space, so keep it short by using bullet points. A job from 10 years ago doesn’t need in-depth detail, leaving you more space to explain your most recent work.
Typos, spelling mistakes and grammatical errors: don’t shoot yourself in the foot before the interview process even begins. To be successful in your job Search, spell check can pick up some mistakes but not everything – Ask a friend to check your spelling and grammar & check it yourself carefully before you send it.
Gaps in your CV: Leaving unexplained gaps in your CV without explanation may arouse suspicion with a recruiter. Whether you’ve taken time out to travel or to care for a loved one; include this and put a positive spin on it. These activities can include core skills such as organisation, planning and communication.
Lack of work experience: Recent graduate? Career change? No industry knowledge? These can all be reason for a lack of direct experience; however you need to portray your transferable skills from other areas of your experience and highlight them. If you enrol on a course or do some voluntary work in your new field, make it prominent on your CV as this will show your commitment to the role.
Not showing your worth: You can use generic clichés in your CV such as “business growth” or “Relationship building”; however, without highlighting the results in previous roles, you are missing out on a significant opportunity to sell yourself and show how valuable you are to an organisation. Use Results Based or Quantitative Examples.
A ‘one size fits all’ CV: if you are sending out generic CV’s for all roles, you are significantly reducing your chances of being called to interview. As you are writing or editing your CV, have the job description to hand. Without researching the needs of your target employers, you will be basing the content on what you think should be on your CV. Structure your existing CV around the specific job description; highlighting required skills of the new role.
All your jobs have been very similar? If all your jobs included similar duties and responsibilities, it is not essential to include every single one on your CV. A brief summary of your career history will suffice with a more detailed section outlining the core (and relevant) skills and experience you’ve gained.
Job searching is hard work and there are times where you will feel discouraged. Be assertive and proactive. If you are finding it difficult and need some help, we would be delighted to help you.
At Recruit Island, we provide a range of temporary and permanent staff solutions from short term assignments to long term contractors in Ireland. We have roles in Healthcare, Homecare, Nursing, Clerical, Construction & Engineering, Warehousing / Supply Chain Management, Training, Education Support & Occupational Health. We are also broadening our reach offering roles in Admin & Finance, Banking & Dental Health.
Using our strong relationships with large multinationals and businesses across Ireland, we can help you find your dream job and answer all your questions along the way.
