Tag: job search

Career Guidance, Events, Workplace Wellness

International Volunteer Day

International Volunteer Day

Today December 5th marks International Volunteer Day celebrating the theme of solidarity through volunteering.

International Volunteer Day

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.

Did you know? International Volunteer Day
  • 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.

Volunteer
  1. 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!

International Volunteer Day

You can find out more about our opportunities below.

Recruit Island
Career Guidance, Industry Sectors, Job Search

Freelance vs. Full-Time: Exploring Flexible Work Arrangements in the Irish Job Market

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…

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Career Guidance, Industry Sectors, Innovative Ideas

The Most Effective Networking Strategies for Job Seekers in Ireland

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…

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Diversity and Inclusion in the Irish Workplace: Best Practices for Recruiters and Employers
Career Guidance, Employer Advice, Industry Sectors, Innovative Ideas, Workplace Wellness

Diversity and Inclusion in the Irish Workplace: Best Practices for Recruiters and Employers

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…

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Career Guidance, Interview Tips

5 Tips On What Not To Say In An Interview

Job interview questions.

5 Tips On What Not To Say In An Interview

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.

Job interview questions

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.

Job questions about salary

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.

Recruit Island Job Vacancies
Career Guidance, Industry Sectors, Job Search

Freelance vs. Full-Time: Exploring Flexible Work Arrangements in the Irish Job Market

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…

Continue reading

Career Guidance, Industry Sectors, Innovative Ideas

The Most Effective Networking Strategies for Job Seekers in Ireland

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…

Continue reading

Diversity and Inclusion in the Irish Workplace: Best Practices for Recruiters and Employers
Career Guidance, Employer Advice, Industry Sectors, Innovative Ideas, Workplace Wellness

Diversity and Inclusion in the Irish Workplace: Best Practices for Recruiters and Employers

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…

Continue reading

Career Guidance, CV Tips, Job Search

The Ultimate FEAR of Finding a New Job!

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. 

Read Our Blog: Be Are You Sabotaging Your Job Search?

Rejection

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.

#OneStepAtATime

Read Our Blog: Be Successful in your Job Search – Tips for Success

Underqualified

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?

Whether you want a career in science, administration, finance, healthcare or even construction, help yourself by letting us help you.  

Article Written By:

Donna Cronin |
Recruitment Co-ordinator | Admin & Finance Division
dcronin@servisource.ie
+ 353 (0) 429368341

Job Search

Are You Sabotaging Your Job Search?

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
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?

Read our blog: Be Successful in Your Job Search – Tips for Success

Do you fear change?

In life – In your career – Financially?

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.

Create a candidate profile and we can help you find that dream job – let’s get you hired 😊

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!

Contact Us Today!

Article Written By:
Donna Farrell

Job Search

Job seeking on your Mobile Device and Social Media

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).

smartphone use in Ireland
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!

Be Successful in Your Job Search – Tips for Success

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.

How do I apply via mobile?

  1. On your browser, go to our website recruitisland.wpengine.com

Tip: for instant access to jobs, add Recruit Island to your Homescreen

Add Recruit island to your homescreen on Mobile device
Mobile device

Add Recruit island to your homescreen on Mobile device
Mobile device

 

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. Click here to sign up for weekly job alerts & enter your contact details
  2. Choose the most relevant category for your dream job
  3. 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.

Click here to register your employer profile

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.

 

Article Written By:
Donna Farrell