Up-skilling and Retraining for the jobs market

In the current economic climate, it is vital that individuals from all backgrounds are thinking strategically about their careers. Up-skilling or retraining is key for future career success. Whether you are in employment or actively seeking new employment or a change of career direction, further education & development something that will impress any current or potential employer

Why up-skill?

• Up-skilling or re-skilling will enhance your CV and make you a lot more marketable
• It sends out the right message to current or prospective employers that you are someone who is taking control of your career
• It shows employers that you have the drive and determination to achieve your career goals.
• It makes you more valuable to your current employers, and in the event of downsizing it is less likely you will be considered.
• Keeps you up to date with developments in your field and demonstrates to employers that you are committed to Continuing Professional Development

Why retrain?

• Nowadays it is much easier for you to retrain using online learning or distance learning courses.
• Those who think strategically and consider the developing industries. If you are an individual who is considering a total change of direction, now is your opportunity to do so
• The Government and IDA are focused on creating high value skilled jobs. By thinking long term when selecting what course to pursue, you are equipping yourself with the tools to be successful in the future.
• In the current economic climate people are taking the opportunity to return to college and retrain. It’s important not to be left behind

What role do employers have in up-skilling?

• Employers have a key role to play when it comes to supporting those who want to pursue further education or develop new skills.
• Retraining of staff should not be considered as a cost, but more as an investment. It increases the long term business success and it keeps organisations in touch with recent developments.
• In times of economic gloom up-skilling keeps staff motivated and can improve morale and retention.
• Top talent in any organisation needs to feel stretched, so it’s vital that employers invest in their future.

Nowadays, people are living longer. Two thirds of the country will still be in full time employment by 2020. Now is the time to react to this fact. China and India are producing more and more highly skilled labour and this is putting us in Ireland at risk.

Ireland needs to remain competitive and everyone has to take ownership. Up-skilling is the responsibility of the Government, Universities, individuals and the business world

Mairead Griffin FCIPD
Career Coach and Outplacement Specialist
Career Mentors
http://www.careermentors.ie/

You’ve decided what career direction you want to follow, you’ve prepared an impactful CV, youve refined your interviewing skills, and you’ve job searched all over Ireland!

The final stage of your job search will be the reference stage

Reference checking is the 2nd last stage in the job hunting process, with the final stage being package and contract delivery. One of the most important things to remember when selecting your referees is that they are aware of your work experience, and are not someone who was at peer level who was a friend. This will be detected immediately. It’s vital that you give your referees a call to give them advance notice if an organisation is going to be in contact. It will work far more favourably if your referee is prepared and expecting their call. If you have had a good relationship with your referee, it is also very important that you provide them with as much information about the role you are pursuing. As a result, they can tailor their responses if they are really on your side. When selecting your references, ensure you select someone who is forthcoming and communicative. There is nothing worse than a referee who only supplies yes / no answers, purely because it’s not their style. It gives the impression that the person wasnt impactful and they arent all that fussed spending the time vouching for them! This is not the case in 90% of cases so make sure you select someone who is going to give some detail and put some effort into helping you close the job searching process once and for all.

Nowadays, particularly with the banks, they will not provide formal references. If at all possible, try see if you can get an “off the record” reference if this is the case

Below are samples of the typical questions an organisation will ask your referees:

Standard reference check questions include:

What was (candidate’s) period of employment?

Please outline (candidate’s) position and responsibilities?

Reviewing (candidate’s) resume, does this job title and job description match the position that the candidate held?

What was (candidate’s) reporting structure?

If (candidate) did not report to you, what was your working relationship?

How long have your worked with /known (candidate)?

What was (candidate’s) reason for leaving your company?

Can you tell me (candidate’s) salary at the time of leaving?

How would you describe (candidate’s) punctuality?

Could you rate (candidate’s) reliability?

How would you describe (candidate’s) honesty and integrity?

How did (candidate) get along with co-workers and management?

If (candidate) supervised/managed any employees, how would you describe her/his supervisory/management skills?

Describe (candidate’s) ability to handle pressure? Can you give me an example?

Ability to organize, prioritize and manage time?

Ability to handle conflict?

Ability to work as a team member?

How would you rate (candidate’s) communication skills?

Please describe (candidate’s) work ethic?

Please describe the quality of (candidate’s) work?

What do you consider (candidate’s) key strengths?

What would you consider to be (candidate’s) areas for improvement?

What would you say was (candidate’s) biggest accomplishment while working at your company?

How would you rate (candidate’s) overall job performance?

Was (candidate) ever promoted while working at your company?

(Candidate) is being considered for the following position, do you think he/she is a good fit?.

Theoretically, would you re-employ him/her?

Is there anything else you would like to add about (candidate)?

At the moment, the most important part of securing a job is to actually end up in front securing an interview. It is vital that a huge amount of time and effort goes into structuring a professional CV that has a clear CV layout, has clear and concise CV content and is acheivement based. when drafting your CV, you have to put yourself in the place of the person who is screening applications. Compose a CV that is relevent to the role you are applying for. When reviewing the job spec, demonstrate how you have delivered on the responsibilities, and now just that you have done them! You do this by providing examples.

This way your application will stand out from the competition,who have just listed off the responsibilities of the role.

If you need CV tips or an expert to totally overhaul your CV – give Career Mentors a call on 01-2160880.

For the first year ever, the CIPD are providing a free conference and expo to its members. It will be taking place at the Burlington Hotel on Upper Lesson Street. The subject is Corporate & HR Strategy. HR has a key role to play in the current economic climate, so this should be an opportunity to network and share experiences amongst other HR professionals.