According to research undertaken by www.irishjobs.ie there has been an 11% increase in the number of positions advertised online in May, June and July

Areas that experiences a rise include

• Secretarial and Administration +47%
• IT / Telecoms +11%
• Insurance and Banking +11%
• Sales +8%
• Marketing +8%

There was a 11% decrease in retails jobs and an increase of people on the live register……….it’s more competitive for these new jobs!

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For career and outplacement support, contact Mairead Griffin , Career Mentors, 01-2160880 or Email: mairead@careermentors.ie

 One of the most powerful tools for job searching in todays job market is LinkedIn. It is a cost effective sourcing tool for employersas many revise their routes to hire given the current climate.

LinkedIn is the leading social networking site for professionals. There is so much you can do on LinkedIn, and while it is not the only effective tool available to you in your career search, it really deserves some of your time, attention and investment. To make people more accessible you may want to consider investing €50 per month for an upgraded account. This will give you more ways to reach or be reached by the right people on Linkedin

FIVE WAYS TO USE http://www.linkedin.com FOR JOB SEARCHING
1. Profile
Whether you have just created your profile or already have one, make sure to follow the suggested steps to complete your profile up to the 100% level.  Make sure to fill in as much professional, academic and skill-based information – make it similar to your CV! This will optimize your profile in LinkedIn as recruiters do word searches similar to Google

Completing your profile 100% will require getting 3 recommendations. Ask for brief recommendations from as many managers, peers, subordinates etc as possible. Offer to write one for them in return.Update your status weekly to post your availability and career goals

2. Groups
Click on Groups link and search for LinkedIn groups related to your company, or career-related interests and request to join. Remember who you are targeting EG A systems administator maybe targetting recruiters & IT Managers, so join Groups where you can gain access to those individuals. While quantity is not as important as quality, groups with more members allow for more potential contacts ( 2nd degree of seperation )

Check to see what the group discussion and board guidelines are, and if permitted, create a post introducing yourself & your career ojectives.  Network with group members by offering insights and answers to questions in the discussion board and posting questions or discussion topics yourself.

3. People
With an increasing network of connections and fellow group members, search for current employees of your preferred companies and if possible, message them. Be discrete in your introduction and request to connect. Make you introduction a warm one and refer to your mutal contact.

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 The National Recruitment Federation is a voluntary organisation set up to establish and maintain standards and codes of practice

Truth, Integrity, Respect

 for the recruitment industry in Ireland. Representing over 100 approx recruitment agencies throughout the country, the NRF seeks to provide it’s members, who have opted for self regulation, with the best possible service in terms of support, communication, advice sharing and problem solving and in doing so to promote professional competence within the industry.

The NRF Code of Conduct ( perm roles )is as follows:

1. GENERAL

Member companies and employees engaged by them shall comply with the Code of Conduct of the Federation and by the rules and regulations outlined below

 2. LICENSING

 It is a condition of Membership that the individual, agency or company is properly licensed to operate as an employment agency within the terms of the Employment Agency Act 1971 and any amendments thereto.

3. APPLICANT HANDLING/CONFIDENTIALITY

 - Applicants must be treated in a courteous and dignified manner at all times. Their right to privacy must be respected including their right to be interviewed in a private area in accordance with health & Safety regulation. Regard must be had to the Employment Equality Acts 1977 and 1998.

 - All applicants must be interviewed by the agency prior to being put forward to the client for interview. c.

- Applicants must be given full details of any job for which the agency intends to recommend them and permission sought from the applicant. An applicant’s permission must be sought and obtained before his or her details are revealed to an employer. The agency should also determine whether or not the applicant has been approached by another agency about the same job.

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If you’re a jobseeker targetting organisations directly, the companies below would be a good place to start!!

PPD Pharmaceutical -250
Warner Chilcott – 200
Milano – 24
Generali – 1000
Alcatel Lucent – 70
Dun & Broadstreet – 100
3 – 90
Havok – 26
HP – 60
Canada Life – 100
Boots – 100
Ebay – 150
IBM -200
HKPB – 200
Linkedin – 200

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FÁS/ESRI Occupational Employment Forcast 2015 (March 02, 2010)

Changes are likely in the sectoral and skills mix of employment, While employment in most occupations is expected to recover from the lows reached in 2010, the speed and the extent of recovery is likely to vary by occupation, with some occupations emerging with relatively strong employment growth and others failing to reach pre-recession levels by 2015.

The occupations expected to exceed pre-recession peak levels are concentrated at the higher end of the skill scale. They include professionals and associate professionals (technicians) in the areas of science, engineering, business services and IT. Occupations which, while growing after 2010, are not anticipated to recover to 2008 peak levels, include skilled building workers, production operatives, unskilled manual workers, sales assistants and clerks.

Combined managers/proprietors, professionals and associate professionals are expected to account for 38% of the total employment in 2015 compared to 34% in 2008 (and 31% in 1996). When these groups are combined with clerical workers, the forecasts suggest that, in 2015, 50% of workers will be in ‘white collar’
employment (up from 44% in 1996).

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Sporting experiences will help you develop skills that are not only important for sporting success, but also for success in the workplace.

Transferable Skills are skills that potentially transfer to any career regardless of where they were first learned or developed. An understanding and awareness of these skills will help you to tailor your CV and deliver at interivew, irrespective of what sport you play either competitively or for pleasure.

Common transferable skills from sport include;

- Ability to perform under pressure
- Meeting deadlines / challenges
- Dedication and perseverence
- Self motivation
- Teamwork
- Ability to set and acheive goals
- Problem Solving
- Loyalty
- Interpersonal skills

If you have held the role of captain, the skills you have acquired are critical to a supervisory or leadership role. These include the ability to get people to work as a team, an ability to motivate people  and maximising individual performance as part of a team.. 

Interpersonal Skills – In sport you mix and engage with all sorts of personalities both before, during and after competition

Communication – Critical to work effectively as part of a team

Ability to handle pressure – Have you ever performed in front of large crowds or has a team been heavily reliant on your performance for success

Self motivation / Initiative – Do you consistently commit to your team and go above and beyond expectations through practice and training?

Drive & Determination – As a sportsperson you are driven towards achieving your goal to win

By developing an awareness of these skills you will  understand  how they relate to employer competencies and requirements. This will enable you to sell these skills at application and interview.

Further Links

http://www.peoplemanagement.co.uk/pm/articles/2003/01/8286.htm

http://www.peoplemanagement.co.uk/pm/articles/2005/08/harnesshobbiestoimproveperformance.htm

http://www.olympic.org/Documents/elite_athletes/TRANSFERABLE_SKILLS.pdf

Mairead Griffin, Career Coach, http://www.careermentors.ie

CAREER COACH TO PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES AND THE GAELIC PLAYERS ASSOCIATION

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What is……

- Your ideal job specification.
- What type of people would you like to work with?
- What hours and what location would you like to work?
- How do you want to be managed?
- How much responsibility do you want to have?
- What type of career prospects do you need to have?
- Is it possible to get there? Are there financial or dependent restrictions?
- What is realistic? What is achievable? What is essential and what is a “nice to have”?
- How could I overcome any obstacles?
- How important is job security?
- Do I need an important sounding title?
- Would I prefer to work in a large or small business?
- How much am I worth? What is the absolute lowest base salary will I consider?
- Would I relocate for the right role? If not, what is a feasible commute?
- Am I looking for a job with a social life as well?
- What do I not enjoy doing?
- Is further education worth it?
- Will I consider contract?

Mairead Griffin, Career Coach & Outplacement Specialist, http://www.careermentors.ie 01-2160880

Read more……..

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1. Is the role Permanent / Full time / Contract
2. Reason for the vacancy
3. Background to the organisation – Location, Size, Culture, Key Clients, Recent Announcements
4. Who are their main competitors?
5. What distinguishes them from their competitors?
6. Structure of the department
7. Who the role reports into?
8. Is there any people management
9. What are the 5 main key responsibilities
10. What is the breakdown of the role e.g 20% Recruitment, 80% Employee Relations

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What is needed?
Total dedication
Time
Help and support of your family and friends

What are the benefits?
You are your own boss and you have control over your own decisions
You will gain a broad understanding of business which will stand to you forever
Flexibility

What are the cons?
You need to be working to be earning
Getting time off can be difficult
You will have total responsibility for success or failure

Mairead Griffin, Career Coach, Career Mentors, http://www.careermentors.ie

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With the earthquake in Haiti and the pleas for help, it made me realise how much support jobseekers could provide to non-profit organisations locally here in Ireland. Charities revenues are down 30%. No matter what your career to date has been, it is likely that your skills would add value to any non-profit.

Why do voluntary work?

- It’s an opportunity to help a cause that is close to your heart. Most charities welcome volunteers with open arms. There are over 600 charities in Ireland ( check out http://www.thewheel.ie ) most of whom would welcome the contribution of experienced, motivated individuals.

- Volunteering can develop your transferable skills as the work can be very varied ranging from care work to meals on wheels to fundraising to retail work

- Keeps you active and out there interacting with people. When you are between jobs, it’s important that you develop a routine and interests outside of job searching!!

More……………..

Mairead Griffin, Career Coach, Career Mentors http://www.careermentors.ie

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