by Michelle Murphy | Sep 30, 2015 | CIPD, Event
CIPD Western Region’s programme launch and first event of their 24th year in operation was coincidently held on the 24th of September 2015, in the Clayton Hotel Galway and was very proudly sponsored by Collins McNicholas Recruitment & HR Services Group. As always attendees were greeted warmly by committee members, with 13 volunteers comprising the hard working backbone of the organisation for the year with Goda Faherty filling the post of CIPD Western Region Honorary Chair. There was an abundance of people in attendance both new and old faces, with great attendance and interaction from students hoping to pursue a successful career in HR. After light refreshments and some networking we got down to the main event (after getting some extra chairs!): How to get the most out of Psychometrics in HR. Two very insightful and experienced speakers, namely Dr Teresa O’Hara from Athlone Institute of Technology and Caroline Ward from Collins McNicholas gave a seamless presentation looking at both practice and research within the area of Psychometric testing. They educated us in the areas of psychometrics for Training and Development, and Recruitment and Selection respectively. Dr. O’Hara showed how psychometrics can be a great tool to encourage conversation about an employee’s strengths and identify areas which may need some development; how it can be a great instrument to show team dynamics – highlighting which roles an individual takes in a group, what will make them work successfully and what could be their drawbacks. Caroline Ward showed us some interesting case studies on assessment centres where candidates had to partake in a series of tasks such as verbal ability and dexterity, which allows employer’s to measure candidates essential basic skills for the position and gives candidates an insight to what the job may be like if they were successful. Both speakers iterated how psychometrics can be a great accompaniment to more traditional forms of selection and development, showing a transparent process to employers, employees and prospective employees. It was also noted how important the correct tools, analysis and feedback are when using psychometrics and assessment centres to get the required result for all parties involved. For copies of both presentations, please contact cipdwestpr@gmail.com Some tech updates have also been added over the summer by the ever busy CIPD committee allowing us to keep up to date with their upcoming events. They now use Eventbrite to promote and take bookings for events, with added information on Squarespace, a blogging tool to highlight profiles of speakers, sponsors and events. A great start to the programme for 2015/2016 with lots in store for the year. We were delighted to be in attendance and look forward to the next event, and of course the Gala Evening which will be held on 27th November 2015. The CIPD West have two events coming up on 27 November 2015. The morning will see them in the fabulous new Customer Innovation Centre in Medtronic for the event Managing in a Coaching Style which is also kindly sponsored by Medtronic. Later on that evening they will be heading to the Radisson Blu Hotel, Galway for their Gala Evening and Awards night which is kindly sponsored by Laya Healthcare. Kirby Brennan, Recruitment Consultant Collins McNicholas – Galway E: kirby.brennan@collinsmcnicholas.ie T: 091 706717...Read More
by Michelle Murphy | May 14, 2015 | Body Language, Career and Interview Advice, Interviewing
Making an Entrance The interview begins the second you are on the company’s premises. You don’t know who could be in the car park with you, looking at you from a window or walking up the stairs next to you. Your body language should tell anyone who might be watching that you’re confident and calm. It’s not the time to be frantically searching through your portfolio for documents or sprinting up stairs. First Impressions Hiring managers often ask receptionists for their take on people who come to the office for interviews, so again appear calm and confident. Greet the receptionist in a friendly yet professional manner, knowing the full name of who you are meeting. While waiting, don’t hunch your shoulders or tuck your chin into your chest, which will make you seem closed off. Sit with your back straight and your chest open — signs that you’re confident and assertive. But don’t take this to the extreme elongating your legs or throwing your arm across the back of the chair which can make you appear too comfortable, even arrogant. Don’t have too much stuff with you so that you’re clumsily moving everything aside when you’re called. You want to rise gracefully, without dropping things, so you can smoothly greet the person coming to get you. No Wet Fishes Please Job interviews mean handshakes — so what are the secrets to the perfect handshake? Well nobody wants to be greeted by a limp, wet, handshake that feels like you are holding a fish, so keep your palms exposed when waiting in reception and practice a firm handshake with a friend...Read More
