by Colin Byrne | Aug 18, 2016 | Career and Interview Advice, Jobseeking, Recruitment
The repetitiveness of applying for jobs continuously can sometimes feel like running a marathon; drawn-out, tiring, painstaking and seemingly never-ending. However, using the right tools and going about it the right away can turn a marathon into a 100 metre sprint. Preparation Have an up to date CV and cover letter ready to go. It should be well-written, neatly formatted and include all of the key information for obtaining the role. This is a crucial first step in your preparation. Just like an athlete tailors her preparation to maximise her chances in each race, your CV and cover letter should be tailored specifically for each job you apply for. Don’t send out the same old tired, generic CV over and over.Application forms require a lot of attention to detail so make sure you fill these out carefully. A mistake can harm your chances of being progressed to interview stage. Performance under Pressure Once you have gotten past the application stage next comes the interview. This section is down to your performance on the day, but with proper preparation success is achievable. Remember, failing to prepare means you are preparing to fail. Take an athletes approach to preparation and practice your answers again and again until you can perform them without hesitation. Being able to perform when the pressure is on is what separates good athletes from great athletes and good job candidates from great job candidates. So, as part of your preparation, know who you will be meeting, practice your interview questions and competency questions to make sure you won’t stumble and fall along the way, and dress for success. Post-Performance Review Your post-race/interview work will involve providing good references after successfully completing the interview. Make sure to check in with your referees, a quick courtesy call to let them know they may be contacted by potential employers. Remember to give as much information about the role you are applying for so they can be aware of what to highlight for you. Review your performance. If you don’t get the job, politely follow up with the company to find out how you can improve on your performance the next time. Until you know what you are doing wrong you will be unable to correct it. No athlete wins the first time they enter a race, and people rarely land the first job interview they do, it’s all about finding ways to improve so that you can eventually beat the competition. The Finish Line If you put in the work now, in no time you will be up on the podium in your ideal role being a champion employee!! Colin Byrne Senior Recruitment Consultant Collins McNicholas Recruitment & HR Services...Read More
by admin | Jun 29, 2016 | Career and Interview Advice, Interviewing, Jobseeking
One of the most stressful elements of looking for employment is the interview process. The following simple tips will allow you to prepare for a successful interview and perform well on the day. Be on time. It is crucial not to be late for your interview. Allocate plenty of time the morning of the interview and plan your route to minimise any problems occurring. If something unforeseen happens causing a delay to your journey, phone ahead and explain the situation while stating you will get there as soon as possible. Greet the interviewer with a firm handshake. A positive first impression is very important. When shaking the interviewers hand it is important to have direct eye contact while also smiling politely. You will come across as assertive and composed. Stay calm. This will allow you to think more clearly and therefore you will deliver better responses as a result. Feeling anxious and nervous is normal in an interview, the key thing is being able to control it. It is important to note that the interviewers where once in your position. Listen carefully and take your time answering. Take a moment after a question to think about what is being asked and how best to answer it before replying. Don’t get carried away. It is important to provide a full response to the question asked; however, it is also important not to speak for longer than is necessary or to go off topic. Ask for a question to be repeated or explained if necessary. This will give you both more time to think about your response while also getting...Read More
by Aideen Cummins | Nov 16, 2015 | Career, Career and Interview Advice, Recruitment
It’s not every day that you get a phone call with your dream job, so among the euphoria you have to be clear on what the job offer entails so you can properly evaluate it. It is important to express your enthusiasm and appreciation and always ask for the job offer in writing. This way you can clearly review the offer and ensure there are no loose ends. Don’t just consider the salary; evaluate the benefits package, working conditions etc. Make sure you agree a timeline to respond back to the employer, one to two days is reasonable, however you do not want to leave your potential employer waiting too long as it may get you off to wrong start with them. If you have queries on the job offer, find out who you can speak to in order to get any issues clarified. If the job offer doesn’t meet your expectations, here are some tips on how to handle contract negotiations: The first step to negotiating is research – you will be confident in asking for what you are worth when you know what you are worth – utilise all the online tools available such as salary surveys, cost of living differences etc. You need to be realistic; otherwise you lose credibility from the outset. Don’t push on things that are non – negotiable. Some employers may not have the ability to offer higher pay, however they may be able to meet your needs in other ways e.g. additional holiday entitlement, more flexible working schedule etc. How you deal with a job offer can strengthen or hinder your...Read More
by Rory Walsh | Oct 27, 2015 | Body Language, Career and Interview Advice, Interviewing
When it comes to preparing for an interview, you must consider all aspects of your CV and the job in question before you face the interview panel. Preparation is the key to success. It is natural to view job interviews as a daunting prospect when so much can be at stake. However, with the right attitude and preparation, an interview can be a positive experience for all concerned – and result in a job offer! Here are some tips to make sure you are prepared – Do Your Research – Always make sure you have looked at the company’s website in detail. Research the organisation and have a good understanding of what they do, their products etc. as this is very important to demonstrate your interest in the company. The Job Spec – Be able to look through each point of the job description and be able to demonstrate your experience. I would recommend you go through the job spec highlighting areas you are familiar with and writing alongside examples of where you have carried this out to date. By giving real working examples of your experience this will demonstrate why you are the best person for the job. Your CV – It is important to know your CV inside out, your education to date, career to date and reasons for leaving certain roles. It is also important to be able to explain any gaps that appear in your CV. Arrive on time – There is nothing worse than being late for an interview. Plan to arrive at least 15 minutes beforehand. Plan ahead by making sure you have good...Read More
by admin | Aug 6, 2015 | Career and Interview Advice
Striking a healthy work life balance can be difficult. Sometimes you are completely unaware of an imbalance until someone points it out to you, or an event happens that forces the issue to be addressed – such as your health breaking down, or missing family events, etc. It is often when you are on your holidays that it becomes particularly obvious – there you are sipping your Mojito on a sunny beach and checking your work emails! You might love your job as an Accountant, Finance Manager or Engineer, and are working really hard to succeed in it, but if you’re not setting boundaries and making the most of life outside of work, it won’t be healthy for you. You need to be able to strike a balance between your work / career aspirations, and your health, family and hobbies. Here are 5 easy steps to help manage your life at home while increasing your productivity at work: The all-important Sleep! Start your day refreshed and positive after a good night’s sleep. Getting at least 8 hours of sleep per night is essential, especially if you are commuting long distances to work. Lack of sleep will quickly zap your energy reserves leading to poor concentration and poor performance at work. Ban the smart phone, buy an alarm clock and go easy on the TV! For those of you who work in IT, Software Development, Administrator roles, or anyone whose jobs involves working with a computer all day, it’s important to take a break from the screen. A UK survey published in July this year found that the average person spends a decade of their lives in...Read More
by Caroline Ward | Jun 11, 2015 | Assessment Centres, Career and Interview Advice, Graduate, Jobseeking
What should I expect at a Graduate Programme Assessment Centre? Assessment Centres are increasingly common and have been a part of the Graduate Programme for many years. Assessment Centres are designed to assess your competency or skills in relation to the role, your cultural fit and overall motivations or career aspirations. As part of the programme you may be asked to complete: Group Exercise Usually 5 – 6 people working together to complete a task or solve a problem. What may be assessed? Team Working Style, Communication Skills and Problem Solving Skills Presentation An individual is provided with a topic on the spot or prior to the day and asked to give a presentation to the Assessor or a group on that topic. What may be assessed? Communication Skills, Analysis and Decision Making Analysis Presentation An individual delivers a presentation based on conclusions drawn from a large volume of newly presented information or data. What may be assessed? Problem Solving Skills, Decision Making Skills and Communication Skills In-Tray Exercise Sorting through written material, prioritising and remaining calm under pressure. What may be assessed? Decision Making, Prioritisation, Resilience, Analysis Ability Assessments Online or paper based ability psychometric tests completed on the day or a date prior online. What may be assessed? Verbal Reasoning, Numerical Reasoning, Spatial Reasoning Top Tips Ask Lots of Questions: Ensure you understand what is required of you Get Stuck In: Suspend belief if required, be enthusiastic Take the chance to learn: About the company, the job and even yourself Be Yourself: That’s who they selected for the Assessment Centre after all! Caroline Ward HR...Read More
