There is a heartening optimism returning to the Irish job market and 2015 is shaping up to be a great year for Irish companies and a great year for Irish candidates. However, the more robust economic environment will increase competition for top roles.
The key to finding work you love to do is persevering in the pursuit of your dream job, despite any obstacles along the way. Also, by following these 8 Golden Rules you can increase your chances of landing that dream job.
This might sound obvious but it’s surprising the number of people who are looking for a new role without really being clear about what they are looking for. If you’re unhappy in your current role, or unemployed, then any job probably seems like a better option, however, it makes sense to think through what you’re seeking in your next role. Consider as to which factors are important to you in terms of job satisfaction. For example;
What level of responsibility are you looking for?
What salary are you looking for?
What length of commute would you be happy with?
What sort of company do you want to work for?
Knowing what are deal breakers for you, and the elements you would be willing to compromise on will help you identify what constitutes an ideal position for you and that’s a key first step to being able to secure it!
When you’re actively job-seeking it can be hard to keep track of which jobs you’ve applied for.
Keep a spreadsheet to record your applications including details such as job title, date applied, where you applied for it, name of the recruiter/hiring manager/company including whatever contact information was supplied and a column to list the status of the application e.g. awaiting feedback, rejected, first interview etc.
This will also help you to identify which opportunities you need to follow up on if you haven’t received any feedback by a certain date.
They say it’s who you know, not what you know and that’s why it’s important to develop relationships with people who can help you land your ideal job. These can include recruiters, contacts within companies of interest to you, ex-colleagues, peers in your industry, academic associates etc.
Building a good relationship with your recruiter is crucial, and this can be attained by regular and honest communication.
If you’re looking for a new job you need to make sure you can be found online easily and that you are portrayed positively on all social media platforms.
Do a Google search of yourself to see what’s returned and to see if there’s anything that needs removing, or any privacy settings that need altering.
You should be looking to share industry insights, blogging about relevant issues, and comment on existing blogs. Doing this portrays you as someone who takes an active interest in your career and shows that you are knowledgeable about current news.
Tailor your CV for the job you are applying for. It will help you to prioritise the order in which you show these skills and whether there are elements that you remove for this opportunity. You don’t need a completely new CV for each role you apply for, but you should tweak your master copy so that the recruiter can see quickly what a great fit you are for this position.
I would recommend that your CV contain achievements, rather than a list of responsibilities e.g. cost savings of 25% as a result of implementing a lean practice within the quality department.
Some people save this for the interview stage but it’s important even before then. Researching an organisation will help you determine whether it is truly a fit for you. You can then utilise this knowledge in tailoring your cover letter.
There is some debate about whether cover letters are necessary anymore, I believe that a synopsis of suitability in bullet point format based on the job description and current/previous work experience is far more imaginative and better showcases your attributes for the role.
If you’ve made it to the interview stage, then now is your chance to shine. Through your research and the correct guidance from your recruiter, you should have an idea of why this vacancy has been created and what the company needs from this person.
Use these insights to prepare examples of your experience which showcase that you can provide what they need. You do not want to find yourself in an uncomfortable situation where you are at a loss to offer an example of where you’ve demonstrated a particular required skill or behaviour. “Be prepared, or prepare to fail”.
If you’re dealing with a recruiter make sure to give feedback quickly on how the interview went. Let your recruiter know any areas where you feel that you may not have come across as well as you would have liked. The recruiter can then pass this on to the employer when they are speaking to them. This might go some way to overcoming any potential doubts or questions they had about you.
I hope these rules have proved helpful and you are one step closer to that dream job offer.
Article by Fearghal Keane (Senior Recruitment Consultant)
Joe Robbins is co-founder of CareerWise Recruitment. A graduate of the University of Limerick (Degree in Business Studies, 1985), Joe worked in the UK for five years where he specialised in materials management, production management and plant management for a number of companies.
He returned to Ireland in 1992 to become Operations Manager for a Cork-based start-up, FMC Automotive Division which was subsequently taken over by Snap-on Equipment. Joe managed the business re-location of this company to Shannon in 1997 before setting up CareerWise Recruitment in 1999.
He is a committee member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) Mid-West region, and a former Director and Vice President of the Shannon Chamber of Commerce. Joe is former Chairperson of the Sixmilebridge Camogie Club and current Chairperson of the Clare County Camogie Board.
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CareerWise Recruitment. EastGate Village, EastGate, Little Island, Cork.
Phone: +353 (0) 21 206 1900
Email: info@careerwise.ie
