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Future Jobs for Irish Youths
Future Jobs for Irish Youths
With the Leaving Cert results being released today, we felt it necessary to take a look at where the future of jobs will be for Irish youths. Broadly the global economic performance and Ireland’s position are positive for the foreseeable future. With unemployment now at 5.1% and decreasing quarterly, all signals point towards continued, sustainable improvement. Below is a list of the sectors that hold the best chances for economic and job growth in the near future. ICT Sector If there’s one thing that is evolving at break-neck speed, it’s technology. And with new developments and improvements every day, it can safely be said that the field of technology, whether machinery or software, is only going to grow by leaps and bounds. The ICT sector has been of tremendous importance to our economy, with 37,000 people employed and generating €35 billion in exports annually. 8 of the top 10 ICT companies in the world are based here. Ireland has proven itself to be one of the world’s best locations for ICT. However, to maintain this reputation Ireland needs to continuously produce highly skilled IT professionals. However there are already significant skills shortages in a variety of areas such as IT project management and of ICT professionals with foreign language skills. ICT will continue to be one of the most important sectors of our economy for the future, as technology continuously advances, making it as close to a safe bet as you can get these days. Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Industry “Ireland is now operating in the same ballpark as major science-funding countries around the world ” - Professor Mark Ferguson – SFI Director Already one of Ireland’s best performing industries, the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry looks set to grow further. With a growing and ageing population worldwide, the number and degree of health related issues is continuously on the rise. People will always need medical care ensuring a continued demand for research, development and production of new drugs. There are now over 60,000 people employed in the industry, either directly or indirectly. This trend looks set to continue into 2018 with major expansions of many of the big pharma players across the country. The IDA reports the biopharmaceutical industry has made a capital investment of approximately €8 billion in new facilities in Ireland, predominantly in the last 10 years. This represents one of the largest investments in new biotech facilities anywhere in the world. As a result of the growth in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and medical device industries in Ireland, it is very likely that a student about to graduate with a third level qualification in science will find interesting employment in one of the following areas; research, manufacturing, regulation or sales and marketing. Financial Sector The financial services jobs market for accountancy professionals continued its upwards growth trend last year. Even without the added benefit of companies relocating to Ireland post BREXIT, the confidence of both employer and employee alike has produced a healthy landscape with more opportunity for those who wish to change jobs. There is no doubt BREXIT has been a major contributor to the growth in the financial services jobs market. We have seen major international companies relocate operations to Dublin and others who already have a presence here have laid out plans to significantly increase their headcount. This is all positive news for graduates who studied in this area. Not only does this create opportunities that would not have existed without BREXIT, it also increases churn in the market involving more established financial services companies in Ireland who subsequently end up with more vacancies themselves. Particularly for accountants, regulatory reporting accountants and in Funds if you specialised in fund accounting, risk & control, depository, compliance and AML you will find interesting and worthwhile employment when you graduate
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What To Do If Your Leaving Cert Results Are Not What You Expected
What To Do If Your Leaving Cert Results Are Not What You Expected
Over 55,000 students sit their leaving certificate each year. Whilst many are happy with their results, a lot end up not so thrilled. If you did your leaving cert this year and you didn't do as well as you planned, it’s not the end of the world. Step back and take our advice below and you’ll be back on track before you know it. 1. Don’t Panic! It’s easier said than done when you’re overwhelmed with disappointment but give yourself time to come to terms with your results before you look at the long-term implications. Remember, you are not the first student to be disappointed with your exam results. Remember, some of the world most successful business men didn’t do well in their leaving i.e. Billl Cullen, Richard Branson. 2. Self Assess Take the time to consider what you want to do, where your interests lie and what your strengths and weaknesses are. You had your heart set on a certain course, but was it really for you? Figure this out before you make any decisions. via GIPHY 3. Research Possible Career Routes Think carefully about the career you would like to pursue and research thoroughly all of the possible routes to get there. Just because you think you’ve missed out on your ideal course, doesn’t mean there’s not another route to your end goal. If you don’t know what you want to do, look for a general course which will give you plenty of options. via GIPHY via GIPHY 4. Consider Repeating It’s big step but if you’re sure of the course you want and didn’t get the points, consider repeating. But remember to ask yourself will repeating actually help you get to where you want to be? Do not repeat for a lack of other options. via GIPHY 5. Gain Work Experience (Get a job) This is an excellent opportunity for you to develop skills and competencies, which would be attractive to employers. It also give you the opportunity to experience different industries and to see if you are happier in a working environment rather than the academic. via GIPHY via GIPHY 6. Don’t Let Friends Influence You Whilst it’s great discussing your option with friends/family/teacher/career advisors, only you know what to do. Make your decision on self assessment. via GIPHY via GIPHY 7. Take Time To Relax Do still find the time to relax, unwind and enjoy your hobbies despite the pressure you are under. Try listening to music, going to see a film or reading a book to escape for a while. A clear head can help you think more objectively. via GIPHY
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How to Recognise a Toxic Boss
How to Recognise a Toxic Boss
The perfect boss doesn’t exist, just like the perfect employee doesn’t exist. Always bear in mind that everyone has their flaws. However, with good working relationships being so important for work satisfaction, if you’re unsure about your relationship with your boss here is how to recognise the signs of a toxic boss. Unprofessional Behaviour This one is a no brainer. If your boss acts completely unprofessional with you then they are classed as a toxic boss. Unprofessional behaviour falls under serious misconduct such as, sexual harassment, bullying, using curse words and other less serious behaviours like being unable to make eye contact and interrupting and allowing others to interrupt them. If your boss behaves in this way you will need to contact your HR department immediately. It’s completely unacceptable behaviour and you will need to address it sooner rather than later. Doesn’t Listen Anyone that doesn’t listen in the work place is going to be very difficult to work with, but if it’s your boss, this will be bring so many issues to your working life. As an employee it is important for you to be heard by your superiors so that you feel valued and are appreciated. Not being heard will demotivate you but it will also make it very hard for you to confide in your boss as well. via GIPHY Unrealistic Expectations Good managers will always want to push you beyond your comfort zone to encourage you to succeed, but a toxic manager will just push you to the point of work overload and make you feel stressed rather than motivated. If your boss has you working to unrealistic deadlines or expects you to abandon your workload for what they feel is priority to them, this will create a very toxic environment for you. Ungrateful At the end of the day, you are paid to do a job and every time you do that job you can’t expect praise. However, a boss that can never say “Thank you” or “Good job” that’s a clear indication of a toxic manager. It’s okay if your boss expects you to do things for him/her without a big song and dance thanking you for it, but the odd time it’s important to have communication of the fact they are grateful for your help. Micromanaging This is one of the most toxic work environments any professional can be expected to work in. Having a boss look over their shoulder at you and being made to feel like you are being constantly watched is very stressful and it’s the perfect way to destroy productivity. Being a Fun Boss It’s nice to be able to get along with your boss but if you feel your boss is more of a friend than a manager, you may have a problem. It’s important for leaders to be admired and respected as superiors but a manger who is more interested in being your pal will never be someone you look up to. It also makes any kind of constructive criticism from them very hard to take. Often if a manger is too friendly when it actually comes to managing you and giving you criticism, you will either not take their comments seriously and brush it off or find yourself offended and hurt by their comments because you thought they were your friend. Blurred lines between boss and friend is an indication of toxicity. via GIPHY Takes Credit but Never Responsibility A manger is there to lead and celebrate your successes, not make you do the work for their benefit. A manager who can take credit for your work but blames you for their mistakes is undoubtedly a toxic boss. A boss should never use your successes as their own and should always be held responsible for their own mistakes. Never Being Wrong This type of boss reminds me of the Roald Dahl character in Matilda, Miss Trunchbull. This quote in particular… “I'm right and you're wrong, I'm big and you're small, and there's nothing you can do about it.” ― Roald Dahl, Matilda. It can be hard to work for and communicate with a boss who feels they’re right all the time and doesn’t accept your views. It can be a very toxic environment for someone working with a boss like this. If your boss is anything like Miss Trunchbull, you really need to accept your boss could be toxic. via GIPHY If your boss does any of these things and it makes you feel uncomfortable and uneasy in work, you should approach your HR Department with your concerns. If you feel you’ve done all you can to resolve the issue and nothing has come of it, it may be time to search for a new job. Send your CV to us in Sigmar Recruitment and we can help find you a more suitable position.
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What You Need To Know Before Meeting A Recruitment Consultant
What You Need To Know Before Meeting A Recruitment Consultant
Recruitment agencies see hundreds of people pass through their doors on a weekly basis. However not all candidates show up prepared. Truth is you will get a lot more out of meeting with a recruiter if you spend some time preparing and thinking about what your next ideal career move is. At the same time, you also want to impress a recruitment consultant, as a consultant is only going to want to put forward the best candidates to their clients. So, with that in mind, here are some tips to keep in mind when meeting your consultant; Meeting a Recruitment Consultant is not an interview, but it kind of is… Meeting your recruitment consultant will be informal compared to a real interview. The recruitment consultant wants to meet face to face to chat about your experience and what you’re looking for and discuss any opportunities they have available. However, even though your recruitment consultant isn’t the person who is going to hire you, they have relationships with people who could. You should treat your meeting like it’s an interview. Act professional and do your best to impress this person who has the power to get you the job you want. Dress Formally… For minimal effort, dressing to impress is important. Even if your office attire isn’t formal usually, dress smart (ideally formal but smart casual as a minimum) when meeting your consultant. This says to your consultant that you are taking your job hunt seriously and it also reassures the consultant you will present yourself well to their clients in interview. Be on Time for the Meeting… Again, consultants are assessing you to see if you are suitable to present to their clients. Being late screams unreliable and they will question whether you would do the same for a client interview. On time suits recruiters best because they usually have back to back meetings and being too early or late will put their entire schedule under pressure. Be Prepared… Even though it’s an informal chat, you should still be prepared and be confident speaking about your experience. Checking over your CV to be sure or saying you don’t remember won’t make your recruitment consultant confident that you can present yourself well in an interview with their client. Don’t be Afraid to be Honest… The more information you give your recruitment consultant, the better understanding they will have of your career aspirations and goals and in turn they will be able to provide you with positions you are interested in applying for. Inform them of your priorities (salary, benefits, location, title, culture etc.) and what you are and are not flexible on. Knowing this information will prevent you being presented with opportunities you are not interested in. Follow Up… At the end of your meeting with a recruitment consultant, they will present you with open positions for you to consider applying for. Ideally, they’ll all be perfect for you but if not, don’t be afraid to let your recruiter know. Give them feedback and stay in touch with them, in some cases a recruiter can become a lifelong career advocate. If you want to get the most out of your meeting with your recruitment consultant, always come prepared. Not only with it impress the recruiter, but it will get you one step closer to finding your perfect job.
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What New Grads Need To Know About Job Hunting
What New Grads Need To Know About Job Hunting
After graduating from university, looking for your first job can be daunting. You have spent so many years in education and working hard to achieve your degree, you’re eager to start your career but it can be difficult to know how, especially when you’re among so many other graduates in the same position as you applying for the same roles. At Sigmar Recruitment, we want to make the job hunt a little less overwhelming and help you to start your career successfully. Here are the best tips to stand out in your job hunt: Ask Your Lecturers If you’re unsure about what companies to apply for, get in touch with your college lecturers and ask for their recommendations. This is a great way to know what companies are hiring graduates and it’s a great way to introduce yourself when applying. “I heard about your company through my lecturer ____ and I just wanted to introduce myself and enquire about any open positions.” Don’t Be Afraid of The Phone If you’re interested in a job and you’ve applied with your CV, it’s always a good idea to ring the hiring manger to introduce yourself. Often when mangers are recruiting for a position they are inundated with applications. For you to stand out, phone the company and let them know that you are interested in the role. Email Before Attending a Job Fair Student job fairs are like a recruitment frenzy. HR mangers meet so many people in the space of a few hours so it can be hard for them to remember every single person. If you know of a company that will be there and better again, the representative from the company attending, email beforehand. Leading up to the event, you should email to introduce yourself. This will make standing out a lot easier and it will probably be appreciated by the representative as well. Do Your Research Always know about the company you’re applying for before approaching anyone for an interview. The question “What do you know about our company?” will always be asked in an interview. It’s not often you will know what will be asked in an interview so it would be foolish to not prepare. It’s also a great way to impress your interviewer. Doing good research before an interview shows interest and preparation. Name Drop Highlighting your personal connections can be a great way to stand out. If you know of someone who is a client/colleague/friend of the person you are being interviewed by, mention it. Also, if you know someone who works for the company you're applying to, don't be afraid to mention their name in your cover letter. Many businesses actually encourage and reward their employees for referring job candidates so you should always name drop where you can. Always remember, that all the people you admire and see working in role that you aspire to achieve, they all started where you are now. Everyone has to start from somewhere and you will get there with the right attitude and time.
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How To Ask For A Promotion
How To Ask For A Promotion
Are you in a job in which you feel you’re doing well, have mastered your role and feel like you’re ready to take on more responsibility? If so, it may be time to ask for a promotion. There are a few ways you can approach this; Reflect Think about what it is you want. Are you looking for more responsibility? More money? To manage more people? Knowing what you want from your promotion is the first thing you need to assess before approaching your boss with the request. You need to have a clear idea of what it is you want before you can ask for it. Going in with just the idea of wanting a promotion without giving it any thought, is a sign that your request will more than likely be rejected. Be Prepared Know in your head all of the projects you’ve worked on. Know any statistics, facts and figures that will support your request for a promotion. Prepare a list of your accomplishments and be ready to talk through each of them with your manager. This is the best way to approach your manger about wanting a promotion and then follow up afterwards with an email. The email should state clearly why you want a promotion and the reasons why you feel you deserve one. It will also give your manager something to look over while he/she is deliberating. Get the Timing Right Timing is everything. Being 6 months in a job and asking for a promotion is never going to be a good idea or 6 months after being given a previous promotion. You need to have worked up enough time and be succeeding in your current role before you can consider a promotion. You need to ask yourself, is now a good time for more responsibility? If you feel you are managing your workload well and are ready and capable of more responsibility, then you can be confident when asking for a promotion. Ask for Feedback In the run up to asking for your promotion, check in with your manager that they are happy with what you are getting done and ask if there is anything else they would like you to work on. If you are consistently getting positive feedback from your manager, it's an indication that there may be opportunity for a promotion. Follow up If you have already asked for a promotion and you haven’t been given an answer weeks later, you will need to follow up. Request a meeting with your manger specifying that you are seeking an answer about the promotion. Be Patient Don’t assume a discussion about a promotion is a once off. It is often a series of conversations over a period of time. Your manager may not even come back to you for a week or two with their answer and he/she may follow up with questions. If unfortunately, you aren’t successful in receiving a promotion immediately, ask what you need to achieve/work on in order to receive a promotion. Armed with this information, you can work on achieving these targets to ensure you receive one in the near future.
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Dos and Don’ts When It Comes To Losing Your Job
Dos and Don’ts When It Comes To Losing Your Job
Losing your job can be a very difficult life change to cope with. Getting the initial news will come as a nasty shock, but with these tips from Sigmar Recruitment you will get through this trying time. Don’t Panic You feel shocked and that’s natural. It is stressful losing your job, but sending your brain into overdrive worrying is not going to do you any good. Spiralling with negative thoughts will only make you lose clarity and stop you from making any progressive plans. Trying to remain calm is the first step and the most important thing to keep in mind while you search for a new job. Do Start Your Job Hunt Job hunt immediately. Update your CV and LinkedIn profile. Upload your CV to job boards, get in touch with recruitment agencies and attend networking events etc. It’s important to get the ball rolling straight away so you can stay active. Remember, the sooner you start looking, the sooner you will find a new job. Don’t Clam Up It’s natural to not want to engage with others while you’re unemployed. It often happens when people lose their job, they shy away from social interactions but it’s important to remain involved with friends. Let your friends and family know you are looking for a new job and use your network to ask of any opportunities. The people you know will be happy to help you out so don’t shy away from contact. Do Accept your Situation Accepting what has happened and allowing yourself to be emotional will help you to move forward. Losing your job is terrible and you’re only human so it’s ok to feel miserable. Giving yourself that time to accept your circumstances will help you to process this huge change. Once you’ve accepted the situation you will begin to think clearer and move forward. Don’t Borrow Blindly You may be tempted to borrow cash to tide yourself over or dip into savings. While this may be necessary, borrow or dip into savings as sparingly as possible. Do Rethink your Standard of Living When you’ve set yourself a standard of living it can be hard to re-adjust, but it’s important to reflect on your wants and needs at this time. Your employment status has changed so you may need to adjust the money you spend regularly in order to cope with this significant drop in your cash flow. Consider shopping for cheaper brands and budgeting your weekly spend on social activities. Don’t Neglect Your Wellbeing Be aware of your stress levels. It’s not easy losing your job and you will feel stressed and anxious at times but now that you have more free time, it’s the perfect time to try something new to help with your stress. Try mediation or yoga or adult colouring. Exercise is also a great stress reliever. Take a look at these successful people who received painful rejections before they accomplished all their goals Walt Disney Walt Disney was fired from the Kansas City Star in 1919 because, his editor said, he “lacked imagination and had no good ideas.” JK Rowling JK Rowling got fired when working at the London office of Amnesty International because she would write stories on her work computer all day long. Photo: Daniel Ogren Flickr Oprah Winfrey Oprah Winfrey was an evening news reporter and apparently got fired because she couldn’t sever her emotions from her stories. Photo: Ian Evenstar Flickr Elvis Presley After a performance at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry, Elvis was told by the concert hall manager that he was better off returning to Memphis and driving trucks (his former career). Bill Gates When Bill Gates dropped out of Harvard he started a business with Paul Allen called Traf-O-Data, which flopped. Luckily, they tried their hand at business again and this time Microsoft was born. Photo: OnInnovation Follow Flickr Albert Einstein Albert Einstein didn’t speak until he was four and didn’t read until he was seven. He was subsequently expelled from school and was not accepted to the Zurich Polytechnic School. Long story short, he came around.
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What Employers Really Want
What Employers Really Want
Are you in a recruitment process for a new job? If so, it's important to know what employers look for in a good candidate. Of course, things like qualifications, skills and experience are important but that’s not all employers want. If you've already been asked to interview, chances are your CV has already shown that you have the right qualifications, which is why you are being considered. Now, during the interview stage of the process, the hiring manager will be looking for a little more. Employers need to make sure that you will fit in at their organisation, match their company values and essentially be a part of their team. If you're feeling nervous about a job interview, it's good to remember these 5 things employers look for in an employee... 1. Positive Attitude Being upbeat and positive can make a huge difference. If you are a happy and positive person, a hiring manger will be confident that you will make friends easily and you will enjoy the work you do and even motivate others with your positivity. Being positive can make you approachable and make people want to work with you. 2. Dependable Employers seek someone who is trustworthy and reliable. It’s a crucial character trait in the workplace. Being on time for work and trusted to complete important tasks is what an employer expects from all their employees. 3. Enthusiastic About Learning A person who is eager to work and learn is very attractive to an employer. Showing you have a strong work ethic and are interested in upskilling and improving is exactly what any hiring manger wants. If you're interested in the company and want to invest in learning, your employer will be just as eager to invest in you too. 4. Quick Thinking A person who can react well when things go wrong is very useful to an employer. Having the ability to think on your feet in difficult situations can be of great benefit to any team/company. 5. Works Well In Teams Getting along with people is a huge plus. Maintaining good working relationships and working well with others shows you are a team player and fit with a company’s culture.
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8 Reasons Why You Should Quit Your Job
8 Reasons Why You Should Quit Your Job
Considering a new job is a big decision, but there are some significant reasons why leaving your current job could be the best choice for you. 1. You No Longer Enjoy What You Do If you feel miserable being in work, it may be a good time to start rethinking your current job. On average, the working week is 37 hours and if you don’t enjoy what you do, it’s a long time to spend unhappy. 2. There Is No Opportunity To Progress In Your Role Experiencing a glass ceiling in your career can be very demotivating. Working hard every day while being unable to climb a career ladder and achieve your potential can feel very frustrating and it can be especially frustrating if you are seeing other colleagues and friends progressing in their careers. If you’re unable to see an upward career path in your current position, there are two things for you to consider; changing jobs or returning to education to upskill and find work where you can progress. 3. Difficult Work Environment A difficult work environment can be tough to overcome. Unfortunately, some work cultures don’t always value staff and their morale. If this is the case for you and your work place, the atmosphere can become quite unbearable. If you have tried to speak out about the issue and nothing has changed, a new job in a company with a reputable work environment could be the best move for you. 4. You Don’t Respect Or Learn From Your Manager You don’t always have to look up to your boss but it’s important to respect your superior and feel you can learn from him/her. If the person you take direction from and report to is not someone you have a high regard for, it can make your work life quite difficult. If you feel negatively towards your boss, leaving your job could be what’s best. 5. You're Not Being Paid What You Are Worth Money isn’t everything but when it comes to your job it is very important. It’s crucial to know your worth as an employee and to be valued by the company you work for. If you feel like you are being taken advantage of and your salary is not what it should be, then you may wish to consider a new job that offers a salary more suited to your experience. 6. You’re No Longer Learning Do you find yourself doing the same thing in work every day? Have you been in the same job for a long period of time and can’t remember the last time you learned something new? Are you bored in work and find every task seems to be more tedious than the last? If you answered yes to any or all of these questions, a new job opportunity could be the best thing for you. It’s important to be challenged in your job to stay motivated. 7. You Don’t Get Along With Your Colleagues Securing a role that you love may not be enough to remain happy in your job. The saying often goes, “find a job you love and you’ll never have to work a day in your life”. However, not maintaining good relationships with your colleagues can negatively affect how you feel in the workplace. There’s a lot more to job satisfaction than finding the right role. As there is a social aspect to work, it’s important to mix well and get along with the people in your workplace. If this isn’t achievable, it may be time to search for a new job. 8. You’re Only Staying In Your Job Because You’re Scared Of Change Change can be difficult but it shouldn’t stop you from pursuing something new. If the only reason you haven’t changed jobs is because you’re scared of change, then you should make 2018 the year to take a leap and start a new job. Choosing to leave a job is a very personal decision and there are countless reasons why someone would want a new opportunity. It’s always important to go with your gut though and do what’s right for you. If you are considering changing jobs in 2018, upload your CV and let our 120 specialist recruitment consultants help you to find the job best suited for you.
Resource centre
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CV Tips
CV Tips
How to get an employer's attention and land an interview
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Interview Tips
Interview Tips
How to ace that upcoming interview
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Personal Branding
Personal Branding
Building your brand online and offline
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Salary Guides
Benchmark your salary
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Career Planning
Career Planning
Job Hunting Tips
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Work Smarter
Work Smarter
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Jobs Market
Jobs Market
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Graduate Advice
Graduate Advice
Career advice for graduates
