Connecting...
-
Five Ways To Impress Your Boss
Five Ways To Impress Your Boss
This may come as a shock, no one expects you to be perfect and know everything, even your boss! Sometimes you may feel like you’re not good enough and worry that you can’t impress your manager, but it is actually easier than you think and you’re probably doing some of these things already… 1. Dress to Impress Make sure your personal hygiene is impeccable. One of the worst office offences is bad body odour. Once you have your personal hygiene in check, dress smart. Dressing well will impress your superiors and your fellow colleagues. It will also give a little extra confidence while you do your day to day tasks. via GIPHY 2. Timekeeping Traffic, public transport, school runs, they can be a nightmare in the mornings and we’ve all been there, but it’s no excuse to be late for work constantly. Want to make a good impression? Be on time! Even if it means you have to leave earlier in the morning. If you want to impress your boss, you have to make real effort and show you are reliable. Bad time-keeping is a pet hate for managers. Remember: When you are late, show you understand that time-keeping and attendance matters and always inform your manager that you’re late. A quick text or phone call can really make all the difference. via GIPHY 3. Socialise If you want to impress at work, get involved in social events with your colleagues. It’s important for managers to see you gel with the rest of the staff and integrate with the culture of the business. If there isn’t a social scene in work why not try to organise something yourself? You could suggest after work drinks, a running club, a book club? Getting involved is impressive to a boss, but if you can organise your own social activity, that will definitely get your managers attention. via GIPHY 4. Share Ideas Don’t be afraid to tell your boss about ideas you have. Managers appreciate someone who takes their own initiative and wants to help improve things. It’s a great way for your boss to know you care about your role and the company and that you want to make it even better by putting your stamp on things. via GIPHY 5. Be Prepared Always be prepared to work. When you come in in the morning be ready to hit the ground running. When you attend meetings have all the relevant information and documents needed. Remember, you’ve been appointed this role and if your boss sees you struggling in it, it’s not going to impress him/her. Always being prepared and showing your boss you can manage your task will impress your boss and even increase your opportunity for a promotion. via GIPHY It’s always good to remember, not everyone is perfect, and your boss doesn’t expect you to be. Trying your best should always be enough to impress your boss. All a boss wants is an employee who’s working hard and is happy in the company and with the work they do.
-
How to Land that Promotion
How to Land that Promotion
If you have been in a job for some time, you may feel like you are ready to take on more responsibility or feel you deserve an added amount to your salary. The way you can accomplish this is by doing the following: Own Projects from Start To Finish Creating your own project and implanting it from start to finish is a great way to get a promotion. Showing you have the initiative and determination to carry out your own project will give you the opportunity to be given more responsibility. via GIPHY Do Things You Don’t Have to Do Don’t be the person who says “That’s not my job” and refuses to do tasks they are asked outside their job specification. Sometimes in order to get noticed and to get ahead you need to be willing to do jobs you don’t want to do. via GIPHY Be Prepared Always be prepared to work. When you come in in the morning be ready to hit the ground running. When you attend meetings have all the relevant information and documents needed. Remember, a promotion is a company giving you more responsibility. If you’re not handling what you’re doing then how do you expect to be given more? Always being prepared will impress your boss and increase your chances of a promotion. via GIPHY Be Positive Coming into the office every day and complaining about how you don’t want to be in work or giving out about the work you have to do or complaining about your colleagues, will never land you a promotion. If you’re unhappy doing what you do and you complain constantly, your boss isn’t going to feel comfortable giving you a promotion. via GIPHY Avoid Office Gossip You can’t control workplace gossip, but you can control how to react to it. Not getting involved in office gossip and politics will mean you keep your professionalism. Those who take part in gossip can become known as unprofessional, immature and untrustworthy and none of those characteristics will help you get a promotion. Any time someone tries to involve you in drama, simply say you are not interested and leave the conversation. via GIPHY If you feel you're doing all the above and you have mastered your role and feel like you’re ready to take on more responsibility, it may be time to ask for a promotion. Click here for our blog on How to Ask for a Promotion
-
The Benefits of Using LinkedIn Effectively
The Benefits of Using LinkedIn Effectively
LinkedIn has been around since 2002 and you’d think 16 years is enough time to master something but essentially people are still using LinkedIn wrong or avoid using it because they don’t know how. This blog will give you a guide to LinkedIn and how it can be used effectively to benefit your career. Who Should Use LinkedIn? Some people understand LinkedIn to be an online CV and it should only be used by jobseekers. This isn’t the case. There is a certain audience for LinkedIn and it does include jobseekers but that’s not all. This is who should use LinkedIn: Anyone in a job Anyone looking for a job Students Freelancers Recruiters Someone who has something to contribute about their industry Someone with an interest in connecting with professionals If you’re any of the above, LinkedIn could be the perfect social media platform for you. However, you will need to know how to use it effectively, depending on your reason for using it. Benefits of LinkedIn if you are Employed: Networking LinkedIn has 500 million users from all over the globe in different industries. This gives you the opportunity to connect with so many different people and broaden your professional connections. This could give you new opportunities for you in your current role. Sharing Ideas & Learning New Things In our current day to day tasks we come across many obstacles. LinkedIn can be a great opportunity to share these difficulties and how you overcame them. Chances are if you found it difficult, so did another person. Sharing your experiences on LinkedIn can help other professionals like yourself with issues and vice versa. LinkedIn gives professionals the opportunity to learn and share new things. Motivation Motivated was the most overused word on LinkedIn in 2014 and 2015 and it’s still in the top 10 of most used words in 2018. Motivation can be infectious on LinkedIn. Everyday new posts on new learnings and achievements are illustrated. If you’re looking to boost your creativity or just looking for some inspiration, then LinkedIn’s newsfeed is a great place to start. Benefits of LinkedIn if you are Job Seeking: Showcasing Your Talent and Experience Your profile is essentially an online CV and it can highlight all your relevant experience and skills to potential employers. A lot of job applications and job boards, require a LinkedIn page to submit your details. In order for you highlight your professional resume, it is essential for you to have a LinkedIn account. Reach Out to Employers/Hiring Mangers/Recruiters LinkedIn gives jobs seekers the opportunity to approach hiring managers about available positions. If you’re thinking of applying for a job or you already have applied, why not connect with the hiring manager and introduce yourself? It could be the thing that makes you stand out and be offered a job. Keeping Active During Your Job Search LinkedIn has 3 million active job listings on the platform. Even if you don’t have any interviews lined up, you can stay active by networking on LinkedIn and searching for available jobs. LinkedIn is a great way to stay active in your job hunt. Benefits of LinkedIn if you are a Student: Learn from Professionals in your Industry Following and connecting with professionals who work in the field you are studying in is a great way to learn more about what you are studying and what to expect when you receive your qualification. Build a Network Before you even start your professional career you could already have a bank of professional people in your network, all from LinkedIn. Benefits of LinkedIn if you work Freelance: Showcase your Work You can have an entire online portfolio on your LinkedIn profile that can showcase all your experience. You can share this among your connections who can also do the same. It's a great way to advertise your expertise.
-
Ever wonder what it would be like to work as a Sigmar Recruiter?
Ever wonder what it would be like to work as a Sigmar Recruiter?
Here at Sigmar our Recruiters work hard but have a lot of fun along the way. Check out what it's like to spend a day as a Sigmar Recruiter... If you want to be a Recruitment Consultant in Sigmar. Check out our job opportunities here
-
20 Disney Quotes That Will Inspire You To Succeed in Your Career
20 Disney Quotes That Will Inspire You To Succeed in Your Career
There's a lot of wisdom in Disney films so here are some of the best quotes to inspire you today.. "Venture outside your comfort zone. The rewards are worth it." - Rapunzel (Tangled) "All it takes is faith and trust." - Peter Pan (Peter Pan) "The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all." - The Emperor (Mulan) "Don't just fly, soar." - Dumbo (Dumbo) "In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun." - Mary Poppins (Mary Poppins) "Life's not a spectator sport. If watchin' is all you're gonna do, then you're gonna watch your life go by without ya" - Laverne (The Hunchback of Notre Dame) "The problem is not the problem. The problem is your attitude about the problem." - Jack Sparrow (Pirates of the Caribbean) "Believe you can, then you will." - Mulan (Princess Stories) "Today is a good day to try." - Quasimodo (The Hunchback of Notre Dame) "If you don't know where you want to go, then it doesn't matter which path you take" - The Cheshire Cat (Alice in Wonderland) "Admit defeat, and defeat will surely admit you into permanent custody" - Beret Girl (An Extremely Goofy Movie) "Oh yes, the past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it or learn from it" - Rafiki (The Lion King) "You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think" - Winnie the Pooh (Pooh's Most Grand Adventure) "Always let your conscience be your guide" - The Blue Fairy (Pinocchio) "Happiness is the richest thing we will ever own" - Donald Duck "Just because it's what's done, doesn't mean it's what should be done." - Cinderella (Cinderella) "Sometimes the right path is not the easiest one." - Grandmother Willow (Pocahontas) "The only thing predictable about life is its unpredictability." - Remy (Ratatouille) "Now, think of the happiest things. It's the same as having wings." - Peter Pan (Peter Pan) "All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them." -- Walt Disney
-
What To Do If You’re Dealing With A Toxic Boss
What To Do If You’re Dealing With A Toxic Boss
In last week’s blog we looked at How to Recognise a Toxic Boss. We know the perfect boss doesn’t exist, just like the perfect employee doesn’t, so you shouldn’t be too hard on your boss. However, once you are sure your manager is toxic, it’s important to know what to do Try Not Take It Personally Whatever is going on with your boss, it has nothing to do with you. If this is their managing style they more than likely have treated people like this before and will probably continue to treat people like this in future. Try to remind yourself of this as often as you can so your self-confidence doesn’t become affected by your toxic boss. Know That You Don’t Need Them To Succeed Your boss may make you feel like they are the reason you have a job and you would be useless to another company, they’re wrong! You are more than capable of being successful in your career and that has nothing to do with your boss. Karma This is always a sweet little reminder when your boss is treating you badly. Things come back around on people and the same goes for you. You’re having a hard time now, but things will improve for you and as for your boss, they will probably get what is coming to them sooner or later. Write Down How You Feel This is a great way to get things off your chest. Write it all down. Everything! It can even be as inappropriate as you like, ‘cause your boss will never see it. That’s the beauty of it! Say everything you need to and destroy the evidence. I can guarantee you’ll feel a lot better after it. Keep Records Try to document as much as you can. If your boss is treating you unfairly, it’s best to have documents to prove it. Even if your interaction with them is mostly face to face, ask them to follow up in an email. A lot of the misbehaviour of a toxic boss is going back on their word. For instance, they tell you to do something but then deny it or grant you permission to do something, like take annual leave and then they deny ever being asked. The best thing to do is always follow up on verbal conversations with an email and to keep a diary. Write everything your boss asks you to do in a diary and if they ever accuse you of not doing something you can check back in your diary afterwards. Arrange A Meeting With Your Boss Sometimes just sitting down with your boss and explaining that you feel they are unhappy with you can really make a difference. Having a face to face conversation about the issues you have could solve things. It might not be the case but it’s the first step before approaching HR. Speak to HR If you have approached your boss or have at least tried to but felt it was unsuccessful, the next step is to speak to HR. After you have prepared your records and can explain your bosses misconduct clearly and accurately you should have a strong case for your HR department. Know When to Leave Sometimes the only thing you can do to fix the situation is to find a new job. Life is too short to sit in a job with a boss who makes you miserable. If HR couldn’t solve the issue and you couldn’t move departments, you may wish to start applying for new jobs.
-
Future Jobs for Irish Youths
Future Jobs for Irish Youths
Below we look at the sectors that hold the best chances for economic and job growth in the near future. 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. 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
-
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
-
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.
Resource centre
-
CV Tips
CV Tips
How to get an employer's attention and land an interview
-
Interview Tips
Interview Tips
How to ace that upcoming interview
-
Personal Branding
Personal Branding
Building your brand online and offline
-
Salary Guides
Salary Guides
Benchmark your salary
-
Career Planning
Career Planning
Job Hunting Tips
-
Work Smarter
Work Smarter
Productivity and workplace wellbeing tips
-
Jobs Market
Jobs Market
Market commentary and industry analysis
-
Graduate Advice
Graduate Advice
Career advice for graduates
