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How to Find the Career Path That’s Right for You
How to Find the Career Path That’s Right for You
In a workforce that, on average, changes jobs nearly every three years and career paths 5-7 times in a lifetime, less emphasis is being placed on choosing a job that you intend to stay in forever. Particularly at the beginning of their working lives, young people are moving from job to job on a regular basis, defying the age-old mantra that a career should be for life. In reality, a career is more like a long, winding river that will take you in directions you never thought you’d go, landing you at a destination that only becomes visible once you turn a corner and take a plunge. That is not to say, however, that you should not take those initial steps down your first career path lightly. The people you meet and skills you learn could end up significantly impacting your life in the long run, as well as your immediate feelings of happiness and fulfilment. To make this initial choice a little easier, here are seven steps you can take to help you find a career path that is right for you. Take a Career Test Career tests might seem a silly way to determine what job you should look for. After all, how could ticking a bunch of boxes on a computer program possibly demonstrate anything other than the most basic wants and needs? Who are they to say that you would make the perfect hairdresser or software engineer? If you’re completely stumped for inspiration about even what sector you would like to work in, however, online career tests can be a great way to get you thinking about the areas in which you could feasibly work while taking your personality, experience and values into account. The 123 Test has you make associations with various tasks and provides you with a list of suitable jobs at the end. The Redbull Wingfinder doesn’t give you specific career advice but breaks down core elements of your personality that could be invaluable when considering how suited you may be to certain careers. On the other hand, O*NET Interest Profiler provides a comprehensive overview of how your skills and interests can intersect with your aspirations. You can take or leave the results these quizzes give you, but sometimes having your strengths typed out in front of you can clarify your goals to yourself. Assess Your Options Whether you do this following a career test, or after a period of self-reflection, you need to take stock of your options. Write down every option available to you, and every path you would be interested in pursuing. Go through each of the options available to you, eliminating and highlighting those that you are instinctively averse to and are intrigued by respectively. By the end, you should have a manageable list of potential routes you could take, most of which should contain a combination of your interests, skills and values. It’s also important to research the jobs you put in your shortlist. The qualifications required by one may put you off, while the trajectory promised by another may inspire you. Read case studies pertaining to interesting fields to give you an idea as to where you could end up down the line. Having a long-term career goal may be more of a motivator for you than a short term one. Network You’ve researched careers that interest you, and now you have finally settled on one or two that excite you more than any others. Now, you need to look at this list and ask what connections you have to these different careers. Do you know someone who works in that sector? Someone who could perhaps make an introduction or give you further insight into a career that interests you? According to research compiled by Social Talent, although only 7% of applicants come via referrals, they account for over 40% of successful hires. Statistically speaking, you have a much greater chance of securing an entry level position in a field that interests you if you are introduced via someone with a connection to that employer. Networking isn’t only beneficial for getting your foot in the door, however. It’s important to speak to people currently working in, or with knowledge of, the field(s) you would like to enter. They may have insider information unavailable online, or give you guidance as to how you might approach getting a job. Whatever your goals, it’s worth going out and meeting people who can help you through this difficult decision with their own experiences, insight and network in that field. Get Experience One of the most useful outcomes from networking successfully would be the opportunity to gain practical experience in the area you want to work in. From the perspective of an employer, they would be more likely to hire someone with a proven interest and existing ability in their sector. From your side, you would be able to see first-hand what the day-to-day of such a job entails and decide whether or not it’s for you. Internships are a great way to gain experience in a hands-on working environment. Not only will you have the opportunity to complete tasks similar to those you might be set as an employee, but you will make some invaluable contacts who could potentially help you secure employment later down the line. There are lots of great internship opportunities out there, but make sure you are not being exploited. Some companies take advantage of the passion and inexperience of interns and have them work with little to no compensation, and no guarantee of a job at the end of the programme. Another way to gain experience would be to ask someone if you could shadow them at work for a couple of days, so you can see what they are tackling on a daily basis, as well as meet their co-workers and convey your enthusiasm and initiative to a potential employer. Find a Mentor Mentors are an invaluable way to gain insider knowledge of an industry, as well as a potential fountain of tailored advice to help you succeed in whichever career you end up choosing. For more information on how to find a mentor, you can have a look at this Forbes article that breaks down the steps of finding and securing the right mentor for you. Make a Career Path Plan You’ve identified an area that interests you, researched it thoroughly, spoken about it with contacts and perhaps even secured some practical experience in that field. The next step is to create an actionable plan that lays out all the steps you need to take to achieve your professional goals. Whether this involves changing careers later in life, taking risks or going back to education to secure further qualifications, create an actionable plan that will allow you to step from one to the other. Here’s a great guide on how to structure a solid career path plan. No one’s career path unfolds in an uncomplicated straight line. In fact, there will be jobs that exist in the future that we couldn’t even imagine in today’s society. The best approach is to have an open mind, strong initiative and the willingness to be flexible as you work towards your goals. Expect the unexpected, and never be afraid to deviate from your plan if it feels right. As they say, ‘find a job you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.’
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Guaranteed Interview Questions to Prepare and Ace
Guaranteed Interview Questions to Prepare and Ace
“What do you think of garden gnomes?” This was apparently asked of one Trader Joe’s candidate in an interview . A silly, irrelevant question for a job in grocery stores, you might say. However, questions like these that seem, on the surface, ridiculous, often provide more insight into a candidate’s aptitude for the role than you might initially think. No one ever knows exactly what questions are going to be asked in an interview. However, there are trends that show up in every list of most common interview questions, which we have divided into five categories. We’ll provide examples for each, as well as an overview of how you should consider approaching them to showcase yourself in the best possible light. Informational Questions “Tell me a little bit about yourself.” “Why are you leaving your current job?” “Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?” These tend to be the questions that open up an interview, giving you an opportunity to provide a brief bit of background information about yourself, as well as an overview of your aspirations, providing the interviewer context about you and where this role fits in with your career plans. This is not to say, however, that you should approach these questions with any less preparation or panache than others. You should phrase your answers as a pitch of your career; linear, like a story, and this job as the next step that slots perfectly between the past and the future. It wouldn’t hurt, of course, to slip in a few specific achievements that you want the employer to know about, opening up the floor for further questions on those later. While you should phrase your answers in a way that presents this job as an ideal opportunity, you should also be honest – you don’t want anything you said in a moment of panic to come back to haunt you if you are hired! Company-Specific Questions “How did you hear about the position?” “What do you know about the company?” “What do you think we could do better or differently?” To separate the wheat from the chaff, employers will frequently ask interviewees to demonstrate their knowledge about the company they are applying to. Stumbling at this hurdle will almost certainly mark the end of your candidacy for the position! If you don’t know much about the company you’re interviewing for, they will question your passion for what they do and your ability to do the most basic of research. Interviewers want to see that not only are you passionate about their company’s brand, but that you are able to assess their current infrastructure critically and constructively present feedback using your prior knowledge and experience. Small start-ups in particular look for creativity in their employees, and definitely would like to see how you could contribute to company development from the outset. Behavioural Questions “Tell me about a challenge or a conflict you’ve faced at work, and how you dealt with it.” “Tell me about a time you failed. How did you deal with the situation?” “Give me an example of a time you managed numerous responsibilities. How did you handle that?” To get an idea of how you handle conflict, your interviewer may ask a similar question to one of these. Often, they will start with ‘give me an example…’ or ‘describe…’. The idea is to get a sense of what your personal strengths are in pressurised situations, as well as how you structure your response to problems. There is a technique to handling such questions, named the STAR Method. As set out by Al Dea, the founder of CareSchooled and a learning and development coach, STAR is “helpful because it provides a simple framework for helping a candidate tell a meaningful story about a previous work experience,” i.e. giving your response a clear structure and minimising the opportunity to ramble. S – Set the scene. What details do you need to share to ensure your example is clear? T – Task. What was your responsibility and/or goal in this situation? A – Action. What did you do to resolve the issue and complete your aim? What steps did you take? R – Result. What was the direct result of your actions? What did you accomplish? You can read more about the STAR Method here. These questions could also expand to more personal ones, such as the personality types you tend to clash with, as well as your own strengths and weaknesses. Your answers to these questions can provide insight into how you might gel with the existing team, and whether the company culture is necessarily a suitable fit for you. Puzzle Questions “How many tennis balls can you fit into a limousine?” “How many pennies could you fit in this room?” “Why are manholes round?” These are questions of the same breed as “what do you think of garden gnomes?”. Questions that appear completely unrelated to the job at hand, and that there could be a million ways to answer, none of which jump out as being the ‘correct’ one. That’s because the hiring manager is not looking for a correct answer, but one that is reached in a logical, methodical manner. If you articulate your thought process out loud, the interviewer can see how you are approaching the problem using existing mathematical abilities, as well as common sense and general knowledge. They also reveal a substantial amount about the personality of a candidate. Your approach to the questions and ability to think on your feet speaks volumes about your character and may be a crucial insight to the employer as to whether you’d be up for the day-to-day challenges that are part of the role. A calm-headed, logical candidate may handle the tennis ball question by demonstrating awareness of the measurements needed to perform the calculation, such as the volume of a tennis ball and the length, width and height of the limousine. An even more impressive candidate may turn questions back on the interviewer, asking as to whether there are any people inside the limousine at the time and how big the seats are. However you choose to approach the puzzle at hand, maintain a cool demeanour, showcase your understanding of maths and problem-solving and use rational logic to show you could come up with a rough methodology to reach a correct solution, even if you do not. Pressuring Questions “Are you under/overqualified for this job?” “Why should we hire you over someone else?” While these questions may appear a little forthright, and definitely intimidating, they actually present a brilliant opportunity to sell yourself to the employer in a brazen way that thus far you may have had to tiptoe around. Use questions such as these to summarise your core strengths and the value that you would bring to the company, emphasising that you truly are the perfect fit for this job. Be careful not to overly criticise your imaginary rivals, as that’ll present you as petty – rely on your own positives in your pitch to convince the interviewer that you should get the position. BONUS – Ask Questions Back! It’s no secret that the key to finishing an interview well is to walk in with a few pre-prepared questions to ask the hiring manager when prompted. These should demonstrate your curiosity, prior research and genuine desire to know more about the company and the role. Perhaps more importantly, this interview is an opportunity for you to gauge whether this position in this company would be the right fit for you. Therefore, be sure to maximise this opportunity to answer any questions you still have by the end of your time with the interviewer. Here are some examples of questions that could provoke interesting, informative answers from the employer: “What’s your favourite part about working here?” “What can you tell me about the company’s plans for growth in the future?” “How would you describe the company culture?” So, there you have it – an overview of the most common questions that could arise in an interview. If the specific question is not listed above, it is guaranteed to fit into one of those five categories. Prepare to handle questions from each of those angles, be aware of what exactly they want to see from each answer, and you’ll knock it out the park.
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How to Look After Your Mental Health in the Workplace
How to Look After Your Mental Health in the Workplace
“Mental pain is less dramatic than physical pain, but it is more common and also more hard to bear. The frequent attempt to conceal mental pain increase the burden: It is easier to say "My tooth is aching" than to say "My heart is broken".” – C.S. Lewis The month of May marks Mental Health Awareness Month around the world – a time for highlighting the key battles we have yet to fight in the war against the stigmatisation of mental health issues. A recent study by VHI revealed that almost 70% of Irish corporate employees admit to needing to look after their mental wellness more effectively, and 1 in 5 have missed work due to anxiety, depression or stress in the past year. It is always advisable to seek the advice of a professional if you have concerns about your mental health. However, there are small, yet effective, measures you can take to improve your wellbeing in the workplace that can spread into your personal life in a positive, affirming way. Work/Life Balance Sir Ken Robinson noted in his keynote speech at Sigmar’s Talent Summit 2018 that, although the invention of emails was promised to save us time, we have since found that, if anything, we are less and less able to leave work behind in the workplace. It is now part of most people’s routines to check their phones first thing in the morning and reply to work-related emails before leaving home, always thinking about what needs to be done that day. It’s important that you ‘work smart, not long.’ This means actively leaving work behind in the office, working efficiently during the day so you don’t feel compelled to continue with it after hours. If the quantity of work you are being expected to complete within working hours is too much to do so successfully, be sure to speak up and discuss the manageability of your workload with your supervisor. Communication is key – they’re going to keep piling on the work as long you stay quiet about how overwhelmed you are, so make sure you speak up and be heard before it becomes too much to handle. Employers won’t know where the pressure lies unless you tell them. If you’re unsure of how much your work life spills over into your personal life, why don’t you try keeping a log for a month? Jot down in a diary how many hours you work every day – not just when you’re sitting at your desk, but when you’re thinking about work at home, composing emails and returning calls out of hours. It may build a more objectively troubling picture than you can see currently from the inside. Make The Most Of Your Breaks Don’t be afraid to make the most of the breaks you are allotted at work. Once you’re on a roll, it’s tempting to power through lunchtime and eat at your desk, one eye always on your computer screen. Try and avoid doing this when you can. Take a walk, practise mindfulness or meditation, experience new places to eat, socialise with co-workers or friends who work nearby. “But I don’t have time to meditate!” I hear you exclaim. Yes, you do! ‘Meditation’ is not always synonymous with pulling on yoga pants, lighting up a stick of incense and adopting the lotus position. You can meditate absolutely anywhere – in a local park, at a café…even sitting at your desk! If you’re not confident leading your own meditation, you can find five-minute guided sessions free online, like this one here. There are also some great customisable apps you can get on your phone, such as Timer and Headspace. It is impossible to overvalue the importance of taking time to relax, clear your head and focus on your own wellbeing. You’ll find this re-energises you for the day ahead, as well as provide an invaluable opportunity to assess your current state of mind and mentally address any emotional concerns or anxieties. You may also be pleasantly surprised at how easily solutions pop into your head when you take just a few minutes to collect your thoughts. Communication This one works both ways for employers as well as employees. Communication is the key to destigmatising conversations about mental health. In his TEDx talk on workplace mental health, Tom Oxley says ‘you don’t make people unwell by talking about mental health – you give them the opportunity to speak out sooner’. There’s a flawed unspoken terror that speaking out about mental illness will somehow worsen the problem, as if it’s contagious or something you can conjure up into existence within your own mind. The reality is that many sufferers don’t feel able to speak up due to the prejudice surrounding their condition, and the fear that their workplace would not be supportive of them if they did so. The best way an employer can foster an atmosphere of positivity, health and wellbeing is to ensure that their workers know that they are free to talk openly about any feelings of stress, anxiety or depression and won’t face indirect penalisation for doing so. The first reaction of many employers is to offer a struggling staff member limited time off to recover, then expect them to return to work and continue as usual. While time off may be a solution for some employees, bosses should also consider the advantages of offering flexible working hours to affected workers. Tom Oxley strongly advocates for good communication practices between employers and employees to ensure that no one ever feels alienated from their place of work, and that anxieties don’t build up over time into uncontrollable crises. In turn, employees should communicate to their employers about their feelings on mental health in the workplace, as far as they feel comfortable to do so. Being transparent about how you’re feeling and what you need from your job to help you recover will give your boss the tools to help you in the way that’s most beneficial for you. If you are worried that taking time off would only serve to isolate you from the company, voice that concern. Your employer should want to get the very best out of you – they hired you for a reason. It’s in their interest to give you the support you need. Create a healthy routine Studies have consistently proven a strong link between mental health and physical health, and specialists are adamant that one of the best ways to maintain good mental wellbeing is to look after your physical welfare. Your job may be intellectually demanding, with long hours and difficult tasks you have to tackle each day, taking a toll on your mental health. This also likely means your job is sedentary. Indeed, scientists have connected the rise in global obesity to the increasing number of jobs that don’t require any form of physical activity. You may be hard pressed to find the time to exercise during a busy work week, but it’s important you look after your body – it will only beneficially impact your mental wellbeing. Take a stroll during your lunchbreak, do 30 mins of yoga before work, or even try training for a half marathon over the course of a few months. Be sure to stock up your desk drawer with nutritious snacks rather than sugary ones, such as nuts, fruit and protein bars. Snacknation has published an extensive list of delicious office snack ideas if you’re dry on inspiration. These are just a few ways you can work to ensure your mental wellbeing in the workplace, which will in turn hopefully boost your productivity, energy and, ultimately, happiness. While mental health is something we can’t always necessarily control, we can impact the way in which we talk about it, breaking down the harmful social barriers that currently thwart constructive discussions on preventative measures.
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3 Reasons Counter Offers Are A Bad Idea
3 Reasons Counter Offers Are A Bad Idea
On my commute home from work, I overheard a woman say to her friend “I don’t want to leave my job, so I plan to get a job offer and that will make my current boss offer me more money”. I know I shouldn’t be eavesdropping, but surely people shouldn’t be applying for jobs with intention of using an offer to leverage more money in their current role? This really caught me by surprise. Do people really go through the rigmarole of job seeking just to use the offer to stay in their current job? I decided to investigate this further to see if it really is a feasible plan. What I discovered was 3 reasons why you definitely shouldn’t follow in that lady’s footsteps. 1. Wrong Attitude – Bad Start From the get go the idea of applying for jobs with the aim of using a job offer to leverage your current pay is just poor judgement at best. If you want more money, you should have an honest conversation with your superior and if the conversation doesn’t go the way you hoped, you should apply for jobs that will offer you the pay you desire (with the intention to accept the job and leave your current role). 2. Burning Bridges Receiving a job offer is significant. The company who offered you the role clearly like you. They’ve taken the time to meet you and learn about your abilities and skills. They want you (over everyone else they interviewed) to join their company and because you have been eager through the recruitment process, they assume you want to join their team as well. This is until you suddenly come back to tell them you have accepted a counter offer. Now they know that you were never interested in their company, you only cared about money. You’ve essentially burned your bridges with this company, which could be damaging later in your career. You never know when your paths may cross again, and it could cause all sorts of friction to your work, not to mention awkward tension. 3. Ending Up In The Wrong Job (Regardless Of Which Offer You Accept) There are two outcomes to this scenario, you accept the counter offer or you don’t get a counter offer, and you must accept the job you’ve been offered. Either way, both are the wrong job for you. Let’s start with the counter offer, your boss is now acutely aware of your interest to jump ship and work somewhere else. Your counter offer may have been your boss’s reaction to the shock of losing you and premeditating the stress of finding a replacement. Once this shock subsides however, your boss will only remember the fact you tried to leave and this could affect you in a number of ways. After realising you might leave, your boss will now focus more attention on developing junior staff, this way if you leave he/she will be more confident in your subordinates. Then when the next promotion comes up you won’t be considered and when there are cut backs, it’ll be you that will feel the brunt of it. The second scenario is that you don’t get a counter offer. After all the effort you made to get your job offer to approach your boss and negotiate more pay, your boss shakes your hand and wishes you the best of luck. I imagine this would be quite devastating, but what’s more devastating is starting a job you never really wanted in the first place. You were job hunting for all the wrong reasons and now you have to start a job that really doesn’t suit you. Essentially, it’s not wise to job hunt to seek a counter offer. It’ll make you look disloyal and money hungry to both your current boss and to the company you applied to. If you want more money from your employer, ask for a pay raise and if you are denied, consider searching for a new job, with the aim to accept an offer and leave. Your goal should never be to receive a counter offer. I just hope the woman I overheard on the train didn’t go through with her plan. It looks to me like this can only go badly. I’m sure it is possible however for a counter offer to work out but to apply for jobs to seek out a counter offer, is not the right approach for climbing your career ladder. Let us know if you have ever accepted a counter offer. Do you think it’s a good approach?
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Insurance Jobs - Market Overview 2019
Insurance Jobs - Market Overview 2019
Thoughts on the Market Change is a Good Thing The insurance sector is historically recognised by its formal, some say old-fashioned look, but the industry is changing. Smaller companies are competing with the long-established heavy hitters for a bigger share of the market and some of the most recognised brands in the industry are merging to counter the ever-shifting landscape. Consolidation Means Expansion 2018 saw consolidation within the insurance sector with several headlines marking mergers and acquisitions. This type of news is regularly followed by news of job cuts or redundancies, but that has not been the case. If anything, the opposite seems to be happening in Ireland. In an ironic turn of events, this consolidation seems to be breeding expansion! And expansion in the Irish market doesn’t look like it’s slowing down in 2019. Several companies have already committed to setting up or expanding Irish offices post-Brexit, with people already onboard in a number of these. 2019 should see further announcements along these lines, particularly, as at the time of writing, the UK Brexit agreement is still up in the air. Challenges & Opportunities With Brexit, GDPR, diversity and InsureTech grabbing headlines on a regular basis we are seeing insurance companies moving in directions many never anticipated. As Ireland’s insurance sector focused on Brexit and GDPR in 2018, and they still require plenty of focus in 2019, we should see a greater focus now on how they approach diversity and InsureTech in 2019. Ireland is already once of the most diverse countries in the EU and will need to be even more so as employers look to Europe and beyond to fill any talent shortages. 2018 saw the trend for attracting overseas talent continue and it will not slow down in 2019. InsureTech is the other exciting development within the insurance sector that will only get more relevant over the next couple of years. Artificial intelligence and data analytics are at the forefront on insurance innovation and more and more jobs will open in these areas in 2019 and beyond. Driverless cars are already raising more questions than answers for insurers and automakers and this is one discussion that will be particularly interesting to see play out. Salaries in 2019 Retention was the focus for most employers in the sector throughout 2018. As a result, salaries have been increasing around 10-15% in several areas. Surprisingly, salaries have not been the predominant factor when it came to people moving jobs lasy year. “What are the benefits” is usually the first question asked when a candidate is considering a change. Pension, healthcare and bonuses continue to be at the top of people’s lists of required benefits, however flexible working hours is becoming almost as important for a lot of people. Achieving the highly valued work-life balance seems to be a key selling point and employers offering basic salary packages with little or no benefits or flexibility are finding it very difficult to attract/retain talent. Top Tip For 2019 Get qualified. The CIP, QFA and ACOI (compliance) are the industry standards and it’s becoming more difficult for candidates to find rewarding jobs without having one of the above. Most employers offer educational assistance if you are not already qualified but unless you have very good experience, you will find it difficult without the qualification. Hot Jobs Experienced Claims Handler Compliance Officer/Executive Pension Administrator Actuary Project/Change Management Top Skills Project management/Prince2 or PMP Compliance and regulatory experience QFA/CIP DB and DC pension experience Product development Check out the latest insurance jobs here
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Office Support Jobs - Market Overview 2019
Office Support Jobs - Market Overview 2019
Thoughts on the Market 2018 saw the office support market grow rapidly. As new companies began to prosper, and established organisations continued to expand, so too did the requirements to support those within – whether it was basic admin staff or senior administrative assistants. 2018 also saw an increase in industry specific positions with 40% of companies seeking candidates that come from their respective field. Due to rapid expansion of the market, companies are scrambling for candidates that can hit the ground running with an understanding of technical lingo. Positions predicted to be most in demand for 2019 are team administrative support or team administration coordinator position roles. These roles see candidates supporting a manager/director, but also their entire team with core PA and admin tasks. These roles are also becoming more tech savvy with the growth of new technologies such as diary, flight and hotel booking apps. Candidates experienced with up to date apps will be highly sought after and can demand salaries upwards of €45k. The temporary market saw an uplift of 15% in 2018 a trend which we are predicting will continue in 2019. Short term temp administrators along with longer term temp receptionists are the two areas with the most demand. Salaries In 2019 We have seen salary increases on the junior end of office support roles. While some companies can choose to pay below market rate, they are beginning to realise that they will not attract suitable talent in this candidate-driven market. Throughout 2018, we have seen an increase in the prevalence of counter offers for candidates and at times companies being drawn into bidding wars. As the market continues to tighten up, we unfortunately expect this trend to continue in 2019. In response to this, companies need to bear in mind candidates expectations of the job and ensure they are selling the benefits of their organisation during the interview. Simple things such as introducing a potential candidate to the team to add a personal touch can really make the difference between a candidate accepting a role or going with another competitor. An interesting development to note is the upwards trend of benefit packages, opposed to candidates simply seeking higher salaries. Work life balance appears to be top of the list as candidates have listed flexi-time working options and increased annual leave as their most sought-after benefits. Top Tips for 2019 Putting real thought and time in to your CV layout and content is crucial. Competition for top roles is high so spending time tailoring your CV for each application you are making is time well spent. The best CVs show demonstrated relevant examples of your skill set/experience in clear bullet points. Ensure technical skills are broken down to show your abilities. Also, be careful of using generic words, show your technical skillset off. If you are in between jobs, keep your skills up to date by filling in any unemployment periods with temping or volunteering. Unexplained gaps on your CV can raise a few red flags. Show up! We have noticed a trend of interviews not being rescheduled when cancelled by the candidate. This is not always the case but it’s certainly a tip to bear in mind when you are actively looking for a new role. Looking for an office support job? Check out our latest jobs here
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Sales Jobs - Market Overview 2019
Sales Jobs - Market Overview 2019
Thoughts On The Market The overall trend is an increase in opportunities across a number of core industries such as technology, construction and engineering sales. With almost every company recruiting in each of these sectors looking for the same profile as their competition, it creates a massive demand for candidates who fulfil these criteria. Those with 1-3 years’ consecutive sales experience are in constant demand and getting snapped up swiftly by hungry employers keen to add to their ranks. The overall trend is for this to continue which will put pressure on salaries as companies seek to outbid each other for the hottest talent. Salaries In 2019 Basic salaries are facing more and more scrutiny as living costs consistently increase. Whether the person is renting, looking for a mortgage or has a family, the priority is what they will consistently get in their fixed income. Base salaries have increased year on year in part due to the lucrative nature of the tech industry, but many companies simply cannot afford to match these salaries. For companies limited in this regard, look at ways you can reduce the individual’s cost base – offering health insurance, TaxSaver for commuters and so on. Small benefits like this do add up and contribute to reducing a candidate’s net outgoings which in turn may lure talent your way. Top Tip for 2019 Companies want to feel like you want to work for them. In a market where candidates have multiple options available to them, what can often be lost is demonstrating you have researched the company and actually want to work for them. Show a prospective employer why you want to work for the company and what aspects of the role interest you. By doing this, you stand a much better chance of getting over the line! Looking for a sales job? Check out our latest jobs here
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Science & Pharma Jobs - Market Overview 2019
Science & Pharma Jobs - Market Overview 2019
Thoughts on the Market Ireland has a long tradition of attracting manufacturing facilities from major life sciences companies and the life sciences sector in Ireland has continued to grow strongly in the last decade. 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. Out of the world’s twenty-five largest independent, public biotech and pharma companies, Ireland is home to twenty-four of them. However recent figures put the number of pharmaceutical companies operating here at approximately seventy-five. While many of the large companies are major sources of employment here, new smaller start-up companies are also seeking out Ireland as a new home which is exciting in terms of R&D. The growth of the biologics and biopharma industry in Ireland reflects current global trends. According to The Irish Times, sales of biologics products look set to grow by 10% in the next eight years. Given anticipated expansion and growth of new sites here in Ireland, it is estimated that there will be almost 8,500 potential job openings arising within the biopharma industry in Ireland over the next five years. These investments promise the life sciences sector in Ireland will continue to thrive, with strong pharmaceutical hubs based in Dublin and Cork, and rapidly developing areas in Sligo, Waterford and Mayo. The future career opportunities for the scientific workforce is looking very strong for 2018 and beyond. Salaries As further investment continues within Ireland the salaries and remuneration packages are going to increase. With the candidate market so strong and increasing demand for even junior positions, this is driving up already inflationary wage rates across the country as companies try to keep staff. Companies are also implementing various initiatives including flexible work hours, remote working and more to improve their employer brand and ensure they stay ahead of the competition. Top Tip for 2019 Make the most of your network and get involved with as many work-related projects possible to improve your skill set. Contract or short-term placements, in the fields you’d like to work in, can be a great way to break into the relevant sector e.g. move from QC to QA. Looking for a science job? Check out our latest jobs here
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Supply Chain Jobs - Market Overview 2019
Supply Chain Jobs - Market Overview 2019
Thoughts on the Market As Brexit approaches the supply chain and logistics market industry in Ireland has undergone significant self-assessment. Traditional methods and practices have had to be examined, and from a creative thinking point of view this is advantageous. Companies have had to examine why they do things and not just accept “the way we have always done it”. As a result, companies have already made changes regarding sourcing, costing and transportation that will benefit them even if the status quo remains. In addition, companies are looking to become more cost effective and have invested heavily in many supply chain management (SCM) solutions and warehouse management solutions (WMS) to further increase efficiencies. Ultimately there is still a lot of uncertainty in the sector given the various ramifications of possible Brexit outcomes. What is certain however is that the practices of previous years will be gone by the end of 2019 and that new creative ways of business will prevail. Salaries In 2019 While there was no significant rise in salaries in 2018, it remains to be seen how Brexit will affect salaires across the sector in 2019. Top Tip for 2019 Think creatively! 2019 will be a watershed in the supply chain and logistics sector. Previously successful methodologies will no longer be guaranteed to work; upskill, think creatively and learn continuously. Looking for a supply chain job? Check out our latest jobs here
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