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The Advantages of Temporary Work for Employees

In today’s ever-evolving job market, temporary work has become increasingly prevalent and sought after. For employees, this type of employment offers a multitude of benefits that can significantly impact their career and personal lives.​1.      Provides FlexibilityTemporary employment offers greater flexibility to both the employee and employer. For employees a temporary assignment can provide the flexibility to work on short-term assignments and take time off between jobs. For the employer, temporary employment allows them to quickly adjust their workforce to meet changing business needs.Some temp jobs are often part-time which means you’ll have some extra time to spend on other things. You could use this time to focus on a permanent job search, upskilling by taking on online courses to expand your knowledge, or to simply take on a new hobby.​2.      Fills the Gaps on your C.V.If you find yourself out of work for any reason, temp work can be a great way to fill any gaps in employment. Many of our temporary roles tend to be quick cover for a leave of absence or maternity leave, and so temporary candidates who are available immediately are attractive to companies needing urgent cover. By taking on temp jobs while looking for permanent employment, you’ll have something to fill in the spaces. When you finally apply for a full-time job, your professional history section on your resume will be more complete. Even if the temp job has no relevance to your industry, it will show prospective employers that you’re a willing and motivated individual.​3.      Helps you Gain Experience.Temp jobs can help you to improve your skillset. You can choose between applying for a temp job within your area of expertise or you can opt for an entirely new environment where you’ll be able to gain new skills. Temporary employment can be an excellent way to gain experience in difficult industries and job roles. This can help make you more attractive to potential employers.​4.      Builds your Network of Connections.Temporary employment can provide you with opportunities to network with people in the professional world, where it’s all about who you know. The important role that networking plays in your professional journey cannot be emphasized enough. You need to take every chance you can get to build your list of connections and engaging in temp assignments is definitely a great opportunity to meet new people.​5.      Broadens your Horizons and Provides VarietyTemporary or contract work can provide a wide range of job opportunities in different industries which can provide variety and diversity within an employee’s work.There may be lots of different reasons why an employee may want to try out something new. Getting a temporary assignment will allow you to do a bit of first hand experimenting within various fields. This will allow you to determine which ones you may enjoy the most, which could be most profitable for you or which ones you may excel in.​6.      Opens Doors for Full-Time EmploymentThere is always the possibility that a temporary assignment could lead to permanent employment opportunities. If your employer is happy with your work, they may then decide to extend the contract or even better offer them a permanent position. Temporary/contract work offers a multitude of advantages for employees seeking a flexible, rewarding, and dynamic career. Whether you’re looking to explore diverse industries, develop new skills, or simply enjoy a better work-life balance, consider the many benefits that temporary employment can bring to your professional journey. Apply for a temporary role here.     ​

In-Demand Business Support & Customer Service Skills

As companies work hard to stay competitive and provide exceptional experiences to their clients, the need for skilled staff in business support and customer service keeps growing. In this article, we'll look at the important skills businesses are looking for.1. Great CommunicationWhether you're talking or writing, it's vital to be clear. Nowadays, good communication also means being good with digital tools. Employers want people who can talk professionally with colleagues, clients, and customers, making sure everyone gets the right information.Top Tip for interviews: Prepare examples that highlight your proficiency in clear and effective communication. Share instances where you successfully conveyed complex information to non-technical stakeholders. 2. Problem Solving AcumenIn the world of business, problems come up all the time. The ability to think on your feet and adapt to unforeseen circumstances showcases your commitment to delivering results.Top Tip for Interviews: Prepare specific anecdotes showcasing your problem-solving skills. Describe situations where you identified a challenge, analysed options, and implemented a successful solution. 3. Technological ProficiencyFamiliarity with various software, tools, and platforms can significantly enhance your employability. Things like customer relationship systems, project management tools, and data analysis software are just a few examples of technologies that are becoming increasingly integral to business operations. Embracing technology shows you're ready to work in a modern business.Top Tip for your C.V: List the software, applications, and tools you are proficient in on your C.V. Make sure to also include any certifications or trainings related to these technologies on your LinkedIn profile. ​4. Adaptability and FlexibilityThe Irish business landscape is always changing, which is why being flexible is so important. Companies want people who can handle change, learn fast, and switch things up when they need to. Being open to new challenges and being willing to upskill can set you apart in a competitive job market.Top tip for your C.V.: On your CV, talk about times when you changed and helped your team or company grow. For interviews, give examples of when you tried new things or took on jobs that weren't easy for you. Show your ability to thrive in dynamic environments.  5. Speaking Other LanguagesIreland’s strategic position in the European Union has led to an influx of international businesses and customers. If you know languages like Spanish, French, or German, this can be a significant advantage. It means you can talk to more people and understand more clients Multilingualism showcases your cultural awareness and ability to engage with a diverse audience.Top Tip for your C.V: Include a section that highlights your language proficiencies and any experiences where you effectively used them in a professional setting. 6. Being Kind and Focused on CustomersFor jobs where you help customers, being kind is important. If you know what customers want and care about their problems, they'll like your company more. Companies value candidates who prioritize customer-centricity, as it directly impacts customer satisfaction and long-term success.Top Tip for Interviews: Share stories of how your empathy positively influenced customer interactions, leading to enhanced customer satisfaction and/or conflict resolution.​7. Time Management and OrganisationKnowing how to use your time well and organise things can make you get more done. From arranging meetings to handling administrative responsibilities, these skills demonstrate your capability to juggle multiple priorities and meet deadlines consistently.Top Tip for interviews: Provide examples of how your strong time management skills helped you meet tight deadlines or manage multiple projects simultaneously.  As the business world in Ireland keeps changing, the demand for proficient business support and customer service professionals remains steady. Cultivating these in-demand skills not only increases your employability but also positions you as an asset to your employer. Whether you're already experienced or just starting out, getting good at these skills can help you find great jobs and help Irish businesses grow, even when they're competing with companies from all around the world.  At Sigmar, we're committed to connecting top talent with businesses seeking excellence in business support and customer service. Get in touch to explore how we can help you thrive in these exciting fields. Email your cv to hello@sigmar.ie or check out current jobs here 

Salary Guide 2023

Keeping Company Culture Alive Across a Remote Workforce

With the majority of our teams now working remotely, the challenges of creating and maintaining company culture are evident.  Technology can’t replace what the workplace provides: community, camaraderie and shared purpose. Now, more than ever, maintaining culture matters.  Here are some ideas on instilling company culture across remote employees:     1. Connect Back to Your Values & Purpose For many of our staff currently, working remotely has been unexpected and in the face of a global health crisis, many are at a loss for what to do. For some work may feel insignificant now, so as their manager this is your time to help employees find meaning and reconnect back to your company’s values and purpose. While you may not be a company at the frontline, you still have a positive impact on people’s lives. Remind your employees of how their contributions add up to something much bigger and that we are all in this together!     2. Communication is Key Communication within divisions, one to one, social gatherings, company updates, all need to be consistent. This maintains relationships and promotes inclusivity.    Create an open and transparent communication policy. This allows people to be themselves and feel comfortable reaching out via online chat platforms. Set expectations on communication methods. Where do meetings take place? What tool is for social sharing?    Finally, you need to put an emphasis on positivity in your written communication. With the absence of face to face interactions in virtual conversations, it is easy for tone to be interpreted negatively so you need to be extra careful to be positive.        3. Mimic the Water Cooler Effect As mentioned, many of our staff are currently missing the day-to-day work interactions they have with their colleagues. Therefore, assign a platform where team members can live chat, share files, post photos and collaborate throughout the day to mimic everyday office life.  This can be where some of the best ideas and knowledge can be shared yet at the same time promotes inclusivity and the sense of “team”.     4. Trust In a remote team, there aren't any silly rules about being in your seat during certain hours of the day. This means at the end of the week you either have something to show for your week or not. This means you trust that your teammates are getting something done. But also, that your teammates trust you. To earn that trust you want to make sure you have something to show for your work each week.     5. Focus on Health & Wellbeing In the midst of a global pandemic, now is not the time to forget about your wellness programme when stress and anxiety is elevated. Make sure to check in with remote employees that they are taking breaks, finishing on time, and are maintaining a healthy work-life balance.   Make online workouts available to your employees allowing them to take part in physical activity. Perhaps set a company challenge such as a step challenge to get employees engaged in physical activity and as a plus networking with colleagues. For those struggling with sleep or anxiety, provide access to meditation or breathing courses. And to look after financial wellbeing consider organising webinars on topics such as managing a household budget, how your pension works, setting financial goals etc.      6. Rituals and Traditions Creating traditions with your team members, regardless of how often they happen, helps keep teams cohesive and encourages open communication and trust. Before you were thrown into the digital remote working world, undoubtedly you had traditions in place for how promotions, achievements and even birthdays were recognised. To keep spirits up, it’s crucial you keep celebrating these milestones.      7. Ask for Feedback Finally, the introduction to remote working has been unprecedented for many of us. Therefore, ask employees for honest feedback and suggestions. Use a pulse survey to get real data on this.      "You don’t need everyone physically together to create a strong culture. The best cultures derive from actions people actually take.” Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson, Authors of Remote