Top 10 Do’s and Don’ts During Your Job Hunt!

Finding a Job can be very daunting, it may seem at times that you are not making any headway and you may be correct! There are a couple of key things that must be done by you the job seeker to ensure the process is effective & efficient.

Pre-start –

1. Be sure before you start the process what job it is that you would like to do, if you are not sure then seek career guidance to help you answer this very important and fundamental question. Your working career is a huge part of your life and at the very least you should be working at something you enjoy.

2. If after career guidance you realise a career change afoot, do make sure you have the skill set to enable you to make the transition, this may involve upskilling both practically and academically. If you find that upskilling on the academic side is a must why not in parallel, approach a suitable company in your new chosen field and offer your services to them even for free, possibly at the weekend, that will mean that you are gaining experience both academically and practically at the same time, it will make things happen much more fluidly for you. I never said it was going to be easy!

Let the games begin –

3. Don’t apply for jobs that don’t match your skill set. If you don’t have the required experience detailed in the job spec you are applying to, you are wasting your time. Recruiters will scan through and measure your CV against the job you have applied for, if you don’t match you won’t proceed, its unfortunately that simple.

4. I see in a lot of unsuitable applications with the following comment “I am a quick learner, if given a chance I am sure I will make it work” although this may be true, it is in the majority of cases ignored and seen as a sign of desperation and has no impact at all on the success of your application. You have to remember, the time is ticking for recruiters, recruiters have been given a very clear brief for the role by their client and submitting an unsuitable candidate who does not have the required experience is not going to happen. Stop wasting time here.

5. Ensure your CV is professional and in a format that is pleasing to the eye. Ensure there are no grammatical or spelling mistakes, ensure all of your experience is included and there are no gaps. Don’t cut and paste information from one part of your CV to the next, it portrays taking the easy way out and try to have your CV on 2 -3 pages’ max, any more and you will bore the life out of the reader and run the risk of frustrating them. Also, do make sure your email address is a professional one, I have seen so many CV’s come from email addresses that would make you cringe.

6. Don’t apply for every position available on the internet, this is a big mistake. Unfortunately, most Jobseekers blitz the market with the same CV, they upload to recruitment companies, upload to job boards, apply to 100’s of positions and have no success. Why? ask yourself, what are the chances of your current CV matching a job on the web without modification, the answer is slim to none,

7. Choose the job you want to apply for and strategically apply to it. Meaning, tailor your CV to suit, this does not mean fluff your CV and lie, it means make sure that your CV clearly indicates why you are suitable for the role. In your work history section, give examples of how you have carried out the tasks they have identified in the job spec as important.

8. Do make sure you choose your recruitment company wisely and ensure they are experts in your chosen field, this will ensure they have a broad network of suitable companies that may be interested in your profile, thus increasing your chances of placement. Build up a relationship with the recruiter you feel is most proactive and talk to them, they may not get you placed today but when you stay close without stalking them of course, it means that your profile stays to the forefront of their mind should a suitable position arise. Do also tell them that it is not acceptable to carpet bomb the market with your CV or send to a client without your prior consent.

9. Do apply to companies directly also, remember there is a fee for clients associated with the recruitment process and they may well welcome an application outside of the process to reduce cost. But remember make sure the CV goes to the hiring manager, if not you run the risk of your application ending up in the pile of junk mail or worse the bin.

10. Network, Network, Network, use every social media platform known to man, LinkedIn, Xing, Twitter, Facebook, Google+ etc. which are super tools for the job seeker to find contacts to help him/her secure that new position also attend seminars, breakfast meetings and expos.

Happy Hunting!

Confidence & Change

Changing Circumstances

In last week’s Blog we spoke about taking advantage of seasonal circumstances to apply for new positions. Recruitment leaders see the drop-off in applications as often being advantageous to job seekers. Before making a change, many applicants find that they face an unexpected barrier, particularly if they have been in the same job for a long time. This unforeseen obstacle is confidence. There will always be a sense of trepidation when deciding to change your circumstances and this is entirely natural.

Arianna Huffington, founder of The Huffington Post, has summed this up well in a recent quote where she writes, “Fearlessness is not the absence of fear. It’s the mastery of fear. It’s about getting up one more time than we fall down.”

Business Confidence

On November 28^th the Bank of Ireland released their Economic Pulse. This survey found that two in five Irish businesses expect to increase investment spending in 2017. Alongside this news were the results of a British business survey conducted by Lloyds Bank which found that 37% of UK firms expect business prospects to improve and 47% citing confidence in an upbeat economy.

At Elk Recruitment, we believe that this augers well for job seekers looking to approach recruitment agencies, and applicants looking to change their circumstances.

In the same survey, the construction sector, one of Elk Recruitment’s speciality areas, revised previous growth forecasts upwards a further 3%, from 25% last year, to 28% this year and this confidence allows job seekers in this sector to feel less apprehensive about changing position and to know that there is an assured stability for applicants.

Finally, in Germany, business confidence is stable at the highest level since 2014 according to recent figures released by the Munich-based IFO institute. The Bundesbank reaffirmed these finding by stating that growth is strengthening “considerably”.

Deciding on Change   

When deciding to change job, an applicant can feel more confident when business leaders and recruitment agencies themselves share that same mindset. Change is not always easy but in the words of Thomas Edison, “If we did everything we were capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves.”

Life After The Leaving Cert

Pathways and Crossroads.

Now that the leaving cert results have been announced there will be many graduates facing different choices and pathways. Some of these decisions will be determined by expected outcomes whereas for others this moment will bring uncertainty. There may be the need to reassess where to go from here. Perhaps for some this will be the first time in their lives where thinking outside of previous expectation is required. For others, it will be one step further along a chosen path.

Follow Your Heart.

There are many famous instances where classroom ability fails to reflect the intelligence, ingenuity, and potential of a student. Albert Einstein’s poor schooling record, which included an expulsion, is the perfect example. A more recent entrepreneur who did not receive a degree was Steve Jobs who had this to say, “Your time is limited, don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma, which is living the result of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other opinions drown your inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition, they somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”

Reflect, Act and Believe.

Today might be the day when you decide upon your dream and begin to pursue it. Or, maybe it will be the day you realise that the dream you thought you wanted is not for you. However, at moments like this, it is always beneficial to reflect upon where to go next. Perhaps you will look back upon your schooling and find yourself exactly where you want to be. Or maybe you will decide to move in an entirely new direction. The world is full of dream jobs waiting to be filled, and you may become the new Steve Jobs or Sheryl Sandberg or you may not. In the words of Anatole France, “To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan but also believe.” Remember no matter what, tomorrow is the beginning of whatever you want it to be.

Construction Industry Using Apps & Games to Recruit Future Talent

Strong Construction Growth Expected

Figures released for July 2016 show that the construction industry continues to grow steadily. The statistics were released by the Ulster Bank Construction Purchasing Managers Index and were compiled by senior economists at the bank. This is very encouraging news as many had predicted a decline following the first composition of data following the Brexit. Although economic predictors remain cautious there is a growing optimism that the construction sector will continue to experience strong growth going forward.  Simon Barry, Ulster Bank’s chief economist in the Republic of Ireland said that new orders have risen to their highest level since March.

New Construction Employees Needed

This predicted growth in the construction industry has led The Chartered Institute of Building to develop a novel new app based on the Minecraft video game in order to train and eventually recruit the next generation of architects and construction employees. In the UK alone, for example, over 400’000 construction workers will retire between 2018 and 2023, which will create an unprecedented vacuum in the industry unless planned for today. The app is called Craft Your Future and can be accessed at ciobmc.org. Minecraft is an open-world building game which allows participants to plan, design and construct everything from houses and skyscrapers to entire cities incorporating electricity grids and water systems.

Minecraft Designs Inspiring Architecture

According to the CIOB, construction sector employees of the future will need such diverse skills such as digital construction technologies, sustainability planning and logistics, just to name three. All of these areas are incorporated into the Minecraft app and already solid results are being observed. At a recent house design competition in the UK four of the finalists were designed using Minecraft.  Even more impressive is the feat of Guy MacDonnell, a quantity surveyor for Interserve Construction who won a major construction award for designing and building an update of the CCTV Tower in Beijing using Minecraft.  Going forward, Irish recruitment companies and the construction industry itself will be able to access, examine and recommend online portfolio’s of prospective jobseekers which are already being uploaded onto the CIOB website. 

Job Hopping Affecting Recruiters & Human Resources

1 in 3 Irish Jobseekers Are Job Hopping In The First Year 

Figures by The American Bureau of Labour Statistics have backed up what many Irish recruitment agencies and HR professionals have noticed recently, namely that job hopping, particularly in the cases of young women, is rising dramatically.

They found that the average time a person spends in a job is 4.4 years but in the cases of young employees, this time, length is halved. In Ireland, 1 in 3 job seekers will move job within the first year. Regarding reasoning, salary, change of location and fresh motivation are listed as the primary factors behind these statistics. But are these reasons actually beneficial to job seekers in the long term?

Red Lights Upon CV Appraisal

There is no doubt that the allure of new experiences can broaden horizons and add to a CV skill-set but along with restarting in a new job comes having to adapt to new rules and to fit into an already existing work environment. Valid questions are also being asked by recruitment agencies and Human Resource professionals when it comes to the appraisal of a CV that shows a clear pattern of switching jobs over the short term. How a recruiter’s recommendation might impact upon any future relationship between the agency and the company is one prominent concern, but a recruiter may also become suspicious about the reasons behind so many job changes. Many Human Resource professionals will look at this information as a potential sign of previous strife and an inability to adapt and stay motivated.      

Innovation Encourages Loyalty

Xerox’s Chief of Marketing Christa Carone has come up with some possible solutions to ensure that employees feel less need to change jobs which Irish recruiters and employers can integrate into work environments and when weighing up the suitability of prospective candidates. Carone cites clear communication, applying to both management, recruiter and employee, and the encouragement of new ideas. She also advises entrepreneurial side projects to create innovation and leadership. These tactics help in fostering motivation and loyalty in the work environment, reducing the need to job hop.    

The Growth Of Electronic Aptitude Tests

Online numerical, verbal and logical reasoning examinations are becoming more and more popular with prospective employers. These methods of evaluation are used to quantify a candidate’s skills when it comes to structured and systematic ways of thinking.  There can also be a time element involved which may be indicative of conditions a candidate would be expected to perform under if securing future employment. In particular, electronic tests are becoming the standard procedure for organisations that draw a large volume of applicants.

Electronic examinations can discover particular skill-sets and abilities related to a specific occupation. By comparing the answers and choices of candidates an employer can quickly select those most suitable to their sector. This information is then assessed to determine who will go forward into the next stage of the interview process. Although many aptitude tests relate initially to numerical and literacy skills, it is not unusual for employers to attempt to discover deeper and underlying traits in prospective employees. In this context, some tests will ask a candidate to evaluate a scenario which they may experience in employment. Some of these situational judgment questions are derived in order to evaluate psychological thinking within social anxiety situations and are particularly prevalent to careers within law enforcement, the medical profession and social work. A candidate’s answers will often reflect potential teamwork and leadership skills.   

In most circumstances a candidate will be told in advance when the exam will take place and so, as in face to face interviews, will have an opportunity to prepare. There are some differences in terms of how to prepare for an online examination, however. Participants may be asked to use a calculator and a pen and notepaper. An environment conducive to a formal examination may also be specified, such as a quiet room or a place where a candidate will not be interrupted for the duration of the exam. Finally, it is worth remembering that in most circumstances once an electronic exam has begun it cannot be interrupted so a good network connection is imperative in order to maximise the chances of a fully completed test being delivered.

How Good Communication Can Benefit Staff Retention

Employee retention can be a problem for businesses in every sector. Perhaps one of the most overlooked factors relating to this issue is the non-communication of a clear lack of vision on behalf of the employer. 

This absence of clarity can affect employees in a surprising number of ways. For example, foresight and job security are intimately intertwined and demonstrate a thorough commitment to a goal, creating a shared vision between both employer and employee alike.

In the words of renowned motivational speaker, Zig Ziglar, “Lack of direction, not lack of time, is the problem. We all have twenty-four hour days.” 

Without clear and consistent communication, however, an employee can become disconnected to a company ethos and may end up feeling isolated within an unnecessarily fractured environment. In many cases the employer may be unaware of the employee’s feelings in the first place resulting in surprise when notice is given. Time is then spent trying to stem the loss of productivity and the further complication of having to source and appoint new staff who will need to receive induction and training.

This issue can be avoided by improving work-place communication which can be instigated and amended using a variety of tried and tested methods. Assigning a time for regular meetings, for example, is a logical and progressive tactic which can maintain contact on a formal level to begin with. However, personal check-ins and memos which encourage employee questions, as well as imparting information relating to what is expected of them, is a less used but equally valuable way to encourage ongoing communication outside of structured timetables.

An employee will remember when their employer refers to suggestions that they have made and will feel that they are being listened to when contributed input they have offered in the past is acknowledged and acted upon. In turn, a reciprocal relationship develops trust and security, factors which cement the bond between employer and employee. An employer who has demonstrated the ability to be open and available to discuss the ideas and experiences of employees is much less likely to lose staff in the medium term.

The Night Before The Interview

The night before a job interview can bring as much apprehension as it does excitement but if you have prepared properly there is no need to fall victim to nerves or a last minute attack of self-doubt. Remember, this is the position you wished to find yourself in: to have been selected from the many applicants and CV’sand now you will have the opportunity to speak further for yourself and to expand upon the experience and skills that your prospective employer has already noticed.

Presuming all of the preparatory work has been done, such as researching the organisation and possible questions and responses, there are practical and potentially calming tasks you can carry out in order to compliment your mental preparedness.

For example, deciding what to wear and having your selection ready the night before will create confidence and extra time on the morning of the interview. This will also allow you to begin the day with a sense of control. Such a seemingly small detail is often overlooked but it can help calibrate your mindset for the interview ahead.

Another practical tip which can eliminate unexpected hitches is planning your route to the location of the interview itself. Being aware of a second alternative route in case of bad traffic will allow you the certainty of knowing you will be on time.

Practical tips

Perhaps one of the most important practical tips for the night before the interview is to make sure you allow yourself a proper night’s sleep. There are some practical steps you can take to maximise the chances of being well rested and clear headed when the morning arrives. A walk or exercise the night before can help the body rest. If you find relaxing music helpful then perhaps listening to a favourite album before bed can assist this process. Try to eliminate or reduce any kind of screen-time in the hours before you sleep as this can often excite the brain and delay the instigation of the sleep process.  Go to bed at your usual time and feel confident that you have everything under control.  And good luck!

Can My Social Networking Impact My Job Hunt?

With the advent of Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn and Instagram to name but a few, people are inclined to publish just about anything in relation to their personal lives, their political views, opinions and in general tend to let their guard down when social networking.

Employers are of course interested in your skills and ability to do the job first and foremost, however in any placement there are also character traits to consider and you don’t want your online content to jeopardise this by posting something that could be construed as offensive. Now of course there must be a line drawn between what goes on in our personal lives and what goes on in our professional lives and people have the right to publish whatever they want but when this information is readily available to prospective employers, it is best to be cautious and keep comments, updates, photos and shares at the very least respectable and choose your audience wisely.

On any social media platform always customise your privacy options to prevent unwanted eyes from accessing your content and keep your content clean. Post content applicable to that forum for example on LinkedIn only post work/industry related topics and certainly don’t use it as a means to air your views about colleagues, current or past employers.  Be careful when and where you post, for instance I have heard many instances of employees ringing in sick and then they post a photo of themselves sipping a cool beer delighted with life or swinging down a zip line. Another good idea is to search yourself on Google or Yahoo and see what comes up, if you find the results should we say questionable then go to that site and delete the content if required to do so.

The age of big brother is here whether we like it or not, it’s not something to be concerned about but it is important you manage it and are mindful of your online brand at all times.

Returning to work after Maternity or Paternity leave.

Answer: Whether you are a mum or dad, the thought of returning to work after considerable time of can be a tough and daunting prospect for most, yet it is a time that is filled with renewed aspirations and excitement of what might be.

If you were on paternity or maternity leave then you probably have an existing job to slot back into which makes things somewhat easier but the change in routine for you and your family will be challenging. If you left your employment entirely before becoming a stay at home parent then returning to work is not so simple as you have the added challenge of trying to find a new job with a career gap in your CV, not to mention that maybe your once up to date skill-set is now outdated.  This should not hinder your desire to return to work or impact your confidence in any way, like any job seeker you will always face rejection and it is up to you to ensure you are skilfully capable to fulfil the role you are applying to and ensure you have prepared for the interview in advance.

Preparation is Key,

In relation to talking about the time period you were of work nurturing and caring for your children, talk about it positively and energetically but drive home the fact that you are now focused on returning to work and getting yourself back into the workforce and carrying on with your career where you left of.  In advance of any interview familiarise yourself with the company, study how the market, your industry and profession has progressed since you were last employed and explain what you did to bridge the gap in your skill set if one exists. Be prepared to explain convincingly how easy it would be for you to get back into your groove and be an asset to that company or position.

You can do it,

The main challenge in returning to work is not your ability to do a job you once did, its having the confidence to do it again and your readiness to return.  Remember, you can and will do it, it just takes belief, perseverance, commitment and lots of preparation. 

Degree or no Degree, that is the question!

I spoke to a candidate earlier this week who was enquiring about a position we had in Dublin, the requirement for the role was a Degree qualified candidate with four years’ experience. The candidate had 5 years’ experience with no Degree and unfortunately was not considered, this is the reality of today’s market.

Although there is a very true saying “you can read volumes on swimming and jump into a pool and drown” I would always advise candidates to read the volumes none the less and to finish a degree if they have the opportunity to do so.  Understood it is a long commitment and can involve considerable cost, but in today’s employment market it is nearly a prerequisite and expectation from employers to see candidates with a degree even for entry level positions. 

Is it worth it?

What does a degree mean for you and more importantly tell your employer?  It explains to the employer that you obviously have a certain level of education, it suggests to the employer that you can think in a certain way, solve problems analytically and you have the ability to follow things through.  Completing a degree is not easy and it shows you have commitment and resilience.  Even when your job applications are unsuccessful or they go unanswered, don’t question the point in having your degree, rest assured that having the degree ensures your application a first consideration.

You are a brand.

Choose a reputable college and ensure that the accreditation of the degree is applicable to the National Framework of Qualifications in Ireland. Having a degree does make your job hunt easier but the process of finding that perfect job with the financial rewards you desire will take patience and time. Remember your degree in most professions is only 33% of your personal brand, the other 66.6% is made up of practical experience, life experience and your portfolio (CV) itself. If you are finding that your job hunt is disastrous and not landing you the job you want or none at all, then take time to review your personal brand and don’t be afraid to seek help if required.

Changing Career

Our working career usually spans 40+ years including part time to full time positions. During the early stages of our career we start to make inroads into the industry/position that we will ultimately spend most of our working lives in which is determined by our gained practical and academic experience guiding us there. If you want to change direction here are a few important points to consider.

Career Identification

Have a general if not specific idea of what it is you would like to do. Take the time to sit down and mull over ideas and identify what career paths/occupations are of interest to you and why. If you cannot make the decision on your own, organise a visit to a reputable career guidance and seek clarity this way.

Up skilling Needs Patience

When you have identified what occupation you would like to do, it is then time to assess your current ability and skill set versus the skill set required to enable you work in this profession. You may need to up skill or re-skill, you may need to do voluntary work, a part time course or go to college full time. This may take a considerable amount of time to achieve so be patient and expect a time period anywhere from two years to five years for this change to happen.

It will take Resources

This will be an expensive and difficult time if you have to go back to college as fees as a mature student are not cheap. Even if your career change does not involve a monitory investment it may involve a time investment which can impact your personal life. During this period, you should have a financial cushion to fall back on and a supportive team.

Support

Communicate to your family and close friends that you are changing career, this is really important as your transition will be demanding and their support will be required at some point.

The one thing to remember in changing career is, it’s worth it.  If you are in a profession that you don’t like or find the demand for your current skill set in today’s employment market is falling, then it is both necessary and rewarding to do something about it and it is within you to make this happen. If you don’t then what’s the alternative?

What to do after the interview

Interview

The interview is over, you have been grilled by a team of interviewing lions and you displayed a super performance. Now the waiting game begins, but wait your job is not done yet!

Firstly, contact the recruiter straight after your interview if you are dealing with one, and let them know how it went. If during the interview your realise that the position is not for you then tell all parties involved they will appreciate you not wasting time. 

If on the other hand the job is for you then it is always a good idea to email the hiring managers a quick thank you for the opportunity to meet with the team and discuss the role in more detail. Make sure to mention that you enjoyed the process thus far, you feel you would get on with the team and after learning more about the role you feel you have the skill set to execute the job effectively and it fits in perfectly with your career aspirations but don’t overdo it.

Plan to the last!

Job seeking can be a funny game so avoid putting all your eggs in one basket.  It is not uncommon for companies to take weeks to come back to you with feedback on your interview or not to come back at all or worse again to cancel the position altogether.  Plan B & C while you wait, your main objective throughout the interview process should be to interview for a couple of positions, have multiple offers on the table and choose the one that best suits your career aspirations and financial requirements. There is a tendency from some recruiters and companies to express positivity towards you after your interview with no real basis, so don’t let this situation make you think the job is in the bag so to speak, when you have the offer on the table that’s the time to pat yourself on the back but even then don’t take your foot of the gas.  When you receive the offer, seem interested but not over eager, take some time to consider and remember you still have the negotiation stage to play out.