The job market post Covid-19 in Ireland

Well, where do we start?  At the beginning of 2020, we were cresting on the wave of full-employment.  Recruiters were struggling to get quality candidates.  Fast-forward to May 2020 – there are around 1/4 of the population on some form of welfare support. While some industries are slowly coming back to life – construction for[…]

First and lasting impressions at interview

First and lasting impressions at interview Recently I have had feedback from 2  separate clients about 2 candidates that didn’t get any further than first stage interview. This was of course 90% due to their performance in the actual interview situation, but one of the more standout comments fed back, was that on both occasions,[…]

Managing recruiters and simply getting the job you want

Managing recruiters and simply getting the job you want This is the follow-on to a post I wrote here in February, about the folly of companies who are hiring and treating job candidates (also potential customers and advocates of their brands) with disdain and utter contempt in some cases! This is a companion piece, but[…]

Bringing good manners back to recruitment

Picture the scene – you are frantically sending out multiple job applications per day, crafting a cover note for each, tweaking your CV to highlight your pertinent experience relevant to the job you are applying for – and you get nothing back, if you are very “lucky” – an auto-response, acknowledging your application. As a[…]

Interviews – preparation & actual meeting!

Interviews – preparation & actual meeting! Interviews – I don’t think there are many people that wholeheartedly embrace interviews, even those that purport to love them, I think that’s either a foolhardy or slightly off-key attitude!  Even those that are practiced interviewers, will admit that they aren’t really a fan of them, if they’re very[…]

It’s the little things, not just the CV & interview – you are being scrutinised!

It’s the little things, not just the CV & interview – you are being scrutinised! When going through a job application process, it’s easy to think that as long as you send your bespoke CV, with bespoke covering letter, for the positions that you believe you are amply experienced and qualified, that’s all that matters![…]

Black holes – sending CVs to on-line job boards!

Ever wondered why you don’t even get a courtesy of a reply from some of the larger companies? Or – you think your experience is exactly what the company is looking for, but you do not even get called for a telephone interview? Answer: The larger companies have what are known as “applicant tracking systems”,[…]