Changing Careers: 4 Things you must consider first

0 comments2013/06/19blogeditor

iStock_000025043162XSmallWritten by Dave Cullen

Many people avoid changing careers simply because of the stress and fear associated with such a significant life upheaval. You may be unhappy in your current job but the prospect of taking drastic steps to change your life, start over again, re-skill and reinvent yourself could fill you with feelings of uncertainty and apprehension. It’s no wonder that deciding to stay put is the more attractive option.

The following is a list of 4 tips to help you successfully transition into a new career path while keeping your cool.

What do you want from life?
This is an important question to ask yourself. Before you decide to make radical changes in your professional life, ask yourself if there is anything you can change about your current situation that will bring the fulfillment you’re seeking. Carefully think about what is important to you, family, work / life balance, living standards  and material possessions. How will each of these elements of your life be affected for (better or worse) by your change of career?

Address your concerns
The fear of change can be an inhibiting obstacle and and one that can diminish your motivation and ambition. However, fear is a necessary emotion when used to highlight concerns about your new career path plan. To help use fear productively, grab a pen and paper and write down all of your concerns and anxieties, for example, you may be worried about the potential financial implications of changing career. Once you have produced a complete list of all of your fears, begin to address each one individually and develop a plan of action to deal with each one. This strategy helps to make the task of changing careers seem more manageable.

Understand your worth
When embarking on a new career, it is important to recognise your skills, talents and abilities as well as the experience you have gained in previous jobs. Try to identify which skills are transferrable to your new target industry, this will help you to understand if you are suited to moving into a new role and sector. When considering your strengths, also think about your weaknesses, do you require additional education in order to further your new career plan? Perhaps taking additional courses or gaining valuable experience through internships would be a useful way of improving your prospects.

Is Money your motivator?
While you may be attracted to a specific career because of the considerable financial benefits, be aware that many well-paid roles come with a catch. These positions will often come with a weight of high expectation and significant day-to-day stresses. You may be asked to make sacrifices with regard to your personal time also. However, if your dream job happens to be a low paid one, you must also think about how lower wages will impact upon your future lifestyle. Will you be able to live your life to the standard you currently enjoy with less money?

For more information on changing career paths, check out our blogs: Considering a Career Change? and How to write a career path plan.

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6 Things to leave off your CV

0 comments2013/06/17blogeditor

Written by Dave Cullen

As with many things in life, less is more. When it comes to your CV it’s about quality rather than quantity. Producing a high quality and eye-catching CV is a balancing act, on one hand a jobseeker must include enough information to present themselves as a strong candidate, on the other hand, including too much information will likely cause the reader to lose interest. Everybody knows that in most situations, less is more. The last thing you want is to produce a long-winded CV that extends beyond the recommend 2 page limit and is a chore to read. Employers and recruiters have little time and patience to trawl through dense paragraphs of text, extraneous personal information and overly elaborate design layouts. The following is a list of 6 things you should leave off your CV.

Your picture
Few companies will request an image of you because your looks will have no bearing on your ability to do the job. A personal photo should be omitted unless specifically required; such a need should be clearly stated by the employer within the job description.

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Spelling and grammatical mistakes
Ensure that you have proof read your CV prior to emailing it to an employer. If your CV is littered with spelling mistakes and incorrect usage of grammar, it will almost certainly set the wrong tone with the recipient. A poorly written CV is usually associated with carelessness or questionable professionalism. Have a second pair of eyes read through your CV to help find and eliminate errors you may have overlooked.

Interests and hobbies
Many jobseekers make the mistake of including superfluous background information about themselves such as their hobbies. Not only is an employer not interested in reading such detail but with free space at a premium on a CV, there is simply not enough room for such a section.

Lies and Falsehoods
Getting away with lying on a CV is rare and the lie will eventually catch up with you when the employer discovers to their horror, that you are incapable of actually doing the job effectively. CV falsehoods may be overlooked during the interview process but they are easily uncovered when an employer checks references. A quick phone call to a former boss or university will soon shed light on such ‘little white lies’. Companies also screen candidates through their social media footprint and less than truthful individuals can be exposed through a simple Google search. By ensuring your CV is 100% truthful you will also have a lot less to remember during the interview.

Elaborate formatting and layout:
Keep the font type consistent across the entire document. Avoid using inappropriate fonts, convoluted tables and misaligned paragraphs. Ensure that your CV conforms to the conventional structure of having a personal statement in the beginning, followed by a listing of your experience and qualifications. The most recent work experience should always be included at the start with your responsibilities listed in bullet points. CVs with alternative or creative designs are rarely appropriate with the exception perhaps of when applying for a role within a highly creative industry.

Personal information
As with including a photo of yourself or mentioning your interests and hobbies, personal details such as weight, height, race, age, marital status and religion are irrelevant to the employer.  One good rule of thumb to abide by when writing a CV is to ask yourself, “Is what I’ve just written relevant to the job I’m applying for?” Keep the content within your CV solely applicable to the role and your CV will read as a much more coherent document.

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Clean up your Act online: Peter Cosgrove talks about recruitment and candidate screening through social media

0 comments2013/06/14blogeditor

Hand with spray bottleWritten by Dave Cullen

With the advent and ubiquity of social media networks such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, the recruitment and candidate screening process has begun to evolve. There is a gradual migration away from the sole dependency upon the traditional CV and cover letter. Nowadays recruiters and hiring managers are also taking into consideration the online lives and identities of applicants. The social platforms of candidates, their online activities, habits and even their interests are all being used to help build a clearer picture of the individual.

As a result, this development has opened up questions about personal privacy and the importance of cultivating and maintaining a clean online image. If you think a prospective employer is checking your social media profiles, you may wish to remove any inappropriate content such as any questionable Tweets or inappropriate posts or photographs.

This week, Cpl Director, Peter Cosgrove spoke to the Irish Times about how a candidate’s digital footprint can be a powerful influencing factor when it comes to making new hires. “Your CV is no longer a two-page word document. People also look at your online/social CV. Companies can pull together your online bio, presentations you’ve given, things you’ve posted online etc to create a living CV and this will only get easier as search becomes more powerful. Whether they should or not is another story but they do,” said Peter.

He recommends that candidates consider conducting a “spring clean of their digital image” before they proceed with applying for a job. There are numerous applications available that candidates can employ to help purge their online presence of any unfavourable content associated with them such as FaceWash, Socioclean and Tweepi.

Peter advises that you should “Search for yourself online and see what’s available, find out what your digital footprint says about you. Don’t just search for your name. Search for other things that are individual to you such as your phone number or email address. Make sure your Facebook photo does not paint you in a negative light. It’s also a good idea to clean up old posts on Facebook or Twitter.”

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CEO of Cpl Anne Heraty honoured among Ireland’s top 25 most powerful women at WXN Awards, joins Hall of Fame

0 comments2013/06/14blogeditor

anne1Cpl CEO, Anne Heraty has been honoured as one of Ireland’s top 25 most powerful business women at the 2013 WXN awards held last night at the Four Seasons Hotel. The Women’s Executive Network is the largest community of powerful and successful women from Ireland and Canada. The organisation is comprised of passionate businesspeople who are dedicated to celebrating and supporting the recognition and achievements of female executives in the workplace. The WXN provides its corporate partners and members with the opportunity to be recognised as employers of choice and leaders in developing progressive workplaces based on diversity.

Anne was among three award recipients within the Entrepreneur category and she was fulsome in her praise of the WXN organisation. “I’m delighted to be part of celebrating the terrific women who are being honoured here tonight. I have to say, I loved this event last year and I met so many fantastic people. It’s great to be involved with WXN, it’s an excellent organisation and I have to say well done to Pamela Jeffrey and her team and thank you for such a fantastic evening”.

Anne paid tribute to the support of her family, her husband Paul for inspiring her to establish Cpl in 1989 and in particular, the empowering influence of her Mother. “My mother trusted me to make my own choices and believed in me to make the best of my life and that to me is the very definition of empowerment. I believe that deep down, empowerment is about connecting to your own innate, infinite power and energy. It’s about being the best every day for the sheer personal challenge and joy of doing it”.

She went on to highlight the importance of making well informed choices and not being afraid of failure. “The people who really make it in life are not afraid of failure. They are those who try hardest to be the best that they possibly can be, just for the delight and personal satisfaction of rising above a challenge. Failure after all is a myth, there is no such thing as failure”.

This marks the second consecutive year in a row that Anne has received the Entrepreneur accolade and consequently, she has now been inducted into the prestigious WXN Hall of Fame and has become a member of the WXN Advisory Board, joining the following group;

Orlaith Blaney, CEO, McCann Erickson
Fionnuala Croke, Director, Chester Beatty Library (Chair)
Mary Davis, Managing Director, Special Olympics Eurasia
Maeve Donovan, Former MD, The Irish Times
Ann Fogarty, Head of Off Shore and KAG Fund Operations, BNY Mellon Fund Services’ Operations Ireland; Managing Director, BNY Mellon Fund Services Ireland Ltd.
Ellvena Graham, Chief Operating Officer, Ulster Bank
Pamela Jeffery, WXN Founder
Liz O’Donnell, Former Government Minister and Public Affairs Consultant
Terence O’Rourke, Former Managing Partner, KMPG.  Board member – The Irish Times
Sally Storey, Vice President and General Manager at GlaxoSmithKline

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Cpl provides career advice and support at GradIreland 2013

0 comments2013/06/13blogeditor

Written by Leah Glennon

Cpl attended GradIreland on the 12th June at the RDS. Numerous recruiters from our Sales & Marketing, ICT, Multilingual, Science & Engineering,  HR, Accounting & Finance divisions were present on the day. Cpl’s consultants provided advice to over 500 graduates on their CVs, their chosen career paths and outlined the graduate roles Cpl currently have on offer. GradIreland aims to provide recent graduates, both new and returning to the workplace, with career support, guidance and information about the opportunities available to them.

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Cpl Director Rob Daly presented two career advice seminars to over 150 graduates on topics such as, CV writing, effective interviewing in 2013 and tips on how to get a job in the current market. Rob spoke about the considerable competition that currently exists in the jobs market and how it is vital that industry remains engaged with graduates in order to empower them with the tools they need to succeed with their job search. “Cpl recognises the employment challenges facing Ireland’s graduates at present, so it’s great to attend an event that assists in their transition into the workforce“.

Cpl will be attending the GradIreland Fair in October, so make sure to pop by our stand and attend talks undertaken by Cpl industry experts.

For more information on Cpl’s current opportunities please visit our homepage.

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The Leaving Cert – A proving ground for Ireland’s workplace

0 comments2013/06/05blogeditor

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Written by Peter Cosgrove

If there is one thing that is guaranteed about Irish weather it is that on the day of the Leaving cert the sun will be splitting the trees. There is a lot of talk at present about the Irish education system and the way the exams are very focused on one event at the end of the year, but it made me look at some of the lessons I have taken from the Leaving Cert and university exams and how the skills can help prepare you for the workplace.

Data gathering:

All exams have an endless amount of information that you could read up on, you have your textbooks but there is always extra reading that you could do. This is only becoming more of a challenge with the amount of data online (which thankfully was not there when I sat the Leaving Cert). However, what this is doing is ensuring our students get used to the fact that there is too much information to read, in too short a timeframe. No different really to your working life, there are deadlines, unfair demands of your time and those who can synthesise information quicker and more effectively will achieve greater success.

Just keep going

I can recall that familiar in an exam where “nothing I studied had come up”, yes I know you are meant to study everything but most of us gambled to some degree. I remember panicking slightly as I felt I was screwed and with no one to help me. It was the first time in my life I really remember telling myself to “cop on”, “get a grip” and just do the best I could. That moment encapsulates maybe more than any other that I was now an adult, out on my own and I had to live with the consequences of my actions. That persistence and calm under pressure is again something that will stand to anyone in their working life.

Networking

When I finally got to college, I recall that there was more than one to get a better understanding of the subject matter. One way during a particular challenging macroeconomics module, I took the decision to book time in with the lecturer to discuss my concerns. Not only did he assist me, he also gave me a good steer as to what I should be looking to study, I realised very few people had actually come to him and asked for help. In work, building allies, having mentors, asking for help and advice are all great signs of emotional intelligence, an intelligence that far surpasses IQ as you go through your working life.

The result is what you want it to be

You may not get the result that you want but in truth, it’s about what you do with it that matters. More and more when graduates come into the workplace it is their attitude not their aptitude that is their key selling point. So learning to accept the result and choose to take the positives out of this is a trait that will stand anyone in good stead in the workplace

I’d like to wish the very best of luck to our future workforce who will be determining the direction of Ireland in 20 / 30 years’ time, and as my mum always said, “Always read the question twice!”

 

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4 common mistakes that will ruin your job search

1 comment2013/06/04blogeditor

Find JobWritten by Dave Cullen

The modern Job search is a challenging process and given the high degree of competition in the market, it has become an unforgiving one. While there may be no rules in how you go about landing a job, most career mentors will agree that there are merely a set of recommended guidelines, these include, producing a strong CV, perfecting your interview technique, dressing professionally, developing your brand and engaging in networking. What makes the job hunt a more difficult prospect is when a candidate makes small mistakes that could be easily avoided. A minor slip up could determine whether a recruiter or hiring manager considers your candidacy or rejects you outright.

The following is a list of 4 common mistakes you must avoid when looking for a job.

Using a Generic or non-standard CV

Inundating recruiters and hiring managers with stock CVs or CVs that use overly elaborate layouts is never recommended. Firstly, CVs must be tailored to the position you are applying for because employers want you to demonstrate your interest in working for them specifically. Many businesses employ the use of keyword algorithms in order to filter through applications and find the most suitable candidates. This is why is it crucial that you customise your CV to the job you are applying for.

Secondly, recruiters and HR people have universal expectations when it comes to the layout and design of a CV. For more information on writing a strong CV, check out the following blog: 5 Tips for improving your CV.

Not reading the job ad carefully

There is often a temptation to rush the job search process, skim reading a job ad is a common mistake to make. However a jobseeker, who fails to fully identify the requirements of a job, will almost certainly fail to reach the interview stage and are virtually guaranteed to have their application rejected. Applying for a job that you are unsuited for wastes not only the recruiter’s time but your own also.

Clearly there is a significant difference between believing you could do a job and being able to actually do it. Pay attention to the essential criteria of the role. A Successful job application takes time and careful consideration. It is essential that you customise your application to each role you apply for. This means, understanding the role so that you can sufficiently tailor your CV and cover letter accordingly.

Failing to Proof Read

Poor spelling and grammar will never be accepted by a recruiter. Ensure that you proof read both your CV and cover letter before you send them. For recruiters and hiring managers, spelling errors are like a red rag to a bull, most applications are dismissed immediately if they are found to contain such errors.  Often letting a second pair of eyes read through your CV can help to find mistakes you overlooked. Be mindful of not only of the occasional spelling and grammatical faux pas but also ensure that your employment dates are correct.

Poor use of your Network

Many jobseekers fail to connect with the concept of professional networking. The old idea that finding a job is ‘not about what you know but who you know’ may have some truth to it, but using your network in an individualistic or Machiavellian way will do you no favours.  Reaching out to your friends, family or colleagues for career support is a great way of discovering new opportunities but only making contact with people when you need a favour is unlikely to bear fruit. The truth is, in order to foster a strong and supportive professional Network; you must forge relationships that are mutually beneficial.

Practising good networking habits is about being willing and able to reciprocate the support you have received. In order to ensure that your network will be there for you when you need it, you need to keep it well maintained when you don’t. Offer regular help and support to members of your network and take a genuine interest in their projects, challenges and lives. Additionally, you can expand your network by attending events and industry conferences relevant to your sector.

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Teamwork: What the modern workplace can learn from the British and Irish Lions

0 comments2013/05/30blogeditor

The British and Irish Lions team line up 4/7/2009

Written by Dave Cullen

This weekend in Hong Kong, the 2013 British and Irish Lions Tour will commence with the first test against the Barbarians. The Tournament is one of Rugby’s major centrepieces, second only to the World Cup and this year will be comprised of a total of 10 games, culminating in a three test series against primary opponents, Australia. What makes the Lions a unique concept is that it brings together the very best players from the unions of Wales, England, Scotland and Ireland and attempts to mould all of the their disparate playing styles into one cohesive test team. Coach Warren Gatland is charged with the herculean task of making this happen, but in many respects; the challenge of instilling a culture of teamwork and comradery within a group is not confined solely to the world of sport.

In business, the value of teamwork is essential in order to achieve success, regardless of whether your business is a large corporation with a global workforce or a small business with less than 10 people. A business that operates without a unifying goal will suffer from a divided staff that are more likely to work as mercenaries rather than team players, prioritising personal achievements over group success. In order to embed a spirit of teamwork in your business, it is vital that you develop a workplace environment that is conducive to functioning with a group mentality.

The following is a list of four tips to help instil a culture of teamwork within your organisation.

Communication: Every player in a rugby team needs to fully understand the game plan, communication is vital both on and off the pitch. The same principle applies for the employees in your business. Ensure that everyone within the team is copied in on important email correspondence; avoid keeping people out of the loop. A boss will fail to engender trust in their staff if they choose to exclude certain individuals from important communications. This will result in the formation of cliques and alienation, akin to a coach losing the dressing room.

Define duties: Clearly outline the responsibilities of each role. During the hiring process or before a new project commences, ensure that each individual is assigned tasks and job duties appropriate to their skill set, (a full-back has no place in a scrum or a lineout). These responsibilities should serve the needs of the team and function to achieve the overall objectives of the department. A workplace will operate more effectively if each team member understands their role in the grand scheme of things.

Establish goals:  The Lions are a basically a ‘Best-of XV’ of the Home Nations, the players may be familiar with one another having played against each other for their respective clubs and countries, but with few exceptions, this will be one of the only times they will play together. Creating a collaborative and harmonious environment within the squad is essential. Likewise, the members of your team will likely be comprised of individuals with unique backgrounds and differing operating methods. To get the most out of your team, it is important to clearly set the daily, weekly and monthly targets of the business. Each member of the team needs to understand what they are working to achieve.

Reward Excellence:  A man of the match performance seldom goes unnoticed and can certainly result in a player being elevated to first string selection. It is important that a boss provides a recognition programme for outstanding achievements from his subordinates. Incentives might include additional time off, bonuses or promotions. Publicly recognising that an individual has gone above and beyond the call of duty is an excellent way of not only motivating the recipient of this accolade, but also their teammates.

Of course the success of any team is defined by the quality of their results. In business this may be defined by the monetary value achieved through completed projects, however this summer in Australia, the Lions will define their success by nothing less than their first test series win in 16 years.

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Demand for Business Analysts remains high

1 comment2013/05/29blogeditor

iStock_000006227392XSmall[markets]Written by Libby Kelly

One of the hottest jobs in IT right now is as a Business Analyst. Demand is high as more and more IT organisations and corporations view Business Analysts as an essential function.  In the age of tight budgets and reduced head-count, companies can’t afford to get it wrong. The Business Analyst is invaluable in shaping and forming business change as well as making the most of business opportunities presented by new technologies. Another reason for the shift in demand is with organisations facing more complex issues, IT is expected to help the business side weave together multiple kinds of technology to solve these business challenges.  Already we are seeing BAs being used in a more ways and taking on new skills to meet the broader demands of the job.

According to ModernAnalyst.com the Top 10 trends in Business Analysis will continue to focus on the use of Agile and business architectures to deliver real value to the business.

With Agile development methods beginning to be seen in many companies, the role of the business analyst, who gathers requirements in traditional waterfall development approaches, is becoming less relevant. Cpl is seeing this first hand with most contract and permanent BA jobs demanding skills in Agile.

ModernAnalyst.com also mentions:

 “Business analysts are looked up to as the deliverers of business value because of their ability to see the various layers of stakeholder needs. In 2013, the demand for driving business value will require BAs to showcase their strategic enterprise analysis skills and RMD skills using a quick, nimble approach. With the focus on Agile requirements, BAs will solidify their positions by focusing on effective requirements modelling and communicating critical messages up and across organizations. Therefore, BAs should sharpen their interpersonal or “soft” skills, while also honing their “technical” skills that define the profession. Further, BAs should focus on the business and how the business architecture will be affected when it comes to delivering project solutions”

But people without soft skills, who really like the detail, who aren’t as flexible, who are not good with organized chaos, they might not do as well in an agile project.

The full article can be seen here.

Cpl Solutions specialised Business Analysis and Project Management division has multiple opportunities available, for a list of some of our current openings click here. If you are interested in a position in this area please contact Libby Kelly on 01 6146185 or email libby.kelly@cpl.ie.

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FameLab 2013 nears grand final with Cpl event winner, Fergus McAuliffe representing Ireland

0 comments2013/05/29blogeditor

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The 2013 final of the prestigious International FameLab science competition is due to take place at the Cheltenham Science Festival (5th to the 7th of June). FameLab has been dubbed ‘The X-Factor of the science world’, the competition is about finding scientists and engineers who can explain interesting concepts in an entertaining and engaging way in just 3 minutes.

Participants come from over 20 countries around the world to present their ideas to a panel of expert judges and this year Fergus McAuliffe will be representing Ireland. Fergus qualified for FameLab International 2013 by winning the domestic competition in the Trinity College Science Gallery on April 10th. This event was hosted by Cpl Science & Engineering in partnership with the British Council and Newstalk. Fergus successfully won over both the judges and the audience with his presentation on how wood frogs survive their hearts freezing and thawing. The presentations were judged by Prof. Luke O’Neill, TCD, Brian Trench, Science Communication Lecturer and Judith Moffett, Manager of Science, Engineering and Supply Chain at Cpl according to FameLab’s golden rule – the 3 Cs: Content, Clarity and Charisma.

All 21 finalists receive certificates & small mementos, the winner is awarded with a brand new HP tablet, the runner up will receive a signed science book. There will be additional prizes given to the audience and country vote winners and the top four contestants will receive winning plaques.

Cpl would like to wish all contestants the very best of luck in this year’s FameLab final. For more information visit the FameLab Ireland website or check out the video below.

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