European Branch Profile: Cpl Jobs Poland

0 comments2013/05/24blogeditor

Cpl’s established its presence in Poland in 2006 with the purchase of permanent recruitment services company, Eastlink. Rebranded as Cpl Jobs in 2008, the branch catered primarily for the local Polish market at first, the majority of recruitment activities focused on market sectors such as production, catering and customer service. Over the years the market has changed considerably with significantly more multinational companies choosing to locate their operations in Poland. As a result, Cpl Jobs Warsaw has altered its service offering to meet the changing needs of its client base. Nowadays the branch, which is comprised of 10 dedicated consultants, recruits for such industries as Multilingual, IT, Construction, Property and Finance.

Old Town panorama of WarsawTo help meet the growing demands of Cpl Poland’s regional blue chip clients, the Wroclaw office was setup in 2010 by Brigid Corby, Managing Director of Cpl’s CEE regions. Initially opening with just 3 recruitment consultants, it now stands at 10. The main services provided for by the office are dedicated to large volume recruitment in the BPO and SSC space for the finance and IT industries. In 2012, the local team won the first Poland RPO contract and successfully placed an onsite recruiter in one of the fastest growing IT centres in Poland. The Wroclaw office continues to successfully provide permanent recruitment services to clients in the west and south of Poland.

Current Employment Developments and Market Trends

At present, the rate of unemployment in Poland stands at 14.3% with opportunities available in such sectors as architecture, data specialists, web architects and service delivery, Insurance, Finance, Banking and HR. We are seeing a continual demand for candidates in all of the above roles. An example of some of the companies currently hiring: Accenture, IBM, Capgemini, State Street, Shell, NSN, Credit Suisse, Ciber and Samsung. The clients of Cpl Poland are looking for more advanced solutions and are keen to invest in more integrated solutions. Additionally, the oil and gas sector represents a major emerging market.

Be sure to connect directly with Cpl Poland at the following social media channels:

Website: http://cpljobs.pl/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CPLJobsPolska

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/groups/CPL-Jobs-Poland-4533153

SlideShare: http://www.slideshare.net/CPLJobsPoland

Google+: https://plus.google.com/113149771206883527880/posts

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Cpl hosts Tech Trends Science Gallery Event with Guest Speaker Adrian Weckler

0 comments2013/05/24blogeditor

SG_LogoThis week, Cpl hosted a free technology conference at the Trinity College Science Gallery. The theme of the event was the latest trends and developments from the world of Technology. Cpl’s Ida Renaud presided over the conference and the keynote speaker was Adrian Weckler, digital and technology editor for the Sunday Business post. Adrian discussed how the latest innovations in computing, mobile devices, hardware and software will impact upon consumers and Irish businesses.

Adrian provided in-depth insights and analysis of global tech trends, touching on such hot topics as Lean Start-ups, next generation smartphones, broadband in Ireland, social media and Big data. Following Adrian’s lecture, Cpl Director of ICT, Peter Cosgrove discussed the ever evolving and pervasive nature of technology within business and how it has begun to influence strategy, IT solutions and customer engagement.

The event targeted IT jobseekers and staff who are interested in learning about the trends of technology and how they may impact on the future of their careers, more than 100 people were in attendance. Following the conference, attendees were invited to attend a networking evening, where they could engage with other technology professionals and industry experts.

Check out the videos below to watch highlights of the conference.

 

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Longford Rugby celebrate strong season and proud association with Cpl

0 comments2013/05/22blogeditor

Cpl would like to congratulate Longford Rugby Club on a landmark season in the Towns championship this year. They defied the odds to successfully reach the Towns Cup Final for the first time in 81 years, losing to Division 1A champions Tullamore in a tough encounter. This runners-up position is an historic achievement and the culmination of an impressive string of victories over North Kildare, Cill Dara, reigning champions Enniscorthy and semi-finalists Roscrea.

Longford_Rugby

The club has been progressing steadily over the last number of years. President Tony Headon said that Cpl’s sponsorship has been essential to this development: “The successes of this season have been particularly noteworthy.  The underage structures continue to perform well; our ladies maintain their high standards and the achievement of the senior men’s, who having narrowly missed out on the divisional playoffs and the historic achievement of reaching the Town’s Cup Final, were also significant.  The club are very much indebted to Cpl, and Anne Heraty, for the support that has allowed them to focus on rugby.”

Cpl’s association with the club began in February of last year and CEO Anne Heraty said, “Cpl is proud to serve as primary sponsor to Longford Rugby, the commitment and fighting spirit of the players throughout the tournament has been enormously inspiring and clearly demonstrates that hard work, persistence and dedication will deliver results. We would like to wish the players and management, the very best of luck for the 2013 / 2014 season.”

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The 5 key ingredients of a great job

0 comments2013/05/21blogeditor

iStock_000020297585XSmallWritten by Dave Cullen

A great job is comprised of a number of disparate elements, which when combined together will make for a satisfying and enjoyable place to work.  When applying for a new job we can often focus solely on the role itself and not the important external influencing factors that will ultimately make that role meaningful.  If you are currently looking for a new role, carefully consider the following 5 key ingredients:

Pursuing your Passion: Although not everyone’s passion can constitute a paying job, if you are fortunate enough to pursue a career in a field that interests you, then you will undoubtedly enjoy that experience more and excel in that position. Is there really any point spending your life doing a job you don’t enjoy?

Feeling Valued: You will achieve a higher degree of personal satisfaction from your work if it is measured by the level of value you deliver to others. This is true of people who engage in altruistic behaviour such as charity work; because they actively witness the positive influence they have on people’s lives.

Work / Life Balance: It is vitally important to learn to strike a healthy balance between your job and your personal time. The prolonged stresses of your occupation, even one you enjoy, will eventually make it difficult to function to the best of your ability without sufficient downtime. Free time is essential in helping to maintain your physical and emotional well-being  Working late or extra hours can result in reduced concentration and significantly impaired performance, where even the simplistic of tasks can become a challenge. Taking a break provides you with the means to de-stress, rejuvenate your mind and body and improve your productivity.

The People you work with: Sometimes the best part of a job may not necessarily be the work itself but the people. Getting on well with your colleagues and forging strong interpersonal relationships can make your work far more rewarding. Your dream job may feel more like a nightmare if you cannot get on well with your co-workers.

Salary: Of course one of the primary reasons we work is to earn sufficient income to pay our way in the world.  If our job provides us with the means to attain a comfortable standard of living, then it becomes much easier to extract fulfilment from it. Conversely, if our remuneration package fails to meet our monetary requirements we can start to harbour feelings of resentment toward it.

However, it is important not to overlook the possibility of cutting our cloth to meet our measure, in other words, bringing our living costs and lifestyle in line with our level of income. If you are basing your decision on whether to accept your next job on salary, ask yourself if doing a job you love is more important to you than having material items that are unlikely to bring you happiness.

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5 Job Search Tips for Recent Graduates

0 comments2013/05/20blogeditor

iStock_000004407014SmallWritten by Dave Cullen

Congratulations, you’ve finally completed your exams and you’re now about to graduate from college. It’s important to take stock of what you’ve achieved and appreciate all of the hard work and commitment it took to get to where you are right now. However, as one door closes, another opens and you are about to cross the threshold to begin your new career.

The post-college job search can be a daunting period; the following is a list of 5 tips to help make the process a little easier.

Set yourself a job search target: The stress and intensity of studying and exams means that many graduates decide to take a well-earned break or holiday immediately after finishing college. This makes perfect sense, you may have just completed three or four years of study prior to this and it’s only right to reward yourself. However, be sure to set yourself a clear deadline for the commencement of your job search. Failing to do this can result in a lack of focus or procrastination.

Plan your summer in advance: Prior to your graduation, get the ball rolling on what you intend to be doing over the summer, perhaps a temp-job or an internship. The rest of your class mates will be scrambling for summer placements, it’s a competitive time. The sooner you start planning, the better.

Develop a strong CV and Interview Technique: Arguably a more important document than your birth cert or your passport, your CV is the key to your future career success. We have already produced a myriad of CV-related articles, for more information on producing a high quality CV check out the following links: CV Checklist: Peter Cosgrove’s guide to improving your CV , The Do’s and Don’ts of CV writing and 5 Tips for improving your CV. Likewise your interview skills will need to be developed, be sure to read some of our previous articles: Job Interviews: Perfecting your Technique and How to Answer the most common interview questions.

Take work where you can find it: You may not immediately find a job in your area of study right away, it may take some time. The job market can be saturated with graduates over the summer months; the right opportunity may not immediately present itself. In the meantime, it is important for you to remain active in the work force. Regardless of the type of work you find, it will provide you with an income and give you invaluable experience of the dynamics and routines of the working world. You can always spend your free time searching for your ideal job.

Build your network: The process of building a large contacts base is a great method of discovering new job opportunities. Developing and maintaining strong connections with professional people will provide you with a powerful career resource in which to draw on. Candidates, who are referred for a job through a close contact, are 50% more likely to be hired over an applicant who applies through conventional means. Many people reject networking because they believe they don’t have enough valuable contacts. They think their social circles are too small and therefore not useful. Make a list of all of your immediate friends, family members, former bosses, peers, college professors, neighbours and casual acquaintances. All of these people are in your network. For more advice on networking follow these links: How to use networking to find a job and Top 4 Benefits of a strong Professional Network.

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Anne Heraty talks Ireland’s Economy and Cpl’s new Corporate video

2 comments2013/05/20blogeditor

Cpl CEO Anne Heraty speaking at the HR Networking event RCSIThe latest figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) show us that the value of exports has decreased by a total of €680 million to €7.947 billion in March; this represents a fall of 8%. Additionally there was a 9% decline in exports of medical and pharmaceutical products when compared to March of 2012.

On a more positive note, Ireland has been ranked as the fifth ‘Best to Invest’ Nation in Western Europe in 2012 by International magazine Site Selection. Ireland is followed by the UK, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy with Dublin topping the charts in terms of metropolitan areas. The magazine determines its criteria for attractive investment locations based on business environment, business risks, foreign direct investment, infrastructure and expanded facilities.

Ireland’s IT sector continues to be a source of significant job creation due to the on-going skills shortage. 60 new posts will be created in Limerick by Electronic payments firm, ACI Worldwide. Over the next three years, 35 new jobs will be created by Marin Software Incorporated in their newly established International Headquarters in Dublin. Squarespace, a leading all-in-one website publishing platform, plans to establish its EMEA Headquarters in Dublin, along with the creation of 100 new jobs.

During April, Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the EU brought into focus the prospect of an EU-US Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). The potential of the elimination of tariffs and the reduction of any barriers to trade and investment are certainly welcomed. The implementation of a Transatlantic Trade Partnership could be worth a considerable €800 million to annual Irish GDP with the potential creation of 4,000 new jobs.

This week, Cpl will be hosting a free innovative technology conference at the Science Gallery in Trinity College. The keynote speaker will be Adrian Weckler, digital and technology editor for the Sunday Business post. The talk aims to address how the latest innovations in computing, mobile consumer devices, hardware and software will impact upon the IT candidates of the future. Many of the roles Cpl currently recruits for did not exist 10 years ago and this further serves to underline how the labour market is being continuously shaped by technological developments.

I am delighted to officially launch Cpl’s new corporate video for 2013, ‘Cpl by the Numbers’. This three minute presentation provides a fun, fast-paced overview of the Cpl Group. It outlines some of our most important statistics including the fact that Cpl boasts the largest candidate database in Ireland at 1.2 million, we place someone every 13 minutes and we employ 8,500 people every day on client sites.

I would personally like to invite you to watch at the video and would welcome your feedback in the comments below.

Anne Heraty

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4 ways to prevent a bad job interview

0 comments2013/05/17blogeditor

iStock_000017471406SmallWritten by Dave Cullen

To some people, the modern job interview can be an intimidating and stressful undertaking; it is a convention of today’s candidate screening process that can be an unforgiving one. Answering questions about your career and past experiences while also selling yourself in a calm and professional manner in a 20 – 30 minute period is a challenge.

However, as we have discussed in many of our previous blogs, there are plenty of paths to interview success. Conversely, there are plenty of ways you can negatively affect your prospects.

The following is a list of four ways to avoid a bad job interview:

Preparation: This is essential to interview success, from planning your answers to the most frequently asked questions, conducting research into the company you are applying for and carefully perfecting your interview technique.

Although an employer fully expects Interviewees to be somewhat nervous during an interview; these nerves should not be debilitating to such an extent that they cause them to forget everything they had prepared to say. This can be prevented through meticulous practice. Have a friend or family member act as the interviewer in a mock interview situation. Think of these sessions as dress rehearsals, they will allow you to practice and perfect your responses, body language and mannerisms.

Knowing your CV: “Talk me through your CV” – this is a common interview question and it’s one you must be prepared for. If you’re going blank recalling the salient points on your CV or explaining any employment gaps, you’re headed for trouble. As part of your pre-interview preparation, ensure that you have committed your employment history to memory. You must be ready for the interviewer to probe you on any aspect of your CV. Make sure you can recall key duties and responsibilities from your previous employment and also memorise several examples of challenges you faced and explain how you overcame them.

Put your phone on silent: You may think that this is a fairly obvious suggestion but considering the nerves and anxiety many jobseekers associate with interviews, it can be easy to forget to do this. Having your phone vibrate, ring or chirp with an inbound text during an interview may be a simple mistake to make but it will almost certainly have a negative impact on your chances. It’s careless and will be considered rude and unprofessional. Once you have agreed upon the time of the interview, set a reminder on your phone to sound 5 minutes before the meeting alerting you to deactivate your phone or switch it to flight mode.

Asking appropriate questions: A job interview is a two-way conversation; following completion of the interview the employer may ask if you have any questions for them. It’s important to consider what your needs are from the employer, however asking the wrong questions such as salary expectations will certainly not ingratiate yourself to them.  Likewise, asking about annual leave days suggests to the interviewer that you are already planning on taking time off work. Furthermore, failing to prepare questions sends out the wrong signal to the employer. They may think that you lack interest in the company or an insightful nature. Try to steer clear of asking questions that can be easily answered on the company’s website. For examples of the kinds of questions you should ask in a job interview check out the following article: 5 Questions to ask in a job interview.

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Employability – Have you got it? How IT is changing everything

0 comments2013/05/16blogeditor

Written by Dave Cullen

The term ‘Employability’ has only recently entered the vernacular. Its origin is largely attributed to our contemporary society’s changing employment culture, specifically the end of lifetime job security and the current economic uncertainty. In recent years there has been a growing trend towards more fixed term contract-based roles with many employers adopting a cautious approach to new hires, particularly in emerging sectors. Many of the roles Cpl currently recruits for didn’t exist 10 years ago with jobs in such areas as the IT space, generating entirely new forms of employment.

Successful business group jumping together.The success and longevity of one’s career is largely based on their ability to adapt to the changing dynamics of the market. A Wikipedia definition of the word ‘Employability’ describes it as the following: “The ability to obtain new employment if required, i.e. to be independent in the labour market by being willing and able to manage their own employment transitions between and within organisations.” This means that Employability is not just about a jobseeker’s ability to procure employment through up-skilling and reinvention but also an existing employee’s continued professional development and training.

Those currently active in the labour market must demonstrate their continued commitment to meet the ever changing needs of the business. An example of this can be represented in the way in which employees are expected to function more and more as brand ambassadors. Like it or not, social media pervades every aspect of our online lives, the digitally interconnected age has blurred the lines between work and home. People are spending more and more of their lives interacting with each other in the Cloud. Businesses need to become more cognisant of the fact that their workforce represent an enormous untapped resource when it comes to how they can be represented through the personal and professional social networks they engage in. Likewise CEOs now expect their CTOs to sell them critical IT solutions to the business rather than function purely in a technical capacity as they have traditionally.

Everyone across the business is a sales person, it might sound clichéd but it’s true. Keeping up with trends in technology allows employees to recognise how customers engage with your business online or discover new growth markets and anticipate potential new products and services. This can only be achieved through a free market of ideas, which social media and the ubiquity of technology has provided us. Amidst an economic backdrop of doubt and confusion, employers can ill-afford to ignore the suggestions of its most precious resource – its people, particularly when technology continues to evolve, no chances can be taken.

If Employability means anything other than a new Internet buzzword, it should mean that to obtain and retain employment we must be willing to recognise the skills and knowledge we lack and adapt as the market demands. Jobseekers who remain close to the jobs market through retraining, on and off-line networking, internships and volunteering, will significantly increase their chances of finding employment. However the challenge doesn’t stop there. Once employed, career advancement is predicated on our versatility and right now technology is driving innovation and change. Keeping up-to-date and continuously improving your knowledge and skillsets will develop and nurture your Employability.

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Anne Heraty provides Job Seekers with advice in her home town of Longford

0 comments2013/05/14blogeditor

AnneHeraryCPLResourcesJudgeonEOYProgrammeWritten by Dave Cullen

This week, Cpl CEO Anne Heraty was back in her native Longford to provide transition year students at Scoil Mhuire with career advice and an overview of the kinds of employment opportunities they might consider upon graduating. In an interview with Shannonside News, Anne also advised active jobseekers to try to consider upskilling as a means of improving their candidacy and making themselves more employable, “Keep your skills current, even if you’re not working”. She went on to say “If you have the opportunity to do courses, do some additional courses to try and keep your skills up to date”.

Anne said that people should not blame themselves for being made redundant and should try to remain positive and focused on finding employment. She underlined the importance of keeping busy during a job search and not to become disillusioned by failure. “I think what’s most important though, if you find yourself in a situation where you’ve lost your job or you’re redundant is to try and keep yourself motivated. I think that’s the hard thing, just to keep going all the time.”

Anne also encouraged people who have been long term unemployed, to consider the possibility of setting up their own business. “Don’t forget about the possibility of self-employment in some way or another. I think that’s also a good option too, if you have an idea or something you want to do.”

To hear an audio recording of Anne’s interview with Shannonside News, click here.

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How to tackle a Panel Interview

0 comments2013/05/13blogeditor

Written by Dave Cullen

In previous blogs we have primarily looked at the traditional type of job interviews, that is to say interviews in which candidates must deal with one interviewer. However nowadays it’s becoming more and more common for employers to use interview panels comprised of two or more interviewers. For many candidates conventional interviews are stressful enough, the prospect of having to field questions from more than one source is a sure fire way to raise anyone’s anxiety levels.

iStock_000021080638XSmallThankfully there’s really nothing to fear from panel interviews, much of the same principles apply when it comes to preparation and research. However there are a few important insights to consider prior to engaging in the process. Firstly, it is important to understand why the employer has elected for a panel interview.

Panel interviews are considered more time-efficient and allow the candidate to demonstrate how they interact with a wider range of people. This may serve as a good representation of how the candidate will behave in a role that requires them to report to several superiors. Additionally, panel interviews provide a number of alternative points of view and a far more accurate assessment of the candidate as a result.

Prior to the interview, try to ascertain who will be on the panel; specifically what departments will be represented. LinkedIn and the HR contact person can be of use here. Your goal is to try to understand how your role will align with theirs. This will help you to better sell yourself by explaining how you will assist them in excelling further in their function. When meeting each panel member during the interview, use their name and always make solid eye contact when they ask you a question. This is a sign of respect and demonstrates that you are listening to what they are saying.

When the interview commences and the primary interviewer asks the first question, make initial eye contact with them but be sure to not to exclude the others when providing your answer. Briefly scan their faces before returning your focus to the person who asked you the first question. Your answers should be kept relevant to each of the various departments.

Panel interviews are a great way to utilise your active listening skills and create an engaging discussion all while strengthening your candidacy. For example, when cross referencing a previous question, you might reply to a question by saying something like “I think this ties into what I was saying in Mary’s question earlier and I’d like to expand on that by saying…” Such a response not only includes all panel members simultaneously but it also shows how in tune you are with the needs of each interviewer.

As with any interview, be sure to follow-up afterword with a personalised ‘Thank you’ email to each panel member. For more helpful interview tips be sure to check out the following articles: Job Interviews: Perfecting your Technique and The Key Ingredients for Interview Success.

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