Category Archives: job seekers

Our National Recruitment Federation

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National Recruitment Federation Logo

National Recruitment Federation Logo

It has come to our attention in recent times that not enough Candidates (Job seekers) or Clients (Companies recruiting) are aware of the National Recruitment Federation (NRF) in Ireland

The NRF is our only governing body for Recruitment in Ireland.

They are there purely to assist in all matters concerning Recruitment.

Many of our Recruitment Agencies are aware or indeed members of the NRF, but they are also there to support and guide Candidates and Clients recruiting.

If you are a Candidate looking for a new job or a Company hiring, make sure your Recruitment Agency of choice is a member of the NRF as this will automatically give you reassurance they are of a high standard

Check on their website for the above Logo.

They provide support and guidance to everyone in Ireland or abroad wishing to come to Ireland who are seeking a job or Companies wishing to recruit.

They are also the only Recruitment body who reward the Recruitment Industry with an Awards ceremony – ensuring standards are being maintained and encouraging them to be examined and improved annually.

They now run a course for Recruitment Consultants which is a breath of fresh air as there has never been a Recruitment course or qualification before in Ireland

 

They guide the Recruitment Agencies with a Code of Conduct.

The Employment Agency Act, 1971 provides that any person carrying on the business of an employment agency must obtain a licence to do so from the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

Persons seeking employment through an employment agency should ensure that they deal only with licensed agencies

No fee may be charged by an agency to a job seeker solely for agreeing to seek employment for them.

All NRF Members are required to be licensed as a condition of membership.

All too often we have heard of Candidates being bullied (pressured in to jobs)or CV’s being submitted directly to Companies without the expressed informed consent of the Candidate prior to this.

This is where the NRF come in to play – anyone who has fallen victim to this may make a complaint with the NRF who will then investigate on the Candidates behalf.

Client Companies again, any pressure, efforts to charge without prior agreement etc can be taken to the NRF who will guide and investigate

If you are hiring or looking for a job, know your rights and become familiar with our NRF -

www.nrf.ie

It only exists for our benefit to ensure the highest standards within Recruitment in Ireland are being met

Do you really want to put your career and future in to the hands on anyone less then the best?

Assertive Job Seekers get pay off!

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Be assertive in your job applications

Be assertive in your job applications

For any job seekers out there, we have some recent evidence of persistence paying off!

Assertive job seekers are getting their pay off.

Job seekers are a vulnerable group as it is a worrying time for anyone, either you have recently lost a job or are not happy in your current job.

In today’s ‘Redundancy’ market, you are less likely to be choosy or assertive.

Do not drop your standards or self worth -

If you feel you match the criteria for a job and have all the Employer is looking for – stand your ground.

Twice this week we have seen evidence of amounts of job applications reflecting the lack of care and attention to individual CV’s or applications.

We had 2 rejections on behalf of our Candidates from Employers who did not think the Candidate – job seeker matched their criteria

When pushed and all relevant experience highlighted, both Employers reversed their decisions and agreed to invite the Candidate for interview.

One was offered the job today!

In this market, where numbers of applications are increasing and pressure is on Employers and Recruiters alike to get through the sheer volume of applications, mistakes can happen and people can be ‘missed out’

Do not always take rejection lightly – if you believe you have read and meet the job essential criteria – question why your CV has been rejected - you may be lucky and  get a second glance.

Persistence pays off – if you believe you are the right Candidate – you have every right to question why you have not progressed to interview stage.

In today’s market – with increased pressure, imminent budget and Redundancies  – there is no excuse for a drop in standards and carelessness due to high volume of job applications.

Be sure to stand your ground and at the very least find out why your application has not been successful – those who accept it with no question will not find out why or get a possible second glance – what have you got to lose?

Choose Wisely with your Sales Career!

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Stay on the right Career Path

Stay on the right Career Path

Choose wisely when it comes to applying for jobs in these times.

With dole queues out the door and numbers of unemployment rising, it is understandable that getting back to work is the ultimate goal. But be careful what you send your CV forward for as it may prove fruitless.

Choose wisely and do not be hasty in applying for every “Sales” job you see on the internet if you are in Sales.

As aware as you are of the lack of employment in the country, rest assured that potential employers know this all too well, which makes them even more picky in the CVs that they wish to see.

Tips for applying for jobs:

  1. Job Title:  if the title fits then read on!
  2. Job Description: Read through the job description, the responsibilites and especially the area/ industry this job is in. e.g. if you have worked in Medical Sales and the job spec is for IT Sales then tread carefully. You may have all the skills for selling Medical products, OTC products or medical devices but no experience in selling Computer Software, JAVA programmes or PCs then this may not be the job for you.
  3. Qualifications Required:  These days employers really like their Sales employees to be relevantly qualified, i.e. Nurses selling Wound Care/ Dressings, Science qualifications for medical device, and Nutritionists/ Dieticians selling Nutritional products. Take special heed to the qualification requirements.
  4. The Location: This job may be based in Cork and you are based in Dublin. This could be another deciding factor, as confident as you are that you can cover the Southern territory with your home life in Dublin, the higher the chances are of “burn out”.

The fact is that if you are an experienced Medical Sales Rep then you have the advantage of -

  • Product Knowledge – no need for month long training sessions!
  • Client base – which means you have the existing client relationships and are on a business relationship with key opinion leaders in  hospitals, GPs or pharmacies. This, to potential employers, is like gold to them and is an essential part of what they are looking for when taking another Medical Sales Rep on their books.

I know there are bills and mortgages to pay, but best advice? -  Stick to what you know and choose wisely.

Play the waiting game as your working experience will stand to you once the right job comes up.

Instead of applying for every Sales job that comes in, choose only ones relevant to your experience.

Medical Sales pre interview tips

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Medical Sales interviewWe have a flurry of activity currently within our Medical Sales division and alot of coaching and Medical Sales pre interview tips and preparation being done.

There are a few essential tips to remember when attending for a Medical Sales interview -

Don’t tell me – show me

This is where you give evidence and examples of all you are saying -

Instead of saying my strengths are -

Loyal, hardworking, dedicated and passionate.

You need to say – ‘I am passionate about my work and this has been demonstrated by my last job, where I …………. etc

Giving a list does not make the interviewer remember what you are saying, but backing up what you are saying with examples gives them a picture and is better remembered and more effective

 

You have 2 ears and 1 mouth, use accordingly –

This is essential in Sales and interviews.

You always need to listen twice as much as you speak.

A stunning 65% of interviewees do not answer the question that was asked which is frustrating for the interviewer.

No matter, how nervous or excited you are at your interview – take your time and listen to the question being asked before you answer.

So, to recap, just remember 2 things before your Sales pitch or Medical sales interview -

Dont tell me – show me

You have 2 ears and 1 mouth – use accordingly

Dublin Dental Hospital getting tough!

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Dublin Dental Hospital

Dublin Dental Hospital

The Dublin Dental Hospital are clamping down on patients who do not turn up for their appointments.

Thousands of patients failed to attend last year without notifying the Hospital.

Over 23,000 failed to attend in the last 3 years.

This leaves a Dental Nurse and Dental Student with nothing to do and instruments which have been cleaned and prepared need to be re-sterilized.

 

From September 1st 2010, they are introducing a charge of €30 per appointment if a patient fails to show without prior notification.

So, be careful, if you have an appointment with the Dublin Dental Hospital – keep it – if you can’t – let them know or expect a €30 invoice

Less is more!

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Less is more at interview

Less is more at interview

Never a truer statement was made than -

Less is More ……….

Anybody out there who is currently on the jobs market and attending interviews – a word of warning -

Easy on the perfume and aftershave!

There have been a number of comments made by Companies running interviews about the over powering scent left in the room after a number of excitable and nervous interviewees have vacated!

We all know it is important to sound, look and smell fresh and professional, but it is also too easy to over do the smells and this can be very off putting.

We also know many interviewees who would be nervous, smokers or perspiring who try to compensate – be careful, while you definitely want to leave a lasting impression – you do not want to leave a lasting scent!

Remember – Less is More!

The Honest Recruiter?

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The Honest Recruiter

The Honest Recruiter

The Honest Recruiter?

No matter how the market is performing in Recruitment, there is never any excuse for dishonesty.

Unfortunately, we have had alot of comments made to us from our job seekers about the level of dishonesty in the Recruitment market in recent times.

Most common complaints -

  • Advertising jobs that do not exist
  • Making promises to find a job seeker a job
  • Telling Client Companies you can fill their job in X amount of time
  • Telling job seekers you will send their CV to a Company and then not
  • Not informing job seekers you have sent their CV to a Company – this is illegal practice
  • Promising job seekers you will get back to them with feedback on their CV submission and then not
  • Promising job seekers you will keep in touch and then not

This is all misleading and unprofessional Recruitment Practice and does not abide with the NRF guidelines for Best Recruitment Practice.

This gives the Recruitment Industry in Ireland a bad name

Recruitment is a very responsible and worthwhile job.

As a Recruiter, you take job seekers future and career in your hand – this should be handled professionally and carefully.

In recent times, the decline in the Recruitment market has led to some dismal practice and short cuts and this needs to be stopped.

Our job seekers trust us that we will do our very best for them, this sort of practice leads to a lack of confidence and trust in us.

For further infomation on Best Practice in the Recruitment Industry in Ireland, go to -

www.nrf.ie

This is for Clients and Job Seekers and every Recruiter in the country should know it, practice it and live by it every day of their working life as a Recruiter.

Honest and Integrity as a Recruiter brings Awards

You cannot submit a CV without a Personal Profile

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Your CV Personal Profile is essential

Your CV Personal Profile is essential

Your Personal Profile on your CV is essential in today’s jobs market – you cannot submit your CV for a job without one.

When a potential employer receives an average of 50 CV’s today for 1 job, your Personal Profile can be the determining factor as to whether he/she will look at your CV in more detail, or not.

Employers use them as a guide to you!

Your Personal Profile is your one chance to highlight yourself and point out why you should be seriously considered for the job.

Your Personal Profile is your introduction to you – your chance to sell yourself, your chance to shine and stand out from the crowd.

Without one, the CV has no introduction and simply becomes a black and white list of your life.

Your Personal Profile should be one paragraph, approx 5 sentences outlining where you have come from and where you are going.

It can be used to sell yourself to a particular job and altered accordingly.

It can be used to rule out the competition.

It can be used to highlight your biggest achievements or used as a Sales ‘brag list’

These days, you cannot afford to have a CV without a Personal Profile at the top of it which takes minutes to draft but can alter your career path

A CV without a Personal Profile is like buying a new computer with no instructions!

So remember, you must have a Personal Profile on the top of your CV – do not send your CV anywhere without one.