10 questions to ask in an interview

10 Interview Questions YOU Need to Ask

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You have a hard copy of your CV neatly tucked into a plastic pocket, and your collared shirt or blouse is ironed. The time and date of the interview are saved and easily accessible on your phone. Finally, you run through a list of questions that you think they may ask you such as the quintessential “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?”

So, you’re ready to go, right? Well, so far you’ve done some important interview preparation. However, there is one more, incredibly valuable task to complete; a list of interview questions YOU want to ask the hiring manager or interviewer.

 

While you may be nervous in an interview, it’s easy to forget that you are a valuable candidate who would be an asset to any company. Not only will asking the right questions benefit you when it comes to decision-making, but it can also impress the interviewer and position you as a serious contender for the job.

 

We’ve come up with 10 interview questions YOU need to ask in an interview. Pick and choose the ones that are most relevant to you and feel right.

 

Interview Question #1  How will my performance be measured? Can you outline the employee review process?

 

Why this question is important: When you understand the way your performance will be evaluated, you will gain insight into their management style. Having a thorough understanding of the process can also help you excel in your job. Aside from that, the interviewer will be impressed that you are eager to learn more about this area.

 

Interview Question #2  What are your expectations of the chosen candidate in the first 6 months?

 

Why this question is important: This is the ideal question to gauge what they expect from you. It shows that you are eager to make a positive impact on the business and will help determine whether you have the right skill set or if you require additional training or understanding of the position to fulfil the role.

 

Interview Question #3  What are some challenges I may face in the first 6 months?

 

Why this question is important: Effective preparation is essential for a successful start in a new job. Anticipating potential challenges allows you to proactively devise solutions, showcasing your problem-solving skills.  This approach offers insight into the potential areas of weakness within the company and presents an opportunity for you to determine whether you are prepared to tackle these challenges.

 

Interview Question #4  What do you like about working here?

 

Why this question is important: This one might catch them off guard! The hiring manager is likely not asked this question regularly. It may encourage them to steer from the mundane and offer something personal and real. Listen carefully, as their answer could be a red or green flag.

 

Interview Question #5  What is the work environment like?

 

Why this question is important: Understanding the working environment of a company can help you decide whether it is a good fit for you. Positive company culture is vital for an employee and knowing they fit with your values, work ethic and personality can help you decide if you see a future with them. It will also give you insight into the work-life balance and if there are other benefits available.

 

Interview Question #6  Who would I report to?  Can you explain the chain of command?

 

Why this question is important: Answering this question can save you valuable time if they offer you the job.  Understanding the reporting structure and hierarchy within the company can provide clarity when taking instructions.  In conjunction with a well-defined job description, these factors are crucial in enabling you to perform at your best.

 

Interview Question #7  Are there opportunities to grow and progress?

 

Why this question is important: You don’t want to be stuck in a dead-end job with no room to grow. Establishing whether there is room to grow within the company, will allow you to determine if this is a long-term career or simply a stepping stone. A good company will want their employees to constantly better themselves and should see them as an asset.

 

Interview Question #8   Is there a high staff turnover?

 

Why this question is important: Unless it is a very junior position this should be a red flag! What is the reason behind the high turnover and how will this affect you in the long run? Could you be leaving a more secure job for something that may not last? Would you constantly be reporting to someone new or have to train people on an ongoing basis?

 

Interview Question #9  Is there anything you’d like me to clarify? What else do you need to know about me?

 

Why this question is important: This is another great way to show your interest in the position. It will allow the interviewer to clarify questions they may have or to fill in any gaps from previous questions. It may also give you an opportunity to elaborate on your skill set. This is your time to make a lasting impression in the interview.

 

Interview Question #10  How soon can I expect to hear from you?

 

Why this question is important: Similar to being asked about your current notice period, it’s beneficial to get an estimated timeline for the decision-making process of the role you’re applying for. Enquiring about the number of other candidates being interviewed and at what stage of the process they’re in can provide you with a framework to manage your expectations, rather than obsessively checking your messages and feeling anxious about the outcome. If the given time frame has elapsed with no communication, a courteous follow-up email can help alleviate your concerns.

 

Get Started with RecruitmentPlus

 

Step One: Upload Your CV

Step Two: Call Us–Stillorgan: 01 2788610/ Dundalk: 042 9356910

Step Three: Search Live Jobs 

Step Four: Visit Our CV Clinic 

Suggested Further Reading

 

Should You Accept Counteroffers? 

Job Search Anxiety

The Five Rules of Temping

Overcoming Redundancy: A Recruiter’s Advice

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“When one door closes another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.” Helen Keller

 

If we’re being completely honest with you, we aren’t the biggest fans of the word “redundancy” or “redundant” at RecruitmentPlus. The Oxford Dictionary’s definition of redundant is: no longer needed or useful; unnecessary, needless, and inessential. We would never choose these words to describe any of our talented candidates. The language we use is important and can shape how we view ourselves substantially. Redundancy can be an incredibly difficult time for anyone. It often does come with feelings of worthlessness and fear about what is going to happen next. Although in the short term being made redundant can really feel like the end of the world, we have to pick ourselves back up and look forward to new opportunities.

 

Now, don’t get us wrong. There will be a phase of mourning for what you had or what you thought your future looked like. However, as Helen Keller said, the more we focus on the door that has just closed, the longer it will take for us to notice a new door opening for us.

 

As you can imagine, RecruitmentPlus has supported hundreds of candidates who have found themselves at a crossroads in their careers. The recruitment business is a people-based business meaning that our support comes in all shapes and forms, from confidence building to figuring out what your true goals and aspirations are.

 

With all of our experience, we want to share with you some advice on overcoming redundancy and how, without knowing it yet, it could lead to even bigger success and possibilities.

 

But first things first… we need to address the elephant in the room. How are you really feeling about redundancy? No matter how long you were in your previous job, you’re more than likely going to go through some grieving. Have you heard of the Kubler-Ross Change Curve?

 

Let us explain it to you to help you better understand how you’re feeling and what to expect.

 

Kubler-Ross Change Curve

 

Source: https://stresslessco.com

 

To help you on your journey of overcoming redundancy, it would be advantageous for you to understand the grief cycle. Originally depicting 5 stages; denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance, the Kubler-Ross Change Curve was created by Swiss-American psychiatrist Elisabeth Kübler-Ross. However, as seen in the above graphic, this model can extend to changes you experience in the corporate world.

 

The most important thing is to accept how you feel, no matter what that looks like. Your feelings and emotions are valid. The more you lean into them, the easier it will be to overcome them and move into the next stage.

 

Once you feel mentally and physically able to (remembering that our bodies experience grief and loss too), you can experiment with new ideas and situations which could lead to endless opportunities. We think that it’s important to highlight what is going on internally and acknowledge how you’re feeling so that you can move forward with confidence.

 

We’re going to take a practical turn now and discuss some essential information everyone who is facing job loss and trying to overcome redundancy should know. Let’s dive in.

 

6 Steps to Overcoming Redundancy

 

 1. Know Your Rights 

 

It can be so easy to get caught up in the shock of what is happening that we don’t stop and question the situation. Knowledge is power. Know exactly what your rights are and what you’re entitled to. To help you, here are some useful links from Citizens Information:

 

Redundancy Notice Periods 

Redundancy Pay Rights 

Redundancy Pay Calculator 

 

Further information on your rights can be found on the Workplace Relations Commission.

 

2. Manage Your Money 

 

Don’t shy away from the, sometimes, daunting task of managing your finances. Consider your finish date, what you’ll receive in redundancy pay and how much you currently have in your bank account as a buffer. Coming to grips with your financial situation will help you make a plan for the near future. How long do you have to secure another role? This step is crucial and inevitable. The quicker you get on top of it, the better you’re going to feel.

 

3. Take Time to Reflect 

 

You will probably be experiencing a rollercoaster of emotions with thoughts whirling around your head. Try not to rush into any decision-making right away. It’s easy to do this as naturally, you’ll be trying to “fix” the situation out of fear and panic. Depending on your personal circumstances, you should take a bit of time to process so that you can make the best decision for your future.

 

4. Start Making Decisions 

 

If you have taken our advice up to this point, you should be ready to start making decisions! The very first decision you need to make is… what do you want?

 

We know it’s a big one to land you with first, but without knowing what you really want out of your career and life, you definitely can’t make any other decisions.

 

  • Where do you see yourself in 5 years’ time? (this cliche interview question is a powerful one!)
  • What do you enjoy doing?
  • What is your dream job and/or life?

 

Be really honest with yourself about what you want. Don’t diminish your BIG dreams because you think they are too out of reach. Write down exactly what you want your life to look like and what steps you’ll need to take to get you there.

 

5.  Get Out There 

 

You have your goals in the forefront of your mind now and you’re ready to get out there! The internet, as we all know, is an extraordinarily powerful tool. Use it to your advantage and start networking on social media platforms. Update your LinkedIn profile with any new experience you’ve gained, start connecting with new contacts in the industry you want to work in, and update your profile to Open to Work.

 

Take it a step further and share your insights and knowledge about your industry to your LinkedIn page. Start engaging with other professionals in your industry or the industry you’re looking to work in.

 

6. Contact a Recruitment Agency 

 

Job searching can feel overwhelming, especially after redundancy. You might ask, “where do I start?” Working with a recruitment agency like RecruitmentPlus means that you not only have an expert recruiter but a human being that will take on board all of your concerns, apprehensions, ambitions and dreams. You are more than just a CV. Each candidate that we have ever worked with has been unique, meaning the service each of them has received is unique too.

 

Right now you need someone who not only can get the job done for you, but someone who truly cares about your success too.

 

You don’t have to overcome redundancy alone… so don’t!

 

Get Started with RecruitmentPlus

 

Step One: Upload Your CV

Step Two: Call Us – Stillorgan: 01 2788610/ Dundalk: 042 9356910

Step Three: Search Live Jobs 

Suggested Further Reading

Job Search Anxiety

The Five Rules of Temping

 

How Working With a Temping Agency Can Help Get Your Career Back on Track

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There are many reasons that you may feel that your career isn’t where you want it to be. Perhaps you are returning to the workforce for the first time since starting a family or taking time out for health reasons. Maybe you’re at a crossroads in your career and don’t know where to turn from here. Whatever the reason you’re looking to get your career back on track, one thing is for sure: there is no time like the present to figure out your next move. Can it be a bit scary? Absolutely. But we cannot get to where we want to be without stepping outside of our comfort zones and trying new things. We want to show you how working with a temping agency could be the answer to discovering or revitalising your career and, most importantly, building back up your confidence in the workplace.

What is Temping?

Temporary employees work for a company for a short period of time. As a temporary worker, you may fulfil a variety of roles, including making up for a permanent employee’s absence or supporting a short-term project in the company. We’ve seen countless times temp employees subsequently becoming permanent hires!
Using a temps agency is the ideal solution for employees who wish to evaluate their career path and determine what is next for them. A temporary job can give you some much-needed grace if your current job isn’t working out or if you’re returning to work after a long stint of absence and lacking confidence in your abilities and skills.

Advantages of Working With a Temping Agency

 

Boosts Your Confidence

Working as a temporary employee can help to build your career confidence. Often when temping agencies and their clients discuss a role’s requirements, they will focus on your transferable skills and won’t be overly focused on how much similar experience you have. It can give you the chance to learn new skills and try new things which can be really motivating and inspiring. Stepping back into an office environment is naturally daunting, so temping can give you a taste of working life again.

Gain Clarity

It’s ok to admit to yourself that you aren’t 100% sure about what you want. In fact, it’s brave to admit this. Working with a temps agency is going to allow you to test the waters in a range of different sectors and industries. It takes the pressure off making big decisions before you’re ready. Additionally, it can provide you with a prime opportunity to work in an industry that you’ve always been curious about or interested in.

Networking Opportunities

Get your face out there! Especially if you’re returning to work after some time away, you may feel out of the loop completely. Temping provides a wide range of opportunities and allows you to expand your professional network. Once you perform well in the role, you’ll be on management’s radar, which can lead to further longer-term possibilities.

The CV Gap Fear

From working with so many wonderful candidates, we’ve got just about every recruitment-related question there is!! The most common one that we get from those who are returning to the workforce after time away is “How do I explain the gap in my CV history?”. This is understandable. There is often a misconception that taking time off will deter you from landing your dream role. We’re here to assure you that this isn’t the case! Working with a temping agency will help you to perfect your CV and get you “interview ready”. After all, maternity leave isn’t “time off”, having an illness that has left you incapable of working isn’t “time off” and neither is giving yourself the time to reevaluate your future.

Our CV Clinic

We offer some valuable information on our website that will help you construct the most relevant and appealing CV. Our CV Clinic has been created by expert recruiters to help you get hired. Temping will be a great way to add experience and skills that you feel are missing from your CV, which will help build your confidence when searching for a permanent role.

Recruitment Plus: The Temps Agency That Cares

With dedicated temps desks in Stillorgan, Co. Dublin, and Dundalk, Co. Louth, we provide temporary staffing solutions throughout Dublin and the Northeast.

Our Values

Customer Focused: We put you as our customer at the heart of everything we do. Our in-depth knowledge and experience allow us to match our candidates with the perfect career. We work person to person as no two candidates are the same. You’re never a number for us, but an individual with goals and aspirations.

Integrity: In order for our business to succeed, our brand and our people must embody the highest standards of honesty and trust, always.

Constantly Learning: We are all students for life. Our team constantly looks for new and improved ways of doing things so that we can deliver a superior and progressive recruitment experience.

Committed: To make a real and measurable difference for both candidates and clients, we are driven by the fulfilment of our success and the desire to do our job well.

Relentless: We do not stop until your goals have been met. By persevering and exploring all avenues, we’ll work hard until we deliver the best results for you.

How to Get Started

So, you’re convinced now that using a temping agency is your next move. What do you do now?

Step One: Find out more information about our temping services
Step Two: Contact our team of expert recruiters to discuss your needs

Suggested Further Reading

Job Search Anxiety

The Five Rules of Temping

The Power of Finding a Job You Love

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“Your work is going to fill a large part of your life and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” Steve Jobs

He has a point. Essentially, we assume the reality that we will spend a substantial amount of time working. However, what we don’t have to settle for is what we do for work. We’re currently living in an era where we have more choice and accessibility than we have ever had before, right at our fingertips. Largely because of advances in technology, we have the ability to choose a different path should we see ourselves at a crossroads. We all know what it feels like to be really passionate about something. Perhaps it is a hobby, a sport, an instrument, a football team, or even a movie franchise! Imagine for a moment that finding a job you feel passionate about was something you could achieve. You really don’t have to imagine, a career that you love is accomplishable.

At Recruitment Plus, we have seen the true power of finding a job that you love. We wanted to share with you some of the wonderful benefits that you could experience if you dived into the unknown to find that passion. Not only that, we want to share with you how to take those first small steps. We understand it can feel overwhelming and scary to change careers. But what better time than now, right?

Benefits of Finding a Job You Love

It goes without saying that doing something that you love 5 days a week will probably make you happier. There is a plethora of other benefits you could experience from choosing a different career path, including:

Increased Productivity & Motivation

Doing something that doesn’t fulfil you, or worse that you actively dislike, is going to affect every part of your life, not just professionally. It is possible that the unhappiness you are feeling at work is going to spill over into your personal life, your relationships, and how you view yourself.

Those who have found a job doing what they love tend to be motivated and productive in all aspects of their lives. It is only natural for people to desire more of that feeling when they succeed at something they love. So, they are more inclined to pursue other long-term objectives. What this really means is that doing what you love could help you achieve success in other areas of your life.

“Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work.” Aristotle

A More Fulfilled Life

We spend way too much of our time working to just consider it a means to an end. Finding a job that fills your cup and makes you happy is going to help you feel that you’re living a meaningful life and not wasting it. Coming home after a hard day’s work should feel rewarding and fill you with satisfaction that the day was spent well. Far too many of us, at one stage or another, have felt the exact opposite of this. Interesting finds released by the Irish Examiner in April 2022 stated, “According to a survey, 55% of workers have fallen out of love with their job in the past 12 months — a 12% increase on last year. Of those, 48% felt stuck in a rut”.

As a recruitment agency that truly cares about employee welfare, we find this heartbreaking to read. We are sure there are many other surveys conducted both in Ireland and abroad, with similar results.

No hardworking person should feel stuck in a rut with their current career. At Rplus, we put so much time and energy into finding the perfect role for all candidates that go beyond salary expectations. Happiness within a role is vital and will have a positive impact on the candidate’s life overall.

Boost Your Chances of Success

The ripple effect of finding a job that you love and are passionate about is that you’ll likely have a lot of success in that role. With the positive energy you’ll bring to each task, you won’t need external motivation to get through each day. Doing work that aligns with who you are, what your values are and what really brings joy to YOU will allow you to perform your role with more ease and contentment.

Less Anxiety & Stress

“The Sunday Scaries”, “The Sunday Fear”, “A Case Of The Mondays”. There are probably several other expressions that offer the same sentiment. As a society, it has become all too acceptable to joke about the anxiety surrounding the work week. Of course, being apprehensive for the week ahead, or a little stressed over an important meeting is normal. However, dreading going to work each week and wishing for the weekend only causes anxiety and a feeling of despair. You really have to ask yourself, why do I feel like this? Perhaps the answer is simple: you aren’t doing something that lights you up and brings you happiness.

 

How Do You Start Finding a Job You Love?

You know you want to change, but just don’t know how to get started on your quest to find a job you truly love. Don’t worry! We have your back. Let us tell you about how temping could be the answer to finding exactly what you’re passionate about. So, what is “temping?”. A temporary employee is typically a person who works for a business periodically. The business ordinarily pays hourly or daily wages to temporary employees. As there is no permanent contract, you can decide to complete an assignment with as little as a week’s notice.

There are tons of great benefits you could avail of as a temporary employee, including

  • Freedom & flexibility
  • Exposure to a wide range of different industries
  • The chance to try different roles
  • The opportunity to grow your skill-set
  • Gives you the space to figure out what career you want

Temping is the perfect solution for employees who want the time and space to reflect on their careers and find out what’s next. If you have been unhappy in your job or “stuck in a rut”, temporary work gives you some deserved grace, while still making an income.

Give our team a call today to discuss how you could get started as a temp. Seize the moment to change the trajectory of your career. After all, don’t YOU deserve to be happy?

Our Offices

STILLORGAN OFFICE
20 Lower Kilmacud Road, Stillorgan, Dublin
01 2788610
jobs@rplus.ie

DUNDALK OFFICE
68 Clanbrassil Street, Dundalk, County Louth.
042 9356910
careers@rplus.ie

 

 

Suggested Further Reading: 5 Rules of Temping

Useful Links
Recruitment Plus Available Jobs
CV Clinic
Contact Our Team

season of giving

A Season of Giving in the Workplace

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Ah, December. It is truly the most wonderful time of the year. After a long twelve months, a lot of us are looking forward to some well-earned time off. There are still a few tasks to do before then, however, including: ensuring everyone has a great time at the company Christmas party, making an executive decision on which tasks truly can wait until January and deciding how to create a season of giving in the workplace.

 

Give to a Charity

The best way to give back to the community at Christmastime is by donating to a worthy charity. A company can donate a percentage of their profits or have an employee-led fundraising campaign to help those in need. Some companies also offer paid time off for employees who volunteer for charitable organizations, giving their employees time to give back while also maintaining their work/life balance.

This year, RecruitmentPlus has decided to donate to Focus Ireland. Each company will know what’s right for them and their company culture.

 

Give Your Time & Expertise

Things might be winding down for you, but not everyone’s workload eases off in December. If you notice a colleague is struggling with their workload, why not ask if you can give them a helping hand? Even if you’re not au fait with their main tasks, there is surely something you can do to tick off an item or two from their to-do list. This is a great way to encourage a season of giving in your workplace.

Another way you can help is to mentor a junior employee. If you both find you have some free time in the days leading up to your Christmas break, why not grab a coffee with them and have a chat. Let them pick your brain. Ask them about their most difficult tasks and see if you can offer a better solution using your own experience. They’ll feel great coming back in January, ready to hit the ground running. And you’ll feel amazing having helped them.

 

Give a Kris Kindle Gift

Kris Kindle is a fun tradition that has been around for decades. This gift exchange is often used as a way for employees to get to know one another better in an informal setting. It’s also a great way for people who work in teams or departments that don’t interact with one another on a regular basis to break the ice.

We all know that money can be tight for people especially at this time of year, but a Kris Kindle gift doesn’t have to cost a lot. You can set the limit to €5 or whatever is appropriate for your group. It’s fun to investigate what your gift recipient might like and again, maybe learn a little something about them.

 

Give Feedback

This tip is for managers. Giving feedback to an employee really helps them understand their role and how they’ve contributed throughout the year. The best process for giving feedback is through an annual performance review. Performance reviews are a very important part of an employee’s career. They help employees understand their strengths and weaknesses, set goals for themselves and keep them accountable and hopefully motivated.

But the benefits don’t stop there. Once all of the performance reviews have been done, a manager can use the data to see what their own strengths and weaknesses are leading a team. You can learn about areas in which you can improve and also figure out which of your employees might need some more support from you.

 

This time of year, you can see it’s definitely better to give than to receive.

 

During this season of giving, if your gift to yourself is a new job in 2023, click here.

 

Our offices are closing on Friday 23rd December and will re-open on Wednesday 04th January 2023. We’d like to thank all of our clients and candidates for their support this year. Best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New year. We look forward to working with you again in 2023.

The 5 Rules of Temping

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Across Ireland, employees are dreaming of their first proper summer holiday in 2 years. Meanwhile, their managers are wondering how to cope with the extra workload when their teams are out of the office. What’s a manager to do?

Enter: “The Temp” – someone who is smart, confident and adaptable, as well as being multi-skilled. The Temp saves the day!

Does this sound like you? Would you like the flexibility to choose between short term work or months long contracts? Do you think you’d enjoy the variety of working in different environments? Follow these 5 rules of temping and you’ll have your choice of assignments.

  1. First things first, you need a good temping CV. This CV should be specifically used for applying for temp work. At the top of the page, list your technical skills, your contact details, your availability and the locations where you can work. The rest of the CV should be as normal- education and work history. A Temps Controller may receive hundreds of CVs, but will remember the one that highlights skill set and gives availability.
  2. When in doubt, dress UP. As a temp, you will be working in many different environments. Some may be on production lines; others may be business casual offices. Some offices may run a strict, corporate-style dress code. Always check the dress code with your Temps Controller in advance. First impressions count and nowhere more so than in the world of temping.
  3. On time means 5 minutes early. You don’t want to arrive too early, but you never want to arrive late. Research the location of your assignment. Make sure you know how to get there. Drive by if you’re unfamiliar with the area or check public transport timetables the night before. Again, plan on being there 5 minutes before you’re due to start.
  4. Be discreet. Anything you hear or read, while working in a company is strictly confidential. When you register for temp work, you will sign a contract of employment and a handbook explaining the importance of confidentiality and non-disclosure while on temporary work assignments
  5. Work like your career depends on it. Again, first impressions count and if you’re only in an assignment for a week, you don’t have time to have an off day. Temping is an excellent way to get your foot in the door of some amazing companies, which could lead to wonderful opportunities. Good work does not go unnoticed.

If you’re interested in temping or want to talk to someone about your career, contact RecruitmentPlus on 01 2788610 or visit www.recruitmentplus.ie.

 

Lorna Ward Celebrates 15 Years with RecruitmentPlus

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Congratulations to Lorna on her 15th work anniversary with RecruitmentPlus.

Lorna joined the company in 2006 and since the beginning she has proven herself to be a key player on our team. Lorna started out as a Recruitment Consultant and moved up the ranks to Senior Consultant, then Commercial Manager and now is an Associate Director within the company. Lorna earned each of these promotions through her skilful recruitment processes but most importantly through her dedication to learning about and understanding the nuances of each sector for which she recruits. Lorna’s clients and candidates can rest assured knowing that Lorna wants what’s best for both parties involved. Especially with her candidates, she deep dives during an interview to not only gain an understanding of her candidate’s skill set, but what they truly want for the next step in their career. This results in Lorna finding the right candidates for the right jobs- a perfect fit for both client and candidate.

Another thing that makes Lorna so successful is that she is innovative and always open to learning. One of our core values in RecruitmentPlus is that we are “Constantly Learning: continuously looking for new and improved ways of doing things, combining fresh thinking with over 2 decades of experience to deliver a superior and progressive recruitment offering.” Lorna takes this value to heart and is a great example of this core company value to all of her colleagues. We mentioned above that Lorna is invested in learning about the sectors she recruits for and the career goals of her candidates, but in addition to that, Lorna is constantly working to improve her recruitment methods. Especially during the pandemic, Lorna quickly took to online interviewing and found best practices for both clients and candidates to ensure both sides were still getting the absolute best service from RecruitmentPlus. She also has been studying career coaching techniques to further her understanding of candidate needs. On top of all this, Lorna has created a successful outplacement service which was of great benefit to employees who found themselves made redundant during the worst periods of the pandemic. She helped guide them to find this as a period of change rather than an ending to their current career.

We would be remiss to only talk about Lorna’s strengths from a candidate or client point of view. As a colleague, Lorna is a mentor, a leader, an innovator and a friend. She is the first to volunteer to help someone who needs assistance. When she learns a new skill or process, she always shares this information with the team. She is never too busy to check in on a colleague. She is as fun as she is professional and she flies the flag for RecruitmentPlus wherever she goes. Lorna is a shining example of the best of us. And we are proud and humbled that she has chosen to spend the last 15 years working for us.

We would like to take this opportunity to celebrate her long service with us and wish her many more years with RecruitmentPlus.

Advice on the National Remote Working Strategy

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We all breathed a sigh of relief at the announcement that Level 5 restrictions have been eased somewhat across the country. It was a welcomed piece of good news that I think we all can admit, couldn’t have come too soon. Although we still have some way to go, it has certainly instilled hope that there are better days ahead and that this is the beginning. At Recruitment Plus, we are seeing a steady pick up in recruitment trends.

 

As employers, this might be news you are waiting to hear in order to start planning for the remainder of the year. You may have started to think again about adding to your headcount.

 

Have you considered how you will accommodate the government’s recently launched “Remote Working Strategy”? An initiative that, without COVID, would have taken decades to implement and has now been propelled into the forefront of every industry across Ireland.

 

Whether you’ve read the strategy document yet or not, you probably have questions about how this will affect your workforce structure, recruitment plans and just about every other aspect of recruiting and managing staff.

Here are some of the main takeaways from the Remote Working Strategy document to equip you with the knowledge to take your next steps.

 

National Remote Working Strategy

Main actions that will be taken by the Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment:

  • “Mandating that home and remote work should be the norm for 20 per cent of public sector employment
  • Reviewing the treatment of remote working for the purposes of tax and expenditure in the next Budget
  • Mapping and investing in a network of remote working hubs across Ireland
  • Legislating for the right to request remote working
  • Developing a code of practice for the right to disconnect
  • Doing what we can to accelerate the provision of high-speed broadband to all parts of Ireland”

 

Interesting Statistic Regarding Employee Attitudes & Remote Working

According to research carried out in October 2020, 94% of those who partook in the survey said that they would like to work remotely after the pandemic. This was an  increase of 10% on results from a similar survey carried out the previous May.

 

Three Pillars for the Remote Working Strategy

 As stated in the strategy, the initiative will be broken down into three pillars with one main objective “Ensure Remote Work is a Permanent Feature in the Irish Workplace”

 

Pillar One: Create a Conducive Environment

Pillar Two: Develop and Leverage Remote Working Infrastructure

Pillar Three: Build a Remote Work Policy and Guidance Framework

 

Resources for Employers

So, what should employers be doing to prepare?  Knowledge is power. Take a look at the full strategy document and the remote working checklist for employers below to have a better understanding of what to expect.

It will also allow you to put in place policies and strategies to facilitate employee needs and future rights.

 

National Remote Work Strategy

Government of Ireland Remote Working Checklist for Employers

 

 Recruitment Plus’ Promise & Your Next Steps

 

Recruitment Plus has a strong track record in finding flexible solutions for clients and candidates. Our positive approach to Remote Working will be no different. We believe that this flexibility will only expand the pool of talent beyond candidates that traditionally would be more fixed on location.

What you choose to do now will directly affect your workforce structure in the third and fourth quarters of this year.

Contact our office to find out more about how the Remote Working Strategy will affect your business. We will find the best possible solution and provide you with the knowledge and assurance for smooth recruitment moving forward.

 

STILLORGAN OFFICE

01 2788610

jobs@rplus.ie

DUNDALK OFFICE

042 9356910

careers@rplus.ie

 

Supporting Remote Employees

 

Here are some of our most popular reads which you may find useful in further supporting your employees.

8 Silver Linings of Working From Home

Supporting Field-Based Workers

Supporting Employees Remotely

 

 

An Interview with Bernice Brennan

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The 8th March was International Women’s Day. We’ve so many wonderful and talented women working at Recruitment Plus, so we decided to interview one of them! 

Meet Bernice Brennan. Bernice has over 20 years of experience in the Irish recruitment market across diverse disciplines. She is a dog lover and an avid reader.  

We asked Bernice a couple of questions about women in the workforce and about her hopes for the future: 

  1. What is your current job role?

I am primarily Business Development Manager for the Group, supporting consultants in our Dublin, Dundalk and Limerick offices.

  1. What industries do you work closely with?

I have a broad remit and work with existing and potential clients in the Pharmaceutical/Medical Devices, Property, Finance, HR, Sales/ Marketing, Engineering and Office Support.

  1. What challenges do women face in the  profession/ academia?

There still seems to be a lack of social encouragement and self-perception in young women,” said Fionnuala Meehan, Sales Director for Google, gender coding competition last year. Only one girl out of 1,500 girls who took part advanced to a further round.

It is the 21st century. The world talks about progression and creating an environment where all people are treated equally. 

But, why does it stop when it comes to women? 

Why does it happen that women are expected to balance between their career and home while men are supposed to be the breadwinners of the family?

While there are men who have come forward to support women in all their endeavours, why is the word “feminism” branded with, in my opinion,  contempt? 

It’s time we shatter toxic masculinity and make people understand that feminism’s goal is to reduce gender gaps and achieve political, economic, personal, and social gender equality.

It is good to see that this can be industry-specific. There are industries that have a gender preference though this is not a “hard and fast” rule. I believe that mandatory shared parental leave, more affordable childcare and initiatives to tackle gender stereotyping are amongst the measures needed to address the gender pay gap in Ireland.

  1. What are your hopes for women in the workforce in the future? 

I hope that the next generation has even more opportunities and experience and increases the value of their contributions as women. I hope they will help take us all to the next level in achieving gender equity. I already see a level of strength and vulnerability in the next generation that I believe has the power to make great strides forward.

We wish we could show off and celebrate all of our staff this week. However, Bernice is an excellent example of the women we are lucky enough to work with every day.  

 

Recommending Reading: An Interview with Mhairi-Therese Gallagher

 

An Interview with Mhairi-Therese Gallagher

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On International Women’s Day 2021, we had a chat with Mhairi- Therese Gallagher about her career as an Electrical Design Engineer.

 

 

 

Q1. What would you say to girls in school/college who may be considering Engineering as a career choice/study option?

Go for it, it was the best decision I’ve ever made and wish I made that leap right after secondary school. But life got complicated for me at that time and I decided to focus on my family.

 

Q2. How or why did you choose Engineering as a career path/area of study?

I have two reasons, first, I grew up as the shadow of an amazing Engineer, my dad. I would stand beside him in his workshop and help him with electrical work when I was as young as 6 until I got to work with him in the factory where he was the head engineer. Secondly, I finally made the decision to take that leap when I saw my 10-year-old son building his own website from scratch and telling me he wanted to be a computer engineer, as my son had special needs I knew if he was to follow his goals I would need to do this first in order to be able to support him in following this path. Not only did I graduate with an honours degree in computer engineering but my experience helped him get into the same course I studied in. He’s now a second-year engineering student. And I’m an electrical design engineer.

 

Q3, What challenges do women face in Engineering professions/academia?

Professionally I haven’t felt that I have had any challenges specific to women, like everyone, once you have proven your ability any doubts disappear. In our factory, the men are the ones who brag about our female engineering operatives, how they are the best at wiring and fitting smaller fitting, how organised and meticulous they are in their work. Everyone is appreciated for their skills here. The only challenges I faced were personal- I had to study Engineering while raising four children as a single mum, I suffered health issues and family loss. But through sacrifice, perseverance, motivation and focus I managed to graduate with my honours degree in electronics and computer engineering.

 

Q4. What are your hopes for the future of Engineering?

I hope to see more female engineers joining us. There is a big difference in the numbers of female students attending university to study Engineering, This was something I was glad to see when teaching Engineering at DCU and hope the numbers continue to rise.