Want to land a new job? That can be as simple as following the right steps.
We all know the general steps one should follow to find gainful employment: job search, application and CV, interview etc. But, when the niggly little things arise – such as the correct format for a cover letter – it can be a little harder to know how to deal with it.
We’ve got you covered.
We started by taking a look at the best way to make your CV stand out. But we know that, no matter how many tweaks you make, sometimes your work history is working against you, so we looked at how to explain a gap in your CV.
We also learned how important cultural fit is with candidates. At Qualtrics, it’s an essential part of the hiring process.
And culture is a huge part of a company’s brand – just ask MSD. We heard from Ger Brennan, the managing director of human health at the pharma giant’s Irish operation, who talked us through the company’s CSR work, and what it means to employees.
But we know recruitment is a two-sided process, so we pulled together an instruction manual of sorts to help HR find the people they actually want.
If you’re hiring, chances are someone has recently left your organisation. Start by being sure to give them a rigorous exit interview to make certain that you don’t make the same mistakes – if mistakes were made – with a new recruit.
We also spoke to Paul D’Arcy, senior VP of Indeed, who talked about transformational talent and how to find – in the words of Will Smith’s character in Men in Black – the best of the best of the best, sir.
Finally, for the broad thinkers out there, we took a look at alternative methods to close the skills gap. Could apprenticeships, or doing more to fight ageism, be the answer?
And, of course, we know careers are about more than the job hunt. We also offered some advice for long-timers.
You’ve been in your job for a long time and have no real desire to leave, but you’re also not quite happy. What’s wrong? Maybe you just need some new goals to keep you driven.
Do you want to be part of the workplace of the future? You might need to get to grips with AI. We heard from Gillian Armstrong, technologist at Liberty IT, who talked about the possibilities and challenges of chatbots.
We also heard from Dr Eibhlís O’Connor, a researcher and lecturer at University of Limerick, who spoke about her work and the best parts of research.
As always for more on any of these stories, follow the links below.
1. The ultimate cheat sheet for your CV
Your CV is the first impression you will give to your potential employer, so you’d better make sure it’s the best it can be.
2. How do I explain the gap in my CV?
Job interviews are hard enough without having to explain a gap in your CV – but they don’t have to be a bad thing.
3. At Qualtrics, culture is a huge part of the interview process
Donnchadh Casey, EMEA head of operations and professional services at Qualtrics, was at the first Career Zoo of 2017 on 11 March, talking about what makes a good workplace. He said that a good cultural fit was an essential part of the hiring process.
4. MSD thinks beyond business to make a positive impact
CSR is an integral part of many companies. Ger Brennan, managing director of human health for MSD Ireland, gives us some insight into the pharma giant’s global community work.
5. 3 things to ask when your employee is leaving
It is a fact of business life that employees leave, but how can you stop others from following suit? A robust exit interview could help.
6. What is transformational talent and how can we get it?
Transformational talent brings maximum impact and top results, but many companies are looking for it in the wrong way.
7. Tech apprenticeships could be the answer to the skills shortage
Apprenticeships in the technology industry would benefit jobseekers, organisations and the sector as a whole.
8. How to solve the ageism problem in the tech sector
The tech sector is already fighting to narrow the talent gap and the gender gap, but what about the age gap?
9. 5 alternative career goals to make you happy
Will that big office actually make you happy? Sometimes, the more obscure career goals make you happier than the obvious ones.
10. What is it like working on the chatbot platforms of the future?
As technology becomes more integral to working life, the popularity of chatbots is on the rise. Here, Gillian Armstrong, technologist at Liberty IT, talks about building a chatbot platform.
11. ‘Seeing the science evolve from concept to reality is the best part of research’
Research is a broad discipline that encompasses a whole host of areas, and is instrumental in building our future. But what is it like actually working in research?
