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A Week In The Life Of A Job Hunter with Avril Quinn

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As the saying goes “Life Rewards Action”, it is time to start focusing on solutions, particularly when it comes to Job hunting.  I appreciate and understand that Readers have busy lives, that lots of matters come up each day that need our attention so I will get right to the point; I have put together a suggested 7 day action plan for you to try which I believe will support you in your job hunting efforts.

Monday

Do you have your own email account? If so is it an email address that is appropriate for contacting potential employers? Something professional is what you are aiming for, just to be safe!

Have you ever heard of Linkedin? It is basically the professional Facebook….you can set up your own profile and its is a very effective way of online business networking, making business contacts, it has a jobs search engine where you can search for vacancies and Recruiters use Linkedin to find suitable candidates for vacancies, you can’t lose! www.linkedin.com Set up your profile today and start to add your contacts, before you know it you will be ‘in the know’ with all that is happening in the business world, now that is not a bad start to the week is it?

Check the situations vacant section of the Evening Echo and do this from Monday to Thursday, you don’t need to buy it maybe you have a friend or family member who gets it religiously? I know I do.

Tuesday

Check your Linkedin account to see any updates, upcoming courses, job vacancies, new contacts and make a point of checking your Linkedin account each day.

Contact your local Family Resource Centre to ask about any upcoming courses, available opportunities etc.  Cobh Family Resource Centre is a very vibrant hub of activity with everything from Mens Personal Development to Mothers and Babies Support Groups to Meditation to Computer Courses.

Have you thought about the possibility of participating in a FÁS Community Employment Scheme? These can be an excellent platform from which to get back into the workforce and can be very often the opportunity to try something very new and learn a new skill set.  Usually in Cobh Eileen Armstrong is the point of contact that you can enquire to and she can be contacted on 021 4813404.

Wednesday

Have you ever considering running your own business? Cork has numerous supports for people considering the option of being their own boss.  Cork Institute of Technology’s Rubicon Centre runs the very successful Genesis Enterprise Programme and the Pinc Programme, details of which can be accessed on www.gep.ie and www.rubiconcentre.ie

South and East Cork Area Development (SECAD) have very comprehensive support for both people already in business and people considering setting something up.  SECAD provide advice in relation to access to funding, they have numerous training courses and they also provide free mentoring sessions details of which can be received from Sinead Conroy on sconroy@secad.ie

 

 

Thursday

Do you have a CV and if so do you feel happy that it looks as best as it possibly can for review by a potential employer? The reality is that companies are being bombarded with CV’s and it was never so important to make a really good impression.  Ensure that you use a professional format and focus on achievements wherever possible.  Ask a friend or family member to review it and if you have a budget speak to a Career Coach, you will get this done professionally now for a very cost effective rate, there has to be some benefit to the recession!

Check out the free newspapers such as the Cork Independent, Peter Tobin is the Business Editor and they are usually really up to date in terms of the latest happenings on the Cork job’s market, also they have a situations vacant section at the back of the paper.

Friday

Go online to the Irish Examiner website (www.irishexaminer.com) and check the ‘Money & Jobs’ Section for any suitable opportunities, also check the business section for any company announcements.

Log onto the IDA website and sign up for their press releases that way you will immediately be notified of any new companies coming to Ireland and movements in the labour market (www.idaireland.com)

Make a list of all your friends and family who are working in companies and ensure to contact them all to see if their companies are hiring, multinationals in particular love to get referrals from existing staff and it can be a win win situation most of the time!

Saturday

Its Saturday, the weekend is here! Treat yourself with a trip to the city, if you are in the market for Christmas work you will notice that by simply walking around the city that the following have all been recruiting for Christmas Staff; Lush, Monsoon, Oasis and Penneys, maybe bring some CVs with you and hand them in! you never know!

Sunday

Put your feet up and relax with the Sunday Papers and if you happen to come across the business sections the Sunday Independent and Sunday Business Post are particularly good for job vacancies.

Finally, well done on completing a very positive and productive week! I believe that by undertaking these actions you will get closer to the goals and solutions you want and of course if I can help you in anyway please do not hesitate to get in contact.

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Avril Quinn has worked the area of Career Coaching and Human Resources for over ten years with a wide range of experience in working for Irish, European and International Organisations in addition to having worked with people from all walks of life and at all stages in their Careers.  A Masters Graduate and a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, Avril is also a fully certified Occupational Profiler with the British Psychological Society.  Avril can be contacted on 086 2176742 or on email avriljquinn@gmail.com

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