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How do I write a CV if I have no job experience?

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How do I write a CV if I have no job experience?

Whether you’re a graduate with little or no job experience or you’re starting out in the world of work you can still create a successful and worthwhile CV.

Here’s are our top tips:

  • Look at having a skills-based CV rather than the traditional biographical one. This means listing your skills and writing something about them. For example, I am Highly Organised: As demonstrated in my ability to achieve a 1.1 hons degree whilst working part-time and playing sport to a high level.
  • Make sure your CV is targeted for the role you are applying for and the skills you mention are relevant to the role you are applying for.
  • Write a strong personal profile. This is your opportunity to sell yourself. In a few lines, why are you suitable for the job?
  • Focus on your education. What relevant courses have you completed? What were the most relevant subjects? What subjects did you do in your Leaving Certificate and what results did you get (only list them if they’re good). Have you completed a third level degree or other college course that is relevant to the role? Give details and emphasise your achievements within these.
  • Think about personal interests and achievements.  Have you received any awards or special recognition for something?
  • Have you volunteered for a local project, been involved in fundraisers, helped out with any teams or organisations, captained any sports teams? Mention these and think about what elements of these would apply to what the employer is looking for

Remember – Don’t waffle and Keep it to the Point!

For more career advice visit Career Coaching Ireland | Need Help Choosing Your Perfect Career Path? 

 

Hartley People Recruitment and Training celebrate 20 years of business

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How do I write a CV if I have no job experience?

Through a global recession and unprecedented pandemic, the Waterford business has seen it all over 20 years and continues to thrive.

Waterford-based Hartley People has reached an exciting milestone as the company celebrates 20 years of delivering best-quality recruitment and training solutions.

Through Hartley People’s unparalleled local and regional knowledge some 7,000 candidates have been placed with 1,000 multinationals and SMEs locally and nationally.

The business was founded in 2001 by siblings Fergal and Roisin Hartley who recognised a need to provide a different approach to the traditional agency recruitment model in the region. This was their motivation and founding spirit which remains in place today. Hartley People have achieved this goal through its ongoing commitment to excellence coupled with strong customer loyalty.

With an initial staff of just three, the company took up residence at No.107 The Quay. Around the same time, Hartley People Training delivered its first course in FAS in supervisory skills and in 2002 broke into contracted training where it has flourished and now sources and manages tutors for ETB training programmes nationally.

Steady growth led to the purchase of a premises on Manor Street in the city in 2005, where the company is still headquartered today. By now the business had 13 staff in its employment.

2008 brought an inevitable downturn in recruitment and was the beginning of some years of uncertainty where the business had to diversify to maintain its position.  2010 saw an opportunity to enter the healthcare world as a Home Care provider. Initially operating as HP Medical and later rebranded as Clannad Care, this division of the business has grown to employ 20 full-time staff and 70 Healthcare Assistants.

By 2015, the Hartley Group had outgrown the Manor Street premises and opened a second office in Deise House in Poleberry.

In 2017, a specialist Temporary recruitment division of the business was formed and a Senior Manager was enlisted to manage the growth and development of this business.

Currently the company employs 33 permanent staff and a further 300 are employed across all the group of businesses working on a range of client assignments. The company has very recently relocated to a larger premises in the Cleaboy Business Park with room for further expansion, elevating the groups presence and cementing it as one of the most prominent employers in the region.

Company Director, Roisin Hartley says, “The last 20 years have gone by in the blink of an eye, despite the industry being turned upside down by technology. Recruitment & Training have evolved and changed to meet the everchanging needs of clients, the expectations of learners and candidates, and the technology that drives both industries. It’s been a hugely exciting and rewarding journey so far, and we look forward to growing, changing and learning in the years ahead.”

Vision for the future

As a business with a bird’s eye view on the world of work and employment, Hartley People is witnessing continued change and evolution which has undoubtedly been propelled futher by the COVID-19 pandemic. Companies are adapting to cope with the changes in society, technology, work practice legislation and employee expectations. Company Director, Fergal Hartley believes that some major changes are coming down the tracks, “Jobs of the future will change, with robotics replacing manual roles in many instances, and huge demand for skills in AI and automation. Notwithstanding this, there will equally be great demand for skills in the care and broader service sectors, where automation cannot replace the human touch. Today, people tend to have multiple jobs, but mostly one career. The graduates of 2021 can most likely expect to have multiple careers, with regular need to upskill and change direction to meet the changing world of work.”

Hartley People is well positioned to be a at the heart of this change, working in partnership with employers and employees to ensure that both achieve their business and career goals. Fergal comments, “The business is constantly adapting to embrace the new technologies and continuously strive  to carve out a niche that differentiates us from our competitors. Despite the rise in AI, and the possible gloomy predictions of its impact on workforces across the world, we believe people will be the key differentiator that ensures success or otherwise at all levels and across all industries. As long as this remains true, we feel that we can have a key role to play, and we look forward with excitement and enthusiasm to what we can and will become as a company, as the next phase of our journey unfolds.”

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How to find a graduate job in 2020

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How to find a graduate job in 2020

Looking for your first real job after graduation can be a challenge, but for the class of 2020 this may seem like a particularly difficult task.

But there is good reason to be positive. Many of our clients are still continuing with their graduate employment programmes and we are seeing renewed confidence in the job market as we look forward to 2021.

The hiring/recruitment process has changed due to the pandemic, in many ways for the better. It has become more streamlined and hiring is happening at a faster pace. And despite roles in some sectors being in decline, others such as biopharma and engineering are thriving.

Career Coach, Fiona Hartley has the following practical advice for graduates looking to find their way to their first job:

  • Critically evaluate yourself. What are your strengths? What is your USP (unique selling point), i.e. why should an employer hire you over other candidates. What are your transferrable skills? These are important from a CV development and interview preparation perspective. From a graduate’s point of view, transferrable skills are key as many don’t have huge amounts of relevant experience.
  • Spend time optimising your CV. A good CV should be:
    – Targeted. Your CV must focus on those characteristics that are of interest to the employer. Tailor your CV to emphasise those skills that are required for the position being applied for. Do not send the same CV in for every job. Tweak it to show how you match the employer’s requirements.
    – High Impact. Most employers skim read a CV so make sure your CV looks professional. Important information should stand out.
    – Achievement Based. Detail work related and personal achievements

You can get professional help with your CV or alternatively find some templates here.

  • Volunteer. There are a number of ways to do this. Do some pro bono work in the area you want to get work. Alternatively, help out with a charity or club. Do you want to work in finance? Perhaps offer to help the treasurer in your local club. If you are interested in being a teacher, offer to help out with coaching a local children’s team. Volunteer work always looks good on a CV. It boosts your experience, develops transferrable skills and is a way of expanding your network of contacts.
  • Do a course. Is there an online courses, or courses, that you could do while waiting to land your dream job. Pick one that is relevant to the career you want. Check out Qualifax.ie, fetchcourses.ie for a wide range of postgraduate courses.
  • Make connections. Many jobs are secured through word of mouth. Do you already know someone who may be able to help or introduce you to a key person in the industry you would like to work in. Join groups on social media and make sure to interact with members. As always with social media, ensure you are using appropriate language and are convey yourself in a professional matter at all times.
  • Less is more. Rather than applying for lots of jobs with minimum effort, put more effort into applying for fewer jobs. Consider the following:
    • A potential employer is much more likely to take a good look at your CV if they can put a voice / face to the job application. How do you do this?
      • Get as much information as possible about the role and try to get the “inside track”. Make contact with them (by phone if possible) and tell them you are interested in the role and find out more. NB Try and find out a name!
      • Once you have spoken to them, send an email telling them it was good to talk to them and that you will be sending in your CV shortly.
      • Target your CV for the role, prepare a cover letter and email it.
      • Connect with the relevant person on LinkedIn.
      • If you don’t hear from your contact in a while, don’t be afraid to follow-up with them by phone or email.

Remember while you are out of work, your job is to find work. Put in a concerted effort.

If you’re still unsure about any of the above or would like advice on your career or CV, get in touch with one of our team and they will be happy to advise.

One in five employees who are working remotely admitted to enjoying extra time in bed in the morning

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One in five employees who are working remotely admitted to enjoying extra time in bed in the morning

As level 5 restrictions kick in, many workers across the country will commence remote working once again. We surveyed employees across the south east to find out how they are working and job seeking during the pandemic.

The Hartley People Working and Jobseeking During the Covid19 Pandemic Survey collected the views of employed adults in the south east to discover how COVID-19 restrictions have affected their working lives and future job prospects.

Remote working

Almost half of employees (44%) felt they were better prepared to return to remote working, as the government raised the level of restrictions.

42% worked from home during the first lockdown. Of those that returned to work on site almost half (46%) agreed that their employer had put appropriate measures in place to keep them safe as they returned to work.

Just over half of all employees are concerned about their employer’s flexibility around remote working as we face into an uncertain winter.

It’s no surprise that work/life balance is a hot topic, with 40% of respondents admitting the change to their working environment has made them revaluate theirs. Time previously spent commuting is  now being spent with family members or on a hobby.

21% of those who are working remotely are enjoying extra time in bed in the mornings and 35% admit to eating more than usual as they work at home.

When it comes to missing office life, over half of respondents who are working from home miss chats with colleagues, while 44% are tiring of video calls and longing for a return to face-to-face meetings. 12% admit to preferring work with restrictions around interactions with colleagues in place!

Job seeking and employment prospects

As we continue to live and work within the restraints of the pandemic restrictions, we learned about concerns around job security and employment prospects.

57% are concerned about the security of their jobs, with the highest level of concern being expressed by 35-44yr olds (45%), followed by 45-54yr olds (21%).

Unsurprisingly those who are employed in the retail sector expressed the most concern about job security (19%), followed by those who work in the secretarial & admin (19%) and production and manufacturing (14%) sectors. This is reflected in the marked increase in CVs received by Hartley People over recent months, from those in the hospitality and retail sectors.

22% of those working in retail have experienced a pay cut or a decrease in their usual hours of work, followed by 18% of production and manufacturing workers.

Amongst the uncertainty there is still optimism amongst employees as 48% say they would consider changing job at the moment, while 20% have put their job search on hold while Covid-19 is still prevalent.

Working in the south east during the Covid-19 crisis – here’s what you had to say

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Hartley People Recruitment and Training celebrate 20 years of business

As Level 5 restrictions kick in across the country, many of us are working remotely again. We surveyed employees across the south east to find out how they are working and job seeking during the pandemic. Here’s what you had to say.

Almost half of employees (44%) felt they were better prepared to return to remote working, as the government raised the level of restrictions. However, half are concerned about their employer’s flexibility around remote working as we face into an uncertain winter.

When it comes to what we miss about office life, over half of us miss chats with colleagues and after work drinks.  44% are tiring of video calls and longing for a return to face-to-face meetings. Although, it seems some of us are happy to get some space from our workmates as 12% admit to preferring work with restrictions around interactions with colleagues in place!

Work life balance

It is true to say that the Covid-19 crisis has caused many of us to reconsider how we are living and how we are spending our time. This is reflected in our survey as over 40% of respondents admit that the change to their working environment has made them revaluate their work/life balance. You told us that time usually spent commuting is now being spent with family or on a hobby.

1 in 5 of admitted to having a lie in in the mornings and 35% admitted to eating more while working from home!

Job seeking and employment prospects

As we continue to live and work within the restraints of the pandemic restrictions, you told us your concerns around job security and employment prospects.

57% are concerned about the security of their jobs, with the highest level of concern being expressed by 35-44yr olds (45%), followed by 45-54yr olds (21%).

Unsurprisingly those who are employed in the retail sector expressed the most concern about job security (19%), followed by those who work in the secretarial & admin (19%) and production and manufacturing (14%) sectors. This is reflected in the increase of CVs received by Hartley People over recent months, with the majority coming from those in the hospitality and retail sectors.

22% of those working in retail have experienced a pay cut or a decrease in their usual hours of work, followed by 18% of production and manufacturing workers.

Amongst the uncertainty there is still optimism amongst employees as 48% say they would consider changing job at the moment, while 20% have put their job search on hold while Covid-19 is still prevalent.

If you are considering a career or job change, or are looking for advice on how to make your CV shine, contact our in-house Career Coaching team by emailing fiona@hartleypeople.com

To view all our current open vacancies visit https://www.hartleypeople.com/jobs-listing/

Working and Job Seeking in the South East during the Pandemic Report

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Working and Job Seeking in the South East during the Pandemic Report

  • Almost half of employees (44%) felt they were better prepared to return to remote working, as the government raised the level of restrictions.
  • Half of all employees are concerned about their employer’s flexibility around remote working.
  • 57% of employees are concerned about the security of their jobs over the coming months.

2020 has been a year like no other and the way we work and live has been affected in ways we could not have imagined. The Hartley People Working and Job Seeking During the Covid-19 Pandemic Survey collected the views of employed adults in the south east to discover how COVID-19 restrictions have affected their working lives and future job prospects.

Remote working during the pandemic

42% of employees surveyed worked from home during the lockdown restrictions. Of those that returned to work on site 46% agreed that their employer had put appropriate measures in place to keep them safe as they returned to work.

Almost half of employees (44%) felt they were better prepared to return to remote working, as the government raised the level of restrictions. However, half of all employees are concerned about their employer’s flexibility around remote working as we face into an uncertain winter.

Over 40% of respondents admit that the change to their working environment has made them revaluate their work/life balance. Extra time accrued for personal and family activities due to not having to commute to work is stated as the main reason for this revaluation. Although, as few as 21% of those who are working remotely are enjoying extra time in bed in the mornings and 35% admit to eating more than usual as they work at home.

When it comes to what we miss about the office, over half of respondents who are working from home miss chats with colleagues, while 44% are tiring of video calls and longing for a return to face-to-face meetings. 12% admit to preferring work with restrictions around interactions with colleagues in place.

Job seeking and employment prospects

As we continue to live and work within the restraints of the pandemic restrictions, the survey highlighted concerns about job security and employment prospects amongst our respondents.

57% of employees are concerned about the security of their jobs over the coming months, with the highest level of concern being expressed by 35-44yr olds (45%), followed by 45-54yr olds (21%).

Unsurprisingly those who are employed in the retail sector expressed the most concern about job security (19%), followed by those who work in the secretarial & admin (19%) and production and manufacturing (14%) sectors

22% of those working in retail have experienced a pay cut or a decrease in their usual hours of work, followed by 18% of production and manufacturing workers.

Amongst the uncertainty there is still optimism amongst employees as 48% say they would consider changing job at the moment, while 20% have put their job search on hold while Covid-19 is still prevalent.

35% are satisfied with job opportunities for professional growth here in the south east, 15% of respondents who live outside the south east would consider relocating here for a new job.

Help your child make the right choice for their future study and career prospects

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Help your child make the right choice for their future study and career prospects

Research has shown that one in three students choose a college course that’s a poor fit for their interests and abilities.

With so many choices looming for second and third level students, heightened competition and uncertainty around what course or career is right for them, it is easy for students to feel overwhelmed.

That anxiety can lead to poor decisions that may lead to wasted time and money. In fact, 1 in 3 second level students will choose a college course that is a poor fit with their interests and abilities.

Is your student…

  • Feeling the pressure to pick a college and/or a job path post college?
  • Comparing themselves to all their friends, who seem to know what they want to do in life?
  • Struggling to find a clear direction?
  • Having second thoughts about their course choice?
  • Stressed about starting their career after graduation?

As a parent, you play an important role in preparing your student for their future. You want them to be excited, confident and optimistic.

Give them a head start by encouraging them to do the following

1. Work with a Career Coach

Consider working with a certified Career Coach who specialises in helping second level and college students navigate the overwhelming maze of career possibilities. A great coach will help your child gain greater self-awareness of their talents, interests, values and passions to identify their best career fit. This, in turn, allows them to more effectively determine which colleges or apprenticeships to apply for, which course to take, or which internships to apply for.

2. Volunteer

There are many organisations looking for volunteers for projects, especially at the moment. Social media is a great place to search for volunteer opportunities in your local area. LinkedIn often lists unpaid internships or job openings that could be an ideal way to sample a job or career that is of interest. Try www.volunteer.ie to register for, or search for a volunteer role in your locality.

3. Network

This might be a daunting prospect to a young person but it can be as simple as striking up a conversation with the people around them. You never know who may be sitting close to you and a lucky encounter could lead to a useful conversation or even an internship

4. Shadow a professional

Has your child ever wondered what a Civil Engineer does all day? There is no better way to learn about a job than to spend a day shadowing someone in that profession. Many schools or college programmes can facilitate the safe shadowing of a professional. Securing this may take some time, but the benefits are great and can be hugely beneficial in the decision-making process.

5. Research

Do your research! Really get to grips with the options that are being considered. Encourage your child to really understand potential careers and the elements of the college courses or apprenticeships he or she is considering. Remember that they don’t have to have their career mapped out to perfection but the choices that are made now should be taking them in the direction of a career that suits their interests and abilities. CareersPortal.ie is a great source of information for students.

For college leavers, the same applies. The steps you take immediately after graduation should put you in the right path, towards that dream job. Research the companies that offer the best options for graduates, such as graduate programmes or paid internships.

For more information and a no-obligation chat with our in-house Career Coach, Fiona, call 051 878813 or email fiona@hartleypeople.com

Working on your CV? Here’s how to make it stand out

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Working on your CV? Here’s how to make it stand out

These are very uncertain times with many of us now finding ourselves out of work. Some of us will be lucky and will go back into our old jobs but unfortunately some of us won’t. If you find yourself in a situation of job insecurity or perhaps low job satisfaction, this is a good time to start preparing for an active job search. With some extra time on your hands, start thinking about how you can put your best foot forward and get your CV ready to go.

Selling You!

Remember looking for work is essentially a sales process. The first step in the process is your CV which acts like your personal brochure. As with any sales process, you need identify your USP (Unique Selling Point), so think about what skills, experience,
traits you have that others might not. What makes you the ideal candidate? How can you make yourself stand out from the rest? Are you a graduate who has finished with a 1.1 honours degree or perhaps managed to get some work experience relevant to the roles you are applying for? For more senior people, maybe you have some very job specific experience or led a project to successful completion? These all need to be considered before even starting with your job search!

So, what about the CV?

There are two crucial elements to get right – layout and content.

 Layout

Make your CV stand out from the crowd. There are plenty of word templates available online. If your IT skills are a bit more advanced, why not try using graphics software such as Canva. Again, there are plenty of striking CV designs available here.

Content

There is plenty of information online in relation to what needs to be included in your CV and how you can lay it out. Dayjob have some great templates that are easily downloaded. Make sure you get your advice off Irish sites as other countries, such as the US, have different styles.

The most important thing is that your CV immediately gets the attention of the reader. Don’t be fooled into thinking that your CV will be read thoroughly by the recruiter. Chances are that it won’t!! It will probably get a 20 second glance. So, make sure the information you want them to have is immediately and clearly available to them. Remember your Unique Selling Points – they need to be obvious.

Start with a professional sounding Personal Profile. This is your sales pitch. In four or five lines, explain why you are the right person for the job.

What comes next depends on what type of work you are applying for.

If you are a graduate, what are your key skills and how have you demonstrated them – you should include four or five and make sure that they are essential skills for the job you are applying for. Try not just list words, prove you have them, for example:

Leadership – Demonstrated and developed through leading various project groups in college and captaining sports teams

If you have more experience or are going for a more senior role, it might be worth giving a career summary or presenting your career highlights and key achievements. Alternatively, key achievements can be included under Career History.

After that, your CV should contain Education, Career History, Personal Interests and Achievements. Try and keep it to two to three pages. However, don’t feel you have to follow the conventional layout and content structure. Your layout and content should be in a format that best sells you. Perhaps you’re looking at changing careers and know you have the skills for the new job. You would therefore be better off doing a skills-based CV rather than the more common biographical CV. Perhaps your education isn’t relevant – leave it out or move it to the back. Maybe your education is more important than your career history – put a higher focus on education including main modules and key projects!

It is often a good idea to get some professional help with your CV. A career coach can help you identify your unique selling points. They can act as a soundboard and provide impartial help with what needs to be included in your CV and what doesn’t.

Hartley People currently have open vacancies across all sectors, to view them click here

Best of luck!

How to establish a completely remote hiring process

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How to establish a completely remote hiring process

As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to affect business both here in Ireland and globally, it is rare to find an industry that hasn’t been affected by the fallout. While some clients are understandably putting new hires on hold there are still some businesses that are continuing to grow even in these difficult circumstances.

We are keen to share our knowledge of remote hiring options with you at this time. There are some truly great options to ensure the adaptation of your hiring strategy, while ensuring you still attract the best candidates possible and minimise disruption for your business.

Zoom

In the absence of an in-person interview, Zoom is an excellent resource. Zoom is a web-based video conferencing tool that can be used on desktop or mobile app. It allows users to meet online, with or without video. Users can choose to record sessions, collaborate on projects, and share or annotate on one another’s screens. Both client and candidate must have downloaded the app and registered an account.

MS Teams

MS teams are a great way to conduct interviews involving multiple members of a team. The service is easy to use and allows interviewees to record interviews, so they can review and show to other decision-makers within the business.

MS Teams is very useful for remote teams in general and keeps teams communicating and working together even though they’re all out of the office.

Where candidates would normally be required to take part in an online assessment, we recommend these tools: 

HackerEarth

HackerEarth can help create digital assessments for a wide range of roles. Candidates can attempt these tests any time, completely remotely. The tool lets hiring managers customise test parameters, such as difficulty levels, duration, marking schemes, cut-off scores, criteria, and much more.

Berke

Berke allows you to mix and match tests for various job roles to assess candidates on skills such as personality traits and problem-solving abilities.

Saberr

If you’re worried about how a candidate would fit into the culture of your business from a personality trait perspective and you and prefer decisions based on stats and analytics, this is a great tool. Saberr uses Artificial Intelligence to predict how well a candidate will fit into an organization, a role, and a team.

If you’d like more advice on how to take your hiring process online, call us on 051 878813 or email eddie@hartleypeople.com

Interviewing safely and efficiently during the COVID-19 outbreak

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Interviewing safely and efficiently during the COVID-19 outbreak

Conducting interviews will be difficult for businesses during this time but it doesn’t mean that that they can’t take place. With careful planning and adherence to health and safety guidelines interviews can proceed as scheduled.

Whether you’re a job seeker or an employer, we have put together some useful guidelines to ensure the smooth running of your interview, while taking the necessary steps stay safe and well.

CONDUCT INTERVIEWS REMOTELY WHERE POSSIBLE

Skype, FaceTime, Zoom, WhatsApp Video – these are just some of the technologies available to conduct interviews remotely. Dress appropriately for the interview, as you would if you were attending in person, Find a quiet, bright location in your home/office so you can be clearly seen and treat this interview as you would a face-to-face one. Take some time to practice talking to the screen before – it’s easy to be put off by your own image and voice while video calling.

PRACTICE STRICT HYGIENE

if it is necessary to conduct your interview face-to-face, it is imperative both parties practice strict hygiene procedures. Wash your hands thoroughly before and after the interview and ensure all areas are sanitised, including door handles, chairs, desk and even light switches. 

NO HANDSHAKES

Social distancing must be observed at all times and no physical contact should take place, including handshakes.

BRING YOUR OWN MATERIAL.

Bring your own pen, paper and water to your interview. Do not share materials during the interview. All paperwork can be shared electronically prior to the interview where necessary. 

SIT TWO METRES APART

In accordance with social distancing advice, the interviewer and interviewee must sit/stand apart two metres apart at all times. All surfaces should be cleaned with disinfectant spray before and after the interview.

DO NOT ATTEND IF YOU ARE UNWELL

if you are feeling unwell or have been in contact with anyone who has contracted the virus, is awaiting testing for the virus, or is displaying symptoms of the virus DO NOT ATTEND the interview. 

Make the most of our time in these unusual circumstances. We are still open for business and companies are still hiring. We have many vacancies open at the moment and our team would love to talk to you about them. Call us now on 051 878813.

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