Confident, or tone-deaf?
Q: I’m a confident person, and I want that to come across on my CV. I’ve put down phrases like ‘phenomenal sales ability’ and ‘top-class management skills’. I gave my CV to a friend who said that I was laying it on way too thick and should tone it down a notch or three. Is […]
You’re the presentation – not the slideshow
Q: I’ve an interview for manager of a business incubation centre. They want me to present for ten minutes on ‘What I will achieve in the first year’ – but, and here’s the rub, they have stipulated that I can’t use PowerPoint or Prezi. Zero technology. How should I approach this? (EH, email). A: With […]
Backward step can drive you on
Q: I’m going for a job which will see me go backwards to hopefully go forwards. I’m afraid in the interview they will be wondering why I will take a cut in pay, and a reduction in responsibilities. How do I handle this? I’m a software engineer but I need to expand into a different […]
Irish teachers think seriously about their responsibilities
By Sinisa Bjedov, Erasmus Entrepreneurship Programme participant, 2018 During my third week in Ireland, I continued to collect assorted phrases from teachers’ CVs. In this way, I learn about the teaching profession in Ireland and English language related with teaching. It was an interesting experience for me in many ways. I learn which skills and […]
5 tips to master the job hunt
Q: I’m job hunting for the first time in 22 years. When I poked my head out to take a look, I realised the world is a different place now. Can you give me five quick tips? I work in sales. (AC, email). A: You can sing that, AC. I will keep it simple for […]
It’s not always a numbers game
When, in an interview training session, I hear a candidate start an answer with “there are five reasons…” or “I had six responsibilities…”, I know what’s coming next, writes Liam Horan, career coach, Sli Nua Careers. Can you guess? What’s coming next is confusion. Almost without exception, the candidate will get stuck after three or […]
Audio: Going for a teaching interview in your own school
So, you’ve reached a point in your teaching career where you want to climb the ranks within your current school. You’ve applied for an upcoming post and succeeded in getting an interview. How do you improve your chances of getting the job? In the link above, Liam Horan, MD, Sli Nua Careers, provides tips on […]
Don’t compromise your negotiating power for a quick start
Q: They’ve told me on the phone that I’ve got the job. They want me to start as soon as possible – when should I tell my current employers that I’m leaving? (EC, email). A: When – and only when – you receive, and are satisfied with, the contract the new company wants you to […]
Unprofessional behaviour or downright rude?
Q: I’ve recently had a bad interview experience – one of the interviewers left the room twice to take phone calls – and I was wondering about similar experiences others have encountered? I need something to make me feel a little better about this disaster. (CF, email). A: Over the years, I’ve heard about a […]
A school talk, a Mayo victory, walking soccer and a lake swim – busy times in Ireland
By Sinisa Bjedov, Erasmus Entrepreneurship Programme participant, 2018 Every day, activities pass quickly. Working time here in Ireland is very different to that in Croatia. Here, people start to work after nine, have two breaks for mid-morning coffee and lunch, and everything is somehow easier and without any pressure. In Croatia, we start working at […]