The hunt is on(line)
Job hunting may never be the same again and those looking for new employment post-Covid need to start adapting immediately to be in with a chance.
That’s according to a number of Cork recruiters and career guidance counsellors who agree that a number of significant and potentially permanent changes have already occurred in the jobs market. According to Brendan Coffey, a recruitment agent at Oxford International, the world will never be the same again after Covid, and the jobs market is no different.
Mr Coffey said that professional travel, be it for interviews, every day work or visiting client sites both at home and abroad now seems almost entirely unnecessary.
“This will mean increased competition from all over Europe or even globally. When the onsite presence is taken away the employer has a far wider range of candidates to choose from and a far wider selection of pay rates,” said Mr Coffey.
He added that it is now extremely important to create a home office environment that is clean, neat and professional.
He said: “Upgrading internet speeds and having a modern, high definition web camera is a must. Becoming more self-sufficient and working more autonomously to a high standard is now expected across the board and, above all else, being extremely punctual and organised. Stand out from the crowd on your video interviews and sell yourself as best as possible.”
According to operations manager at the Cork branch of Kelly Services Michelle Coughlan, what once might have been frowned upon in the professional world is now “completely acceptable” which has helped employers to relax and transform their way of thinking.
Ms Coughlan said the pandemic has provided the “digital switch” she feels many Irish businesses may have needed.
“Everything we talked about for a long time is starting to now become a reality, for example: remote interviews, remote inductions and flexibility around work patterns,” said Ms Coughlan.
She continued: “While we all love the personal touch of a face to face conversation we have also seen people attend inductions from the back seat of their cars and have equally been very successful in their roles.”
Ms Coughlan believes we may see an increase in career changes and upskilling over the next few years and said that companies should now focus on keeping the skilled staff they have.
She said: “With an inevitable skill shortage, businesses will need to invest in upskilling the teams that they already have by providing internal training and course offerings.”
However, she does not believe an increase in competition is on the cards and that remote working will serve to balance the playing field.
“If anything, remote working will provide a wider availability to talent which will work in favour of both the candidate and the employer,” she said.
“In many office-based businesses for example, it is now possible to work from rural areas of Ireland for some of the country’s multinationals which would usually be situated in Irish cities or urban areas,” added Ms Coughlan.
Leeside career guidance counsellor Roisin Kelleher said that flexibility, a positive attitude and a strong awareness of the jobs market is key for those about to finish college and begin their career.
“Be aware of the jobs market and the requirements that employers are looking for. Prepare and have a confident, realistic approach to the opportunities that are available,” said Ms Kelleher.