Are you currently looking for a new job or considering moving employers in the future? Then we have some useful tips for you to follow before you start applying to prospective employers.

One of the main reasons people leave their jobs is due to a negative work environment. So how can you as a jobseekers ensure that a prospective employer will be a good match? It’s simple – Check company reviews.

What is a company review?

A Company review is a description from an employee or ex-employees about their experience working with a company. They can be used to give us an insight to what it would be like working with a company. Company reviews are available on platforms such as – Indeed, Glassdoors, Monster & More. Companies are usually rated out of 5 stars but employees can also leave comments as to their experience working with a particular employer.

Analyse and consider employee reviews

When viewing company reviews it is important to take certain things into consideration, like what was the date of the review? You want the review to be current. If an employee gave a lower star rating did, they give reasons as to why? You want to ensure that the review was not simply left by a disgruntled ex-employee. Some employees will tell you exactly why they scored a company low and include reasons such as – poor management/ training/ support, poor salary, poor company benefits, toxic work environment etc. If there are positive reviews, make sure to check that what employees consider positive align to what you would be looking for in a prospective employer.

Check for Similar reviews

View multiple reviews to see if there are any patterns or similar reviews. If multiple reviews are commenting on poor management or negative work environment, then this is a red flag.

Compare company reviews

Check out multiple employers and their reviews to see what the differences of working for each would be. While one company may offer a better salary, they may not have good benefits such as pension, health insurance, annual leave etc. See which company best matches up to what you are looking for.

Check Company’s social media pages & website

You can gain further insight to what it would be like working with a particular company by checking out their website and socials. Some companies share content about their staff and events such as birthdays, promotions, employee appreciation days, social outings etc, this is a good way to see what the company culture is like and if a company values and gives recognition to their employees. You can also check to see if they have been re-posting the same job adverts in short spaces of time – this shows a high turnover rate. Check to see if they list the salary & benefits details – a great employer should have nothing to hide!

If you want help with your job search, then call us on 01 878 3335 or email recruiter@3qrecruitment

Charissa Mulholland

Nursing & Healthcare Recruitment Consultant

Three Q Perms & Temps

01 878 3335

When signing up for a new job, the employee contract can be daunting at the best of times. It includes many terms and phrases that some may find difficult to understand. There are many types of employment contracts including permanent employment, temporary employment, seasonal employment and contracted employment contracts. Employees must agree to the terms when they accept the job, unless they negotiate in advance. Terms typically include elements such as areas of work, holidays, pension, salary, company policy and termination.

Citizens Information is a great source for employees, especially those who are signing contracts for the first time. Their website hosts useful information about employment in Ireland including this link to key ‘Terms and Phrases’ https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/reference/checklists/checklist_glossary_of_employment_terms.html.

Some terms and phrases included in an employee’s contract:

  • Agency worker – an individual who is employed by an agency
  • Breaks – brief duration periods, for a stretch, cuppa or rest
  • Career break – agreed time from career, unpaid, to care for personal responsibilities or undertake education. Some organisations offer to pay employees during this time
  • Duty of care – by the employer, to ensure the workplace is safe and promotes wellbeing
  • Employee permit – an employment permit is required to work in Ireland for most EEA Nationals
  • Freedom of information – employees are entitled to access government records, under the FOI legislation (freedom of information)
  • Grievance procedure – complaints that require immediate action, and once highlighted there is typically a pre-determined process to work through, for a satisfactory outcome
  • Holiday – paid annual leave including public holidays

Remember, if you’re unsure, contact the employer or HR personnel to query any items on the contract content if you are unsure. They will respond, and answer any queries, and there may be opportunity to negotiate. For additional support, phone Citizen Information Service on 0818 07 4000 Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm. Before signing the contract, ensure that the contract contains what was agreed, and that it is dated and signed by both parties. “It is impossible to un-sign a contract, so do all your thinking before you sign” – Warren Buffet. Once the paperwork is completed, you can start to enjoy the next chapter of your life, in your new career!