Tips on Working with a Recruitment Agency (5mins read)

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Are you working with a recruitment agency or considering it as an option as part of your next career move? To get the best possible service, it is important to create a great rapport with recruitment staff. They have specialist knowledge in this area and offer great support on each interaction.

Recruitment agency staff can really assist you to get off to a strong start on your next job and advance your career as a contractor. There are a couple of ways that can boost your relationship with staff members which will speed up and benefit the process. 

Tips to Benefit Relationships with Agency Recruiters

  • Develop a positive relationship

Be honest; let them know your needs on hours and location, if you’re flexible and provide any other important details on your ideal job. It’s ok to decline suggestions and offers. Maintain regular contact with them and advice any updates. This will provide agency recruiters with a better understanding of your needs, and they will be able to find you a suitable role, as they will have all the information to hand. As the relationship develops, the recruiters can provide additional feedback to potential employers on your application, based on their records.

  • Know the job market and your expectations

The supply-and-demand for jobs in the market can change. Recruitment agencies possess vast knowledge of the labour market. If you are looking for a new job, thinking of starting work as a contractor or looking to change your role within the sector, it will be useful to know any changes to jobs in your sector – the effect on rates of pay or changes on training requirements. Recruiters are up to date on this information and will be able to suggest recommendations to advance future applications and may be able to negotiate your salary

  • Find a recruitment agency you are happy to work with

While there are many recruitment agencies, it is important that you feel confident when working with your chosen recruiter. Part of their role is to support you in finding a new job, up-skilling or updating your resume. Agency recruiters are available to fully support your career path – when your contract will be renewed, to answer questions on a new organisation or to chat with if you are experiencing a difficult environment in your current job, resourced by them.  

The role of your recruitment agency is to secure you with employment in a short timeframe, build your skills and improve the experience on your resume. This can save you a lot of time and money. Frequent check-ins with your recruiter will really help you on the road to your next assignment. They will update their system as new information is shared and will be in a better position to support you all the way – preparing your for a new job, securing a job and supporting you while you are working in your new role. 

Call us today, on 01 8783335 or email sales@3qrecruitment.ie – to chat with a member of our friendly team, to explore your options and receive valuable advice.

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Time Management – How to Create a Great Work Schedule (4mins read)

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Do you find the work tasks are getting bigger? Is time management becoming an issue? Most often time management is poor when there is no plan, or goals are not clear. With no plan in place, procrastination can set in and lead to frustration at the end of a busy week. Long-term, the effects will most likely cause stress, anxiety or at worst suffering symptoms of burnout.

Most workers have a limit on their time to complete tasks. This may be higher some weeks due to impending deadlines, extra workload pressure, training new staff or returning back to work after a bank holiday weekend. Common downfalls in time management include allocating too little time to high priority tasks, poor delegation skills or allowing distractions take over limited time. Although it takes time to set this new plan in place, it will be time well spent in the long run!

15 Tips for Successful Time Management at Work

  1. Complete a time audit to understand how you are currently spending your time at work
  2. Develop a weekly schedule planner
  3. Prioritise tasks – schedule high priority tasks at the start of the day
  4. Assign realistic time limits for each task
  5. Group similar tasks together
  6. Prioritise the most difficult task at the start of the day
  7. Learn to say no, when needed
  8. Be aware of distractions and hold boundaries
  9. Build in buffer times to allow for extra time on larger tasks or for work meetings
  10. Use the 4 D’s – Do, Defer, Delegate and Delete when scheduling your weekly tasks
  11. Be flexible – although it is ideal to stay focused, allow for inevitable delays
  12. Set SMART goals, particularly for larger tasks
  13. Colour code the schedule if you enjoy working with bright colours
  14. Choose a smart schedule layout – one that you can easily read and enjoy working with
  15. Up-skill with a refresher course to improve decision making or organisational skills

“The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot” – Michael Altshuler. Managing limited time at work will help you to stay focused and work more effectively. The benefits can change your work-life for the better! You will find that you get a lot more done in less time, reduce stress levels and the new schedule will boost your confidence and organisational skills.

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Benefits of Joining a Nursing Agency in Ireland (3mins read)

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Have you considered registering with a nursing employment agency? There are a range of options for nurse’s jobs in Ireland – part-time or full-time. Signing up with a nursing agency offers many benefits to help you with your career decision. They provide opportunities to acquire roles in organisations in Ireland including private nursing homes.

Our nursing recruitment agency works closely with many healthcare providers and regularly put forward a list of suitable nursing candidates for roles within the organisation. These are generally permanent positions.

12 Benefits of Joining a Nursing Agency in Ireland

  1. Flexibility of work shifts including a choice of hours of work
  2. One-to-one consultation with friendly staff who offer support and advice throughout the process
  3. Opportunity to increase earnings, or reduce hours – when needed, and work weekends or night shifts to avail of higher rate pay
  4. Reduces stress in your search for a job
  5. Open to retired nurses as an option to source additional income
  6. If weekend time is precious with family, requesting weekdays only is an option
  7. Opportunity to avail of openings in diverse healthcare settings, and grow your skills and experience
  8. Nursing agencies pay a higher hourly rate of pay and payment is prompt
  9. Nurses with permanent positions can register with a nursing agency to avail of extra hours to boost income
  10. Option to choose place of work, or another position if the position does not work out
  11. Opportunity to explore up-skilling needs
  12. Opportunity to expand existing network circles

“Let us never consider ourselves finished, nurses. We must be learning all of our lives” – Florence Nightingale. Nursing recruitment agencies are a great option to secure regular work that offers flexibility, offers higher pay and opportunity to explore up-skilling needs, and improves work-life balance. Thinking about signing up with a Nursing Agency? Call us today, on 01 8783335 or email recruiter@3qrecruitment.ie – to chat with a member of our friendly team, to explore your options and receive valuable advice.

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How to Improve Job Satisfaction

Knowing whether you’re satisfied in your job, if it’s the right one for you, is a measure of your contentedness in the various aspects of the job. This can include the work itself, relationships with colleagues, whether you are advancing in your work, or get along with the management process. There are a lot of aspects of self to consider, as well as the workplace and your personal life. These can include cognitive, behavioural, emotional and other characteristics.

Ultimately job satisfaction has more to do with you, your perceptions and biases, and outlook on life. We have the power within to alter these various aspects of self – positively or negatively. We can believe for the best or the worst. It’s important to remember that the job doesn’t change the essence of self or our values, and who we truly are.   

Personal job satisfaction is a sense of achievement in work related tasks, personal goal achievement and continued growth in our career journey, which have the power to motivate us as an individual. It also goes far beyond daily work routines, spilling out into our personal lives. Life becomes more fulfilling and expands the joy that we share with family and friends. The sense of purpose, receiving recognition and feeling valued, and reaching personal goals provides us with a greater sense of contentment and belonging.

Reaching satisfaction in the job often involves personal reflective work in frequent work reviews and continued self-development. The support of professionals also helps to increase satisfaction and enjoying the rewards of our labour. Ideally, jobs should be enjoyable while doing daily tasks and provide many rewards. If you find that you are in a job that you’re not enjoying, supports such as counsellors, career guidance counsellors, life coaches and recruitment agencies are well worth considering, and investing in. These are powerful resources that offer invaluable advice and insights.

Having an active personal life, healthy eating, frequent exercise, enjoying varied hobbies, nurturing personal relationships and creating time for restful days are important steps which contribute to our sense of personal wellbeing in our job. “True motivation comes from achievement, personal development, job satisfaction, and recognition” – Frederick Herzberg.

Be empowered, become the creative innovator of your life today, and increase personal satisfaction in your job. Call us today, on 01 8783335 or email operations@3qrecruitment.ie if you would like to chat with a member of our vibrant team, to explore your options and new opportunities.

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How to maximise your hiring process

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How to maximise your hiring process –

It’s a candidate’s market, there are an abundance of jobs open at present and not enough candidates to fill them. While we may not be able to chance the amounts of applications that come in for an open role, what we can do is maximise our hiring process.

Here are some simple steps companies can take to help with the hiring process –

·        Job specification – Ensure that the Job Title, Location, Salary and Hours are clearly displayed on your job advert. Include the duties/ responsibilities that the role involves so candidates will know what is expected of them. Make sure to add in the benefits of working with your company, these can include – pension, health insurance, employee rewards, flexible working or remote working.

·        Advertise on as many platforms as you can – There are many different platforms where a company can advertise their jobs such as Irishjobs, Indeed, Glassdoors. Make sure to utilise all platforms available to you. Advertise your vacancy through your company account on social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. There are also many groups which you can join and post on like LinkedIn groups or Facebook groups. Candidates actively monitor these groups for jobs which may be of interest to them.

·        Application process – Make it as easy as possible for a candidate to apply for your job, simply by having an “apply now” button on the advert or an email contact to send their CV directly. Companies can often look for candidates to fill in a long application document, send their CV, cover letter, and have additional questions on top of these. Some companies even ask for a video application. Candidates get frustrated with all these steps so make sure your application process isn’t too tedious which may put candidates off applying.

·        Phone screen before interview – Candidates can look great on paper, but often times it takes chatting with a prospective employee to know if they are going to be a good match for the role or not. Phone screenings are a great way to find out more about a candidate and what they are looking for before arranging an interview.

·        Be response & have a hiring plan – One of the biggest mistakes companies make is not contacting hot candidates as soon as they apply. Some companies wait a month if not more to contact candidates. I personally had one client contact me after 3 months to arrange an interview with a candidate, the candidate by then, had been working in a new role a number of weeks and was no longer interested. Have a clear, concise recruitment plan is place. Carry out weekly interviews, have a start date in mind for the successful candidate & training plan.  

·        Interview process – An interview is a good way for a candidate to get an insight of what it will be like to work with your company. Give candidates detailed information about the role, your company, the culture, the benefits. Make sure to give a good impression and make the candidate feel comfortable. Use the interview to ask the candidate important questions that are relevant to the role. Also ask candidates if they have any questions at the end of the interview.

·        Interview Outcome – It is important to not keep a candidate waiting after they have had their interview. If you are carrying out other interviews keep the candidate in the loop, even by dropping them a simple email stating that you are interviewing other candidates but will be in touch with them in X number of days regarding outcome. If you know a candidate was not successful right after interview, inform them straight away, don’t leave them waiting for bad news. Give them feedback and insights on what to improve for future interviews.

·        Obtain references – When you are ready to offer a successful candidate the job, it is important to obtain manager/ supervisor references form recent employers before you extent offer.

·        Offer & onboarding – Once you have suitable references extend official offer. Make sure to send the candidate the offer letter, contract, and also onboarding & training documentation.

·        Ask for a Review – It is a great idea to ask applicants for feedback from applicants on how they found the application & interview process. Candidates can leave ratings on your company page on Indeed or Glassdoors. Prospective candidates can then view these reviews and will know that the application & interview process is a pleasant experience.

If you in the Healthcare or Hospitality industry and looking for assistance with your open roles, then give me a call or drop me an email and I would be happy to help.

Charissa Mulholland

Three Q Perms & Temps

01 878 3335

recruiter@3qrecruitment.ie

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Challenges of Working in a New Company

Securing a new job is like winning the lotto; you’re on a rollercoaster for hours, even days, after the news. Shortly after this phase of celebration the real work begins – preparing to settle into the new workplace can be a big change! Adjusting to the new job can take up to six months. Depending on the organisation, a lot of companies experience internal issues which can make the process tougher.

The early weeks will be busy becoming familiar with new processes, procedures and technology, before real engagement happens with colleagues. The culture of the organisation may be unfamiliar. You may discover that there are co-workers who are disagreeable or even arrogant in their communication style. Others might be slackers, leaving the workload to others and even you. There may be trouble makers and gossipers, who seek out prey and subtly throw out unwelcome loose cannons that aim to hurt, consciously or unconsciously. I you are experiencing challenges in the new job, there are changes that you can do to make the transition a bit easier.

Tips to help on the new job:

  • Remain motivated and seek ways to enjoy the new workplace
  • Join team building initiatives. This is a great way to get to know everyone
  • Increase self-care, especially in the early days
  • Connect with similar minded colleagues. They can really help to get you settled into your new role
  • Find out if other colleagues are experiencing similar challenges
  • The cafeteria is a great place to get to know people
  • Speak with HR if the challenges continue
  • Avoid over-spill of information and complaining. Be pro-active and seek solutions  
  • Find hobbies you enjoy to release any negative energy, in a positive way

Feeling valued and part of the team are important elements to settle in to any workplace. It can take some time to find your feet, gain trust and build real new relationships. However if the work environment is toxic, creating destructive habits and negative feelings, then this might be the time to speak with family, friends and supportive professionals. Their feedback and expertise can help bring clarity to the situation, and may even provide a positive solution. “Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success” – Henry Ford.

Remember if this job doesn’t work out, you have the choice to leave, there’s always another job – just waiting for you. While it may take some time, the expertise of a recruitment agency can greatly increase your chances of being successful the next time round. Call 3Q Perms & Temps today, on 01 8783335 or email operations@3qrecruitment.ie if you would like to chat with a member of our vibrant team and explore your options.  

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Working from the Office or at Home

Do you prefer to work from home or the office? Some prefer the working in the office as it gives structure to the day, it’s easier to focus on tasks and they get to meet colleagues. For others working from home is easier than working in the office. They prefer the calm of their home office, the flexibility in their hours and prefer to work on their own, for most of the day – they find that they get a lot more done in this environment.

While working from home during the pandemic may have seemed appealing in the early days, for many the four walls began to close in pretty quickly and they yearned to get back into the office environment. Adjusting to the home-work life model has been a struggle for some. The benefits of working at the office now seem more appealing. They prefer the familiarity that comes with the job, and the structure that the office environment provides.

Benefits of working in the office:

  • Emotional and social value increase towards work, including the brand
  • Face to face connections are far better for wellbeing than webinars and online meeting rooms
  • Helps to keep a healthy work-life balance, by maintaining work hours
  • Disturbances to work flow, which may have seemed annoying before, are now a welcome relief
  • Routines can give more structure to the day
  • Can increase job satisfaction and feeling valued
  • Teamwork reduces frustration on certain activities
  • More recognition is achieved in the office
  • Can improve mental and physical health
  • Likely to increase networking opportunities
  • Less likelihood of household and family distractions
  • Work is left at the office, at close of business

Maintaining clear boundaries, between the work and home environments, will help to maintain a healthy work-life balance in your life. The positive effects can be major including increased overall wellbeing and productivity in work. Social connections are really important; otherwise the job is ‘just a job’! “We must establish a personal connection with each other. Connection before content. Without relatedness, no work can occur” – Peter Block.  

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The Benefits of Effective Networking

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Effective networking is essential to advance professional development and provides many benefits. It is a fantastic opportunity to expand your business circle, opportunities and personal knowledge. The main elements of networking are based on great communication skills, trust and support. Knowing how to network is a skill that is learned. Developing strategies, over time, will help to make it an enjoyable experience.

Benefits of Networking:

  • Improve career prospects and professional development
  • Provides opportunity to increase knowledge
  • Opportunity to develop new ideas
  • Helps build confidence levels
  • Gain new insights and fresh perspectives
  • Opportunity to develop strong relationships
  • Raises your profile
  • Can result in new opportunities for your organisation
  • Opportunity to further expand your social circle
    • Essential to gain insights into the job market and business world

Developing strategies to improve networking will enhance future opportunities and can advance your career. There are many tips that can help with boosting your morale. Enjoying the sociable experiences of meeting other professionals can bring a positive dimension to the job. Similar to personal relationships, trust is built over time.  

Useful strategies for effective networking:

  • Plan ahead before each networking event
  • Actively participate at networking engagements
  • Try to greet and mingle with as many people as possible
  • Getting to the event early can increase connecting with more individuals – ‘the early bird catches the worm’
  • Staying late can help too
  • Know who is going to be there
  • Practice elevation pitches before the event
  • Bring a small supply of business cards
  • Always follow up on leads after the event, promptly – seek their business card or details, to save a long search after the event.

Networking is an amazing and valuable skill that can bring incredible success and support to your career. It is really important to value and nurture the connections that have been made. It’s important to remember; be genuine with each connection and stay in touch regularly to strengthen the relationship, then trust will follow. “There’s a ton of value in taking the time to build a real human to human relationship” – Mike Allton

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How to Deal with Burnout

Are you struggling with burnout, stressed from your job and feeling the impact of it in your personal life? Stress can lead to many personal issues. Unfortunately, it is part of many professional jobs. Health care professionals and the hospitality industry can be high demanding jobs, leading to long hours and less personal time, which can lead to burnout. Recognising the signs of exhaustion, in the early stages, is vital to overall health and wellbeing, and performance at work.

It is vital to harness resilience when dealing with exhaustion and asking the right questions will help you to get on the road to recovery a little faster. Sometimes it’s not easily identified until fully into the depths of its throws. Frequently asked questions that are a good starting point to identify burnout include:

What is burnout?

Burnout is your body’s way of telling you that it is overstretched. It can leave people feeling mentally, physically and emotionally drained, unable to do menial tasks, lacking creativity, feeling detached unmotivated, and hollow. The situation worsens when we don’t take care of ourselves in the early stages, or ignore the symptoms. Dealing with exhaustion in the early stages lessens the risk of serious physical or mental dis-ease.

Start with self-care; evaluate daily tasks and take time for restoration. Invaluable advice and insights to help deal with burnout include:

How do I deal with burnout?

  • Reach out to family, friends and colleagues, or seek professional support
  • Simple as it sounds, listen to your body
  • Create time for rest and relaxation – time to wind down and, increase personal time to find balance and restoration
  • Increase physical activities, starting with small movements and gradually increasing every day until it becomes a habit
  • Hydration is key to boost energy levels and reduce recovery time
  • A health check-up will rule out anything more sinister, and may provide details on any vitamin or mineral deficiencies
  • Reduce technology time, significantly in the early days of self-care
  • Get enough sleep, this is paramount for a speedier recovery
  • Spend time enjoying hobbies, to lift the soul and bring joy back into your life
  • Alone-time might not always be easy, especially when life has been overly busy. Take time to stand still, meditate and journal emotions that surface during this time
  • Sometimes we may get lost in the process – find yourself again
  • Finish work on time. Too many late work evenings eventually catch up and eat into precious restoration time
  • List accomplishments and let go of past slip-ups
  • Identify if the job is rewarding, and take steps to create job satisfaction, even if this means having an honest chat with your employer
  • Meet personal needs, especially during the weekend

How do I move beyond burnout?

Burnout can take some time to recover from, depending on the stage. It really helps to plan for the future, to avoid coming across this situation again. Plan your time well, starting with healthy meals, exercise, time for hobbies and personal activates, and most importantly annual leave. Ask for help, let go of unnecessary work. Delegate or say ‘no’ when needed. Begin to take control of your life again!

Time and stress management are two important elements that can really help to prevent future symptoms of burnout, and can lead to a much healthier life. Remember; “You can do anything, but not everything” – David Allen.

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Chef Jobs

Summer Chef Referral Competition

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Do you know a Chef that is looking for their next job? Here at Three Q we are running a Chef referral competition from July 1st – August 28th.

If you know a Chef that has a QQI Level 6 qualification in Culinary Arts then send us their CV to cvs@3qrecruitment.ie

Anyone who referees a Chef to Three Q (that meets all of the terms & conditions below) will automatically be entered into a draw for a €100 gift card.

Terms & Conditions:

  • This competition is open to the greater public.
  • Referral must have a QQI Qualification in Culinary Arts (or equivalent).
  • Referral must be based in Ireland.
  • Referral must complete all mandatory training & documentation.
  • Referral must sign up and work with Three Q for one month.
  • If your referral sends in their CV directly, make sure they give your details on their application (name, contact number and email address)
  • This competition will run from July 1st to August 28th.
  • The winner will be chosen at random.
  • The winner will be announced on the 2nd of September.

You can view all of our current jobs openings by visiting http://3qrecruitment.ie/view_all_jobs/

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