What Employers and Recruiters Look for in CV’s

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Are you unsure of what to put in your CV, or how to structure it? Knowing what details to add can give you a strong lead on being called for an interview! Recruitment agencies and employers look for items that stand out at a glance. These can vary for different jobs. Recruiters are adept at seeking any gaps or discrepancies. The presentation of the CV needs to be considered. The structure to the layout should be clear and easy to read – providing a succinct story, from start to finish. Cover letters are similar to windows of a house. They provide a preview of the CV. It is similar to a sales pitch. Include relevant elements here from your CV, and information that relates to your experience and the job spec.

Some main elements to consider putting into your CV:

  • Previous roles and responsibilities of previous employment, or volunteer work
  • Experience to date – a brief overview
  • Skill-set, including hard and soft skills
  • Results and achievements in previous roles, include any that relate to the job spec
  • Education achieved to date, including course work currently being undertaken or planned up-skilling courses in the pipeline. Evidence of continuous learning is more desirable in an application
  • Keep bullet-points concise
  • Ensure that content is consistent
  • Including a profile headshot provides a personal connection
  • References provide strength to the application, particularly if the recruiter would like to follow up on more information with a third party
  • Including a LinkedIn link can provide additional pertinent information

Remember the CV must be clear in its presentation, easily scanned, and provide the relevant information for the role, including significant keywords. Ensure that dates are accurate and proofread for any typos. Structure the layout so that it’s visually easy to read. HR personnel should be able to review your CV in less than one minute. “Structure is more important than content in the transmission of information” – Abbie Hoffman.

A good cover letter should provide a brief synopsis of the CV and why the candidate is interested in the company, and the role being applied for. Knowing your CV details, and dates, ahead of the interview will provide you with consistency during the interview. Getting these steps right always provides a great first impression.

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Thinking About Changing Careers?

Whether you’re a temporary or permanent employee, or simply looking for a career change, changing jobs is increasingly becoming the norm! Active jobseekers face many challenges when searching for new jobs and adapting to the change during the search and transition in their new career.

Key items to consider when planning a career change:

  • Start with an action plan, be clear on this from the start and adapt where needed
  • Understand your personal brand story – who you are and the job that will provide the ultimate ‘job satisfaction’ feeling
  • Assess your skills, qualities, experience and interests. Getting help on this evaluation will help enormously
  • List responsibilities and achievements
  • Undertake a personal SWOT analysis, to identify personal strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats
  • Explore different career choices, relocation as an option and further training options to advance your career path
  • Seek support from family, friends and colleagues. Former employers can also provide positive support

“There is no passion to be found playing small, in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living! – Nelson Mandela

The job market has expanded and increased its presence online. LinkedIn is a useful online platform which provides the opportunity to market organisations by advertising job vacancies in Ireland, and beyond. It is also a useful online platform to market individuals seeking employment. Use these tips to get you off to a flying start on LinkedIn:

  • If you’re new to LinkedIn, watch YouTube clips before setting up your account. They offer great tips and insights
  • Include key items – experience, education, photo, volunteer work, etc.
  • Network with other LinkedIn users – expand your connection-circle
  • Regularly share interesting content, which fits your interests
  • Refer other LinkedIn users
  • Remember to keep your profile professional, always!
  • Recruitment companies and HR departments take your LinkedIn profile seriously, and research the platform when seeking additional information on potential employees
  • Commit to keeping the profile fresh and updated, with relevant and timely content, to give you a stronger online presence

Changing careers is easier than you think! Positive benefits include meeting new people, learning new skills, embracing a new sense of purpose and exploring new beginnings, which can all be exciting and so worth the change.

Still considering a career move? 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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Why you should use company reviews in your job search

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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

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Employment Contracts – Understanding Key Terms and Phrases

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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!

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Why Use Recruitment Agencies?

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Hiring the right employee & benefits of using a recruitment agency:

Hiring the right employee for your company can be a challenging and lengthy process. With so many sectors struggling with staff shortages and hiring, recruitment agencies are here to help. More and more companies are partnering with recruitment agencies to source talent.

But what exactly are the benefits of working with a niche recruitment agency?

Save time – The recruitment process from start to finish is a lengthy process. You must advertise your vacancy, go through CV’s, create a short-list, contact candidates & organise interviews then comes job offer, referencing & acquiring needed documentation. A recruitment agency will do all this for you, saving you valuable time.

Accesses to more candidates – Often recruiters will have a database of candidates they can reach out to regarding your open role. They also seek out passive candidates as well as active ones, through head-hunting.

Higher quality candidates – Recruitment agencies will screen suitable applicants prior to sending CV’s, ensuring that candidates presented are a good match and have relevant skills & experience required for the role.

Specialist knowledge – Recruitment agencies will often be specialised in a certain sector. Three Q Perms & Temps specialises specifically in Nursing and healthcare recruitment and so have ain depth understanding about the market.

Company & Brand advocacy – Candidates want to know the benefits of working with an employer. Recruiters will make sure to promote the benefits and career development potential to candidates. Three Q will promote your company on our various advertising platforms & social media.

If you want to find out more about working with Three Q Perms & Temps and how we recruit for in-demand professionals in the healthcare sector, through innovative search, selection & recruitment processes and find the best candidates for your company then call me on 01 878 3335.

Charissa Mulholland

Nursing & Healthcare recruitment professional

Three Q Perms & Temps

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Fall in Love with Your Job Again

Do you feel that you are just working through the day, with a ‘ground-hog day’ feeling – just going through the motions? While it’s normal to have an off day, experiencing many joyless days on the job can be exhausting. Regaining interest in an established career provides many benefits in the workplace and in your personal life too.

Sometimes all it takes is a little time to take a step back, ‘think outside the box’ and create time for some creative planning, but first we need to know where to start! There are many areas that you can look at to help you fall back in love with your job again. Consider both the positive and negative attributes of personal performance in the job, including confidence, communication and knowledge. These areas can provide clues for areas of improvement.

Best tips to fall back in love with your job:

  • Change your perspective and look for the best in each situation
  • Express your opinions and thoughts. Start asking for what you would like or what you think might work well. Change happens when we know what to change
  • Create new goals. Start with short-term goals, and expand to long-term goals
  • Redesign your work space, get creative here
  • Evaluate your current job and how it can be improved, or identify if this is the right job for you. It’s useful to ask; “is this job fulfilling” or “do I feel happy in this job”?
  • Connect with the team and engage to find create solutions, to find joy again
  • Stay open to opportunities for change
  • Support the team, take care of new employees in their first few months – become a role model
  • Live healthy! Plan snacks and healthy lunches to keep energy levels balanced
  • Start new hobbies, these can be with work colleagues or interests outside the workplace …have some fun with these activities
  • Take pride in your work – be consistent, clock in five minutes early, finish work ahead of deadlines and show that you care with positive actions
  • Be open to feedback and ask the right questions
  • Do a little self-reflection, ask; “when did I lose the spark and why?”
  • Learn to say ‘no’, ‘not yet’, ‘let me come back to you’ and ‘yes’
  • Know what’s happening in the workplace
  • Enjoy time off and celebrate achievements
  • Finally, make sure the job is right for you … ask; “do I fit in with the culture” and “do I truly love what I do”? Speak to your manager if you have any doubt

Marc Anthony once said; “do what you love and it won’t be work.” So find your true joy in your life, fall back in love with your job again, and maybe inspire and motivate colleagues as you go about your new sense of purpose!

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LinkedIn – Connect, Collaborate & Create

Recruitment platforms have really increased online in recent years. The jobs market has been greatly enhanced with these marketing cyber spaces. Employers, HR and Recruitment Agencies benefit from platforms such as LinkedIn. It’s an effective networking arena with many advantages to boost employee careers and their job search. Employers include this in their research when seeking additional information on potential new hires.

LinkedIn provides opportunities to Connect, Collaborate, Create – individuals can connect with a wider network, collaborate with existing and new LikedIn users, and create meaningful network connections! They can also secure new jobs through this social space.

Before setting up a new LinkedIn account, it is important to know the key items to include in your digital space. This is also true if you already have an existing LinkedIn account. The persona profile needs to stand out. The content needs to engage other users, which needs to be updated frequently. There is a great opportunity to widen your social network and find new opportunities.

Top tips to create a great LinkedIn profile in 2022:

  • Include a great profile picture
  • Create a punchy headline, not just a job title
  • Start with a great story in the summary content, make it interesting and check the content for errors 
  • Expand network connections, using buzzwords, and keywords to optimise SEO
  • Bullet-point skills, education, accomplishments and interests with a brief synopsis
  • Use relevant hashtags
  • Create a spotlight for services offered
  • Create a custom profile URL
  • Include colleague recommendations
  • Background images enhance your LinkedIn profile
  • Personality gains the attention of other users
  • Include ‘call to actions’ such as an email address. ‘Follow’ buttons to your website work well too
  • If unemployed, include “actively seeking work” or “actively searching for new opportunities”
  • Don’t slate former employers or colleagues – keep it clean
  • Recruiters look at work history so include this important information here
  • HR view LinkedIn often, to attract and recruit new employees. Make connections with organisations  
  • Ask well-known connections to endorse you, not new connections
  • Engage and ask questions
  • Include LinkedIn Certs in your resume
  • Keep your profile active with frequent updates, organic content is great too

Give it 100% and increase your visibility for a greater return on boosting your career, network connections and new collaborations. “Always put your best foot forward, because you never know where your next step may lead you” – Stephan Labossiere.

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How to Cope with Anxiety

Every Moment is a fresh beginning

Change and uncertainty in the workplace can bring unwelcome anxiety, which can take us down a path of unhealthy living and disrupt a healthy work-life balance. This is particularly true when these changes happen outside our control, whether you’re in temporary or permanent employment. Finding ways to cope with change and uncertainty isn’t always easy.

Dealing with anxiety and regaining balance in your life are just two of the necessary steps to help reboot the psychological, physical and emotional aspects of self. Understand how the change is impacting you and increase your self-care also help, as does talking about the new process.

‘Blue Zone Living’ has inspired thousands of individuals globally in a curious movement of on-going research which seeks to understand why some countries have populations with healthy aging individuals. The invaluable advice and insights are relatively simple and can be used to regain a healthy balance in your life.

9 healthy regimes to manage anxiety include:

  1. Understand what your purpose is; why you wake up every morning? Find meaning and develop an internal inventory of passions, values, gifts, talents, likes and dislikes
  2. Body movement relives stress, particularly high stress levels. Natural continuous body movement is just as beneficial as strenuous exercise
  3. Use the Pareto Rule during meal times. Choose to stop eating when 80% full, and let go of late night snacking. Remember – ‘breakfast like a king and dinner like a pauper’
  4. Become more aware of, and increase, self-care and wellbeing, and work on ways to reduce stress levels. The body holds stress in different ways, so embrace rituals that work for you – nap for twenty in the afternoon, partake in a happy hour after work, engage in creative activities or simply pray
  5. Include healthy food in each meal serving – fruit, whole grains, rich and colourful vegetables, beans and nuts. Consume lean-meat a few days a week, and avoid processed and sugary foods
  6. The fun doesn’t have to stop with this new way of being. Enjoy things and food that give you pleasure. A glass of wine with a sociable meal can provide powerful antioxidants
  7. Positive social circles promote healthy behaviours with self. These can be fun, nurture talents and advance your personal development journey. Find which ones work for you
  8. Belong and have faith – join your preferred faith-based community, to form strong social relationships, which can provide a powerful sense of belonging. Find one that suits you.
  9. Finally, the depth of love holds many amazing benefits, so stay connected and open to those that you love!

Change isn’t always a negative. It can be liberating, exhilarating and bring some, or many, new opportunities. Remember; “Every moment is a fresh beginning” – T. S. Elliot.

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Chef Referral Competition

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Attention all Three Q Temps, do you know a qualified chef looking for a new career? Are you interested in wining €100? Then refer a Chef to Three Q today for your chance to be in with a €100 One 4 All voucher. If your Chef successfully completes the sign up process we will provide you with a €50 gift card. If your referral works with Three Q for three months you will receive another €50 voucher. For your chance to win this amazing prize, send your Chefs CV to cvs@3qrecruitment.ie with your details, or call 01 – 878 3335 for more information.

Terms & Conditions:

  • Chefs must hold a QQI level 6 in culinary arts, or the equivalent to qualify for a role with Three Q
  • Referral must be submitted between 28/01/2022 – 28/02/2022
  • You will receive a €50 gift card when your referral successfully completes the sign up process (including all mandatory training) and is placed by Three Q
  • You will receive a second €50 gift card when your referral completes 3 months of service with Three Q
  • Should your referral leave before a 3 month period, you will not receive the second gift card.

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