The economy only turned around in the 1990s thanks to a mixture of investment in hi-tech industries, EU subsidies, development grants, greater co-operation between Government, employers and unions and improvements in education and infrastructure (transport and communications). The Celtic Tiger attracted massive overseas investment creating tens of thousands of jobs and for the first time in Irish history there were shortages of labour. Although things are a little calmer nowadays tens of thousands of foreign nationals from Portugal to Poland still arrive each year intending to start work.
Most readers of "The Immigrant" will have come to Ireland looking for full time jobs. Even if you're studying you probably need part time work. This article provides some tips for any job hunter in Ireland.
1. Preparations and planning.
Get organised! Before you even begin applying for jobs you need an up to date CV containing personal information about your education and training, qualifications, employment history, contact details of past employers or other suitable individuals for references plus a brief list of hobbies, interests and special skills and qualities that improve your chances of getting a job. You can also send a short covering letter introducing yourself and any reasons that identify you as a strong candidate. If you are applying for for work on an archaeological 'dig' mention that you're physically fit, enjoy outdoor work and are interested in history.
You should save your CV and covering letter on disc to make simple alterations like changing your address or if you start applying for different kinds of jobs. If you're applying for a cleaning job it's better to say that you did the housework at home rather than mentioning your degree in nuclear physics and fluency in fourteen languages. You or a secretarial service should check your CV, covering letter and any application forms are free from careless spelling mistakes or other errors. If a firm receives 200 job applications the first task is to bin any forms that contain errors.
There's no guarantee if, when or how they'll contact you for an interview so you must either have a mobile phone or a landline connection, a reliable postal address and an e-mail account. You should also try and open a bank account in advance of any possible job offer.
2. Where to find jobs!
Common ways to look for jobs in Ireland include visiting your nearest FAS centre and looking at the Jobs Pages in local and national newspapers. FAS offices allow you to make free calls to employers and use their databases to access jobs throughout the country. Besides newspapers, specialist magazines like the "Farmer's Journal" may advertise vacancies. Employment agencies like 'Manpower' also regularly recruit staff for all kinds of positions. You could also try scanning the 'Yellow Pages' for lists of businesses from caterers to photographers and software companies. Try ringing or visiting them to see if they need staff. Another option for tradesmen or self employed people like childminders is to to place adverts in newspapers, shops or simply get cards printed out and drop them through people's letterboxes!
3. Interviews.
Bring your common sense with you! If you're unfamiliar with the area always make the trip in advance to time your journey so you won't get lost or be late on the day. Dress well, look clean and tidy and come across as hardworking, reliable and adaptable to any changes in the workplace. Try and answer all the questions as clearly as possible. If you don't always understand the interviewers politely ask them to speak a little slower. Don't be afraid to ask a question or two about the job or the company. (Knowledge about the company may impress them).
4. The contract.
Most of us sign one if we accept a job offer. A contract is a printed document outlining the terms and conditions like the rates of pay, the number of hours or shifts to be worked, holidays, sickness pay and any reasons for dismissal. Before you sign you should look for any hidden deductions. Costs of uniforms, security passes and parking can all add up. If you think it's unfair you can walk away, sign it and keep quiet or contact the Citizens' Information Service or a Trade Union to see if it's legal.
(If you don't sign a contact or get paid in cash this may be okay but are you paying PPS stamps that count towards claims for unemployment benefits or pensions? Beware of dangerous jobs if you're paid in cash and not provided with proper clothing or safety equipment as the employer might be insured. Beware of commission only jobs selling things that hardly anyone wants like encyclopaedias or cavity wall insulation kits).
5. Conclusion.
There are no hard and fast rules about searching for jobs in Ireland. We all have different life experiences and know that our strengths, weaknesses, luck and timing all play their part. The streets of Cork City are not paved with gold and unless you obtained a contact before you arrived in Ireland you're unlikely to arrive on Friday and start work the following Monday. Nowadays in most areas of the economy there are more job seekers than vacancies so think about practical realities. You may well have to start by doing less challenging work than you did back home especially if your English isn't too good. Whatever the job it's usually better on paper to be working than unemployed but if you are working then you've got less time and energy to apply for jobs.
For the record Mike Nagy spent seven weeks as an airport baggage handler working irregular shifts with no overtime pay and deductions for a security pass and uniform.
He is now the resident pianist in a hotel in County Galway.
