Two jobs, same company – should I have a go?

Thu, Oct 17, 2019

Q: There’s a company I’d really like to work for – two jobs that interest me have recently been advertised there. They even have the same closing date. Should I go for one or would it be a good idea to apply for both? (EC, email).

Panel wanted me to bad-mouth my current employers

Thu, Oct 10, 2019

Q: I work in a small, tightly-knit sector where everybody knows everybody else. Companies are very jealous of each other’s successes. I recently went for a job interview with one of our main rivals and was amazed the panel spent so long trying to get me to talk down my current employers. For obvious reasons (i.e. because I’m trying to leave), I couldn’t talk my employers up too much, but I didn’t feel at all comfortable badmouthing them and declined to do so. Should I have entered into the spirit of it because that’s what they wanted me to do? (AC, email).

Valuing ‘deep work’ in a world of shallow intrusions

Thu, Oct 03, 2019

Whether or not it has impacted upon you yet, there is no doubting the fact that a workplace revolution is currently underway. The phrase ‘the future of work’ has become mainstream and enlightened organisations are focusing on how they can cope with the challenges of the new order, while workers, too, are trying to figure out where it’s all going, writes Liam Horan, Career Coach, Sli Nua Careers.

Form filling endurance tests take time

Thu, Sep 19, 2019

Q: The closing date is tomorrow. Last night, after much procrastination, I finally opened the application form and started to fill it out. I failed. Between the requests for examples of competencies, exhaustive previous experience, exact number of months worked, and a whole host of other questions, I just couldn’t get it done. Is this a common experience? I hate missing out on this job opportunity but I simply ran out of road. (LD, email).

How remote working could be just the answer for you

Thu, Sep 12, 2019

Q: Remote working is all the rage these days. It’s everywhere in the media. I live in a remote area – is this an option for me? Or is it just poppycock? And where would I even begin to start if I wanted to get into this? (OL, email).

Need for speed put me off track

Thu, Sep 05, 2019

Q: I am a HR professional and in the interview, they asked me a health and safety scenario. “What would you do if the pressure was really on to get workers on site and you had a lot of inductions in a short space of time?” I started talking about speed but they wanted to hear about health and safety. In reality, I wouldn’t compromise on health and safety but, in the interview, I got off on the wrong foot and ended up muttering, backtracking, crashing and burning. What should I have done differently? (IK, email).

Tips for job interviews

Thu, Jul 04, 2019

When it come to interviews, we are all looking for the edge that will see us receive the nod of approval. However, in an ever increasing competitive job market where there are more applicants than positions, there are many aspects in a job interview which we need to consider.

Saying less to say more

Thu, Feb 14, 2019

Q: I’ve often been told I talk too much. Guilty, as charged, I’d say. I haven’t done well in interviews – well, I haven’t got jobs even when I definitely had the experience. I fear I may have rabbited on too long. How might I curb this tendency? (UK).

In any interview, candidates should veer away from what I call unprofitable cul-de-sacs, writes Fiona Barry, Career Coach, Sli Nua Careers.

Watch the gap – and go for it

Thu, Jan 10, 2019

Q: I felt the questions didn’t suit me, as Larry Gogan was fond of saying on the Just-a-Minute quiz many moons ago. They didn’t really ask me what I’d bring to the role – they were totally fixated on what I thought about the position. How could I have handled the interview differently? (TH, email).

Twenty things a good MC does

Thu, Nov 22, 2018

Q: This might be an unusual one, but as it’s related to my career, I said I’d run it by you. Next week, I’ve been asked to act as MC for an event we are running. All our big customers will be there, and so will all our head buck cats. I want to make a good impression. It’s a huge affair – about 400 people and the full audio-visual treatment. I was picked because I’m a pretty good talker but this is a whole other level of stuff. Any tips? (M McM, email).

Four questions to ask at the end of the interview

Thu, Nov 01, 2018

Q: I'm always asked at the end of the interview if I have a question for them. I can never think of what to say. I'm generally dying to make my escape. Any suggestions? (EK, email).

Your Career, Your Choices

Thu, Sep 20, 2018

Q: “I am a qualified and experienced teacher looking for a permanent teaching post. I have subbed, filled-in and temped for two years now. I know I am a good teacher; I love my job and my students, but am always being pipped at the post when it comes to interview. What might I be doing wrong, please advise?” – AQ (email).

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