In a series of articles from Colman Collins recently published book, 'How to Succeed in your First Job’, read Colman’s advice as he outlines the lessonslearned from his many years as a HR Director and Recruitment specialist for the benefit of those starting out on their careers. Colman Collins is the author of HOW TO SUCCEED IN YOUR FIRST JOB. Colman wrote this book to help recently qualified graduates to navigate their way successfully from the world of college to the world of work. The book is based on his forty years experience, initially as a HR Director with two blue chip multinationals including Nortel Networks here in Galway and more recently as the owner and CEO of Collins McNicholas Recruitment & HR Services Group, which alsohas an office in Galway. The book is available in Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop and Kenny’s Bookshop in Galway and on line through buythebook.ie and amazon.
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Article One -
Over the next four weeks Colman will be selecting one topic per week.
This week’s topic is: Select the right kind of job in the right company
In making this suggestion I am fully aware that the right kind of job or company will vary from one job seeker to another but there are some general guidelines that are universal and should be taken into consideration when applying for your first job. I am also aware that this suggestion may sound boldespecially to older readers who may have been brought up in a time where one would apply for any vacant position and gladly accept it if one werelucky enough to be offered it.
Take the time to research any job or company you are interested in.
Check out the company’s website and/or speak with the recruitment consultancy they are working with. Get the job description and person specification so you can form an initial impression if this is a suitable position for you. There is no excuse nowadays for not doing this research as this information isreadily available. Failure to do basic research will become immediately obvious should you be called for interview.
Do you know anyone working in the company?
If you do, ask them what kind of company it is to work in. If it sounds suitable for you, it might be worth asking them whether they would be willing to recommend you. As a former HR Director I always welcomed recommendations from employees who were well regarded in the company.
Do you know someone who worked for the company previously?
If you value this person’s judgement it may be worth asking them for their overall impression of the company. If you know them well enough you may feel comfortable asking them why they left the company i.e. was it because they were unhappy there or were they headhunted for a better job.
Find out what people think of the person you will be your immediate boss.
This person may not be your boss in the long term but it is worth finding out as that person will decide in six months time if you have satisfactorilycompleted your probationary period with the company.
Be prepared to ask questions of the interview panel that may give answers you are unable to get elsewhere.
A useful question to ask if you are called for interview is what would your boss expect you have achieved in your first six months with the company.
Check the CRO (Companies Registration Offi ce ) to determine whether the company is profitable and whether it files its annual results on time.
There is no point applying for a job that is struggling financially or is slow to file its annual returns.
Find out how the company is perceived in the locality.
It should be easy to get information regarding a company’s CSR policy (Corporate Social Responsibility ) as most companies are attentive to this and useit to differentiate themselves from other employer’s in the area. You may be able to see yourself that the company is integrated into the communitythrough sponsoring local teams or has formal links with schools or colleges.
