Recently retired, after 23 years in a number of Galway schools as a guidance counsellor, Patricia O’Flaherty spoke with the Galway Advertiser about the importance of making a good first impression, what employers need to work on, and what the “real killer” for employees is.
Patricia has many years of experience guiding people in the right direction towards a future career. What are the major changes she has noticed during her years at work and what advice does she impart for being successful in the working world, as both an employee and employer?
Getting an edge over your competitors
The world of recruitment is ever-changing, never more so than now. In a country of full employment, the jobs market is more competitive than ever. So, what does Patricia believe will give a job applicant the edge over other applicants?
“You never get a second chance to make a good first impression,” she says without hesitation.
“It’s all about how you present yourself. That can mean how you are dressed, but when you go in there make sure you make eye contact with people.”
Additionally, Patricia says that doing your research on the company you are applying to is essential when preparing for an interview.
“It is very important that you have researched not just the job that you are applying for, but the company itself.”
“The differentiator is often how much preparation did this person do to really show that they want to be part of this company. Research how long the company is in existence, the products or services they provide, the ownership of the company”. In short, find out as much about the company as you can.
“I feel that would really impress me if I was across the table interviewing somebody.”
With all of that considered, Patricia adds that it is "very important that you are able to bring something to the company".
"In an interview situation, if an employer asks questions such as 'What can you bring to the company?' or 'What can you offer us?', if you can answer those questions properly, you will stand out from the crowd."
Employers have ‘an awful lot to work on’
The current younger generation has been dubbed as the ‘snowflake generation’ amongst some. Does Patricia think the current generation of graduates have a bad reputation among employers?
“I would actually put more of an onus on the employer. I really feel that employers have an awful lot to work on,” asserts Patricia.
“I think some employers are giving the young kids a very hard time, and it is very demotivating for them. When they put so much effort into putting their CV together and so much effort into preparing for an interview, and then they never hear from that particular company (after applying for a position ) again.”
She feels that new employees are not being shown the ropes when they are hired, so it can look like they are not being proactive. Hence, the bad reputation festers.
“If you don’t treat the employee well and show them what needs to be done, they may be seen to just be walking around and not doing a lot.”
Patricia likened it to secondary school students going on work placements and students not being allowed to do anything but “make tea”.
“I used to say to them if that happens on day one and day two, just get out of there. The whole idea of work experience is that you gain the experience.
“It’s belittling them and disrespecting them. The employers need to understand that they were that student once.”
Despite this, Patricia believes that graduates entering the working world may have to “lower their expectations” and be willing to start at the bottom to work their way up.
“They’ve got the qualifications, but they mightn’t necessarily have the skills yet.
"Once companies see that you have a degree, you’re telling them that you have a stickability. You have put in the hours and you can stay at something until the end.
"You have the theory, but not the skills. So, be prepared to spend a couple of years getting to where you want to go. Be patient and always be respectful.”
Value your employees
The universal question: who are the happiest people in their jobs? For Patricia, the answer to that question revolves around valuing your employees.
“The happiest people in their jobs are respected and valued, regardless of what they are involved in. They are not just part of the furniture”.
“If you are not being supported it can be a real killer. You are an individual, not a number, and the company has to reflect that irrespective of what sector you work in.
Life as a guidance counsellor
Guidance counselling has dramatically changed throughout Patricia’s career. In terms of staying on top of the increasing variety of options for post-secondary school students, there is a mountain of paperwork and content to read online.
“There is the Institute for Guidance Counsellors, and the CAO has a conference each year in November. We meet the admission officers from the colleges, and they update us on any new changes to their courses, or any courses that are added and going to open.”
Arguably the biggest change for guidance counsellors now is the increasing scope of support they provide for students.
When she started out, Patricia admits that she was seen as a “career teacher”, but now there is an emphasis placed on providing emotional support as well as offering career advice.
She cites the impact of Covid on young people as one of the main factors in the transition.
“Since Covid, their social and communication skills have taken a huge hit. They stopped learning how to communicate with one another (in the traditional way )”.
“Thankfully, their voices are being heard more now than they were. Students are willing to talk about how they actually feel and about their mental health. That's a hugely positive change,” she concluded.
Patricia outlines her own career path as follows, and encourages people to chase their dreams to find fulfilment in their working lives.
Patricia O'Flaherty
She worked as a Guidance Counsellor for many years until her retirement in May 2024. Before that, her first ‘real’ job was at Mairtín Standún, Spiddal, where she worked as a Mail Order clerk for 5 years. She had a very positive experience while working at Standúns, where owners, Donal and Tess made her feel so welcome and entrusted her with a lot of responsibilities.
She is a graduate of the University of Galway, where she obtained an Arts Degree and a Higher Diploma in Education. She also holds a qualification from the Galway RTC (now ATU ) in Personnel and Administration Management, later working for more than a decade in the sector.
At the end of her 10 years working in management, Patricia started getting 'itchy feet', deciding to pursue a new challenge. Armed with the knowledge that she would like to continue in a role where she got to engage with people, Patricia completed a post-graduate degree in Career Guidance and Counselling at UCD.
Patricia's experience working in personnel was a huge advantage as she previously worked with all age groups, gaining invaluable knowledge which she applied to her new role. Over the years, Patricia has worked with adults, guiding them through job searching, interview techniques and CV preparation, going on to work with adults and teenagers as a career consultant before taking up a permanent position as a career guidance counsellor.
Patricia's first role as a Guidance Counsellor in a secondary school setting was in Coláiste Chroi Mhuire in Spiddal. She then moved on to working with the GRETB in 2000, where she remained until her retirement last year. She has worked in various schools, including Coláiste Ghobnait, Inis Oirr, Coláiste Naomh Fheicín, Corr na Mona, Coláiste na bPiarsach Rosmuc and, lastly, Coláiste na Coiribe, Knocknacarra, Galway.
