Gilpin ESD

Executive Recruitment | Belfast | Northern Ireland

Posts Tagged ‘Northern Ireland’

Is 2015 the year for gender equality in the workplace?

Thursday, January 29th, 2015

The issue of gender equality (or inequality) in the workplace has grown in momentum over recent years, with the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reporting a narrowing of the gender pay gap from 10% in 2013 to 9.4% in 2014.

Gilpin Gender image 1Although these results show a notable progress in occupational gender politics, more still needs to be done to speed up the process and completely eliminate gender inequality in everyday employment.

According to the Chartered Management Institute, female executives on average earn £10,060 less than their male counterparts and will receive half of the bonuses.

Pay is not the only issue with gender equality. In the UK the percentage of women on boards of (more…)

Avoid Zero Hour Contracts and Make Yourself Indispensable

Wednesday, October 15th, 2014

Avoid Zero Hour Contracts and Make Yourself Indispensable

Contract signingLatest figures have shown that unemployment in Northern Ireland has fallen yet again and by over 400,000 since 2012, which is good news for the local economy. However, in the same period underemployment has increased sharply.

The increase in the number of people taking on zero hour contracts, temporary and part time positions has led to many people in Northern Ireland feeling completely dissatisfied with the number of working hours available to them.

In a bid to rectify the situation, it is crucial that employees market themselves as a vital part of any workforce as a means to secure more permanent, full time posts in the future.

Here’s my advice on making yourself indispensable to employers:

  1. “Have I gone the extra mile today?” Do at least one thing each day that you haven’t (more…)

Strength lies in Differences, not Similarities: Age Diversity within the Job Market

Tuesday, August 19th, 2014

A recent CIPD report revealed that businesses can benefit greatly from an age diverse workforce, with 66% of SMEs now focusing their attention on recruiting employees from a mix of age groups and with various levels of experience.
TeamA workforce made up of varying ages ensures an extensive amount of knowledge sharing, with employees contributing a good balance of experience and a fresh look at the business or industry.

We are all aware that customer service standards can make or break the image of a brand. However, an age diverse workforce can enhance customer service skills. With a balance of experience and enthusiasm, employees of various ages can relate to the customers on different levels.

Here are some statements to consider before your next recruitment round:

  • Ability is more important than age. It is always important to look at who is most (more…)

Tackling Changing Job Interview Techniques

Tuesday, July 1st, 2014

?Why is a manhole round?? is an interview question made famous by Microsoft. Interview 1It was designed with the intention of gaining insight into how a candidate structures their thoughts in order to answer the questions. By doing so, an interviewer can quickly decipher if you are a logical, creative or an emotional thinker. As the economy continues its recovery, there are a growing number of opportunities on the job market, and as a result, recruiters are becoming more creative with their interview techniques as a way to test a candidate?s character, ability and suitability for the desired role. Here are three examples of some increasingly common interview techniques:

  1. Group Interviews. Group interviews are often implemented to directly compare the (more…)

Could a career move be your best move?

Tuesday, April 8th, 2014

ID-10076178Whether it’s Bruce Forsyth announcing his resignation from Strictly Come Dancing, or Steve Ballmer relinquishing his title as Microsoft CEO leaving a very mixed legacy, deciding to move to another position elsewhere can be a daunting prospect and requires careful consideration.

However, answering the following questions truthfully can make the task much easier.

  • Have you reached your full potential? If you believe you have met all the goals you (more…)

Quick Tips for Job Hunting

Tuesday, April 1st, 2014

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With the clocking going forward there’s certainly a feeling of Spring in the air. It’s a time we as company see much activity as candidates look for new opportunities.

If you’re thinking of a move, here’s a few of our top tips for job hunting.

  • Get Organised!  In a competitive market you need a solid plan for how you plan to pursue employment opportunities.  A shotgun approach probably won’t work.  Target specific companies / industries, do your homework and then aggressively go after leads you uncover.
  • Distinguish yourself!  Look for ways to make yourself stand out in a crowd of applicants.  Turn perceived disadvantages into strengths.  Concerned that you’re “too old” to compete?  Emphasise your professional maturity, years of experience, ability to handle a variety of situations, etc.
  • Listen to the needs the interviewer very carefully.  Interviewers will hire the candidate they think truly best meets their needs.  Listen carefully to the needs of the interviewer, ask thoughtful questions and then address how you can meet the needs of a particular job opening.
  • Focus on the positive.  Don’t buy into “doom and gloom.”  And don’t spend valuable interview time talking about how tough it is “out there.”  Optimism is very attractive and it says a lot about what kind of employee you’ll be.
  • Go back to basics.  A perfect CV and constant networking are more important than ever!  Make sure that your CV and cover letter is flawless.
  • Maintain your momentum.  Don’t allow yourself to drag.  Be true to your emotions, but don’t succumb to feelings of depression.

For more information, please contact us on: +44 (0) 28 9076 9900

Fancy a change?

Monday, March 24th, 2014

Walt Disney was a former newspaper editor; Elvis Costello was a computer programmer 2002 --- Harrison Ford during a promotional tour for the movie K-19: The Widowmaker. --- Image by ? Viviane Moos/CORBIS and Harrison Ford was a carpenter. Career changes can and do work out but there are a number of considerations when contemplating a career change.? 1. Plan for a longer job search. Changing industries requires research and time.? Assess your financial situation and make realistic decisions.? This could even mean that you may have to consider an interim position or part-time work to bridge to your new career. But don?t be side tracked by short-term issues. 2. Stay grounded in reality.?? Successful career change is based on setting realistic goals and making an honest assessment of your skills, then matching those against the current market situation and conditions. 3. Network, network, network.? Networking is the key to any successful job search, (more…)

When over-qualified can become a hindrance…

Monday, March 10th, 2014

You spent years getting an Undergraduate degree, Masters Degree, PhD and a host of Professional Qualifications.

So, why apply to be the intern?

DiplomaOk, it’s an extreme example, but research released by the CIPD last week tells us that 30% of people are, in fact, overqualified for their job.

That’s nearly one third of all UK workers.

The CIPD concluded that too many people’s skills are being under-utilised in the economy which is a “major factor in the UK’s poor productivity levels.”

So, why do people continue to apply for positions for which they have too many qualifications, experience and skills?

Is it a sign of “I’ll do anything” in this economy?

You might think that employers like to have someone with lots of titles after their names, but there a number of reasons why they could often see being overqualified as a bad thing.

  • Will they be bored? Bosses believe there is a chance that the employee might not (more…)

Being rejected for a role may be good for your future

Tuesday, March 4th, 2014

You may not have heard about Whatsapp until recently.

But now you can’t escape hearing about it.

Brian Acton

Brian Acton

Certainly, to be wanted by Facebook is a pretty glowing endorsement.

So what if I was to tell you that the creator was, in fact, previously rejected by Facebook.

(And Twitter for that matter!)

That’s right, Brian Acton is essentially having the last laugh after he went for a job at both of the social media giants back in 2009, only to be turned down!

On 23 May 2009 he tweeted, “Got denied by Twitter HQ. That’s ok. Would have been a long commute” and that August he wrote, “Facebook turned me down. It was a great opportunity to connect with some fantastic people. Looking  (more…)

If Kevin Costner can do it, you can too!

Monday, February 17th, 2014

Fancy Venus Williams designing the interior of your house or Kevin Costner cleaning up an oil spill?

Sound farfetched?

Well the truth is that these roles are more real than you might think.

The renowned tennis champion has her own interior design company called V Starr Interiors, while The Bodyguard actor began developing oil separation machines in the 1990s which were even bought by BP during the Gulf of Mexico oil disaster.

You learn something new every day.

New EnterpriseThe truth is that it’s not unusual for even famous people to want to start up a business.  It is a natural thing to want to be your own boss and for many facing redundancy, the prospect is very desirable.  Some may feel forced to do so in their particular circumstances rather than as a result of some serious thinking. For others it is the entrepreneurial spirit inside of them.

But, there are ultimately many different realties to starting a business to consider before making any decision: (more…)