FlexiTimes

March 2010: Some help with the job hunt - online tips & apps

So you're still looking for work so maybe some of these online tools/services will help:

I suppose the first step in the search for work is dusting and shining up the CV. Well then maybe CV Cafe - a free tool that allows you to build your CV in minutes using a selection of templates might be the answer.

If you're looking for professional help then perhaps you might consider outsourcing the task to make sure that first impression lasts. Ruadhri McGarry from MyNewCV.ie is one just service and although the 125 euro might seem a little steep, it might just prove to be the best money spent in the long run.

So you get the interview, well done so now it's time to prepare as the saying goes 'to fail to prepare is to prepare to fail' so why not try out SonruVIP - an online interview preparation tool. They offer a range of services from free trial to full review and feedback on your performance so again worth a shot.

And don't forget to check out the corporate fashion code. Best of luck and happy job hunting.

Labels: FlexiTips, jobs, work

Tasty Marketing Fellowship for Graduates in Ireland

The Bord Bia Marketing Fellowship.
Bord Bia and UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School have launched an innovative new programme for 25 lucky learners. The 12 month programme will give candidates an opportunity to gain hands-on experience working with some of Ireland's most respected food companies while also at the same time earn a postgraduate qualification. Participants' time will be split between working in foreign locations, supported by Bord Bia, and studying for a Graduate Diploma in International Marketing Practice at UCD Smurfit School.

This is a fully-funded programme, including all fees, and participants will receive a bursary to the value of 17,500 euro (plus a rental allowance).

Applications are welcome from all graduates with a minimum of 2 years work experience. Some placements will require fluency in a second language (French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, Italian, Russian or Chinese)

The closing date for receipt of applications is Monday 24th August at 09.00am. For further information, please see the website or telephone 7168889.

Labels: jobs, small business

Made Redundant? Think2Act Conference in Dublin might help

Heard about this conference via the Dublin City Enterprise Board Newsletter.
National College of Ireland will host and sponsor Think2Act, a free conference for people who have recently been made redundant or are considering taking new steps in their career. The conference which takes place on Tuesday 30 June will encompass the theme of 'change', seeks to change the recession mindset through expert advice and transformational coaching. It's FREE and has lots of advice and tips for people seeking change including experts in career coaching and psychology. Really worth a visit.

For further information, visit the conference page or contact:
Contact Details:
Dr. Celine Mullins
celine.mullins@a4b.ie
0863637019
Eibhlin Johnston
Eibhlin@thinkcoaching.ie
087 8583564

Labels: jobs, Recession, Redundancy, self-employed, small business

Can't find a job, Get a Portfolio Career

Flexitimers featured in an article in the Sunday Times yesterday about the growing trend towards portfolio careers i.e. people working on several projects at the same time rather than a full time position with just one company. And the trend is growing hence the new term 'giganomics' where 'professionals rely on series of 'gigs' to make a living'. The concept is not brand new as management guru Charles Handy wrote about this almost 20 years ago. In fact, one of his books The Elephant and the Flea, was a huge inspiration to us when setting up Flexitimers. We believe the focus will be on Income rather jobs, because realistically those full time permanent positions are in short supplya and today more than ever we need to think and work outside the box to keep a career alive, so start buidling that portfolio career as it may be the only option for the short term.

Labels: flexible work, Flexitimers, jobs, Media Coverage, part-time work, smart work, work life balance

Redundant and Blue? Create your own luck

If you've been recently made redundant well then this case study I wrote for the Irish Internet Association might cheer you up. It's a story about a fellow marketer called Karina Heavey who was made redundant in January this year but instead of sitting back waiting for the recession to go away, she got proactive and got seriously engaged in social media. Although an experienced marketer, she'd no experience or expertise in social networks but with some extra time and a lot of drive, she turned that around. The story has a happy ending too. Go on, get active, get online and create your own luck too.

Labels: IIA SMWG, jobs, Recession, Redundancy, social media, social networking

Another happy Flexitimer

Got this really nice mail from one of our professionals tonight don't worry we asked her permission to republish.

I just wanted to say a big thank you! It's hard enough finding a non-full time, flexible position in IT in the best of times, let alone in a recession. So I was delighted that you sent me an opportunity which has now resulted in a job offer (from KRO IT in Galway). Perhaps the recession is encouraging people to think laterally, and get professional, experienced people, but not full time. Yours is a terrific resource and I will spread the word!

Well Caroline, we wish you the very best of luck and we're always happy to hear and publish Flexitimers success stories. Thanks and congratulations on the new job.

Labels: contracting, flexible work, Flexitimers, jobs, Recession

Working 5 to 9... trend emerging for home based evening businesses

Came across a report titled 'Working 5 to 9' published by Enterprise Nation in the UK and it presents some very interesting findings for anyone feeling the pinch these days. Highlights include:
Over 5 million people are earning some form of income from home
Peak hours for accessing the web are from 5 to 11 pm
Over 1/3 of registrations a freelance sites are from 5-9ers
Home based businesses such as ebay sellers are on the serious up

The guide provides tips and anecdotes for anyone thinking of taking the leap and starting a home based business. And the really good news is that almost 3/4 of respondents are considering leaving their full-time/part-time jobs to focus on their business, that's a pretty good sign. So go on, take the leap and download the guide and see where it takes you.

Labels: flexible work, jobs, part-time work, self-employed, smart work

Less than 20% find jobs on LinkedIn

Just did a poll on LinkedIn which asked 'Has LinkedIn helped you find a job?' I found the results quite shocking. Only 17% of respondents found work via the jobs board (2%), connections and introductions (7%) and recruiters (8%). The sample size is small so far (7k+) but still food for thought. Seems traditional recruitment and alternative online recruitment sites are still way ahead of the game. You can follow the result on the link above.

Labels: jobs, online recruitment

Fight the recession at Your Best Year Yet Individual Workshop

Clodagh Hughes from Motive8 is another woman on a mission to encourage positivity and action
that 'will get us through this difficult period with a little less stress and a lot more control over the final outcome'. To this end, she's organising Your Best Year Yet Individual Workshop in Killiney Castle on March 27th. Anyone who is unemployed /redundant pays just for lunch (20 euro) which I think is incredibly generous and indicative of the new beat the recession Ireland which is supportive and the antithesis of the rip-off boom years. Well done and best of luck with the event.

Labels: jobs, Recession, Redundancy

Looking for Work? Well maybe it's time to revamp your CV

If you've recently been made redundant or are just looking for work, maybe it's time to dust off that CV and tidy it up. I came across a free CV service called CV Cafe which just might be the ticket. Some of the benefits are:
- It's a free website where a simple fill-in form builds your CV for you.
- Takes the stress away from not knowing what format employers want it.
- You chose a template and download it to your PC.
- With hints and tips along the way which makes writing your CV easy.

It's relevant, useful and free so definitely worth a shot.

Labels: jobs, Redundancy, work

Happy days ahead for part time, freelance and contract professionals

Flexitimers attended the Big Debate in City Hall last Wednesday and were fortunate to put a question to the panel. The panel, which was chaired by by respected broadcaster John Bowman, consisted of Jay Bourke (Cafe Bar Deli), Martin Murray (Interactive Return), Brian Carey (Sunday Times), Marc Coleman (Newstalk), Mark Fielding from ISME, Damian Young Head of Small Business, Bank of Ireland, Paula Fitzsimons, Global Entrepreneurship Monitor author and Pat Lynch, Chairperson of Dublin City Enterprise Board.

Q: Did the panel think that companies (under pressure to cut headcount) were more likely to outsource activities or use part-time, freelance and contract staff in order to remain competitive during these challenging times?

Summary: there was unanimous agreement that companies must outsource and use flexible staff to stay in business.

Quotes:
Marc Coleman - 'there is no doubt, no option that companies will have to outsource / use agency staff'

Pat Lynch 'your largest overheads walk in to your company on two feet....businesses must control these costs', 'It (outsourcing and using flexible staff) is a good business strategy'

Jay Bourke - If you're not letting people go, you'll go out of business, outsource right away'

Brian Carey 'It's a growing trend in Irish businesses'

This is good news for Flexitimers and particularly good news for freelancers, part timers and contractors out there who can now rest assured that more interesting projects and positions will be coming down the pipeline. Flexitimers offers part timers, freelancers and contractors access to skilled part time, contract and freelance positions and projects.

Labels: contracting, flexible work, Flexitimers, jobs, smart work, work

Managing your career in the 21st century

An article called 'Seeing the bigger picture' in the Independent made an interesting case for using career coaches to assist with dealing with change in the 21st century. We all know that the 'job for life' is largely a thing of the past and that's not just to do with the recession but it's more to do with our generation's career promiscuity. We prefer to shop around and indeed move around - upsizing our career prospects with strategic moves every couple of years. However, we're now seeing a very definite move towards outsourcing which will have a profound impact on the traditional employee. Maybe the next opportunity will be contract or freelance - something that exploits your skill set but to a very tight and specific brief. Anyway the article is about using a career coach to identify what you want, why you want it and how to manage your career - worth a read. Times are changing and chance favours the prepared.

Labels: contracting, flexible work, jobs, part-time work, smart work, work

Opportunities for freelancing, contracting

An article caught my eye in Friday's Irish Times about the CEO Forum that takes place this week in Dublin. CEOs from some of Ireland's largest companies are meeting to discuss how to operate in challenging times ahead.

A comment by Brian Long, chief executive of venture capital firm Atlantic Bridge struck me as relevant to Flexitimers "during periods of recession, opportunities tend to open up in the outsourcing space as large corporations pare back, reduce their workforce and then realise that they don't have the "bandwidth" to carry out certain activities such as the development of non-core products. This creates opportunities for smaller players to step in and offer their services". This is also the case for freelancers, contractors and anyone offering themselves 'flexibly' to companies. Food for thought indeed.

Labels: contracting, flexible work, jobs, Recession, self-employed, small business, smart work, work

Would you employ you? The answer is YES!

Taking the leap from permanent work to part time or contract work is not as hard as you might think. Put yourself in the shoes of any of your previous employers and assess the skills, strengths and experience you now have within your working life. Ask yourself what you brought to the companies you worked for? I bet you'll find you have a pretty long list of skills and experiences which are worth a lot. Once you see yourself as a "skill set" you will see how past employers have had the confidence in you.

Simply transfer that same confidence they have had in you and HAVE THAT SAME CONFIDENCE IN YOURSELF. Prior to setting up Flexitimers, Dervla and I have both been employees and employers and at the end of the day it's really pretty much the same. There is a job to be done and you do it.

Once you have the confidence to stand up and pitch for business for somebody else, you can definitely pitch for yourself. Companies only hire people they think will add value and ultimately sales to their business. Assess yourself and realise your worth. Ask yourself how can my 'working life' work for me? If others have believed in you maybe it's time you believed in yourself.

So this sounds good but you have started thinking of some of the benefits you might lose? Think again.....

- I have a steady income coming in every month .....(You can have that too!)
- I have 6 weeks paid holidays every year..................(You can have that too!)
- I can take time off if something comes up...............(You can have that too!)
- I work in a team so share the responsibility ..........(You can have that too!)

How do I make the leap?

- Make a list of what you want i.e. the terms of your self employment e.g. salary, leave.
- Make a list of what you can offer (you've done this before for job interviews)
- Make a Plan of Action to include timelines, pipelines, contacts, budgeting with a definite start date.
- Use Flexitimers (and your other networks to access suitable work)

It is possible and it's easier than you think. Again, the point is to recognise and have the same confidence in yourself that employers have in you. One final point and I don't mean to sound flippant:
The money always comes in. I've been in full time, permanent, temporary, contract and freelance employment over the years and I've never missed a mortgage repayment; I've always been able to live (well) and take holidays. It's just a matter of confidence. YOU CAN HAVE THAT TOO!

Take the leap!
Lead the Life you want.
Best of luck!

Joy
Flexitimers

Labels: contracting, jobs, self-employed, work, work life balance

FlexiTimes

03 March 2010

March 2010: Some help with the job hunt - online tips & apps

21 August 2009

Tasty Marketing Fellowship for Graduates in Ireland

10 June 2009

Made Redundant? Think2Act Conference in Dublin might help

27 April 2009

Can't find a job, Get a Portfolio Career

22 April 2009

Redundant and Blue? Create your own luck

16 April 2009

Another happy Flexitimer

14 April 2009

Working 5 to 9... trend emerging for home based evening businesses

18 March 2009

Less than 20% find jobs on LinkedIn

09 March 2009

Fight the recession at Your Best Year Yet Individual Workshop

27 January 2009

Looking for Work? Well maybe it's time to revamp your CV

24 November 2008

Happy days ahead for part time, freelance and contract professionals

10 November 2008

Managing your career in the 21st century

Opportunities for freelancing, contracting

05 June 2008

Would you employ you? The answer is YES!

Previous Posts

Archives

Links

@flexitimer Twitter Updates

Updates