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

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

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

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

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

Flexitimers got a mention in yesterday's Irish Independent article (Is the supermum a thing of the past?) on the reality of combining a career with having children. 'Supermum' is no more according to research conducted by sociologists in Cambridge University. Apparently, you simply cannot have it all: time for a high-powered job, children, DH and an exciting social life. The study claims that an increasing number of people believe mums having careers comes at the expense of their children.
I remember having this same argument with my (then childless) sister and my point was that you could do both, but less competently than a childless career woman or a full time parent. Something has to give, there are only 24 hours in a day but it's not just simply down to time, I believe it's head space: if you're thinking about work work work all the time, then you're probably not going to pick up the subtle cues that parenting requires. Conversely if you're at work and constantly thinking of baby in creche (yes we've all done it), and I'm big enough to admit I didn't have the same fire in the belly that day. This doesn't mean that all childless people are high fliers and all stay-at-home parents are fantastic parents, of course it's down to the individual and their own levels of motivation, happiness, self-esteem etc.
I'm just saying from a personal point of view that I felt I had to chose one and I chose parenting - but that was nearly 10 years ago - a time before work-life balance and career flexibility.

Indeed that was before Flexitimers because since then I've realised you can have it all but you can only have one full-time permanent job (parenting) then outside of that you can fit in the part-time, freelance, contract and temp work and have the time and head space to do that really really well. So Cambridge University I'm afraid I disagree, working mums can have it all but you're presuming career is synonymous with full-time permanent work and all us Flexitimers out there know that's simply not the case. And everyone, even the dog on the street, knows that nobody can sustain 2 full time jobs at the same time!

So thanks Susan Daly for your kind mention and hopefully your readers will flock to Flexitimers and have it all too.
All the best
Joy

Labels: flexible work, smart work, Women and Work, work, work life balance

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