Job hunting is, as many wise people have said, a job all in itself. Studies have found that it takes from 21 to 80 job applications to get one job offer, on average, and that the standard corporate job opening receives roughly 250 applications. To get one interview, 62% of job seekers will have to apply for one to ten jobs, and 51% of job seekers will receive a job offer after having three interviews.
It is a numbers game, and when the labour market isn’t looking so hot, job hunting can feel like an impossible task. In Ireland right now though, things are still broadly positive, despite recession rumblings, rocketing inflation, war in Ukraine and most worrying for jobs, tech company layoffs.
Hiring rates in the first five months of 2022 were on average 27% higher than the same period in 2019, according to the IDA’s most recent Labour Market Pulse report. The total number of people employed in Ireland is at record levels, and the unemployment rate has returned to pre-pandemic levels, and is below 5%.
“I welcome the data insights which show that hiring rates are continuing to demonstrate strong signs of recovery in the wake of the pandemic,” says IDA Ireland’s CEO, Martin Shanahan, of the data.
So that’s good news for job hunters, and with so much potential within the IFSC itself – BNP Paribas and MUFG are just two companies that are currently hiring – it can be frustrating when the job hunting process just isn’t getting any further than an application or an initial recruiter call.
Your application is generic
You might find this a faff but it is utterly necessary: every single job you apply for should have its own tailored cover letter and a freshly edited CV. What is it about your basic CV that is helping you stand out? Likely not much, so tweak your CV to suit each new application, removing roles and responsibilities that aren’t a fit, and making sure to emphasise the achievements that will impress.
You’re not using keywords
Many HR professionals use applicant tracking software (ATS) to enable easy handling of their recruitment and hiring needs. One downside for you as an applicant is if you don’t use keywords in your application that match those from the job advertisement, your application is likely to fail at the first hurdle. Make sure you are adding in relevant keywords, specifically from the roles and responsibilities section of the ad.
You didn’t impress the recruiter
Many interview processes will now begin with an initial call with a recruiter or hiring manager. You may think this is a fairly informal step but it is a crucial part of the process. After all, this person understands the wants and needs of the company, and if you don’t impress them, and convey your acumen and interest in the role, you won’t progress any further. Prepare for, and treat this call as seriously as you would any other interview.
If you’re ready to go ahead and apply for a new job now, then you can discover three Dublin-based roles below. Plus, find plenty more opportunities on ifscjobs.ie.
Senior Director, Inside Sales (France), Indeed
Indeed is looking for a Senior Director of Sales to develop, manage and hire directors who will coordinate sales teams. You’ll be responsible for growth and retention of revenue, you’ll ensure delivery of monthly, quarterly and annual sales goals while managing a weekly revenue forecast and you will manage daily, weekly and monthly activity to ensure productivity. If you have over ten years’ of relevant sales experience, experience managing managers, fluency in both French and English and experience with interactive media, including pay-per-click products, this is the role for you. Additionally, tenure within the online recruitment or staffing industry is strongly preferred. Find out more about the Senior Director of Sales role here.
Senior Counsel Insurance Solutions, Airbnb
Airbnb is looking for a Senior Counsel Insurance Solutions to join its insurance legal team to work on innovative and cutting-edge insurance programs. You’ll be working closely with business partners to provide practical regulatory and commercial legal advice and support in various jurisdictions. Your role will require a high degree of self-sufficiency, organisational skills, and an ability to enjoy a fast-paced and busy environment. Interested? You’ll need to be a creative, flexible and experienced insurance regulatory and commercial attorney with a business-orientated outlook who has eight to ten years’ of relevant global insurance regulatory experience with specific experience in EMEA and APAC. The full job description for the Senior Counsel Insurance Solutions role is available here.
Senior Software Engineer, Verizon
Verizon is one of the world's leading providers of technology and communications services, transforming the way we connect across the globe. The Senior Software Engineer will be working at the Dublin office, and will be responsible for engineering and maintaining features and components for Verizon’s SaaS. The role will be focused on UI development and you’ll be participating in product feature implementation, both independently and in cooperation with your team as well as implementing changes and new features in a manner which promotes efficient and reusable code. You’ll need a Bachelor's degree or relevant work experience and experience in agile/lean methodologies and processes (ideally Kanban), leading process improvements and engineering disciplines. Get all the details on the Senior Software Engineer job here.
By Kirstie McDermott
