At the recent launch of the “Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Guidance” document for the Construction Industry Federation, aimed at addressing the significant gender imbalance in the industry, key Construction leaders say that more female professionals in Project Management, Architecture and Engineering skills are essential to meeting the current demand, and to deliver Ireland’s urgent housing and infrastructure needs.

Gender Imbalance.

“Increased diversity and gender equality is not just the right thing to do, it is critical for our industry” said Jean Winters, director of industrial relations and employment services with CIF. Recent surveys show that over 70% of Construction companies recognise the need for more female operatives in their industry, however only 10% of workers are female.

The survey also found that on construction sites, only 1% were female, while in off-site roles, 54% are male and 46% female, but a majority of the latter, are employed in administration, finance, HR and marketing.

Architecture, Engineering and Project Management opportunities.

There are currently major opportunities in the industry says Ms. Winters, whether in Project Management, Architecture or a variety of Engineering disciplines. Ms. Winters says, within the industry, key qualities female professionals bring to the industry are resilience, determination, ambition and confidence.

 

If you are considering a career move and wish to discuss the current opportunities within Architecture, Engineering, Quantity Surveying and Construction, please contact c.herlihy@gpcireland.com or call Caroline on + 353 86 8055216.

 

When it comes to applying to your dream job you could be one of the most qualified candidates, but if your CV (curriculum vitae) does not stand out, the employer could end up skipping your CV altogether. Unfortunately, this is more common in the present day where there can be hundreds, if not thousands of applicants to one role. Luckily it is possible to improve your CV writing skills so that hiring managers notice you and are more likely to invite you for a job interview. Your CV and cover letter are the most important part of your job search because they will help the prospective employer decide whether to find out more about you. Here are the do’s and don’ts to CV writing and some advice on making your CV stand out from the rest!

How should I format my CV?

There are a number of ways that you can format your CV, however, it is highly recommended that you set your CV out in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent work experience and working your way back. Your CV should be no more than two pages, with a clear and basic layout (no crazy fonts or graphics). The best practice format for CV writing should look something like this:

• Personal details (e.g. name, email, phone number)
• Personal statement
• Education
• Work Experience/History
• Skills/Achievements
• Relevant Hobbies

A short personal statement should appear at the top of your CV and should reflect the job description for the job you are applying for. In this short paragraph, you should reflect on why you are applying for the job as well as why you are a great applicant for the role. It is a great idea to create your CV on a word document or another tool that includes a spell checker, to ensure there are no grammatical errors that could hinder your chances of securing an interview.

The DO’s of CV Writing

You want your CV to draw attention from the recruiter, and there are appropriate ways you can do this to increase your chances of being selected for the next stage of the job application process. Follow our CV advice to prove to the employer that you are the ideal candidate for their role.

DO: Tailor your CV to the role

One of the most important aspects of CV writing is to tailor your CV to the specific job description and role you are applying for. A general CV that you send out to multiple employers may not include the specific skills the employer is looking for and could therefore decrease your chances of being picked for the next stage. While applying for a job, ensure you include the information that the recruiter asks for, such as relevant experience, transferable skills and relevant training, with the use of technical terms where possible to show understanding. A tailored CV will make a big difference when communicating with an employer.

DO: Keep descriptions brief and in bullet point format

Recruiters do not need to know your life story; just the most relevant work experience, qualifications and skills for the role. Each description of your employment history should be in bullet points with clear, precise sentences that point out what you have done and provide appropriate examples. For example, if you are applying to be a Project Manager and have previously directed a successful project can you give specific examples of the outcomes? ‘Directed -, ensuring the project was delivered on time and on budget. This resulted in a 20% increase in sales for -‘.

DO: Use power words when highlighting your experience

Employers and recruiters see the same terminology on CVs day in and day out, with a huge number of people citing the exact same skills and reasons for applying to a role. To make your CV stand out to an employer, use power words that highlight what you can do. For CV writing, great power words include:

• Collaborated
• Directed
• Executed
• Accomplished
• Acquired
• Achieved
• Created
• Negotiated
• Prepared
• Produced
• Undertook
• Consulted
• Conveyed
• Illustrated

Words like these can show the hiring manager exactly what you can do and help differentiate you from other candidates.

DO: Include any hobbies that prove you are a great candidate

A hobby that includes relevant skills to the role you are applying for is a great thing to include in your CV; it shows you take an interest in things outside work and are a motivated/passionate individual. Some employers like to see some personality in a CV, so listing appropriate hobbies can help your CV to stand out from the rest.

DO: Keep all wording positive and clear

Your wording should be easy to read and positive throughout. This means you should only talk about your strengths and the good things you have achieved in your career. You may be asked about weaknesses in the interview stage, but you should not include these on your CV or cover letter. Your CV is your first opportunity to impress, so let the employer know why you are so great and why you would make a great addition to their team.

DO: Ensure your CV is within two pages

Your personal information, personal statement, work history and work achievements should all be kept within two pages; any more than this will take up too much of the employer’s time which they most likely don’t have spare. Ensure your CV is no longer than two pages so that the hiring manager can find out what they need to know about you in a short period of time.

The DONT’S of CV Creation

So you now know what you should be including in your CV, but here are the things you really should avoid if you want to make a good impression on a hiring manager.

DON’T: Include unnecessary information

When listing your contact information you should not include your age, nationality, sexual orientation or marital status. These details should not matter to the job you are applying for and will only use up valuable space on your CV. Remember that employers usually have limited time to go through all of the CVs they receive so only the most relevant details should be included.

DON’T: Include every single job you’ve ever had

Do not include every single job you’ve ever had on your CV as this will only waste the employer’s time and could even end up putting them off you altogether. Only include the most relevant work history to the role, starting for your latest suitable jobs to your oldest. For example, if you are applying for a role in Engineering you should not be mentioning the Sales Assistant job you had while studying at uni!

DON’T: Explain any gaps in history

Many candidates have gaps in their work history due to extenuating circumstances or for other reasons, but you should not explain gaps on your CV because it will only take up space. If the employer has noted the gaps in your history they may ask you about them during the interview, so make sure you have an answer prepared for them rather than going into detail beforehand.

DON’T: Use unprofessional contact details

This may seem like an obvious one but many job candidates do not realise that the email address they created years ago could hinder their chances of securing an interview. All of your contact details should be professional, usually including your full name, rather than a nickname or reference to a fictional character. Employers want to hire someone professional that they can count on and trust in the industry, so an unprofessional email or social media link could prevent you from securing your dream role.

DON’T: Mention anything about salary or finance

A CV should not mention anything to do with the job salary or your financial situation; these are discussed at a later date. When performing your job search the roles listed may include an idea of salary but this is usually negotiable once the employer has shown interest in you.

DON’T: Include a picture

CVs are a document for details around the skills relevant to the job descriptions and job title you are applying for. They should not include your picture unless you are asked specifically by the employer.

DON’T: Add reference details

Unnecessary references will take up too much valuable space on your curriculum vitae; instead, simply state that ‘references are available on request’ at the end of the document. This shows that you do have professional references and they can be accessed easily if asked.

Global Professional Consultants – The Leading Irish Consultancy

Here at Global Professional Consultants, we believe in forming long-lasting relationships with both job seekers and employers. We have the best candidate and employer network in the industry and offer tailor-made services to support your requirements. If you are searching for a job in Architecture, Civil & Structural Engineering, Mechanical & Electrical Engineering, Construction, Surveying & Project Management or Facilities Management get in touch with us today.

When looking for a new job, your CV will need to wow recruiters and show them that you’re the best candidate for the job. But what exactly do recruiters want to see on your resume and how should that information be presented?

Keep reading as we offer you some helpful hints and tips to make your next job application a success.

Wow the hiring manager with a compelling cover letter

The first thing you need to do is persuade potential employers to open your CV. You could have the most well-written, relevant CV in the world on your hands but if it sits unopened in a recruiter’s inbox, it’s useless.

To ensure that a recruiter opens your CV, you need to draw them in with a compelling cover note. Keep your cover note short and sharp and demonstrate how your skills and work experience match the job description.

A cover note should be well written, free of any spelling mistakes and use a friendly, professional tone of voice.

Experience relevant to the job description

Once a potential employer has opened your CV, the first thing they will do is scan the first page of your CV for key skills and knowledge relevant to the job title. If your resume doesn’t pass this initial scan, it’s likely the hiring manager will put your CV down and move on to the next one.

To ensure your resume stands out from the crowd, make it easy to read by using bullet points, a clear simple font, break sections up with headers and ensure everything is in chronological order as this will make it much easier for potential recruiters to follow.

Job titles

Your current job role is the biggest indicator of your capabilities at this moment in your career so recruiters will analyse this section of your resume the most.

Recruiters will want to know things like:

• Your current job role
• Details of the jobs you do on a regular basis
• Who you interact with (customers, stakeholders, directors etc.)
• Tools or software you use (MS Office, Autocad, Revit etc.)
• Regular work you produce (Websites, Excel documents, Marketing content etc.)
• Key achievements
• Relevant skills or online courses you’ve completed as part of your employment

By writing about your current job role in detail, it helps to give the recruiter all the information they need about your work ethic and personality. Previous roles and work history should be condensed to save space on your resume.

Hiring managers look for key achievements

Facts, figures, and key achievements allow recruiters to understand your added value because they give them an idea of the work you’ve been involved in and the impact of your involvement.

Bullet points that include numbers and key data help to quantify the results you have achieved for yourself, employers, and clients.

When writing your CV, try to add some measurable achievements for example:

• Completed all design projects on time coming in 10% under budget.
• Found two design flaws in ongoing projects, preventing failure of project.
• Produced 2D and 3D visualisations that supported the company in winning a €500,000 contract.

Education and training

Recruiters need to assess if candidates are qualified for the job they’ve applied for and listing any additional training you have completed such as online courses or lectures will help to show the recruiter that you are committed to learning.

Whilst you don’t need to list every exam you’ve ever taken, it’s important to tailor your CV for the job you’re applying for. If you’re applying for a position in the engineering sector for example it’s important that your resume lists qualifications that you may have.

Up-to-date contact information

This one might go without saying, but you wouldn’t believe the number of candidates that forget to put their up-to-date contact information on their resume. It’s important to include your phone number (including country dialling code), email address and LinkedIn page (if you have one) so that recruiters can contact you about your job application.

You don’t need to include any personal details such as date of birth, driving license status or address if it isn’t relevant. Ensure you double-check all information is correct and test any links.

Correct spelling and grammar

Things recruiters love to see on a good CV is correct spelling and grammar. No matter how qualified you may be for the job, if your resume is laden with poor spelling and grammar mistakes then your job search won’t make it past the first hurdle.

In fact, too many good resumes are let down because of simple errors.

Hiring managers are picky about good grammar and spelling, which is why they’ll have no problems in making snap judgements based on a poorly written CV. This is often the reason a lot of the best-qualified candidates will miss out on jobs.

Personal statement

A personal statement at the top of your resume is the perfect opportunity to grab the recruiter’s attention and sell yourself. You should aim to create a summary of how your skills match the job description and briefly explain your experience, education as well as a summary of why you’re applying for the role.

On average, recruiters spend less than a minute scanning your CV, so make your personal statement count!

Your goals

This should fall under your personal statement section, and it serves as the ideal place to express what you’re looking for. Don’t be generic – show the employer how you want to progress your career. Ensure that all information is relevant to the position you’re applying for.

Expressing your lifelong passion to be a designer won’t do you any favours if you’re applying for a role in supply chain management!

Hobbies and interests

Things recruiters like to see on your CV is your hobbies and interests, mostly because they’re nosy but it also helps to give the person who is applying for the new role a personality.

While 95% of your CV tells the story of your career, the hobbies and interests section reveals more about who you are.

Benefits of including hobbies on your CV include:

• Makes your CV more personal
• Allows you to show voluntary and community-focused projects
• Gives you something to talk about during your interview

Conclusion

Many job seekers stop themselves from being considered for a new role by making simple errors in their applications. The good news is that these errors can be easily fixed, usually by double-checking your CV prior to submission.

Remember, you should always tailor your CV for the position and country you’re applying for – so what are you waiting for? With this advice, you could find yourself in an amazing new role in no time!

There is no slowdown in the momentum of further pay rises as the Republic’s economy continues to grow, according to experts’ predictions in a report published 0n Thursday last. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD) latest report predicts that the Republic’s wealth will continue growing strongly. Average pay grew by 3.5 per cent in the first quarter of 2019, following on an increase of 3.9 per cent for the final quarter of 2018. Unemployment will fall to 4.6 per cent by the end of 2020, down from a figure of 5.3 per cent this year. The Central Statistics Office (CSO) said a record 2.3 million people are now working in the Republic.

Skills shortages

There appears to be no end to the upward graph of all the Economic indicators in Ireland’s continuing growth. In virtually all sectors of the economy, severe staff shortages are commonplace, and the drive to recruit suitable candidates from across the globe to meet the shortfalls continues with ever growing momentum. This is especially so in the Construction industry, with widespread anecdotal evidence of project postponements and delays due to chronic shortages in skilled professional personnel.

In the past two quarters, the most vibrant sector in the industry has been the increased output of housing stock which shows an increase of over 25 per cent on a similar period last year. This is reflected in the almost nil increase in the level of rents across the sector countrywide, including in the greater Dublin area. It is predicted that rents will actually start to fall as the output in stock continues to grow.

If you are considering  a career move and wish to discuss the current job opportunities within the Architecture, Engineering , Quantity Surveying and Construction, please contact c.herlihy@gpcireland.com or call Caroline on 00 353 86 8055216

Dublin Port Company C.E.O. Eamonn O’Reilly has recently announced a revised capital investment programme of €1 billion over the next ten years to keep abreast of the continuing expansion of the Port. This figure shows an increase of €400 million over the investment projected last year.

Dublin Port has seen growth of 37% over the past six years, and there is no sign of this expansion slowing down. Mr. O’Reilly said that the investment funds will come from their own resources, funding from European Investment Bank and other lenders.  It’s major policy decision is to deepen the port to 10 meters rather than 12 meters as previously mooted. It has also increased the extent to which it plans to expand the port’s capacity.

Accute shortages in Professional Expertise

All the while, as state and semi state agencies, private industry and other sources are announcing their long awaited plans for massive development projects over the coming years, the very real question is where are all the professional consultants coming from to realise these huge development and infrastructure programs?

There is an acute shortage in professional disciplines, whether in Architecture, Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, Mechanical & Electrical Engineering, Project Management, Construction or any other related expertise. There has never been a more opportune time for expat members of these disciplines to actively consider returning home. It has taken Government a long time to wake up to the myriad of obstacles which have hindered efforts to encourage expats to return.  Housing, exorbitant rents, Schooling, Child care and Healthcare are but a selection of issues militating against a move to return.

These and other issues, are now being actively addressed by State Agencies, and a series of other, financial incentives are being put in place to fill the shortfall in Construction professionals.

Architects and Landscape Architects.

In addition to expanding the port, Mr. O’Reilly pointed to their intention to reintegrate the port with the city, and there are ambitious plans to construct a 4 kilometer greenway for pedestrians and cyclists on the north fringe of the port overlooking the Tolka estuary. There are continuing ongoing plans to develop the southern dockland quays as integrated civic landscaped spaces in partnership with Dublin City Council.

Brexit.

Mr. O’Reilly said that the port is anticipating significantly larger movements between Continental Europe and Ireland after Brexit, and they are working with the relevant State agencies to ensure border control and inspection facilities are in place to deal with the potential effects of Brexit.

Dublin Port

Work has begun on the so-called Dublin Inland Port close to Dublin Airport, which will cover 44 hectares, and house logistics operations on the port’s behalf. They are also working on the Southern Port Access Route – designed to connect the port tunnel on the north side of the Liffey with the ports southern lands on the Poolbeg peninsula, but this connection will now be by way of a new bridge rather than the tunnel extension.

 

If you are considering a career move and wish to discuss the current opportunities within Architecture, Engineering, Quantity Surveying and Construction, please contact c.herlihy@gpcireland.com or call Caroline on +353 86 8055216.

 

At the recent launch of the “Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Guidance” document for the Construction Industry Federation, aimed at addressing the significant gender imbalance in the industry, key Construction leaders say that more female professionals in Project Management, Architecture and Engineering skills are essential to meeting the current demand, and to deliver Ireland’s urgent housing and infrastructure needs.

Gender Imbalance.

“Increased diversity and gender equality is not just the right thing to do, it is critical for our industry” said Jean Winters, director of industrial relations and employment services with CIF. Recent surveys show that over 70% of Construction companies recognise the need for more female operatives in their industry, however only 10% of workers are female.

The survey also found that on construction sites, only 1% were female, while in off-site roles, 54% are male and 46% female, but a majority of the latter, are employed in administration, finance, HR and marketing.

Architecture, Engineering and Project Management opportunities.

There are currently major opportunities in the industry says Ms. Winters, whether in Project Management, Architecture or a variety of Engineering disciplines. Ms. Winters says, within the industry, key qualities female professionals bring to the industry are resilience, determination, ambition and confidence.

 

If you are considering a career move and wish to discuss the current opportunities within Architecture, Engineering, Quantity Surveying and Construction, please contact c.herlihy@gpcireland.com or call Caroline on + 353 86 8055216.

 

DW– Site Manager

From the first time GPC replied to my request to assisting myself on relocating from South Africa to Ireland I just knew this company was a leading Agency in the Construction industry.  I requested a meeting with GPC in March 2018 to discuss the construction industry and possible relocation to Ireland, following correspondence and telephonic interviews GPC backed me by setting up interviews in Dublin.  The relationship between GPC and their Clients are of a very high standard – understanding exactly what the industry requires, Declan and his team kept me up to date at all times and with saying that I had a job secured by April 2018.  Three words on my experience – Professional, proactive and efficient.  Thank you Global Professional Consultants

Catalin  – H&S Officer

You know the way you feel sometimes that you’re trapped in a job and you have no spare time to allocate researching the market for any opportunities? That’s how I felt before talking to GPC. For me it was a really smooth process getting a new job, thanks to GPC!  A friendly and professional approach from day one!

Bartosz  – Senior site Engineer

Very professional and reliable agency, with contacts to top Irish construction companies. Highly recommended!

Katarina – Document Controller

With GPC I found a new role very quickly. The process is very fast and effective. Keith connected me with an excellent Engineering company, that employed me within 3 days of contacting with GPC. I found Keith from GPC to be very efficient at his job. I would highly recommend GPC to anyone. Thank you very much Keith!

Paul  – Senior Planner

I found Keith at GPC excellent to deal with. He arranged interviews for me with 5 top Contractors which gave me the best opportunity of securing a more senior role. He was extremely professional throughout the process, providing advice and guiding me in the right direction

Catriona – Structural Engineer

In the past, I have found recruitment agencies ruthless and un-professional with bad quality work. I was reluctant to approach an agency but approached GPC as I was so frustrated and fed up in my current position. Caroline was completely different to any agency I have ever been in contact with in the past. She is extremely professional but friendly and provides a very prompt service. She has great contacts and secured me four interviews within a week of me sending my CV to her. I was offered some amazing jobs as a result of her hard work and I am looking forward to commencing my new position with excitement. I have already recommended her to my friends.

James – Process Engineer

GPC is unlike any recruiting company that I had worked with in the past. Caroline showed professionalism from the beginning of my job hunt until I secured my dream job.  No other company has organised more than one interview for me in a single day. Caroline and I spoke before and after each interview, this prepared me and gave me the confidence that I needed. I would say this to jobseekers: if you want a professional assistance in getting your dream job, speak to Caroline from GPC.

 

If you are considering a career move, please feel to send your cv CV or call for a confidential discussion.  GPC will not send any applicants cv’s to clients without a full discussion and prior consent. GPC is a specialist construction recruitment consultancy with 20 years’ experience working in the recruitment of engineering professionals within Ireland.

 

 

 

Dublin Airport Authority have signalled their intention to proceed with immediate effect with the construction of the long awaited €320 million second runway in Dublin Airport, to accommodate the anticipated growth in air traffic passenger numbers in the years ahead. The ‘north runway’ as it is named, will be completed by the end of 2021, and is widely regarded as perhaps, ‘the most important thing Ireland will build in a generation…’

 

Noise pollution.

The project has been delayed because of a condition in the An Bord Pleanala permission restricting the number of flights at night time, which would seriously undermine the optimum use of the facility if it were to be imposed. Currently, DAA, together with Fingal County Council, who have been nominated by the Government to monitor the restrictions, are meeting to see if the restrictions can be relaxed / modified to allow full night time capacity to be achieved.

 

Air Traffic Growth.

Last year saw a total of 29.6 million passengers using Dublin Airport, an increase of 55% in traffic over the previous five years.  The provision of the new runway will ‘position the country to compete globally in a post Brexit environment’ according to Dalton Phillips, the DAA’s chief executive.

If you are considering a career move and wish to discuss the current opportunities within Architecture, Engineering, Quantity Surveying and Construction, please contact c.herlihy@gpcireland.com or call Caroline on + 353 86 8055216.