blogList

<h2>Why is this question asked?</h2>The employer wants to:• Ensure you understand the job you’re applying for• Learn how enthusiastic you are for the position• Know if your experience matches up with the job responsibilities• Discover if your goals and values align with the company • Be sure you can add value to the companyHere’s how to address all of the employers&#x27; concerns within your answer:<h2>1. Research the role you’re applying for</h2>Research the role and learn how your own skills match up with the job requirements. Then within your answer you can reference the specific duties of the position and detail how you have the experience and knowledge to perform them. To help prepare your answer ask yourself the following questions:• Do I have specific examples from my work experience which demonstrate I can perform the main duties of this job?• What do I like most about the job? • How does this job align with my own professional goals? Are there development opportunities?Quick tip: After applying for a job - always save the job description in a word document or on Google Drive. Most of the time a job will be removed from a website once the expiry date has passed. <h2>2. Match the company&#x27;s goals and values with your own</h2>Demonstrating to the interviewer that your career objectives and values are aligned with the hiring companies will increase your chances of landing the job. To do this you must first identify what yours, and the company&#x27;s, goals and values are.Discovering your goals and valuesAsk yourself the following questions to identify your career goals:• What are you motivated by?• Where do you see yourself in 3-5 years? • What do you love most about the industry?Here are some questions to identify your core values:• What type of company culture do you want to join?• What fulfills you most about your job?• What’s important to you?Discovering the company&#x27;s goals and valuesComplete the following research in order to identify the hiring companies goals and values:• Review the company&#x27;s website: Focusing on their about us and career web pages. Ask yourself - why would you want to be a part of this company?• Research their services and/or product line: Does the company care about their customers - and why does this matter to you?• Explore their social media channels: What impression do you get from the content they post? Why does it resonate with you?• Check out employee reviews: What do their employees say about working there, and why does that appeal to you? Ask yourself - is this a place I’d like to work in?<h2>3. Putting it all together</h2>Now that you’re clear that you have the required skill and experience to meet the demands of the job, and you feel your core values and goals align with the companies, it’s time to piece your answer together. The below answer script and template will simplify this exercise for you.How it will look - Example answer:[State why you’re interested in the job and how you’re qualified - with examples] I’m extremely interested in the Customer Service Admin position. As mentioned within the job spec, I would be responsible for managing client support tickets. I was in charge of this function within my previous job. As the Customer Support Specialist at [company name] I handled 200 queries a week, and after my second month into the job, I was responsible for training all new recruits in the customer support department, which had a total headcount of 30 people. In fact, I was recognised as the department&#x27;s top performer during the company&#x27;s end of year review. [State how you align with the company’s values, and how you will contribute to their success] Helping others is what gets me up in the morning, and the opportunity to do what I love at a company that is just as passionate about finding solutions as I am is the reason why I applied for this role. I am certain the success I achieved in my previous role will allow me to achieve similar results for [company name].Interview answer checklist:• State why you’re interested in the job• Highlight the most important duty/duties of the job• Explain how you performed the relevant duty/duties within your previous work experience, along with citing successful results or outcomes• Finish your answer by referencing how you align with the company’s values, and how you will contribute to their future success-Best of luck with your interview!Need help putting together your CV and Cover Letter? Check out our<a href="https://www.jobalert.ie/blog/how-to-write-a-cv-step-by-step-guide-template" target="_blank"> step by step guides</a> which include free templates to download and sample information for each and every section of your CV and cover letter.To receive daily alerts for jobs available in your area create a jobseeker account in just a couple of clicks. Get started <a href="https://www.jobalert.ie/create-account/jobseeker" target="_blank">here.</a>

Answering the interview question - Why are you interested in this position?

Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation  : 31 August 2020The Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar TD, today announced that €15 million is being made available to reopen the COVID-19 Loan Fund.Speaking today the Tánaiste said:<blockquote>&quot;We’re looking at all the ways we can support enterprise during this really difficult time. This extra money will allow Microfinance Ireland reopen the COVID-19 Loan Fund. This Fund has proven to be a lifeline for micro-enterprises over the past few months, where we’ve seen nearly 700 businesses with fewer than ten employees avail of it. We’ve set out a really significant financial package in the July Stimulus and this loan scheme is another way we’re helping businesses to re-open, stay afloat or expand.&quot;</blockquote>The Microfinance Ireland COVID-19 Loan scheme assists businesses with fewer than ten employees, which have been impacted negatively by COVID-19. It provides much-needed funding to help microenterprises meet payments for stock, working capital requirements and other overhead expenses through the provision of low-cost lending facilities, which include a six-month repayment free moratorium and the equivalent of one year interest free (subject to terms and conditions) with rates as low as 4.5% for the remaining period of the loan.The Tánaiste recently introduced the Microenterprise Loan Fund (Amendment) Bill to provide for the increased funding.The COVID-19 Loan scheme has seen a very strong uptake in recent months, with €18.6 million sanctioned to 683 businesses up to 31 July 2020. This represents three years of normal lending volumes for MFI in a period of just over four months. Importantly, with 79% of MFI’s lending to businesses outside Dublin, MFI provides an essential support for businesses who are hoping to reboot their economic activity over the coming weeks and months in every county in Ireland.Companies interested in applying or finding out more information can contact Microfinance Ireland <a href="https://microfinanceireland.ie/loan-packages-2/covid19/" target="_blank">here</a>. <a href="https://microfinanceireland.ie/loan-packages-2/covid19/" target="_blank"></a>

Tánaiste reopens low cost loan scheme for microenterprises

To parents and guardians of school children in Ireland,I am very aware that many of you are worried about the reopening of schools and the associated risk of COVID-19 for your children. This concern is natural and is to be fully expected after a period of six months during which we have all had to adapt to the challenges posed by COVID-19.The decision to reopen schools has not been taken lightly and has been based on guidance produced by international bodies including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC); scientific evidence regarding the risk of COVID-19 in school children and staff; the experience of other countries that have not closed, or have reopened, their schools; our own experience having reopened childcare settings and summer camps since June; and evidence regarding the importance of school for the overall health and wellbeing of children.International evidence shows us that child-to-child and child-to-adult transmission of COVID-19 in schools is uncommon. In addition, our own experience to date in Ireland, and indeed that reported internationally, demonstrates that for the overwhelming majority of children who are diagnosed with COVID-19, their symptoms will be mild.The importance of schools for the overall health and wellbeing of children cannot be overstated, and the risk of COVID-19 has been carefully weighed against the very real harm that can be caused by sustained school closures. Schools play a fundamental role in the social life of children; they are where children are educated, make friends, share interests, learn social skills like self-confidence and empathy, and participate in sport and cultural activities.Of course, as we continue to navigate our way through this pandemic, there are no zero risk options for reopening schools or indeed any other environment; the aim, therefore, is to reopen in as safe a way as possible by ensuring that all appropriate public health measures such as physical distancing, hand washing and respiratory hygiene are implemented where appropriate.Schools are at the heart of our communities and the best way to protect them is to keep the level of COVID-19 in the community low. As parents and guardians, you can play a key role in this, both through your own actions and through the influence that you have on your family and friends. If all of us continue to make small changes to the way we live, we can - together - starve this virus of opportunities to transmit.While it is okay to send your child to school or childcare if they only have a runny nose or a sneeze, if you have any concerns that your child has symptoms of COVID-19 - fever, cough, shortness of breath, loss of taste or smell – then please keep them at home until you have spoken with your GP by phone. Lots more information is available at <a href="https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/a128d-back-to-school/" target="_blank">gov.ie/backtoschool</a> and <a href="https://www.hse.ie/eng/" target="_blank">hse.ie</a>.There will be cases of COVID-19 among children over the coming days and weeks, as there have been throughout this pandemic to date. But when this happens our public health teams in the HSE will respond and liaise closely with the school involved and ensure that all necessary measures are taken to protect other students and school staff.Finally, I want to take this opportunity to thank you for all you have done to keep your family and our communities safe over the past seven months. I also want to thank all teachers, principals and school staff who have worked so hard to ensure that our schools are ready to reopen – it is just one more example of the incredible solidarity that has defined the way in which people all across the country have come together to play their part in getting us through this pandemic.Dr. Ronan Glynn, Acting Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health.

Gov.ie - Letter to Parents, Guardians of School Children and School Staff

#ad Here at KOS Ergonomics we have a wide range of home workers equipment including desk and chair sets, wireless keyboards and mice, laptop stands, kneeling chairs and more. There is something to suit everybody’s budget, for JobAlert.ie followers use code home2020 for a special discount off our homeworkers desks and chair sets. <img src="https://jobalert-blog-assets.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/image/118218958_585139565501517_6061570130702454605_n.png" style="max-width:calc(100% - 1.6rem);margin:1.6rem 0.8rem 2.4rem"/>Our Dublin city centre showroom is now open by appointment only if you would like to try and of the equipment or have one of our expert consultants find the right chair/desk for you email: joanne.mcdonagh@kos.ie to book a space with us. Shop our homeworkers range now at: <a href="https://www.kos.ie/" target="_blank">https://www.kos.ie/</a>

Work From Home Office Equipment

<h2>Advice from Gov.ie</h2>Multi-Lingual Versions: <a href="https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/0cf46-resources-and-materials-for-parentsguardians-and-for-students-on-returning-to-school-multi-lingual/" target="_blank">HERE</a>Most students will be looking forward to going back to school and will feel happy and excited. Some may feel a little anxious about returning. That’s a normal response at a time of change. Most will settle back in soon once they get used to the new rules and routines. Remind them of the positive aspects of returning – like re-connecting with friends and re-engaging with school activities.New rules and routines to follow to keep everyone safe: Good handwashing and hygiene practice is important for all students.  Make sure your child knows to use a tissue to cover coughs or sneezes or to cough or sneeze into their elbow. In senior primary classes and at post-primary – physical distancing procedures will need to be followed by all.  Primary school – younger children may not be required to practice physical distancing, but they may be organised into pods. There may also be new rules about drop off and pick up. Staff in all schools, and post-primary students, should wear a face covering where a physical distance of 2 metres cannot be maintained.Encourage your child to walk or cycle to school if possible and safe to do so. Teachers understand that it hasn’t been easy for young people to study at home during school closures. School transport – students will have an assigned seat and post-primary students will be required to wear a face covering when waiting for and when on-board the bus. Schools will communicate directly with families about reopening. Talk together at home about what to expect when going back to school to prepare your children. Having healthy routines in place will help with the adjustment of returning to school. Encourage your child to gradually return to a school term bedtime routine. Help your child to eat healthily, take exercise and reconnect with friends. Students who have Covid-19 symptoms, including a fever, a cough, shortness of breath or breathing difficulties, or loss or change to their sense of smell or taste should not attend school. Please follow guidance on HSE.ie on self-isolation and phone your doctor. Make sure students know that if they feel unwell in school they should tell their teacher straight away. Official Gov link <a href="https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/2d3af-advice-during-covid-19-back-to-school-advice-for-parents/" target="_blank">HERE</a>

Back to School Advice during COVID-19 for Parents - (Multi-lingual)  

Notice for 3rd Level Students:A number of weeks ago, the Government provided €15 million to purchase laptops and ipads to help with remote learning and to bridge the digital divide.The Department of Higher Education has ordered almost 17,000 Dell laptops which will now be distributed across our universities, our Institutes of Technology, our ETB’s and a number of Solas funded colleges also.Anyone who needs a laptop and feels they fall into the criteria of disadvantaged student should apply to their college to the Student Services office and they will process your application.

Students to get laptops as part of €168m Covid-19 college fund

Sample Script 2Start off positively: “I’d like to discuss my compensation. I have been really enjoying my work.”Detail recent accomplishments, and your plan for the future: “The opportunity to train in our new recruits on the current process improvement project has really got me fired up for what we can achieve over the next 6 months! Just in the last 3 weeks we managed to implement the website FAQ section. I’m so excited to continue exceeding our targets.”Now pop the question: “But one thing I’d like to discuss with you is my compensation, and from my research it seems that I am underpaid. I pulled from a number of different resources that someone with my level of experience in the role I’m currently in, should actually be paid between €45,000 - €50,000 per year. Like I said I’m really enjoying working here and I’m very much looking forward to the future, but we need to make some sort of adjustment so there is a fair number for both of us here.” Sample Script 2Start off positively: Thank you for taking the time to meet with me today. Detail recent accomplishments, and your plan for the future: In my current role, I’m excited to keep working towards key company goals and grow my personal responsibilities. As a result, I’d like to discuss my salary.Now pop the question: Based on the research I’ve done, which includes looking at averages for my job title in this metro area and considers my tenure here, my years of experience and skill set, a salary increase of X% is appropriate. In the time since my last salary adjustment, I’ve worked on several initiatives that have added significant value to the company. For instance, in the last few months, I [insert example your most impressive accomplishment]. These achievements have made me ready for a raise.

Asking for a salary increase - resources

Variations of this question: <ul><li>If you’re currently employed: Why are you looking for a new job now? </li><li>If you’re unemployed: Why did you leave your most recent job? </li></ul>This question is guaranteed to come up in your interview. <h2>Why is this question asked? </h2>The reasons why you left your job are very relevant to any potential employer. This question will determine the level of risk involved in taking you on as an employee. Here’s what the interviewer is looking for from asking this question: <ul><li>Did you have a valid reason for leaving? The interviewer wants to determine the nature of your departure. For example, if you left your job out of the blue the hiring manager may have concerns about loyalty, trust and responsibility. </li><li>Did you decide to leave on your own? If you were let go - the interviewer wants to discover if there were performance-related issues that caused your departure. </li><li>Did you leave on good terms with the company? The ideal scenario from the interviewer’s perspective is that you are still in touch or on good terms with your previous manager. Having them as a reference demonstrates to the interviewer that you were a solid employee with great relationship skills. </li></ul><h2>What to say: </h2>Pick your reason What is the main reason you left your job, or plan to leave your current job? Reasons could include: • Better career prospects • Change your career direction/Looking for a new challenge • Your values do not align with the company mission • You were made redundant and the company closed • Greater work-life balance • Your company was restructured Questions to ask yourself to be clear on why you’re leaving • What are your career goals? • Where do you see yourself in 5 years? • What industry do you want to work in? • What do you want from your job? • What do you like and dislike about your job? • How do you feel about the company&#x27;s values and mission? <h2>Plan what details you will share </h2>Keep your answer honest and direct, while avoiding any details that would compromise you or your employer/former employer. This shows the interviewer a high level of respect and professional courtesy that will be appreciated. A good rule of thumb is to stick to the facts and leave out any opinions. The exact details which you do share entirely depend on your own situation. <h2>Let’s keep it positive and goal orientated </h2>Within your answer, it&#x27;s important to shift the focus on the job which you’re applying for and detail why the opportunity is a great match for your experience, skillset, and career objectives. Regardless of your situation, focus on what you have accomplished in your past or current job, and always mention your goals for the position you are applying for. <h2>Keep it short and sweet </h2>The longer your answer, the more likely potential questions will pop up about any sensitive topics. A complicated version of events may create doubt in the mind of the interviewer. Aim for a simple answer in 4 sentences or less. <h2>Check with your references </h2>If your former employer is a reference it’s important that you both have similar explanations about why you were let go or why you left the company. If you are on agreeable terms with your previous employer check in with them you find out what you can expect. <h2>Practice </h2>In the scenario that you were laid off or let go, it’s completely natural to feel awkward about discussing the details. Preparing your answer and practicing out loud will reduce any emotional responses, and you will avoid coming across as defensive - even if there is nothing to hide! The solution - practice, practice, practice! <h2>What not to say </h2>Avoid any negativity about past or present employers. Never speak badly about managers, the company or your colleagues. You never know how the interviewer may be connected to current or previous colleagues. Instead, speak in a broad sense by mentioning the company objectives or vision for the future did not align with your own goals, or that you didn&#x27;t agree with the direction the business was going. <h2>Unprofessional remarks </h2>Is your job unfulfilling, boring, and you’re just sick of it? Do you/did you feel underappreciated or underpaid? The interview is not the time to speak about these details. Sharing personal feelings to justify your departure must be avoided. Keep your answer professional and focus on your career objectives instead. Stay emotion-free and stoic. <h2>Example Answers (Full Script Included) </h2><h2>We will answer this question in its 4 most common forms: </h2>1. If you&#x27;re currently employed 2. If you&#x27;re currently unemployed 3. If you&#x27;ve been laid off4. If you&#x27;ve been fired <h2>1. Currently employed </h2>How to structure your answer Give some background and context about your role and discuss any accomplishments. This shows the interviewer that you have conquered challenges in the past and are ready for a new challenge. Next, share a reason for why you want to leave/why you left. It’s important not to half-arse this - saying you’re looking for a new challenge and leaving it at that is generic and does not convince the interviewer. Instead, find some challenges about the job that gets you excited. Example answer: ‘I need a new challenge’ &quot;I have been at my current job for 2 years now and I have learned so much working with some really high-level sales executives. I found my feet right away and was given a number of additional responsibilities outside of my original job scope, which included management and process improvement. With that being said, I feel like I need a new challenge.&quot;&quot;This job appeals to me and I&#x27;m excited again, especially given the opportunity to manage a bigger team and sell a product I actually believe in!&quot;<h2>2. Currently unemployed </h2>How to structure your answer Being between jobs is completely normal so do not feel unsure of yourself. There is an opportunity in every situation, even in unemployment. If you&#x27;ve been unemployed for a few months then prepare to demonstrate during the interview that you&#x27;ve used your time off productively to learn a new skill, volunteer or network. If you left your job due to a personal matter there is no need to give every detail. Keep it simple and reiterate that the issue is now resolved. Again, the reasons for leaving will be unique to you so explain your situation while being discrete, and finish by suggesting why the job you’re applying for is the perfect opportunity for your return to the workforce. Note: If you’re currently unemployed you must be proactive. Explore working in voluntary positions or join a course to develop a new skill. The objective here is to demonstrate to a future employer that you’re making the most of your time out of work. Example Answer: &#x27;Left your job due to a family Issue&#x27; “I resigned from my previous role to take care of a family issue. Thankfully, the issue has been resolved so I am now ready to return to the workforce.” Example Answer: &#x27;Left your job to pursue a new role or change industry&#x27; &quot;I thoroughly enjoyed my time at COMPANY NAME. I received extensive training in managing high ticket clients while managing process improvements from within the company. However, I wanted to pursue a consultancy role and step out of the position of process improvement.&quot;&quot;It came to fruition that this type of opportunity was non-existent from within COMPANY NAME. I was also aware that the business was heading into the busy season. I didn&#x27;t feel it was fair for me to make myself available, then leave my position the moment I found a new job. So I made the decision to leave before that happened.&quot;<h2>3. Laid off </h2>How to structure your answer Make the reason for your layoff very clear and within your answer emphasise your achievements and contributions to the business. Example Answer: &#x27;Laid off due to company restructuring&#x27; &quot;After COMPANY NAME was acquired by COMPANY NAME, I was unfortunately affected by the restructuring that took place. The new board decided to relocate all of their sales staff to a new headquarters and those who didn&#x27;t want to make the move were laid off. I made the decision to look for a new opportunity closer to home, and one that could take advantage of my 5 years of sales experience at COMPANY NAME.&quot;Example Answer: &#x27;Laid off due to downsizing&#x27; &quot;Unfortunately COMPANY NAME’s biggest customer closed for business in July and it had a major effect on revenue. This resulted in a number of jobs being eliminated. I was among the 3 people most recently hired, so we were all let go. Although the experience was short-lived, I’m very proud of the work that I did while at the company, and my previous manager is one of my references.&quot;<h2>4. Fired </h2>How to structure your answer Remember that getting fired can happen to anyone. People get let go for a whole host of reasons. A lot of the time it can relate back to performance issues and a failure to meet the expectations of management. We don’t need to mention all the ugly details. Give some information about the circumstances without putting the blame on anyone else - it’s important that you own your part of what happened. An example of this could be that the expectations or your duties changed AFTER you were hired - this could have been due to changes in management, strategy or budget cuts. Other times, the job, team, or your manager just weren&#x27;t the right fit for you. Another approach is to explain what actions you’ve taken to improve since being let go. This will help eliminate any concerns regarding your termination. For example, if there was a breakdown working in a team dynamic, mentioning that you took a course in communications to help sharpen your people skills demonstrates to the hiring manager that you are aware of your shortcomings and are determined to self improve and become the best version of yourself. Whatever the reason, remember that you can ALWAYS bounce back from being let go - as it can be chalked off as a learning experience, and not a failure. During the interview find a way to highlight the lessons that you learned from the entire experience. Remember that the interviewer is looking out for any red flags. The objective here is to reassure the hiring manager that whatever happened is an isolated incident and that there is no risk in hiring you. Example Answer 1 if you were fired:&quot;After a major reorganisation in the company, there was a merging of contrasting ideas, along with changes in how the business was going to be run. With many changes happening within a very short period of time, the new management had different expectations for my job that did not relate to my skillset. Not long after, the company chose to hire someone with more sales experience and I was let go. The entire situation taught me that my core strength is in customer service - so I decided to double down.&quot;&quot;While I immediately began applying for jobs, I enrolled in an online customer service management course that lasted 3 months. I learned the key elements of unique experiences to increase customer satisfaction which I can discuss later. Being let go was a wonderful learning experience and I feel now I am ready to put it behind me and strive forward with my career with a new perspective. I know with my newfound knowledge I can be a major asset to your company in the role of Customer Service Supervisor.&quot;Example Answer 2 if you were fired:&quot;After a series of changes in management, it became evidently clear that the new manager had different expectations for my role that didn&#x27;t mesh with my own strengths. In the end, he chose to bring in someone with far more sales experience from his previous company. The entire experience showed me that my biggest strength lies in customer service, and I know I would be a major asset in this position at COMPANY NAME, which purely focuses on providing the ultimate customer experience.&quot;Example Answer 3 if you were fired:&quot;There was a major reorganisation in the company and the merging of different ideas and cultures caused a shift in the way things were done. With this change, there were some differences of opinions between my new manager and me.&quot;&quot;After 2 months I was let go. I take full responsibility for my role in how everything turned out. I learned so much from the experience and in retrospect, I would have handled things differently. However, I am now ready to move on, put it behind me, and strive forward with an entirely new perspective.&quot; ---------------------------------Best of luck with your interview!Need help putting together your CV and Cover Letter? Check out our<a href="https://www.jobalert.ie/blog/how-to-write-a-cv-step-by-step-guide-template" target="_blank"> step by step guides</a> which include free templates to download and sample information for each and every section of your CV and cover letter.To receive daily alerts for jobs available in your area create a jobseeker account in just a couple of clicks. Get started <a href="https://www.jobalert.ie/create-account/jobseeker" target="_blank">here.</a>

Interview question: How to answer 'Why did you leave your last job?'

Galway City Council is looking for expressions of interest for the former Tourist Office. Salthill has a long and distinguished history as a leading tourism destination along the Wild Atlantic Way. This is a great opportunity for the right occupier to provide a positive impact for Salthill through the re-imagination of this site. Any proposal should benefit Salthill, the community on the West of the City and have a positive impact on the overall economic, tourism and community benefit of Galway.The property comprises of a parcel of land measuring approximately 0.13 hectares facing directly onto the Salthill Promenade and Galway Bay. It also has access off Quincenntennial Drive and is adjacent to the Seapoint Complex and Galway Atlantaquarium. The site enjoys superb views over Galway Bay and is located next to Toft public car park and is well served by public transport.This site has a building that was once a local Tourist Information Office. This modern single storied building is approximately 1915 sq. ft. and occupies a small portion of the site.Land Use Zoning:The site is zoned Recreation and Amenity in the Galway City Development Plan 2017 - 2023. The preferred applicant will be required to submit for planning permission for the project within 12 months of project approvalExpression of Interest:Expressions of Interest must include the following:<ol><li> Proposal - Written submission outlining the proposal and a 5 year business plan(Any expression of interest should indicate how the activity will generate an economic impact in the area)</li><li> Preliminary design for The refurbishment/conversion of the structure or redevelopment of the site (Site to be let in its current condition)</li><li> Previous Experience - Background / CV of the applicant &amp; proposed operator on the site.</li><li> Financial Proposal - Estimates of the cost of the proposed redevelopment and method of funding for the project</li></ol>Expressions of interest are to be received by Galway City Council. For further information on this opportunity and to arrange an appointment to view the current building contact the Economic Development section of Galway City Council.The Expressions of Interest are to be submitted by email to candc@galwaycity.ie to the Economic Development section of Galway City Council on or before 12 noon on 16th November 2020Evaluation Criteria:The following evaluation criteria will be utilised by Galway City Council in assessing expressions of interests received in relation to this site:<ul><li>Compliance with the objectives in the Galway City Development Plan - 20%</li><li>Contribution to tourism and economic development of the area - 20%</li><li>Viability of the Project - 20%</li><li>Previous Experience - 20%</li><li>Funding &amp; Price - 20%</li></ul>The disposal of all lands in the ownership of Galway City Council and the terms of conditions of any such disposal are subject to the formal approval of the elected members of Galway City Council

Expressions of interest in the former tourist office site in Salthill 

<h3>Applications have opened for the newly revamped Enterprise Support Grant, designed to assist the self-employed as they get back on their feet following Covid-19.</h3><h3></h3><h3>The scheme is aimed at sole traders who are not liable for commercial rates.</h3><h3></h3>This grant, worth up to €1,000 per person, is aimed at sole traders such as plumbers, electricians, carpenters, taxi drivers etc, who do not pay commercial rates and therefore do not qualify for the Government’s Restart Grant Plus Scheme.The Enterprise Support Grant previously supported entrepreneurs who were setting up new enterprises.But it has now been revamped to specifically provide once-off supports for self-employed people who have been severely impacted and have had to cease operations as a result of the Pandemic. Making the announcement the Minister Humphreys said;<blockquote>“The Enterprise Support Grant is designed to assist the self-employed, who are crucial to our economic recovery, to get back on their feet following the Covid-19 outbreak,” </blockquote><blockquote>“Thousands of sole traders and small business owners right across the country have in recent months been in receipt of the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP).</blockquote><blockquote>“For many, this was the first time they ever had to apply for State support.</blockquote><blockquote>“The PUP was a vital lifeline for people who, through no fault of their own, found themselves out of work.</blockquote><blockquote>“That’s why I took the decision to extend the payment until April of next year,” she added.</blockquote>The Minister continued:<blockquote>”In the past, the Enterprise Support Grant was designed to assist people in opening a business. Today, I’m opening applications to people who need assistance in getting back on their feet and their businesses back up and running.</blockquote><blockquote>“Whether it’s paying wages, fuel costs, purchasing PPE or signage – this is an important grant to assist the self-employed to reopen their business and get back doing what they do best: Providing crucial and essential services in their communities.</blockquote><blockquote>“So if you’re a plumber, carpenter, beautician, gardener or electrician who is transitioning back to work, or the taxi driver getting your car back on the road – this grant may be of interest to you.”</blockquote>The Department of Social Protection has stated that this Grant will assist those people who transitioned from the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment into self-employment since May 18th, which marked Phase One of the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business.Once-off funding of up to a maximum €1,000 will be available to assist them with re-opening their business.This grant seeks to support micro self-employed enterprises, not currently eligible for similar grant funding through other Departments.The support is available to small business owners who employ fewer than 10 people, are not liable for commercial rates and have an annual turnover of less than €1 million - providing kick-start funding to those enterprises that do not have an entitlement to other business re-start grants.It will be paid on the basis of expenditure incurred by an applicant to re-open their business covering their costs up to €1,000.Anyone wishing to apply for the grant can download the application form<a href="https://www.gov.ie/en/service/739f3-enterprise-support-grant-for-buisnesses-impacted-by-covid-19/" target="_blank"> HERE</a> on www.welfare.ie and, when completed should be sent to their local Intreo Centre.

Once-off Supports for Sole Traders

What the interviewer wants to know from asking this question: The hiring manager will be eager to learn if you can provide solutions to their problems.To answer this question you will need to relate your experience, qualifications and achievements to the job requirements.Here are some easy steps to help prepare your answer:Step 1: Research the companyA great answer to this question will involve matching your own career goals and values with those of the hiring company, so it’s essential to learn as much as you can about the organisation.  Once you understand what is most important to the company and learn about their specific needs, you can then scope out in your answer exactly how you will contribute to the overall company mission and fulfill their needs.Where to start looking: Company WebsiteVisit the company&#x27;s about us webpage and find their mission statement. Here you will discover the company&#x27;s history, values and goals. Within your answer try and speak to these values and goals. For example, if the company mentions that they invest in their employees, tell the interviewer that you are extremely motivated to be part of an organisation that will allow you to develop your skills and knowledge, and you will bring a relentless work ethic to the role in order to achieve your career objective of becoming a senior manager in your field within the next 18 months.Product/Services WebpageLearn about the problems that the company is trying to solve by visiting their product or service page, and carefully observe how they speak about their customers. This information will help shape your answer as you can draw on your own related career experience, where you solved similar problems for clients.Social Media AccountsReview the company’s presence on social media and also investigate what type of content their staff post on LinkedIn too. Try to find similarities between the content they publish and your own experience. For example, if the company continually publishes original content regularly on social media, within your answer highlight your passion for the industry and how you feel you could contribute to their digital marketing strategy. Employee reviewsSee if you can find any feedback from employees who work at the company. For example, If the organisation has a good reputation for looking after its staff, in your answer explain why working in an environment that values its employees allows you to perform at your best.Step 2: Identify your core values and career goalsShowing the interviewer that your values and goals correspond with those of the company will help demonstrate why you’re the right fit for the job.Ask yourself these questions to help identify your core values<ul><li>What is your ideal work culture?</li><li>What is the most fulfilling part of your job?</li><li>What qualities do you admire in people/organisations?</li><li>What’s important to you?</li><li>What motivates/inspires you?</li></ul>Step 3: Review the job descriptionThe job description will detail the duties and responsibilities of the role. The goal here is to match any requirements for the position with your own work experience. For example, if the employer requires a candidate to have a minimum of 6 months experience in a customer-facing role, within your answer you can discuss your experience dealing with customers.Step 4: Putting it all together - Sample answers includedYour response will need to include any achievements from your previous jobs that are related to the role you’re applying for, along with details about what you expect to accomplish if you’re hired for the job. To help structure your answer we recommend using the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method. STAR method explained:Situation - Describe the situation you were inTask - Explain the task you had to completeAction - Describe the actions you took to complete the taskResult - What was the result of those actionsSample answersHere are some sample answers using the STAR method that will help give you ideas for how to shape your answer:Sample answer: Customer Service RoleSituation: “Well within the job specification I see you’re looking for a candidate experienced in dealing with customer enquiries. This was one of my main responsibilities in my previous role.”Task: “It was my job to handle all customer queries that came directly from the website’s contact support form.”Action: “After my first month I became very knowledgeable on the ongoing issues that customers faced so I decided to create a detailed and elaborate frequently asked question section on the company website to answer the most common customer problems.”Result: “This resulted in a 50% reduction in the number of customer queries I had to deal with, and greatly helped the efficiency of the customer support department.”Final step - bring the conversation back to the job and highlight the research you completed: “In preparation for this interview, I read a number of stellar reviews from your clients on Trustpilot.com. As someone who is deeply passionate about finding solutions for customers, I feel that my experience would help continue the great success your company has achieved in helping customers.”Sample answer: Administration RoleSituation: “It’s clear that this role requires a strong multitasker, which is a skill I continually improved upon within my previous role as a dental receptionist.”Task: “The winter months were peak business times. For the majority of November - January, the practice I worked at was understaffed due to cutbacks. I was given the task of managing all walk-in customers as well as taking bookings, and running the company’s social media advertising campaigns.”Action: “To manage the entire workload efficiently, I sourced a new customer management system for the company to increase efficiency in my role.”Result: “After the busy season was over, my manager was ecstatic with the process improvements I implemented, and she awarded me with a salary raise for my efforts.” Final step - bring the conversation back to the job and highlight the research you completed: “I know I will bring the same level of hard work and dedication to your company. I’m more motivated than ever as it has always been my ambition to work with an organisation that is built upon teamwork and hard graft.”Sample Answer: Management roleSituation: “I’m an enthusiastic problem solver who wants to lead a team that produces next level branding campaigns. In my previous role I worked on a number of marketing campaigns so I’m very familiar with the challenges that I will face in this position, and I know how to address them.”Task: “During my time at XYZ company I was entrusted with the task of increasing summer sales by 20%.”Action: I hired two new sales executives and devised a strategy that focused on a Google Ads retargeting campaign. The users within our retargeting list we’re offered a 10% discount on our best selling products.”Result: “By the end of the summer, we exceeded our sales target by 35%. The marketing campaign was a tremendous success and we continued to build upon it into the winter season.”Final step - bring the conversation back to the job and highlight the research you completed: “I believe my experience with XYZ company aligns perfectly with your requirements for this position, so I know I can excel in this role if given the opportunity.” -------------Best of luck with your interview!Need help putting together your CV and Cover Letter? <a href="https://www.jobalert.ie/blog/how-to-write-a-cv-step-by-step-guide-template" target="_blank">Check out our step by step guides</a> which include free templates to download and sample information for each and every section of your CV and cover letter.To receive daily alerts for jobs available in your area create a jobseeker account in just a couple of clicks. Get started <a href="https://www.jobalert.ie/create-account/jobseeker" target="_blank">here.</a>

Interview question: How to answer 'How will you add value to this company?'

During the interview process, the topic of salary is going to come up. The solution to avoid undercutting yourself or overestimating your value is a prepared answer that is backed by data and research.What makes this question trickyThis question can be tricky for a number of reasons. If your target salary is too low, the employer may offer an even lower figure, which will leave you feeling undervalued. It can also be difficult to decide what you want for a salary before having an in-depth knowledge of what the position entails. The conversation is not straightforward and while there may be no right answer, preparing a response for pay-related questions will help manage any stress you feel towards the conversation. Why this question is asked:<ul><li>The employer wants to know whether they can afford you or not</li><li>To learn how much you value yourself and your work</li></ul>Preparing your answerThe first step is to get a sense of what someone earns in your industry and location in order to determine a fair salary range for the position.To find the magic number there are a number of websites that offer salary averages. Check out:• <a href="https://www.payscale.com/" target="_blank">Payscale.com</a>• <a href="http://salary.com/" target="_blank">Salary.com</a>• <a href="http://glassdoor.com/" target="_blank">Glassdoor.com</a>• <a href="https://www.indeed.com/" target="_blank">Indeed.com</a>In addition to these resources, we also recommend visiting job boards and searching for similar roles to the one you’re applying for. It is quite common that companies will make salary ranges public on their job advertisements, so this information will help you determine a fair pay rate. During your research it’s important to note that salaries can vary due to the following factors:• Location (due to living costs in the area)• Company size• Experience level• Educational background• Specialized knowledge/skillsWhen the question about salary is finally popped there are a number of ways to answer. Here are some suggestions: Give a range and include room for negotiationIf the interviewer forces the question, always give a €5k range - for example €40,000 to €45,000 per year. Follow up by mentioning you’re open to negotiation and incentivisation based on the growth and performance of the organisation. Negotiating benefits and incentivesIf there is pushback on your target salary range try negotiating benefits to sweeten the deal. They may include:• Performance bonus or commission incentives• Flexible working hours • Health benefits• Upskill opportunities • Work from home options• Promotional opportunities • Additional annual leave• Company stocks• Gym membership• Free home internet and phone• Friday&#x27;s off• Dry cleaning • Company carGo for goldWhen you determine what the average salary range is for the job, there is no harm bumping that number up to help with negotiations. By high-balling the employer it allows you to land on your target number in the scenario that the hiring manager offers the lowest number. So if you want to earn €60,000 per year - say you’re looking for a salary range of €60,000 per year (&#x27;Willing to settle number&#x27;) to €65,000 per year (&#x27;Ideal number&#x27;). If you’re currently employed, try requesting a salary increase of 10% - 15% which will act as a greater incentive to change jobs, while still being in a reasonable salary range for your level of experience. Confidence is keyOnce you know your value - do not sell yourself short! Delivering your answer with confidence will show the employer you know you’re worth, while letting them know you’re not willing to accept a salary range that&#x27;s less than your value. If you’re in a position to do so, be willing to walk away if you feel the offer is unacceptable. Waiting for the right offer will work out better for you in the long run. Back up your answer There is no harm in giving details about how you arrived at your target salary range. Within your answer focus on your level of work experience, education and any specialised skills that are related to the job. It can be as simple as: “Based on my 5 years of work experience in the industry and the average salary for this position, I would expect a salary in the range of € - € per year.”What to avoid• Don’t give a specific salary amount so you have room to negotiate• Don’t overestimate your value or you could price yourself out of the job• Negativity - if the salary offered is too low, respond with grace and ask the interviewer if there is any room to negotiate• Don’t bring up the conversation about salary yourself - wait for the interviewer to start the discussion regarding your paySample answers:Answer the question with another question:“I’m sure that a company such as XYZ pays its employees a fair market value for this job. What budget did you have in mind?” Put the pressure back on the interviewer:“I am more interested in starting in a position that&#x27;s a great fit for both my skills and personal values. I’m quite confident that your organisation is offering a salary that’s aligned with the market standard.” If pressed for an answer, show the interviewer that you’ve researched the market average and let them respond accordingly:“After doing my own research, and taking my experience into account, my understanding is that €50,000 - €50,000 per year would be the average salary range based on the role and responsibilities.” Holding off on giving an answer (Useful in the early stages of the interview process)“Before we start to discuss the salary I would like to have more information about the role. Perhaps you could tell me what is budgeted for the role?”If pressed for an answer“On the basis of my previous experience and skill set, along with the average market rate for this type of job, my salary expectations would be in the region of €70,000 - €75,000 per year. Is that a range you had in mind?”-------------Best of luck with your interview!Need help putting together your CV and Cover Letter? <a href="https://www.jobalert.ie/blog/how-to-write-a-cv-step-by-step-guide-template" target="_blank">Check out our step by step guides</a> which include free templates to download and sample information for each and every section of your CV and cover letter. To receive daily alerts for jobs available in your area create a jobseeker account in just a couple of clicks. Get started <a href="https://www.jobalert.ie/create-account/jobseeker" target="_blank">here.</a>

Interview question: How to answer 'What are your salary expectations?'

Back to School Clothing and Footwear AllowanceFrom Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection Last updated 6 August 20201. Important Notice2. What the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance is3. How to qualify4. Rates of payment5. ApplyImportant NoticePayments of Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance for 2020 will be made to qualifying customers in the week starting 13 July. Letters will issue to customers confirming their payment by 6 July.If you do not receive a letter from us by 6 July, you should submit an application online on www.mywelfare.ie. This requires you having a verified MyGovID and details can be found on www.mywelfare.ie of how to verify.What the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance isThe Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance is a means-tested once-off payment aimed at helping families with the extra costs when children start school each autumn.The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance scheme is open from 1 June to 30 September each yearHow to qualifyTo qualify for Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance, you must meet the following conditions:<ul><li>you must be in receipt of a qualifying social protection payment or participating in an approved employment, education or training support scheme</li><li>you must be in receipt of an increase for a qualified child (IQC) in respect of each child for whom the allowance is being claimed (except in certain circumstances)</li></ul>each child being claimed for must be:aged between 4 and 17 oraged between 18 and 22, and returning to second-level education in the autumnthe assessable income for your household must be within a set income limityou and each child in respect of whom the allowance is claimed must be resident in the StateRates of paymentChild’s age	Rate4 – 11	€15012 – 22	€275Remember, children between 18 and 22 years old must be in second-level education to qualify.For more information and to apply for the scheme <a href="https://www.gov.ie/en/service/41eb8b-back-to-school-clothing-and-footwear-allowance/" target="_blank">click here.</a>

Parents receiving COVID19 payment now eligible for Back to School Allowance

TikTok is to open its first data centre in Europe in a $500 million investment, cementing the company’s determination to remain active outside the United States in the face of a potential ban by President Trump.Bytedance, the Chinese owner of the popular video-sharing app, said that TikTok would build its third data centre, picking Ireland alongside its two existing bases in America and Singapore.TikTok said the move would mean that information on British and European users would be hosted on Irish servers, giving people confidence “that their data is secure and that we are protecting their privacy”. The move highlights TikTok’s efforts to promote its protection of data amid US criticism.The company said it would invest $500 million in the centre in Ireland, the exact location of which is yet to be announced. It has also promised hundreds of new jobs in the centre that will be built within two years.The announcement came as rumours swirl that TikTok will open a new international headquarters in London, after the government said that it would not block such a move.The video-sharing app has found itself at the centre of a spat between the Trump administration and China over how it handles users’ data. The US has said that TikTok’s American services must be acquired by a domestic company or igt will be banned over concerns that it could siphon data to the Chinese government if asked to do so. Bytedance has always strongly denied it would accept such a request.Started only three years ago, TikTok is the first Chinese app to be a global hit, threatening America’s dominance of the digital economy. TikTok has been downloaded more than two billion times and has 100 million US users.Its growth has rattled Facebook, which introduced its second TikTok clone yesterday in an attempt to win over fans. Instagram’s Reels went live in 50 countries, including Britain and India, where TikTok has been banned.TikTok said that the plan to open a new data centre in Ireland had been in the works before Mr Trump suggested he might ban the app in the US.Theo Bertram, TikTok’s director of public policy in Europe, said: “This is an important symbol of our commitment to the long term in Europe and it shows the importance of Ireland for us.”Mr Bertram, a former adviser to Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, said that the move would help to allay concerns after a recent decision by the EU’s top court, which ruled that the way in which data is transferred by most companies across the Atlantic does not protect the rights of European citizens.“You can look in Europe and see that there are concerns about data transfer [to the US]. I think one could perceive a gradual movement towards how that might shake out over time and this will give our users more confidence in Europe to know it’s on European servers,” Mr Bertram said.In the US, Microsoft may be near to finalising its plans to take over TikTok’s American business and secure a deal before Mr Trump’s mid-September deadline. The software group and Bytedance hope to strike the deal within three weeks, CNBC reported yesterday.In January, 2020, TikTok announced that that it was establishing a new European base in Dublin with 100 people, however London was set to remain the platform’s second biggest global office, behind Los Angeles.The Dublin office was to become TikTok’s third global ‘trust and safety hub’, after San Francisco and Singapore.To see jobs in Dublin click <a href="https://careers.tiktok.com/position?keywords=&amp;location=CT_37" target="_blank">HERE</a>

TikTok to build $500m digital centre in Ireland creating hundreds of jobs

<h2>The Government has extended the suspension of redundancy provisions relating to temporary lay-offs and short-time work situations until September 17th.</h2>Minister Humphreys outlined that extending the end date further will help prevent redundancies that could occur in the very near future which would burden employers with further debt and have a serious impact on the potential for a business to recover.The further extension until September 17th is necessary to mitigate against the risk of insolvency and bankruptcy situations, further job losses and will contribute to the viability of business.It is important to note that the employee’s right to claim redundancy has not been removed, but deferred for the emergency period in circumstances of temporary lay-off or short-time employment.It is considered that an extension of the end-date is important for employees to ensure that they have a continued link to their job and a pathway to return. Many employers still regard their businesses as being temporarily closed or they are operating well below their capacity, this will be particularly relevant to business that have still not received the go ahead to re-open under current Covid-19 restrictions.Many businesses plan to re-open as soon as it is possible for them to do so. It is only then that they can fully evaluate the situation, hopefully many employees who were temporarily laid-off or who seen their hours cut will be able to return to full employment with their employers. It is hoped at that time that the measures in the Jobs Stimulus package will assist employers manage the recovery of their businesses.This extension follows on from when the suspension of such redundancy provisions that were introduced in March this year when the Covid-19 emergency situation arose.At the time, the extensions were considered necessary to ensure the future viability of businesses and help prevent further permanent job losses. This rationale continues to apply to this latest extension.Current restrictionsWhere restrictions are still having an impact, for example in the pubs, arts and entertainment sectors, Minister Humphreys and the Department of Social Protection want people in those sectors to be able to return to their jobs once restrictions have eased.·   Workers who remain temporarily laid-off are therefore not required to meet the Genuinely Seeking Work requirement for work in other sectors.The focus for the Department will, as always, be on supporting those who have been permanently laid-off and who now need to look for new job opportunities. The Department will support these individuals through a range of measures such as access to education and training courses, work experience opportunities and financial supports to start their own business with the goal of helping these individuals secure employment.According to the Governments’ official publication, it is important to point out that the Redundancy Payment Acts and the Social Welfare (Covid-19) (Amendment) Bill 2020, as passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas, are separate pieces of legislation. Section 11 of the Bill is very clear that the work a person is seeking but unable to obtain has regard for being suitable to the education and normal occupation of the jobseeker. Therefore workers temporarily laid-off or artists waiting for venues to reopen will be deemed to meet the Genuinely Seeking Work conditionality if the Bill is signed into law by the President.

Suspension of Redundancies for Temp Lay-Offs & Short-time Workers Extended

<h2>Simon Harris TD Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science needs help to prepare a new Apprenticeship Action Plan for 2021 to 2025</h2> The process of preparing the new Apprenticeship Action Plan 2021 to 2025 is already underway. It will consider all aspects of the current system together with relevant international research to ensure we have an apprenticeship system best placed to respond to long term economic needs and which will be resilient and flexible enough to meet short term challenges. Apprenticeships in Ireland have evolved into a system that provides employment opportunities with integrated education and training programmes at Levels 5 to 10 on the National Qualifications Framework. It involves multiple providers within the further and higher education system working in partnership with a broad range of employers and other stakeholders. The Action Plan will look at new ways of structuring, funding, and promoting apprenticeships. It will advance the development of a consolidated apprenticeship system with a single coherent model of governance, that is appropriate to the system that has evolved, and is inclusive of stakeholders. Such a model will seek to: ·      deliver of the highest standards of industry led, work based training; ·      position apprenticeship as a valued and attractive path to sought after qualifications within the Further and Higher Education system;·      be agile and responsive to changing labour market needs and economic cycles;·      encourage and support increased participation by employers across all sectors of the economy;·      provide for greater adoption of apprenticeship at institutional level and integration with the quality assurance and general learning environment of the Further and Higher education system;·      encourage diversity and support participation by under­represented groups.  The Consultation ProcessA successful apprenticeship system is built on close collaboration, and opportunities for dialogue, across a wide range of stakeholders. These include employers, employees and their respective representative groups, educational providers, career guidance professionals, young people, and their parents. The public bodies responsible for funding, governance and quality assurance of the education and training system have a key role to play. This Consultation Paper is the first step in a comprehensive consultation process to seek the input of stakeholders to the development of the new Action Plan. Submissions received will form the basis for further discussion with stakeholders to develop the actions and timeframes for inclusion in the new Plan. Subject to developments in relation to Covid­-19 this will involve online or face to face meetings and workshops during September and October. Where appropriate, online surveys will also be conducted.The paper is structured as follows: Section 1 describes the current governance and operational framework for apprenticeship. Section 2 outlines the current funding arrangements and considerations in relation to the cost distribution model for apprenticeship for stakeholders. Section 3 looks at participation and diversity in apprenticeship. Section 4 contains a series of questions to help frame responses to the paper. Responses to the consultation paper are requested by Friday 18 September 2020. The Government need your help to find out why, despite the successes of recent years, more learners and employers are not engaging with the system. They need your ideas on how to make apprenticeship more attractive and more accessible to women and people with disabilities. They need to know your views on the substantial changes that have taken place in apprenticeship and on how they can build a strong model for the future.Please help if you can, by reading the Consultation Paper <a href="http://www.apprenticeship.ie/Documents/ApprenticeshipConsultationJULY2020.pdf?fbclid=IwAR0-IPTvCCIGsZ_sW4KerdGp9PBf6Z0hQAgtJEBGGpZ97NC7t2v-4TBQ9Y0" target="_blank">HERE</a> and by providing your input if you have any experience or ideas on this matter. Your input could make a massive difference.

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