Jobseekers Insights Archives - Life Science & Engineering Recruitment Specialists in Ireland

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        How Data Centres & Electrical Engineers Make The World A Better Place

        Electrical engineers are the brains and architects behind data centres
        Electrical engineers are the brains and architects behind data centres

        We’ve all seen the big Internet companies that are serving you information right now. Google, Facebook, and Amazon are just a few. While these sites have made our lives much more convenient, many of us don’t realize the infrastructure that is providing these services. Data centres and electrical engineers provide these services and support them every day.

        Your email gets delivered, your favourite TV shows get streamed, and your new book gets ordered when you click on its link online. This is possible because of the people who work in data centres. Electrical engineers are the brains and architects behind data centres. Without them our data centres wouldn’t get built and our online experience across all our favourite online providers simply put, do not work.  

        Electrical Engineers & Data Centres – Powering the Internet

        Electrical Engineers & Data Centres - Powering the Internet
        Electrical Engineers & Data Centres – Powering the Internet

        Every day, millions of people around the world use data centres to store and process information. These are huge buildings that house thousands of computer servers, which are used to store and process information.

        Data centres house all the equipment that makes our digital lives possible. The internet is made up of many smaller networks that connect computers worldwide. Each network has its own data centre, which houses all the equipment needed for communication between computers.

        Electrical engineers play an important role in these centres by designing electrical systems that allow for high levels of efficiency and performance. They also ensure that the building itself is safe from fire and other hazards.

        Challenges Facing Data Centres

        Challenges facing data centres include energy supply and electrical engineer supply
        Challenges facing data centres include energy supply and electrical engineer supply

        According to Engineers Ireland by 2026 15% of electricity demand will come from data centres. According to Eirgrid (Ireland’s electricity grid operator) predict that electricity usage for data centres will rise to between 23 per cent and 30 per cent of overall consumption by the end of this decade.

        With the current energy crisis creating high demand , coupled with inflation and the cost of electricity increasing all adds to the overhead costs for running data centres.

        Data centres are extremely energy-intensive structures with average annual consumptions of around 30,000 kWh/m2. This is significant when compared to the normal non-air-conditioned businesses and public buildings, which use 200–300 kWh/m2 annually.

        Another challenge facing data centres is finding qualified electrical engineers to maintain the data centre. More data centres will be continued to be built in Ireland for a number of reasons including:

        • Politically stability (In comparison to our neighbours)
        • Generous corporation tax (12%)
        • Educated workforce
        • Perfect climate (Its never too hot or cold)
        • Geographically perfect (No volcanic eruptions, hurricanes or earthquakes)
        • Our corporation tax already attracted giant tech multinationals. Such as Apple, Facebook Google etc. it made sense for those organisations to build their data centres here too.

        More data centres will mean more demand for qualified electrical engineers. With the growing demand for electrical engineers in data centres there are limited courses in place to meet the expected demand.

        There are only a few Data Centre Electrical Engineering-related courses offered in Ireland. A BEng in Data Centre Facilities Engineering is available from Sligo IT. This is a two-year, NFQ Level 7 program.

        A Certificate in Data Center Operations (one year, NFQ Level 6) and a Bachelor of Science (two years, NFQ Level 7 in Data Center Operations and Management) are both offered by TU Dublin/IT Blancharsdown.

        In order to fulfil the increasing demand for specialized service and facilities professionals. These programs were created in collaboration with industry providers including Google, Facebook, and Microsoft.

        Additionally, there are certain industry-led courses that primarily emphasize the ICT components of the Data Centre. However, there isn’t much information available regarding the design of M&E systems for these intricate buildings.

        Opportunities for Electrical Engineers

        Electrical Engineers have plenty of opportunities within data centres
        Electrical Engineers have plenty of opportunities within data centres

        As we previously noted electrical engineers are in high demand to build and maintain data centres. With a shortage in the labour market right now the salaries for an electrical engineer can be from €50,000 per year to €130,000 per year in senior post such as Senior Electrical Project Managers and Senior Onsite Managers, Site Directors etc.

        Entry level electrical engineers can earn €45,000 per year. Electrical engineers are also receiving some great benefits right now. We are seeing some of our clients offer our candidates excellent salaries, family health care, bonuses, hybrid working models to name but a few.

        Good news for Electrical Engineers

        The good news is that multinationals investing in Irish Data Centres, have created extraordinary opportunities for electrical engineers to help improve our lives with their work in data centres.

        The difference data centres are making:

        Efficient use of energy. Data centres need a lot of power to run servers and cooling systems and keep them cool. The most efficient ways to achieve this include virtualisation, which enables multiple servers to share hardware resources; cloud computing; and co-location services such as colocation hosting or managed hosting services.

        Reduced CO2 emissions from servers. Data centres can be large users of fossil fuels such as coal and gas, which produce carbon dioxide when burned for energy production. Reducing CO2 emissions from servers will help reduce global warming and improve air quality all over the world!

        Let’s face it, most people never consider the world of data centres when they consider the possible careers for an electrical engineer. However, behind the scenes of our existence, electric engineers and data centres play an integral role to make the world a better place.

        Our Solutions

        STEM Recruitment Partners specialises in the placement of candidates from Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics backgrounds into Manufacturing, Life Science, Supply Chain & Engineering Businesses nationwide.

        Our leading engineering and life science recruitment agency have offices based in Limerick & Cork, and we have excellent job openings all over Ireland. Check out some of our roles in our job portal.

        Reach out to the team in STEM Recruitment Partners for the best advice and support in building your engineering career,  contact us today www.stemrp.ie

        Our goal is to become Ireland’s No.1 Recruitment Agency Specialising in the following areas

        • Executive Search Recruitment
        • Manufacturing and Engineering Recruitment
        • Medical Device Recruitment
        • Engineering to Senior Management Recruitment
        • Construction Engineering Recruitment
        • Supply Chain Recruitment
        • Life Science Recruitment

        www.stemrp.ie

        Why Personal Branding is Important for Job seeking Engineers

        Personal branding is what makes you as an engineer stand out from the crowd
        Personal branding is what makes you as an engineer stand out from the crowd

        Personal branding is what makes you as an engineer stand out from the crowd. Personal branding is about the characteristics, that makes you interesting, relevant, and different, and you communicate your unique value to potential hiring managers.

        Personal branding is the process of creating a brand identity for an individual and how you project your brand and your values to the world. Ensuring that your target audience knows who you are, what you stand for and why they should choose you over your competitors.

        According to Search Engine Journal “ Personal branding can help you control the narrative about yourself and introduce yourself in the best light possible. It’s also a way to stand out from the competition. In a world where everyone has an online presence, personal branding can help you make yours stand out from the rest”

        There are a number of ways to promote your personal brand. Below is a list that we here at STEM Recruitment Partners have compiled together for engineering jobseekers.

        Online Presence and Personal Branding:

        LinkedIn

        LinkedIn is a professional social media site used by professionals to connect with other like-minded professionals and organisations. It can be used to aid your jobseeker search as all recruiters use it as one of the first protocols when searching for candidates.

         LinkedIn is a powerful tool for personal branding and career development for all engineers.
        LinkedIn is a powerful tool for personal branding and career development for all engineers.

        LinkedIn can also be used to build your network, strengthen your brand positioning, and get noticed by potential project partners or hiring managers for top engineering organisations. Being visible on LinkedIn by keeping your profile optimised will help you get noticed.

        Be Active

        Its not enough to just have a presence on LinkedIn you need to engage with the community to really stand out. By engaging in engineering group posts and providing commentary on latest news within the engineering field that you are in will allow you to become an industry expert.

        Having a personal brand in place will allow you to be more trusted by your target audience. In the same way that product brands such as Apple and Volkswagen are trusted personal brand is trusted by those you want to reach.

        Having a personal brand in place allows your target audience to know who you are and what you stand for. This allows them to feel like they already have a relationship with you and thus are more likely to use your services or hire you for the engineering job.

        Commit an hour per week to updating content to engaging on social media which will allow you to become the go to person in a particular engineering field.

        Our Solutions

        STEM Recruitment Partners specialises in the placement of candidates from Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics backgrounds into Manufacturing, Life Science, Supply Chain & Engineering Businesses nationwide.

        Our leading engineering recruitment agency is based in Limerick & Cork, and we have excellent engineering, jobs in Ireland. Check out some of our roles in our job portal.

        Reach out to the team in STEM Recruitment Partners for the best advice and support in building your engineering career,  contact us today www.stemrp.ie

        Is a recession coming soon and how will this affect employment in Ireland?

        Recession is unlikely  according to Gabriel Makhlouf the Central Bank Governor
        Recession is unlikely according to Gabriel Makhlouf the Central Bank Governor

        In a word “unlikely”, that’s according to Gabriel Makhlouf the Central Bank Governor. As fears around a recession grow due to global economic factors such as the war in Ukraine, inflation, and rising interest rates. The Central Bank Governor believes that its “unlikely” that Ireland will enter into a recession when responding to a reporter on the risk of the State falling into recession, as he presented the bank’s semi-annual Financial Stability Review (FSR).

        At the Financial Stability Review (FSR) the Central Banks director of economics and statistics Mark Cassidy weighed in on the conversation stating that “it’d take quite a significant further negative shock” to force the Irish economy to contract even as the outlook has weakened.

        Their comments come as reassurance as the memory of the last recession of 2008 is still fresh especially to those in the construction industry. However, the reassuring comments of Mark Cassidy the Central Banks director of economics and statistics and Gabriel Makhlouf the Central Bank Governor come from reading into statistics and facts.

        Here are some of the facts and statistics why we believe that there won’t be a recession in 2022 or 2023.

        ‘Full’ Employment

        In 2022 Irelands unemployment rate is at 4.7% which is where the country was in 2019 and at the start of 2020. This means as a nation Ireland is close to full employment. The last time Ireland’s unemployment rate fell below 4.7% was in November 2006.

        Last month the CSO published figures that showed the number of people in employment is at 2.5 million. According to CSO Ireland has reached record levels of people in employment and has pushed “well beyond” the levels before the onset of the Covid-19 crisis.

        Jobs Market

        The website Indeed.com, carries more jobs than any other jobs website in Ireland.  One statistic that really jumps out at us is that there were 57% more jobs on the platform in May of this year compared to that of February 2020 (pre Covid-19)

        Forecasted Growth

        At the start of the year the economy had a strong start to 2022. There is no doubt that the war in Ukraine has had an impact on our growth, so the Central Bank of Ireland has amended the country’s growth expectations.  As a result, modified domestic demand growth has been revised down to 4.8% in 2022, 4.3% in 2023 and 3.9% in 2024. These are still strong growth projections and a long way off from recessionary projectons.

        The Central Bank of Ireland forecasted exports to grow by 8.0% in 2022, 6.2% in 2023 and 6.0% in 2024. It is predicted that people will continue to spend as consumption is forecast to grow by 7.4% this year, slowing to 4.7% and 3.9% in 2023 and 2024.

        The inflation rate is high at the moment as it is expected to average 6.5% this year, with wholesale energy prices the primary factor driving inflation at present. However, it is forecasted that inflation will slow to 2.8% in 2023 and 2.1% in 2024, however this is highly dependent on the fallout from the war in Ukraine.

        Recession in 2023 unlikely but not impossible

        In a worst-case scenario Ireland enters into a recession, our economic growth slows down along with our jobs market and spending slows down also. However, Ireland is far better equipped to deal with a recession than in 2008, here are some of the differences

        The banks are heavily funded, no more 100% mortgages, a property crash like 2008 is highly unlikely as banks are well financed and demand is through the roof. Our government will continue to invest in the construction industry with multi-billion euro plans to improve Ireland’s housing system and deliver more homes of all types for people with different housing needs. To deliver this plan the government will be relying on construction engineers, site managers and trades people, even if we do dip into recession.

        Data Centres Evolution

        Construction of data centres in Ireland makes sense as Ireland has the appropriate climate and technical capabilities to create and manage them
        Construction of data centres in Ireland makes sense as Ireland has the appropriate climate and technical capabilities to create and manage them

        In 2019 it was reported that €4.5 billion will be invested in the creation of thirty four new data centres by 2025. According to Niall Molloy, CEO of Echelon

        ““Data centres are essential infrastructure – now, post-pandemic, more than ever. If we are to continue to benefit from low-cost, reliable and time-saving tech such as Zoom and Teams, if we’re to enjoy the speed of 5G, if we are to stream on demand and if we are to look forward to the future of AI and the IoT, then increasing data centre capacity is a given.”

        Echelon is an Irish owned data centre infrastructure developer who recently received €855m in funding to complete four Irish data centres.

        Renewable Industries

         The demand for renewable energy will soar.
        The demand for renewable energy will soar.

        With a huge number of sanctions imposed on Russia (one of the largest oils suppliers in the world) the demand for renewable energy will soar. However, infrastructure for renewable energy such as wind, hydro and solar are not fully utilised in this country and presents a huge opportunity to develop this even further.

        Ireland’s Climate Action Plan has ambitions to generate significant renewable energy production from wind resources in the coming years. A major focus of the plan will be to decarbonise the electricity system to 80% by 2030.

        Ireland has also signed Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2021 meaning Ireland is now on a legally binding path to net-zero emissions no later than 2050. It also means that more funding, resources, and jobs will be committed to this area as Ireland needs to reduce emissions by 51% by 2030.

        Pharma & Medical Device Production

        According to atradius Ireland stands out as the strongest performing market in the industry. It’s a relatively small country but accounts for more than 5% of global pharmaceuticals production. It surged to 25% growth in 2021 and will benefit from ongoing vaccine production demands.

        This growth is expected to continue and the same can be said about the medical device industry as global annual sales forecast to rise over 5% by 2030 and reach US$800 billion according to KPMG . Ireland hosts significant players in this industry that supports many jobs, and this will come as welcome news to those in the industry.

        What does this mean for Ireland’s STEM professionals?

        If an “unlikely” recession happens engineers and scientists in manufacturing, construction, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices have some of the most secure professions in Ireland.

        Engineers are in high demand right now and they will be in more of a demand in the coming years as government construction projects need to be completed, data centres need to be completed also. The demand for renewable infrastructure is growing at unprecedented levels and pharma and medical device production is growing at a rapid pace.

        With this in mind we hope that we have put your mind at ease as there is a lot of commentary about a looming recession from “celebrity” economists. The fact is recession and economic booms are part of a developed economies economic cycle.

        An economist stating that there is going to be a recession is similar to a weatherman stating that it’s going to rain. It will rain and recessions do happen however neither the weatherman nor the economists can tell you when it will happen with 100% degree of certainty.

        Our Services

        If you’re anxious about moving roles because of speculation about the economy or after reading this article you are energised and optimistic about your future career, get in touch with on of our team here in STEMRP.ie

        Researching Employers Before Applying for Engineering Jobs – A Guide

        The Importance of Researching Employers Before Applying for Engineering Jobs
        The Importance of Researching Employers Before Applying for Engineering Jobs

        Jobseeker competition for Engineering jobs is highly competitive, researching the manufacturing or engineering employer is a crucial part of your job search.

        Research will help you decide what type of engineering or manufacturing company, you really want to work for.

        With information so readily available in today’s world, employers, hiring managers and engineering companies have come to expect candidates to have some understanding of their business at interview stage.

        Understanding the company’s business, goals and current projects will give you an advantage over your competitors for the engineering job up for grabs. Showcasing your proactive, sociable, and knowledgeable about their company will help you stay in the minds of the interviewers.

        For your own sake, being familiar about the day-to-day operations of the company will also give you a better idea of whether you would enjoy being employed there and also if the company’s values match what you value.

        Below is a list of how to do company research and get to know your future potential employer.  A quick Google Search will verify that there is a wealth of information out there about the engineering company however It can be difficult to know where to start.

        The research process can be broken down into the following:

        1. Their website
        2. Their social media
        3. Their reputation
        4. Their culture
        5. Their financial health

        Their website:

        This is a place where you can get a feel for the engineering company. The about section will provide you with a great introduction to the company. Where they started, their growth over time, where they want to be in the future and what their goals are. It can also show how many locations they have and where their headquarters are located.

        Social Media:

        Using LinkedIn and other social media accounts can provide a great wealth of information about the engineering company and the engineering jobs they are hiring for. Their social media will also provide a great deal of insight into their history, events branding, company tone and voice. Social media can also provide you with information on their reputation, and how they handle negative press.

        Reputation:

        Using tools such as Indeed and Glassdoor provide an invaluable resource as they provide information such as employee reviews, salaries and interview experience from those who sat in the hot seat.

        When preparing interview answers this can be useful. However, take these reviews with a pinch of salt and not as gospel as people can be disgruntled about conditions and personal scenarios can lead people to vent frustration on these sites. 

        When people are unhappy about a product or service they purchased, we tend to tell more people about a negative experience compared to a positive experience with a product or service. The same principle applies to Glassdoor or Indeed Reviews.

        People who weren’t a good fit for the company and didn’t get a position with the company they interviewed for won’t be singing that companies praises. We need to be careful about what we read on these sites.

        Google News

        After conduction a quick search on Google check out the news section of the search provided by Google. This will provide you with recent company news and developments, which can arm you with a set of talking points for the interview and give you an idea on their reputation.

        Bringing a company’s reputation into an interview is something you may not want to do, however having this knowledge can be of a huge benefit to you during the whole process. Questions like do senior managers take hours, days, or weeks to respond to queries or to approve actions?

        Do current staff have a positive outlook for the future of the company or are they worried about closures and redundancies, if they are hiring chances are the engineering company is thriving but it’s always good to know about the company’s situation before applying for a role.

        Their culture:

        Knowing what a company’s culture is like before applying may help you save some time. If the company culture doesn’t match your needs, you won’t apply. Finding out about a company’s culture can be more difficult to obtain.

        Using your network can help you gain a valuable insight into their culture. Knowing information about the engineering company’s values and unique characteristics goes a long way to determining whether or not you will find it be a good fit for you.

        Having information on a company’s culture can help you ask your interview questions when it comes to that part of the interview.

        Knowing details about a engineering company's culture during the job search will go along way
        Knowing details about a engineering company’s culture during the job search will go along way

        Financial Health

        Knowing the financial health of a company will allow you to make a clear decision to either apply for the engineering job or not apply. If the company is solvent, shows adequate operating efficiency and is profitable then you should apply for the open engineering job.

        There is no one perfect method to determining a company’s financial health or sustainability. However, taking a look at a company’s liquidity, solvency, profitability, and operating efficiency can indicate if a company is thriving or not.

        Liquidity:

        This is the amount of cash and easily-convertible-to-cash assets a company owns to manage its short-term debt obligations. Quick ratio is a metric used to measure liquidity. A quick ratio lower than 1.0 is often a warning sign, as it indicates current liabilities exceed current assets.

        Solvency:

        Relates to a company’s ability to meet its debt obligations on an ongoing basis, not just over the short term. The metric used to measure solvency is debt to equity ratio.  A downward trend overtime in debt-to-equity ratio is a good indicator that a company is financially strong.

        Operational Efficiency

        This is that measures the profit earned as a function of operating costs. The greater the operational efficiency the more profitable the firm is.  The metric used to measure this is operating margin. It indicates how well the company is being managed.

        Profitability

        To survive and be successful a company must be profitable and maintain being profitable. Net margin is the ratio used to measure profitability. A large net margin indicates a company is in a position to commit to capital growth and expansion.

        Doing this type of financial research isn’t something to bring up in an interview however its good have knowledge of where the company stands before applying for the engineering job.

        Take Aways

        The more organised and prepared you are about the company the more you’ll know what to expect when it comes to the interview. Doing the research before you apply for a position is the best protocol.

        This will be of huge benefit to you if the hiring manager wants to get someone in place quickly. You could find yourself in an interview the same week as you applied which can leave you with little time to prepare for the interview.

        Do your due diligence before apply for engineering jobs
        Do your due diligence before apply for engineering jobs

        Additional Support

        Your recruitment agency of choice should have a strong inside track to their client employers and should always provide you with relevant employer information to give you that competitive edge in interview.

        Reach out to the team in STEM Recruitment Partners for the best advice and support in your career move  www.stemrp.ie

        Advice to Engineers, the importance of selling your soft skills to potential employers’

        Soft Skills to excel your engineering job search

        There is no doubt about it, today’s engineering marketplace has never been more competitive. Add in remote working and the competition for positions increases.  In the space of two short years the working world has changed significantly. As employees we need to change and adapt with it.

        You are not just a qualified engineer; you are a well-rounded individual with personality that can add value to organisations. In today’s world this is more important than ever as employers want personnel that can fit well with their established teams to complete deadlines on projects.

        Engineering organisations want you to slot into their cultural fit because according to breathe employees are:

        • Happier
        • Stay longer
        • Engaged with the company
        • Have increased productivity

        Another change in recent years is the rise of social media. It is now common for engineering companies and hiring managers to look you up on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok before they shortlist you for interview. 

        Engineers are problem solvers, create solutions and have impressive skills but what can sperate you from your competition is your “soft skills”. How your present yourself professionally is an important factor when trying to win the job race.

        Get ahead of other engineering professionals by upgrading your soft skills

        So, what are these soft skills that help me get ahead in your career?

        Adaptability:

        To work and perform well in most environments you will need to be able to adapt to changing situations and be open to new technologies and ways of thinking. This soft skill might be a new way of thinking or a change of mindset for an engineer.

        Its natural for people to resist change and revert back ‘’to the old way’’ of doing things. Being open to change and being flexible may help you get that promotion your after or that new role you have dreamed of.

        Interpreting Body Language:

        Reading a room and your ability to pick up other people’s body language can help pick up on unspoken issues.  This social skill may help you come across more empathetic to colleagues by altering your verbal messages.

        Having self-awareness of your own body language can also influence the way others respond to you. According to Indeed “Being highly aware of your own body language can influence your productivity and reputation in your workplace”

        Listening Skills:

        The ability to listen and truly take on what is being said in a conversation, presentation or meeting is really a vital skill in today’s workforce. Listening and active listening is more than just nodding your head, making umm sounds and making eye contact.

        Listening is about taking on board what is being said engaging with the content of the conversation. Taking on necessary action if action is required and refer back to the speaker if further clarification is needed. This is a simple soft skill but requires attention and concentration.

        Self Confidence:

        Not to be mistaken with arrogance or cocky but having self-confidence about your own abilities from past experiences and your qualifications is something you will need to get ahead in your career.

        The ability to have confidence talking about previous projects and their results in interviews will carry you a long way in your engineering career.

        Sociable

        Having the ability to hold a conversation with people from different backgrounds is an important skill to get ahead in your career. At conferences or any other events you never know who you could meet, it could be someone who could have a great influence on your career.

        Having strong social skills will help you integrate into different teams quickly. According to a recent study by HR Digest, people who have the added advantage of social skills along with their technical skills have more job opportunities and higher wages.

        Developing soft skills can be difficult especially if your introverted by nature. However, by joining sports and social clubs you can meet likeminded people which can help develop this skill.

        These soft skills will help you in your career to get ahead. If you feel that you’re lacking in any area there are courses out there to help you. To progress in your career don’t get too comfortable, push yourself to get to the next level of your engineering career.  Always seek out the best opportunities for you and your growth.

        For more career advice get in touch with us today

        5 Tips When Starting a New Job

        Starting a new job can be daunting. Leaving a role that you are comfortable in, or getting back into the workforce can bring its own doubts and fear. This is perfectly natural, but just remember why you are leaving your current engineering job for a new one.

        We have tips to help you in your new role. Check out our five tips when starting a new role below.

        LinkedIn Can Be Key To Your New Role

        LinkedIn can be so important when finding that new finance job. In the below slides we show you how LinkedIn can be Key to finding your next STEM role.

        Prepare for your STEM Interview

        How to make a great impression

        Congratulations! you have landed an interview. Your CV jumped out and caught the attention of the hiring company, you’re one step closer to landing that dream job. Now its time to prepare for that interview and make a lasting impression.

        We have got you covered, below we have tips on how to make that lasting impression. We have broken it down into three steps

        • Before the interview
        • During the interview
        • After the interview

        Part of our jobseeker service offering at STEM Recruitment Partners and Martina Quinn Finance Recruitment is interview preparation.

        Prepare for your STEM Interview

        Before the interview.

        Research The Company

        Its obvious but its something that should never be overlooked. Know everything on their website from their about us page, latest news. product and services they provide and everything in between, know their website inside and out.

        Don’t forget to check out their social media and take note of key milestones, events, updates, or announcements. This will give you a greater understanding of what the goals of the company are and will cover you for the inevitable ‘’What do you know about us’’ question.

        Research The Interviewers

        Often you might have information on who will be interviewing you. Make use of LinkedIn and find out where they studied, where they were employed previously and what groups they are members of.

        This will help you build a rapport with your interviewer or interviewers. Building a rapport early makes you stand out helps make a lasting impression.

        Prepare Questions and Answers

        ‘’Fail to prepare. Prepare to fail’’ A famous quote from Roy Keane, spoken in a different context but it also applies for interview questions. Common interview questions such as

        ‘Tell me about yourself?

        Why do you want to leave your current role?

        What interests you about our company?

        Will allow you to demonstrate who you are your experience, knowledge and value that you can bring the hiring company. Here is 21 common interview questions from Pass my interview.com

        Know the job description

        Read the job description multiple times and highlight what skills it emphasises. Match skills you have with the job description and have examples of how you used those experiences in past and current roles.

        Use the STAR model to explain technical situations

        STAR is an acronym for

        • Situation
        • Task
        • Action
        • Result

        In the world of Engineering, Manufacturing, Life Science and Supply Chain its very easy to get bogged down by the technical details when answering a question. By using the STAR model, you can explain how your technical capabilities helped the company overcome a problem or situation.

        Prepare examples of your work

        It is common to be asked about specific work you have carried out in previous roles such as projects completed. Think of work you have done in the past that is relevant to the job description.

        Gather a list of intelligent questions to ask the interviewer.

        It’s not all one-way traffic when it comes to interviews, they provide a platform for you to understand the company better and understand the people in the company better. Interviews allow the employers to know if the candidate is serious about the position. The interviewer will be expecting you to ask them questions, here is a list questions compiled by the Business Insider to ask the interviewer it may help you on the day.

        The interviewer will be expecting you to ask them questions, here is a list questions compiled by the Business Insider to ask the interviewer it may help you on the day.

        During the interview

        Get Your Outfit Ready

        Make sure you have your formal outfit ready the night before the interview. Don’t be scrambling around the house looking for your belt just before your about to leave. Have everything ready, you have enough to be thinking about.

        Bring Copies of your CV and a Notebook

        Take five copies of your CV to the interview with you just in case there are multiple interviewers. This shows your organised and considerate. Having a notebook allows you to take notes of key information that the interviewer is telling you. This shows you are interested and serious about the role, however, don’t use a tablet or phone to take notes as this may be seen as ignorant or rude.

        Arrive Early

        Be at the interview 10 – 15 minutes before the interview. Do a recon of the commute a few days before the interview so you know where the building is, how busy is the traffic, where you can park and how long of a walk you have to get there.

        Make a great first impression

        First impressions last, people say it for a reason. Make sure you look professional check your clothes for stains and your shoes are shined etc. Try and display confident positive body language, give a firm but not too tight handshake and remember to smile throughout the interview.

        Treat Everyone As If They are The Hiring Manager

        This goes without saying but nerves can interfere. Just remember to treat everyone with respect including front desk staff, security personnel cleaning personnel, security etc. Your potential employer may ask for feedback from other employees and as we said earlier first impressions last.

        Respond Honestly to Questions

        It may be tempting to decorate your skills and achievements in our experience interviewers find honesty respectable and refreshing. Focus on key strengths and again use the STAR model to deflect questions you may think show weaknesses.

        Bring Them Back to your Skills and Achievements

        When asked a question use it to your advantage by bringing to examples of how your skills and experience helped your past companies. Keep your answers focused and concise as your time is limited in an interview.

        Do Not:

        Speak negatively about past roles or employers as this makes you come across as adverse in an interview. If you feel your not getting what you want out of your current role, try focus on the skills and experience you have gained and what you want in the short and long term.  

        After the interview

        Ask About the Next Stage

        Ask the interviewer about what the next stage in the process is. This shows enthusiasm for the role and will allow you to prepare for the next stage in the process.

        Send a thank you email.

        Send a thank you email to the interviewer, showing your appreciation for taking time out of their busy schedules. This shows that you are considerate.

        We provide free jobseeker consultation to ensure you are placed in a role that fits your needs and values.

        COVID’s impact on STEM Job opportunities

        The STEM industry has sailed very well throughout the coronavirus outbreak. While the economic consequences of COVID-19 and the supply chain disruptions have touched every industry, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) careers and employers in the areas of science and engineering have remained robust throughout the pandemic. There are more job vacancies across engineering, pharmaceutical, medical device, supply chain, and technology employers than pre-pandemic levels (which were already high) with no shortage of career opportunities in the short to medium term and likely well into the future. It’s a great time to be involved in STEM industries

        Both in Ireland and in international western markets, salaries are increasing above the rate of inflation. Year on year ‘STEM’salary growth has been recorded across Ireland, the UK, EU, and the US, whilst salaries in other sectors across Ireland and most of Europe have remained below current inflation rates. Furthermore, people working in the STEM industry have a generally positive outlook: most respondents are content with their positions and hopeful for the coming year.

        It’s no surprise that COVID-19 was cited as the top issue to impact career prospects and salaries in a poll of 2,400 respondents (Ireland/UK/Europe) across all industries. With lockdowns and other restrictive measures have had a significant detrimental impact on the overall productivity of countries, survey respondents’ with STEM backgrounds expected more jobs to become available and further pay increases in 2022

        Impact of COVID-19 on Job security

        COVID-19 also appears to have altered people’s perceptions of job security. 33% of the 2020 survey respondents (data taken before the pandemic) planned to change careers. However, this year, 41% said COVID-19 had influenced their decision to look for a new job (a sizeable increase of 8%), while 25% thought changing roles was not the best option during the pandemic.

        Impact of COVID-19 on STEM Students

        Following the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, STEM students’ internships were abruptly cancelled, and their academic endeavours were significantly interrupted. Many graduates were pursuing a STEM degree or profession or had landed internships and summer employment in STEM industries and their internships were canceled. Career prospects looked at risk in early to the middle of 2020 but once Ireland came out of lockdown 1.0, students adopted remote learning, and those with life science and engineering degrees once again were in high demand. Big Pharma, ICT, Construction, Civil Engineering, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain companies are all competing across Ireland for real STEM Talent.

        The Future

        It’s difficult to predict future events. Fortunately, Covid’s impact on the STEM sector was met with resilience and adaptability to rapid changes. Those in STEM careers are the Scientists, Engineers, and Innovators that will continue to tackle this pandemic and other future global challenges. In short, it’s a great time to build a career in the STEM Industry.

        How to Create an Attractive STEM LinkedIn Profile

        LinkedIn is one of the most widely used platforms, with over 800 million people from 200 countries and territories worldwide. The main reason for such a high number of users is the economic opportunities in various employment sectors. With the massive number of users comes high competition, and hence, it is necessary to create a LinkedIn profile that is attractive and unique. 

        As a person associated with STEM, your profile needs to be optimized correctly for rapid growth and attracting high traffic.

        If you find it hard to create a perfect STEM LinkedIn profile for yourself, we got you! 

        This article discusses the most effective tips and strategies to help you create the most optimum STEM LinkedIn profile to increase your engagement. 

        1. Keep the head statement engaging

        The first thing that anyone will view or read on your STEM LinkedIn profile is your head statement. And hence it needs to be crisp and to the point without anything unnecessary. It should be 20 – 30 words short and easy to understand in one glance. 

        For example, if you are an engineer, write about your stream, place of finishing your qualification, and current job position. Please do not include your skills, achievements, or other information, as you do not need it in the header. 

        1. Be active and open to requests

        It does not matter if people connecting have the same background as yours. What matters is the number of connections you make to expand your reach. And hence, be open to requests and connections and try communicating and spreading awareness about your motive through chat.

        If your connection grows, you can head to emails as it is more appealing than the LinkedIn chatbox. 

        Also, be active and consistent with replying and solving queries quickly without making anyone wait for your response. Doing this helps set a positive impression and keeps the person interested. 

        1. Display a short and confident profile

        Your  STEM LinkedIn profile is the major source of developing interest in people that pushes them to add you as a connection. Hence, your profile needs to deliver maximum information in the most innovative ways. 

        The tone of your bio on your profile can either make or break your connection, so it needs to be highly engaging and confident. Try to include complete information creatively to generate interest among the readers. 

        Another factor that influences your profile is the length of the summary. Nobody likes reading shabby long paragraphs, and hence, keep your bio short and to the point. 

        4. Include your achievements

        Another crucial step in optimizing your STEM LinkedIn profile is including all your achievements. Be it big or small, every accomplishment on your profile increases your value and makes people confident about your motives. 

        You could also add images of certificates and letter recommendations, making your profile stronger. All your work experience, webinars, workshops, etc., can make a huge difference, so ensure making them a part of your profile.

         5. Keep it professional

        LinkedIn is an economic platform used by professionals to expand their reach and build an audience for their brand. You need to understand that they are not your friends or family, and hence, you must maintain professionalism at all times. 

        Be it your summary, posts, texts, or emails, all of them need to be written in a formal tone without any unwanted interferences. Even if you have been in touch with another profile for a long time, you still need to keep it professional. Interfering in someone’s personal life or passing personal comments can lower your image and ruin your connection. 

        These were a few of the most effective tips and strategies you can use to create an attractive STEM LinkedIn profile. Follow each one carefully and watch your profile gain an audience in the shortest time.

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