Tag Archive for: Interview

Introduction:

March brings with it the promise of spring and the lively celebration of St. Patrick’s Day. At 3Q Recruitment, we see this month as an opportunity to explore the theme of career growth with an Irish twist. Just as St. Patrick’s Day is a time for festivities and joy, we believe that your career journey should be filled with excitement and growth. In this blog post, we’ll delve into effective strategies for climbing the career ladder and achieving professional advancement, all while highlighting the vibrant Dublin restaurant and hospitality scene during the St. Patrick’s Day celebration.

Setting the Stage: Understanding Career Growth

Career growth is a dynamic process that involves continuous learning, strategic planning, and seizing opportunities. Much like the rolling hills of the Irish countryside, your career path may have its ups and downs, but with the right mindset and strategies, you can ascend the professional ladder with confidence.

1. Cultivate a Growth Mindset 

Embracing a growth mindset is like planting the seeds of success. Instead of viewing challenges as roadblocks, see them as stepping stones to growth. Take inspiration from the Irish spirit of resilience and adaptability. Approach each task as an opportunity to learn, improve, and expand your skill set. Continuous learning is a key driver of career advancement.

2. Set Clear Goals and Milestones 

Much like navigating the winding streets of Dublin, a clear roadmap is essential for career growth. Define your short-term and long-term career goals, and break them down into achievable milestones. This will not only provide a sense of direction but also allow you to celebrate your successes along the way. St. Patrick’s Day is a reminder that every journey is made up of small, meaningful steps.

3. Network Like the Irish 

The Irish are renowned for their friendliness and sense of community. Apply this approach to your professional life by building a strong network. Attend industry events, connect with colleagues, and seek mentorship opportunities. Networking opens doors to new possibilities and allows you to learn from the experiences of others. Remember, the more connections you make, the more opportunities you create.

4. Invest in Professional Development 

St. Patrick’s Day is a celebration of Irish culture, and your career journey should be a celebration of your professional development. Invest time and resources in acquiring new skills, attending workshops, and pursuing certifications. Stay up-to-date with industry trends and technological advancements. A well-rounded skill set will make you an invaluable asset to your organisation.

5. Seize Opportunities and Take Initiative 

The Irish have a saying, “Dress me slowly; I’m in a hurry.” It emphasises the importance of being deliberate yet swift. Similarly, in your career, be prepared to seize opportunities and take initiative. Volunteer for challenging projects, express your interest in leadership roles, and showcase your value to the organisation. A proactive approach accelerates your climb up the career ladder.

St. Patrick’s Day in Dublin: A Feast for the Senses 

As you embark on your career growth journey, consider the vibrant St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in Dublin’s restaurant and hospitality scene. The city comes alive with the spirit of the Irish, and local establishments host lively events and special menus. Just as you savour the flavours of success in your career, take a moment to indulge in the festive atmosphere of Dublin’s restaurants and pubs during this joyous celebration.

Conclusion: Embrace the Journey with 3Q Recruitment

As you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and embark on your career growth journey, remember that every step counts. At 3Q Recruitment, we are committed to guiding you through the twists and turns of professional advancement. Let your career be a celebration of your unique skills, achievements, and growth, much like the lively festivities in Dublin. May your climb up the career ladder be as rewarding as finding a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Happy career-climbing and St. Patrick’s Day celebration! 

A resume may tell a thousand words, but it doesn’t really reveal how competent you are to do the job or how you will act in the real-life setting of the job. Most interviews host staged interview processes which provide greater opportunity to show the interviewers why you are the best person for the job.

As part of this process, they generally provide an outline of important points that will be covered in the interview including a sample of competency questions which may be asked in the interview. This helps with creating fairness and provides a greater feeling of confidence on the day of your interview.

Job interview questions can be difficult to answer on the day. However, using a structured approach will help you stay on track. The acronym SBO (Situation, Behaviour and Outcome) is a great technique to use to develop your answers.

SBO Technique to Answer Competency Questions at Interviews

  • Situation – Begin with describing in detail a situation that you were involved in or give a description on the task that you completed
  • Behaviour – Describe actions undertaken, the process and steps you followed and completed
  • Outcome – This part of your answer is where you highlight actions that resulted in a successful outcome. Provide detail on what was accomplished, the benefits that were achieved and what was learned during the process. This is the most important part of the answer

For example, customer service is an area that is common in most workplaces. The interviewer may ask; “Tell us about a time in your previous role when you delivered excellent customer service?” Empathy, clear communication skills and patience can form part of this answer. Remember to keep your answers brief and stay on point.

While having the preparatory questions in advance is often positive, it can also lead to rigidity in answers at the interview. Remember to ‘be yourself’, outline important points and allow the conversation to flow naturally. Finish well and end on a positive note – give a confident handshake at the end of the interview and thank the interviewers.     

Need help on your job interview with us? Call us today, on 01 8783335 or email sales@3qrecruitment.ie – to chat with a member of our friendly team, to explore your options and receive valuable advice.

Celebrate the Season with Our Nurse Christmas Raffle!

Tis the season of giving, and we want to show our appreciation to the incredible nurses who make a difference every day. If you’re a dedicated nurse looking for a new opportunity, this Christmas could bring an extra special gift your way!

Win a €100 One4All Gift Card!

Submit your CV before the 16th of December 2023, and you could be in with a chance to win a €100 One4All gift card – just in time for the festive season! Your entry is simple: be a nurse with an active NMBI pin, and attend your interview with our client.

The Lucky Draw:

All eligible nurses will automatically be entered into the draw, and on the 18th of December, we’ll announce the lucky winner! Imagine the joy of unwrapping a €100 gift card, ready to be spent on whatever brings you joy this Christmas.

 Terms and Conditions:

Before submitting your CV and entering this exciting raffle, please read and understand the following terms and conditions:

Submit your CV to any of our nursing jobs, or you can send us your CV directly to cvs@3qrecruitment.ie

  • Eligibility: To participate, you must be a registered nurse with an active NMBI pin.
  • Submission Deadline: Submit your CV by the 16th of December 2023 to be considered for the raffle.
  • Interview Attendance: To qualify for the draw, attend your scheduled interview with our client.
  • Draw Date: The winner will be randomly selected, and the announcement will be made on the 18th of December 2023.
  • Prize: The prize is a €100 One4All gift card.
  • Contacting the Winner: The winner will be contacted via the contact information provided in their CV. If unreachable, another winner will be selected.
  • Public Announcement: By participating, you agree to the public announcement of your name as the winner on our website and social media channels.
  • Non-transferable: The prize is non-transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash or any other alternatives.
  • Decision Final: All decisions related to the raffle are final.

Best of luck to all the hardworking nurses who enter – your dedication deserves to be rewarded!

🌟 Celebrate the season with us and make this Christmas extra special. Good luck! 🌟

Facing an upcoming interview for a new job? While there is much time to prepare before a job interview; there is little time at the interview to create a great first impression and show that you are the best person for the job.

Preparation is important to help you deliver an effective interview. Acquiring knowledge of the job and company and understanding of how your skills match the job criteria will provide a leading edge, and greater chance for success on securing the job. Most companies offer the points for discussion that will be covered in the interview ahead of time, usually in writing.

10 Simple Tips for a Successful Interview

  1. Research the company including the company’s background
  2. Know the interviewers name and the location of the interview, i.e. where the office is based
  3. Develop answers ahead of the interview, i.e. around competency. Develop examples of your ability to do the job and the way you act on the task
  4. Prepare questions to ask at the end of the interview
  5. Re-read your resume and the job spec one hour before the interview
  6. Practice with family or a friend – to listen to the tone of your voice which will help to boost confidence
  7. Arrive early, leaving enough time for traffic jams and to get a parking ticket
  8. At the interview, create a great first impression – give a firm handshake, speak clearly and maintain good eye contact
  9. Strong communication is important – listen carefully and ask interviewers to repeat or rephrase the question if you are unsure
  10. Demonstrate your unique selling point and why you are interested in this job

Preparation is vital and will ensure that you deliver a top-notch interview. “I will prepare and someday my chance will come” by Abraham Lincoln. Strong signs of a good interview include the conversation flowed naturally, the interview time was longer than advised, positive body language of the interviewers and you were provided with more information on the job role. There may have been hiccups on a few answers but don’t let this get you down. Focus on the positives. If it felt genuine and you experienced a lighter note on the conversation this is usually a good sign.

Need help on your job interview with us? Call us today, on 01 8783335 or email sales@3qrecruitment.ie – to chat with a member of our friendly team, to explore your options and receive valuable advice.

Are you unsure of what to put in your CV, or how to structure it? Knowing what details to add can give you a strong lead on being called for an interview! Recruitment agencies and employers look for items that stand out at a glance. These can vary for different jobs. Recruiters are adept at seeking any gaps or discrepancies. The presentation of the CV needs to be considered. The structure to the layout should be clear and easy to read – providing a succinct story, from start to finish. Cover letters are similar to windows of a house. They provide a preview of the CV. It is similar to a sales pitch. Include relevant elements here from your CV, and information that relates to your experience and the job spec.

Some main elements to consider putting into your CV:

  • Previous roles and responsibilities of previous employment, or volunteer work
  • Experience to date – a brief overview
  • Skill-set, including hard and soft skills
  • Results and achievements in previous roles, include any that relate to the job spec
  • Education achieved to date, including course work currently being undertaken or planned up-skilling courses in the pipeline. Evidence of continuous learning is more desirable in an application
  • Keep bullet-points concise
  • Ensure that content is consistent
  • Including a profile headshot provides a personal connection
  • References provide strength to the application, particularly if the recruiter would like to follow up on more information with a third party
  • Including a LinkedIn link can provide additional pertinent information

Remember the CV must be clear in its presentation, easily scanned, and provide the relevant information for the role, including significant keywords. Ensure that dates are accurate and proofread for any typos. Structure the layout so that it’s visually easy to read. HR personnel should be able to review your CV in less than one minute. “Structure is more important than content in the transmission of information” – Abbie Hoffman.

A good cover letter should provide a brief synopsis of the CV and why the candidate is interested in the company, and the role being applied for. Knowing your CV details, and dates, ahead of the interview will provide you with consistency during the interview. Getting these steps right always provides a great first impression.

Three Q News

New Year, New You – Is part of your New Year resolution to find a new job or advance into a more managerial role in your career? Then you are going to need to prepare for interviews.

Interviews can be daunting, we always want to put our best foot forward, but sometimes our nerves can get the better of us. Interviews can prove even more difficult for those who have only recently graduated and have never interviewed before, or those who have been in their current job a long period of time and haven’t had an interview for several years.

We can’t control our emotions or nerves but what we can do is prepare, after all, knowledge is power!

As someone who has personally struggled trying to control my nerves and anxiety before an interview, I have found some tips which have helped me in the past:

  1. Know the company/ organisation you are interviewing for – A common question employers ask is “Why do you want to work here?”, so ensure you know plenty about your possible future employer.
  2. Fully understand the job description – Outline your own experience and skills which match that of the job description, you can use this to show you are a perfect match for the role.
  3. Prepare and rehearse common questions and answers – You can easily look online for a list of popular question which are asked at interview. As a recruiter I always provide my candidates with a list of questions & topics to research and do interview preparation where we go over these mock style questions.
  4. Prepare questions for the interviewer – Employers will always ask if you have any questions at the end of an interview, this is your opportunity to show that you have thought in depth about the role and company and genuinely want to work there.
  5. Plan your travel – Ensure you arrive to interview early and aren’t rushing; I always advise to be at least 15 minutes early to interview. This gives you time to sit down, compose your thoughts, and even go over some interview prep.
  6. Remember to breathe! – This may seem like such a simple and obvious thing, but as someone who has almost found myself hyperventilating before an interview, I find it helps to sit and take some deep breaths before interview to bring your heart rate down and calm those nerves.
  7. Speak confidently and clearly –I have found that I can speak a million miles an hour which can make it hard for the employer to fully grasp everything you are saying. I make sure to take a few seconds before answering a question and speak clearly and confidently. 
  8. Use the S.T.A.R (Situation, Task, Action & Result) approach when answering questions – This will help give your answers structure and ensure you don’t end up rambling so that your answers are relevant to the question.
  9. Remember to ask questions at the end of interview – Even if for some reason the employer does not ask you if you have any questions, remember to ask those all-important questions you prepared earlier.
  10. Leave a good impression – At the end of an interview, always make sure to smile and thank the employer for the opportunity & tell them how interested you are in the role and how you look forward to hearing any updates about the outcome of the interview.

If you are looking for a new Nursing, Healthcare or Hospitality job and would like some help finding that prefect job or to spruce up your CV & arrange some interview preparation, then you can call me on 01-878-3335 or visit our website for a full list of current jobs –

Charissa Mulholland

Nursing & Healthcare recruitment professional

Three Q Perms & Temps