Is A Career In I.T. An Option For You?

Large or small, new or old, businesses need IT experts, either as permanent members of staff or as an outsourced service to keep their hardware and software running smoothly and as technology leaps forward on almost a daily basis, more skilled specialists will be needed in the future. IT, software development and the related fields are one of the few areas that are always in demand and seem to withstand the factors and influences of economic downturn.

Recently, several IT and software companies have organised coding boot camps throughout Ireland with the specific goal of getting younger people more interested in coding, computer programming, software development and the related fields. Ireland had lagged seriously behind when it came to the people available to fill various IT roles such as software developers, computer programming engineers and database developers.

When a school leaver is considering what area or industry to get involved in, the potential for employment afterwards plays a significant factor in making that all important choice. Rest assured, things have never looked better for those people who decide on a career path of IT or software development. Some estimates of the current cyber skills shortage are striking. Cisco’s 2014 Annual Security report puts the gap in demand for professionals with relevant IT skills and the supply of those people at 1 million worldwide. In a survey of 12,000 information security specialists by the consulting firm Frost & Sullivan, 56 percent said their organization was understaffed in that department.

Another fast emerging industry where qualified people are very hard to source is cyber security. More and more of our lives is ending up on computers. Our internet usage is mapped out constantly and available for download in an instant. Because of the financial gains that can be made through computer hacking in the form of personal information, financial data and all things related, this has become a growing problem for all companies and indeed governments across the world. Big IT companies are tackling this problem head on with Symantec (SYMC) being one of them. The company is putting $2 million into a pilot project to train urban youth for entry-level jobs in cyber security. Based on a study released last year by the Abell Foundation, Symantec says more than 300,000 jobs are going begging, 20 percent of which could be potentially filled by individuals with no college degree.

Whatever path you choose, a career in IT offers both great potential and job security for the future. Keep abreast of emerging technology and tailor your skill set to target the related roles of the future.

For IT recruitment roles across Ireland, visit Quest Recruitment with offices now in both Dublin and Kilkenny.

How To Secure Your Ideal Job In The Financial Services Industry?

The level of competition for jobs across the financial services sector can be considerable and seems to be getting more so each year. The recent gradual upturn across global markets has people considering financial roles as a viable career option once again. However, with the numbers of college leavers who now specialize in financial services and its related areas increasing, potential employers are demanding more and more experience, qualifications and expertise when it comes to short listing possible applicants for vacant roles.

Candidates who are knowledgeable about the financial products and who are well prepared make the best impression. In general, the level and caliber of CV being put forward for vacant financial sector roles and positions is increasing and making it more difficult to differentiate between applicants. Employers are still however giving importance to the cover letter as a way to differentiate. Potential employers are now coming across candidates who are increasing knowledgeable about the products/financial roles they are applying to and are prepared to answer any questions put to them on the subject.

When preparing for an interview, consider what all employers want in an employee and what would make you an ideal candidate for the role you are interested in - and show them that you have it. It is important that when applying for roles, the employer understands the correlation between the skill and knowledge you have amassed during your academic career and have included it on your CV, alongside any jobs undertaken to support yourself during your study period. These might include; the ability to write well, to produce quality reports, undertake analysis, to think creatively/logically, to work to deadlines and to self-manage. Consider what all employers want and that is to find an enthusiastic employee who is quick to learn and therefore quickly contributes to their business and adds value to their team. If an employer has to think about having to retrain a job applicant for a period of time, this is time that the employee will not be directly contributing to the business. Rather, an existing employee may have to be assigned to providing the training which will have knock on effects to the day to day running of the business as a whole.

Another good idea in order to prepare yourself for the interview is to get up to speed on some of the basic financial services jargon: A qualification does not guarantee anything, but if you are coming from a non-financial background, it would serve you well to get up to speed with some of the basic financial services jargon and structure of this fragmented and extensive industry before hitting those interviews.

Another way to put yourself ahead of the masses is to contact financial services organisations while still at college and express your interest in working for them after graduating. Several financial services institutions recruit directly from colleges and universities and operate a graduate training program which you can apply for. Also, it can be indispensable to have a contact within the financial services company or product that you are applying for already established which can serve you well when it comes to applying for that all important first position after qualifying in your chosen area of financial expertise.

For a career in financial services, we are happy to recommend Quest Recruitment who are one of Dublin’s premier financial services, Compliance and IT recruitment companies offering a wide range of roles and positions across the board at all levels.

Quest Recruitment #1 Agency offers the best jobs and recruitment services in financial, accountant, banking sectors in Dublin, Cork, Dundalk, Drogheda, Kilkenny, Limerick, Wexford and beyond. Visit at http://www.questrecruitment.ie/