How to make your overseas experience work at home

Thu, Jun 07, 2018

Q: “I have been working as a primary school teacher in London for six years. I’ve worked in some challenging schools, to say the least – in almost every class, I had children from backgrounds where drug and alcohol misuse was rampant. Behaviour was a constant issue in those schools. I have got on quite well. I’ve also done some courses on school leadership. Now I want to move back to my home place in rural Ireland. I’m afraid that what I have done in London won’t really be relevant to rural or small town schools in Ireland, and that I should tone down my CV. Any advice?” (CT, email).

Clearing away the career change fog

Thu, May 31, 2018

Q: I’m thinking about a career change. Well, to be honest, I’m thinking about thinking about a career change. I don’t even know where to start. Can you give me any pointers? Before I even go to meet somebody such as a coach or career direction specialist, I would like to think about questions I should be asking myself. (IT, email).

How to Improve Employee Performance

Fri, May 25, 2018

Although a study in 2017 showed that the average Irish worker only has a 22.2 hour working week, this is certainly not true across all levels of the career ladder. In many professions, the number of hours worked each week far exceeds this number and, in fact, exceeds the 40 hour week which is held up as the standard. For example, those working in the Irish agricultural and forestry industries work over 50 hours per week, while managers and directors in Ireland work an average of 42.6 hours each week. However, it is not only by increasing the number of hours worked that employee productivity can be improved so here are some top tips to increase efficiency in the workplace.

Quarter of all workers in Western Region live in Galway city labour catchment

Thu, May 24, 2018

The Galway City labour catchment is the largest labour catchment in the Western Region with over 70,000 living there and ‘at work’ (70,170) — accounting for 26.9% of the total resident ‘at work’ population within the Western Region (260,261).

This is one of the findings of a new report carried out by the Western Development Commission (WDC), which has carried out in-depth research into the commuting patterns of those at work in the Western Region.

Galway Chamber — Ag cothú gnó le chéile

Thu, May 17, 2018

Are you a member of Galway Chamber? How can you benefit from being one? Here is a flavour of what the Chamber does.

Engineer, entrepreneur, and futurist Nell Watson to speak at AtlanTec 2018

Thu, May 17, 2018

The Information Technology Association Galway (ITAG) is getting ready to welcome Nell Watson as one of the speakers at this year’s AtlanTec conference, which will focus on The Art of AI and Machine Learning.

From teaching computer science at 24 to co-founding a successful graffiti arts company, Nell Watson has an art for bridging the gap between humanities and tech. A dynamo with a philosophical edge, her ability to easily traverse, understand, and innovate within these two worlds is apparent throughout her impressive portfolio of work.

Blake & Kenny Solicitors awarded national law firm awards

Thu, May 17, 2018

Leading Galway law firm Blake & Kenny Solicitors has been named Property, Planning and Probate Law Firm of the Year for Connacht and Ulster in the prestigious 2018 Irish Law Awards.

Expanding Irish medtech solutions company opens in Galway

Thu, May 10, 2018

i360medical, a leading Irish based international healthcare solutions and medical device company, has announced the opening of a new Galway office, based in the Innovation Hubs (iHubs) at Galway Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT).

This is in addition to the existing offices in Dublin (HQ) and New York. i360medical drives collaboration across; clinicians, engineers, health systems, multinational companies, SMEs, and universities working internationally as a dynamic conduit for new concept ideas and verified unmet surgical and clinical needs.

Corrandulla pharmacist finalist in national awards

Thu, May 10, 2018

Corrandulla pharmacist Justin O’Connell has been nominated for a prestigious national award, which could yet see him crowned Pharmaton People’s Pharmacist of the Year 2018.

Playing the waiting game

Thu, May 10, 2018

Q: I went for an interview with a company four weeks ago and they said they would get back to me by the end of the following week. I haven’t heard a dicky bird since. I’m getting anxious, even though I don’t have anything else on the horizon. Should I contact them? I don’t want to feel like I’m harassing them either. (PL, email).

Great opportunities for training and career development at McDonalds

Thu, May 03, 2018

When did you start working in McDonald’s?
It’s hard to believe but it will be 22 years ago in June.

Pat McDonagh and Chanelle McCoy presented with prestigious business awards

Thu, Apr 26, 2018

Supermac’s MD Pat McDonagh and Chanelle, Lady McCoy, co-founder of Chanelle Medical, were both honoured with the ‘All-Ireland Business Champion 2018’ awards for their impact on the Irish business community.

23 people killed in workplace accidents in Galway in last decade

Thu, Apr 26, 2018

This Saturday April 28 is “Workers’ Memorial Day” — on this date every year all those injured or killed in work related accidents are remembered.

In Ireland from 2008 to 2017 there were 501 people killed due to work activity with many thousands more seriously injured. During that 10-year period 23 of those fatal workplace accidents occurred in Galway. Nearly half of these (11) were in the agriculture, forestry and fishing sector.

Prestigious award for Galway financial brokerage

Thu, Apr 26, 2018

A Galway-based financial brokerage has been named the Regional Financial Planning Broker of the Year. This is the first time this award has been won by a Galway firm. The Brokers Ireland - Life, Pensions & Investments Awards which is now in its fifth year running, gives recognition to financial brokers who have proven their excellence, professionalism & dedication to maintaining high standards in the Irish marketplace.

Short interview can stop you in your tracks

Thu, Apr 26, 2018

Q: Of all the various things that can happen in a job interview, what worries you most? What’s the worst sign of all? I’ve had some funny experiences myself lately on the interview trail and I’m just trying to put them into context. Thank you. (DC, email).

A: It is difficult to generalise, but I will try: the one thing that consistently worries me is the short interview. Whenever I hear of a client getting a short interview, I tend to conclude that the job is already gone and just hope that my client is the favoured one, writes Liam Horan, Career Coach, Sli Nua Careers.

Stewart Construction named Best Managed Company in national awards

Thu, Apr 19, 2018

Galway’s Stewart Construction was recently presented with the prestigious Deloitte Best Managed Company 2018. The company, which demonstrated superior business performance for the fifth year running, was recognised at an awards gala dinner in Dublin’s Convention Centre. The Deloitte Best Managed Companies Awards programme is celebrating ten years of recognising management excellence.

Two West of Ireland software companies go for glory at London awards tonight

Thu, Apr 19, 2018

Two established Galway-based software companies OnePageCRM and Ordorite Software (with respective CEOs Stephen Connolly, Ordorite Software and Michael Fitzgerald, OnePageCRM) have been named as finalists in tonight’s European IT and Software Excellence Awards 2018 in London.

Exit interview question has

Thu, Apr 19, 2018

Q: I’m leaving this company after three years. Three years of my life I will never get back. The place is chaotic beyond belief. Rick Gervais wrote The Office, and I loved it, but Wernham Hogg Paper Company isn’t a patch on this place. Everyone knows it but no one wants to starts the change. The exit interview looms. I’d like to cut loose for the sake of the good people still stuck there. Should I? I’ve got a job in a similar company but one with a better reputation as a place to work. (DT, via What’s App).

Oranmore tourism event to highlight potential of Wild Atlantic Way

Thu, Apr 12, 2018

The Bridge That Gap and Oranmore-Clarinbridge Tourism Network is inviting tourism providers throughout Galway city and county and further afield along the Wild Atlantic Way to attend the ‘Rising Tide Tourism and Hospitality Event’ on Thursday next April 19 at Galway Bay Golf Resort in Oranmore, Co. Galway.

The half day event running from 9.30am to 2.00pm will provide a platform for collaboration and networking as well as presentations from industry experts – Pól Ó Conghaíle, Travel Editor, Sunday Independent; Donal Healy of Ireland West Airport, Jill Holtz, MyKidsTime.com and Fáilte Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way team: Miriam Kennedy and Eva Costello; as well as Galway County Council and Galway 2020. Advance booking is necessary as numbers are limited – register on https://risingtideoranmore.eventbrite.ie.

Battery solution powers Galwayman to GMIT New Frontiers emerging business award

Thu, Apr 12, 2018

The creator of an innovative power cell technology has won the top prize in the GMIT New Frontiers Best Emerging Business Awards. Dr Barry Flannery from Galway has won €10,000, sponsored by KPMG, for his electric auxiliary power unit which provides power to long-haul truck cabins during mandatory stop-overs.

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