LookWest.ie shortlisted for top social media prize

Thu, Aug 30, 2012

LookWest.ie, the Western Development Commission’s (WDC) online guide to living, working and doing business in Ireland’s Western Region, has been shortlisted for an Irish Internet Association (IIA) Dot.ie NetVisionary Award for Best in Social Media. This category recognises the most creative use of social media for compelling customer engagement.

Free places on online programmes at IT Sligo for jobseekers

Thu, Aug 30, 2012

IT Sligo is offering free places to jobseekers on a number of online programmes which are starting next month, September 2012.

From nine crowns to €70m... and fifty years of Galway life

Thu, Aug 23, 2012

As St Columba’s Credit Union start preparations to celebrate their upcoming 50th Anniversary next year, they take a look at where it all started. On February 9 1963, with nine crowns, (€3.43) St. Columba’s Credit Union was the first credit union formed in Galway City and County and the second in Connacht.

Beating unemployment

Thu, Aug 23, 2012

WIN was set up in 2009 to provide a service to the new or unexpected unemployed and those who are under employed. WIN a not for profit organization and provides a unique service whereby members fully participate in all activities rather than being a passive observer. It is through communication, training, mentoring and networking that WIN helps and encourages members to create employment and business opportunities for themselves and others.

One of the powerful aspects of WIN is member participation which allows each person to rebuild their confidence and self esteem. People who come to WIN also have the opportunity to use their skills to help others but they also utilise the group to learn from others and enhance their own skills.

Radisson Blue announces new general manager

Thu, Aug 23, 2012

The Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Galway has announced the appointment of its new General Manager, Micheal Stapleton.  Mr Stapleton worked for four years in the Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Galway previously, as Revenue Manager and then Operations Manager.

Learning the ropes for job interviews

Thu, Aug 23, 2012

Job interviews are not unlike boxing matches: you can have all the plans and strategies you want, all the shapes and all the moves, the slides to the side and the dummies, but you have to remember that there is somebody else in the ring too.

Chinese experts at conference on environment and health

Thu, Aug 23, 2012

NUI Galway has this week been hosting the 2012 Sino-European Symposium on Environment and Health (SESEH 2012) which provides a platform for interaction between scientists, consultants, and public servants engaged in the multi-disciplinary area of environment and health.

Thirty five new jobs as Spiddal Medical Device Company secures investment from Helix Medical

Thu, Aug 16, 2012

Cambus Teo, a Spiddal-based company, has secured investment from Helix Medical, a global manufacturer for the medical device and healthcare industries, which will create 35 jobs. Under the agreement, Helix Medical will provide expansion financing and acquire a 50 per cent share in the company.

Brief Encounters of the quick fire hiring kind

Thu, Aug 16, 2012

\One of the latest techniques to hit the job market is the speed interview. Much like speed-dating, they allow employers to screen a large number of candidates quickly. If the interview is successful, candidates are usually offered the option of attending a more traditional full-length interview.

Unsurprisingly, speed interviews are becoming increasingly popular with employers who are short on time and seeking to fill customer-focussed roles, such as sales reps or receptionists. Not only are they able to assess how well a candidate matches the skills required, but they can also get a sense of their personality, confidence and presentation style.

Galway business shortlisted for TV exposure prize

Thu, Aug 09, 2012

A local business, WeSolve Ltd from Beech Tree Business Park, Weir Road, Tuam has been shortlisted for the ‘Your Business on Irish TV’ competition, which gives small businesses the opportunity to get their products on television for the first time.

Turbo boost your job-searching campaign

Thu, Aug 09, 2012

Q: My son is 23, he has a good degree, but he has never had a proper job. He has applied for a few things, but I think he is not doing enough really. He just seems to sit around all day playing games and watching television. I have stopped trying to cajole him because we just end up arguing. What can I do? (NS, email)

22 per cent drop in new house builds in Galway

Thu, Aug 09, 2012

88 new housing units were commenced in the first four months of 2012 in Galway, according to new statistics released by the Construction Industry Federation (CIF). This represents a drop of 25 units or 22 per cent on the same period during 2011, when work began on 113 new units, according to the CIF’s latest Housing Statistics Bulletin.

Comhar na nOileán ready to deliver LEADER Programme in the Galway Gaeltacht

Thu, Aug 09, 2012

Comhar na nOileán have just advertised three new jobs to deliver the LEADER programme in the Galway Gaeltacht and their CEO, Majella Ní Chríocháin has said that they hope to open an office in the South Connemara Gaeltacht in the Autumn. Two of the new Project Officers/Administrators will be located there while the third will be located in Comhar’s main office on Inis Oírr.

Victory for Galway CE workers and community services

Thu, Aug 02, 2012

Galway-based SIPTU members have welcomed the decision of the Department of Social Protection (DSP) to partially restore material and training funding to Galway Community Employment Schemes. This decision will ensure schemes will remain open and continue to deliver vital services to local communities.

Not gone to the dogs — Bord na gCon and ISME to showcase businesses in stadia

Thu, Aug 02, 2012

Bord na gCon, the Irish Greyhound Board (IGB) and ISME (Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association) today announced an innovative new business showcase partnership which will enable almost 9,000 ISME members to showcase their products and services in their nearest greyhound stadium from September to December this year.

Galway Enterprise Europe to bolster local SME supports

Thu, Aug 02, 2012

Services at the Galway offices of the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) are to be increased and strongly refocused on supporting the SME sector, according to North West MEP Jim Higgins.

"The European Commission is rolling out a series of new initiatives to boost entrepreneurship and support small to medium businesses in exploiting international and markets and business opportunities," Mr Higgins said.

Better body, better business

Thu, Aug 02, 2012

Business is not just about how wonderful your service is or how good your products are or how different you appear to be when compared to that of your competitors. It’s also about how you look and how you present yourself. A good presentation can go sour when delivered by a poor presenter. It’s the same in business. Get into shape to be sharp whe it comes to selling your brand.

When your body is fit, your mind is fit. Thirty minutes exercise for three days every week can keep you looking sharp. You’ll be acting with speed and you’ll be thinking fast on your feet. If you are tired, overweight and without energy it will be harder to sell your merchandise. Your movements can be slower. You could be prone to giving up too easy.

With 135 pledges in Galway, Hireland surpasses target after just six months

Thu, Jul 26, 2012

Hireland announced this week that it has surpassed its original target of 5,000 job pledges in less than six months since its launch date. Of those pledges, more than 2,000 people have secured employment via the Hireland initiative with 135 of thse being in the Galway area.

The Three Cs

Thu, Jul 26, 2012

Courage
When someone becomes unemployed we often think of this as losing a job. However losing a job means also losing your income, your daily structure, confidence and self esteem. Quite often you will end up spending the majority of the week home alone or home with immediate family and ultimately losing a huge part of your business and social networks.

Your Career, Your Choices

Thu, Jul 26, 2012

I believe in the value of what is rather dryly called peer-to-peer learning. A good book to read on the topic is Paolo Freire’s Pedagogy of the Oppressed. We have been reared to put our faith in the ‘expert’ model – what is called in America the ‘sage on the stage’ model.

E-paper

Read this weeks E-paper. Past editions also available from within this weeks digital copy.