07/05/12
Careers and Recruitment: Let's talk the talk...
by Gareth Naughton
Ireland's workforce lags behind the rest of Europe when it comes to speaking foreign languages, which is something that will have to be remedied if we are to make real economic headway, writes Gareth Naughton of 'The Sunday Business Post'. Read on...
02/15/12
INTERNATIONAL Ireland: Government Action Plan to create 100,000 jobs
Wed, 15 Feb 2012
The Irish Taoiseach (prime minister), Tánaiste (deputy PM) and minister for jobs, enterprise and innovation have launched the first annual Action Plan for Jobs, which aims to create 100,000 jobs by 2016...read on
01/12/12
The Only Way is Up when You Upskill
By Denise Hall
Thursday, January 12, 2012 
Denise Hall gathers timely careers advice from recruitment and third level education expertsON MATURE REFLECTION: older students want to upskill or change career. Read Article
11/16/11
The Health of the Sales and Marketing Sector in the UK and Ireland
The sector is continuing to remain competitive as employers either keep hold of staff or look out for low-cost recruitment solutions. Like so many areas of business in the current climate, sales & marketing teams increasingly find themselves having to do more with less...Read on
11/15/11
Recruitment Agencies broadly satisfied with trading over the past year
Employment agencies that help companies recruit people tell Graeme McQueen of 'Business Plus Magazine' that they are broadly satisfied with trading over the past year.
Colm Buckley, Managing Director of The People Group
... read on
The Ups and Downs of moving job
The Sunday Business Post
11/9/11
While the jobs market remains relatively static, there are worthwhile reasons for changing jobs, but make sure it's the right move for you, writes Gareth Naughton.
There are no jobs out there, so you'd better hang on to yours for dear life. So goes the mantra of an economy where unemployment is hovering above the 14 per cent mark with no sign of abating.
While the boom years were marked by rampant job-hoping, the recession has seen the issue of job security top of the agenda.
The upshot for recruiters has been candidate inertia...read more
What students really need to learn - 10 things that employers are looking for
As a new generation picks up places in colleges, one thing that the Leaving Cert fails to do is prepare young people for the jobs market.
'The Herald'
Monday August 22 2011
SO the CAO offers are in. Tens of thousands of young people are heading to college and many others are preparing for the world of work...read more
Is LinkedIn the answer for recruitment?
Business Plus Magazine
June 2011
Colm Buckley, managing director of The People Group, says that LinkedIn is useful where the firm has not been in communication with a candidate for a number of years and is looking to update its records.
Buckley adds: "We have developed our own database over the past 22 years and this is at the heart of what we do well. We have used LinkedIn to research candidates on the global stage outside of Ireland and this has proved useful for searches within financial services, where talent is being sought from other countries at present."
Buckley says: "Our recruitment model requires that we meet and conduct a thorough interview with each candidate so LinkedIn has its limitations. Attitude and fit are key ingredients in the recruitment process of any blue-chip organisation these days and while social media channels are useful, they are not a modern panacea to the recruitment process.
Our experience is that many candidates embellish their experience and business prowess on social networks in a bid to attract prospective employers. Eight out of ten candidates we meet portray themselves on LinkedIn far beyond where we would rate them."
Taken from an article in 'Business Plus' magazine
Recruitment company stands firm in recession
19 December 2010
A recruitment company operating in a recession might expect to have seen a dip in business, but this is not the case for The People Group.
Founded 21 years ago, the company has seen a drop in the number of clients doing business with it this year, but has increased the number of roles it is dealing with.
Managing director Colm Buckley said that there had been a increase in demand for senior sales and marketing jobs, despite the recession.
‘‘While we have seen a 25 per cent reduction in the number of clients doing business with us this year, we have recorded a 40 per cent increase in the number of roles we are dealing with compared to 2009," said Buckley. ‘‘We are doing more with fewer clients and dealing with more senior roles this year than last."
The group, located in Clanwilliam Square, Dublin 2, is seeing that companies which over-reacted during late 2008 and 2009 and let a lot of talented and experienced staff go are now quietly trying to boost their ranks with an expectation of growth.
‘‘Businesses that have survived and that are looking to growth in 2011 are taking a hard look at costs, but are also prioritising getting close to their customers again," said Buckley. ‘‘There is a new realisation that quality of service and professionalism are key ingredients to successful business in the next year."
He added that more attention was being given to succession planning when it came to hiring for middle to senior level roles.
‘‘We have dealt with a number of large companies in Ireland who are finding it difficult to hire the right type of candidate who can fit with their culture and develop up through the ranks," said Buckley.
‘‘Academic qualifications and experience are taken for granted, and are not enough for these companies.
They are looking for candidates with passion, energy, versatility, emotional intelligence and strong commercial acumen."
The company has also noticed that, while employees are reluctant to change job due to the uncertain economic climate, salary is bottom of the list of priorities for those choosing to take up a new position.
Strong leadership, a good culture and decent career prospects are more important than rates of pay.
‘‘Candidates that have moved this year have done so because of redundancy or uncertainty in their current role, rather than ambition," said Buckley.
He added that The People Group was optimistic for 2011, and was forecasting growth for its business ahead.
‘‘We have survived two recessions in our 21 years because we have a strong and experienced team that focuses on matching the requirements of our client companies with the experience and aspirations of candidates, thereby leading to long-term sustainable business relationships for all."
Taken from an article that appeared in the Sunday Business Post on the 19th of December
Sales and marketing staff in demand
By Business Reporter
Monday, December 20, 2010
RECRUITMENT specialist The People Group has said that demand for senior sales and marketing employees is on the increase, despite the negative economic climate.
The Dublin-based recruitment firm, which deals mainly with companies in the consumer goods, financial services, IT and business-to-business sectors, said it is now seeing companies which "over-reacted" during late 2008 and 2009 by letting a lot of talented and experienced staff go, quietly trying to boost their ranks with an expectation of growth.
"While we have seen a 25% reduction in the number of clients doing business with us this year, we have recorded a 40% increase in the number of roles we are dealing with compared to 2009," according to The People Group managing director, Colm Buckley. "We are doing more with fewer clients and dealing with more senior roles this year than last."
In an end-of-year analysis, Mr Buckley said companies who outsourced important functions such as sales at the start of the downturn are now finding to their cost that they also outsourced their customer relationships and hard-fought reputation.
"Businesses that have survived and that are looking to grow in 2011 are taking a hard look at costs, but are also prioritising getting close to their customers again.
"There is a new realisation that quality of service and professionalism are key ingredients to successful business in the next year."
He added that the larger brands, both indigenous and global, are being strategic and are seeking talent with a medium-to-long-term view.
"More attention is being given to succession planning, when it comes to hiring for middle to senior level roles.
"We have dealt with a number of large companies in Ireland who are finding it difficult to hire the right type of candidate who can fit with their culture and develop up through the ranks.
"Academic qualifications and experience are taken for granted and are not enough for these companies."
This story appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Monday, December 20, 2010
10/14/10
Business Plus
Expert Views
Leading recruiters share their insight on the segments of the jobs market showing most activity and on the factors which influence people to switch jobs.
Colm Buckley
The People Group
We have seen a steady increase in client companies seeking sales and marketing talent during 2010. Global players are definitely resourcing up but there are also positive indications of hiring intentions coming from many indigenous companies too. The FMCG and drinks industry has been quite buoyant for us this year and we have also been concentrating on the ICT and general business-to business sectors.
There is inertia among many good candidates to move to new opportunities for fear of being last in and first out. The employment climate very much parallels consumer confidence and many people have put their career aspirations on hold until there is a definite sign of economic recovery. The good news is that candidates having to deal with redundancy may also find there is not as much competition for the job as they might have thought.
The key priority for candidates is working for market-leading brands with a strong leadership team, well-capitalised companies with a vision that have firm growth plans for the future.Culture and fit are back with a bang from candidate and client perspectives. Financial reward is well down the priority list for candidates but good companies are increasing bonus potential in many instances.
What are your key tips for unemployed candidates looking to secure a job interview and then make a positive impression at the interview?
Colm Buckley(The People Group):
Companies are seeking not only the right levels of skills and experience but also the right attitude and fit from prospective employees. Positive people who can reinvigorate the work environment are key to the right hiring decision. Candidates need to instil confidence and strong self-belief throughout the interview process.
The CV is your business card and its main purpose is to get you to the interview table. So create a CV relevant to the role you are applying for, which shows your skills and experiences in the most positive light. Be prepared for a competency style interview and know your skills.Be interested, be curious, actively listen, be energised, create an impression! Be prepared to discuss your past experiences, be insufferably positive and show that you've researched the client company thoroughly. Demonstrate what you can do to enhance their business.
Aside from CV and interview preparation, unemployed candidates need to turn the process of looking for a job into a job. Use your own network to let people know that you are in the market. Utilise social networks thoroughly. Meet with two to three reputable consultancies and demonstrate that you are a top calibre candidate who will perform well at interview if given the opportunity.
(Taken from an article in the October edition of 'Business Plus Magazine' surveying leading recruiters within the industry.)