Tag Archives: jobs

DCU announces 200 Cleantech jobs

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD has officially launched a new national centre for innovation in the Cleantech sector at DCU Innovation Campus.

600px-Windfarm_112The initiative was established on a site previously owned by Enterprise Ireland to DCU for the specific purpose of this project and will be the location of choice for Cleantech start-ups, SMEs and larger companies. Cleantech – a fast-growing area of international commerce is worth 5 trillion annually and provides insight to Fortune 1000 corporations regarding environmental challenges – wind, water and waste management to name just a few. This insight helps to make better decisions that foster growth, reduce cost and meet consumer and government demands for improved environmental quality.

Tips: Overcoming Shyness in A Job Interview.

One emotion that many people worry about when it comes to interviews is the feeling of shyness. This is something that I have often struggled with myself on many occasions so I can genuinely understand what people mean when they say that they are nervous or that they may come off a bit shy or a bit too soft spoken.

However, shyness doesn’t have to prevent you from getting the job you really want and we have put together a few tips and things you can do to help manage the shyness enough in order to portray yourself well in an interview.

You might even be surprised to know that many famous people had to contend with shyness themselves and you can too: Abraham Lincoln (who gave the Gettysburg Address), Clara Barton (best known for having founded the Red Cross) and Thomas Edison (inventor of the Electric Light bulb) and countless others but how does this help you – First thing to remember is you are not alone and more people are understanding of Shyness than you might realise.

The No.1 Tip for dealing with shyness is “PREPARE, PREPARE, PREPARE”.
Interviewers do care about how you present yourself and you do need to show them that you are comfortable meeting and interacting with new people. It might seem like basic advice to get ready for an interview but an introvert’s self-consciousness is often very crippling and can feel like their downfall.

The more confident you are with your interview skills, the less shy you will appear. One of the best things you can do is practise with a friend or family member, someone you can trust to give you honest feedback. Numerous websites have sample “Common Interview questions” available. Rehearse as many of these as you can until you are comfortable with your answers. It may seem odd but this approach is what an introvert needs to help stay relaxed, have confidence and not be nervous. At the interview, you know your material so well the answers come out like their rolling off the top of your head. It really takes the pressure off. This is 99% of your formula to success. You will come off sounding better than the most outgoing person who is just winging it. PREPARE, PREPARE, PREPARE.

What your body language is saying.
The introverted want more personal space and may fidget. To avoid this sit up straight in your chair, fold your hands together and rest them on the table. Keep them there. If there’s no table, sit up straight and keep your hands folded in your lap. Do not cross your arms across your chest. It’s a sign that you’re on the defensive.

Focus on your successes.
What have you done well? What are the 3 strengths you want an employer to know about you? How can you craft those strengths into a story that an interviewer might want to hear? I know many introverts who tell wonderful, clever stories. It’s that anxiety/audience thing that keeps you from telling them. The more you know about your strengths, the less you’ll be tempted to focus on your challenges.

Turn weakness to strength – It’s ok to mention your shyness.
Many introverted people feel it is a Taboo to mention the word shyness but I think if you do it properly it can be a strength. For instance, it is ok to mention that you “tend to have an understated style” — in fact that can be a great response to the typical “what is your weakness?” question. You can say something like “I tend to have an understated style and people may wonder what I am thinking. So I have learned to make sure I give my feedback explicitly when needed, and encourage people to ask me if I haven’t been clear. For instance, if you have any questions for me or if I haven’t answered something clearly I hope you will ask me to clarify it.” You could also mention that you don’t tend to over-talk in situations and make a point of listening to all opinions before you make a decision.

Be happy you are an introvert
Aggressive outgoing candidates may seem like they have everything going for them but quiet, soft spoken types possess different qualities that can be just as appealing to employers. Those traits are an advantage especially if the interviewer is an introvert him/herself. In many science and pharmaceutical companies, there is a higher proportion of introverted employees.

REMEMBER:
You are introverted so you may have a tendency to be thoughtful, pay attention to detail and to be a good listener and observer of other people. You can have quite good insights on situations & people and that increases your value in the work place. Even though, at times when you are feeling shy it doesn’t seem like it but all these qualities can be very attractive to right interviewer. So have some confidence from knowing that people can be drawn to your softer personality and make a little more effort to stay open and smile when you’re going for that job.

And last but not least: Remember to Breath….
A good interviewer will understand you being a little nervous especially if you are really keen to get the job. If you become nervous during the interview or are thrown by a question, just take a moment to allow yourself a long deep breath while you compose yourself.

If you have any tips or stories of your own in relation to this post we would love to hear from you through our comment section below.

ABC – A Always, B Be, C Closing….

One of our favourite movies is Glengarry Glen Ross. If you haven’t seen Alec Baldwin’s brilliant scene, treat yourself to it here. Best thing he has ever done!

It’s also that time of year where we’re inundated with Sales vacancies. If you’re a Sales Exec with a science qualification, a researcher looking to work in Sales, or even a Technical Sales Exec looking for a new opportunity, check out these few roles:

Technical Sales Exec – primarily Leinster-based, this role sells mostly into Universities, so a higher Life Science qualification is desired. Knowledge of PCR equipment and consumables is ideal.
OTE: €40,000, possibly more for an experienced candidate

Sales Exec
This role involves selling pathological and histopathologiccal lab services to a 26 county customer base. Medical laboratory knowledge is essential.
OTE: €50,000, up to €55,000

Chemistry Sales
Chemistry background combined with Sales experience is needed here. This role can be based anywhere in the country.
OTE: €60,000

(Spec TBC – contact Brian: 01 6854747 [email protected] for more)

Sourcing Specialist
Based in Tipperary, this role will suit an ambitious Chemistry graduate or someone looking to transition from the lab into a commercial role. 6 month contract, initially.
Salary: €30,000
(Spec TBC – contact James: 01 5079250 [email protected] for more)

 

Clinical Instrumentation Sales Specialist

Based anywhere, we need someone who has a very strong life science qualification, preferably with clinical or healthcare sales experience. We’re not looking for Medical Reps, more people who have sold clinical solutions or medical equipment.

OTE: €60,000

 

Microscopy Sales Specialist

Serving a country-wide market, this role will lend itself to someone with a microscopy / optical life science MSc or PhD, ideally with some sales experience. The company need someone to promote their portfolio of optical equipment and microscopes into research, University and clinical customers.

OTE: €55,000

(Spec TBC – contact Brian: 01 6854747 [email protected] for more)

 

If any of these are of interest, please call us on +353 1 6854747.

 

Would you fire this person?

I had an interesting online conversation with a friend who is based in the States last night.The chat came round to a lab supervisor who was upset that a person they had recently hired had “embelllished” and added details onto their CV. Essentially, they had lied in order to get themselves ahead of the pack. Although upset, the supervisor was dealing with it and moving on, I assume because this person had been doing some solid work since they started. How would you react if you were the lab supervisor?

It’s a well known fact that people highlight their CVs to the best of their abilities, but there exists a fine line  between this and adding skills there which don’t exist (and which, if discovered would make your employer upset).

Personally, I would have to give this person their P45 – how could you expect a constructive business relationship to be built if the candidate effectively undermind you to get the job? The relationship is effectively undermined from the outset, and it’s tough to build confidence when this happens.

I think it boils down to passion for what you do. Do you see your job as just a job? Do you dread Monday mornings? Yes, there are expenses involved with firing and re-hiring. But if you have true passion for what you do and strive to build a team around you who echoes your values, then you have to be able to trust them implicitly. I can’t see how this can be achieved if your recent hire has lied on their CV to get the job.

For more on this, Seth Godin is a great resource (recent posts here and here).

What you you do if you were the lab supervisor? Fire or let it go?

-Brian (bhc at lifescience dot ie)