Presentation given at Donegal Training Centre, June 2015

1. Catherine Lyster, Careers Officer, Letterkenny Institute of Technology
Getting the job you want

2. Questions to ask yourself
1. What are you good at, what do you love?
2. Are you promotional or preventative?
Promotional = creative/entrepreneurial
Preventative = employed/stable/analytical
3. Best environment for your personality type?
High pressure/fast paced/noisy or quieter environment
4. Lifestyle you want
5. Would you be willing to travel somewhere else to work?

3. Important steps you can take now
• No ideas? – start with any of the following www.careersportal.ie www.gradireland.com or
www.prospects.ac.uk
• Job matching section will generate a list of possible job suggestions
• Go through the list – ask yourself if you have the ability to do the job and if you would
enjoy the job
• Consider also the subjects you enjoyed at school and if you have any special interests
• Research descriptions of jobs of interest
• Contact relevant professional bodies for more information
• Talk to someone you know who is working in a job that interests you

5. Questions you can ask
• What do you like about your job?
• What do you dislike about your job?
• Tell me about a typical day
• How do you plan/prioritise your work?
• What are the main issues affecting your job/profession at present?
• Can you tell me about something that went well/didn’t go well in your job?
• Is there anything I can read or do or is there someone else you would
recommend that I talk with that will help me understand more about the
role?

6. Important Steps you can take now
• Consider getting work experience/voluntary work
experience to see if you would like the work –
especially important for areas such as nursing,
teaching, social care etc.
• Looking to do voluntary work? – check out
www.donegalvolunteers.ie
• Set up Linked In account – www.linkedin.com
• Use your networks
• Make sure you have a well presented CV and online
presence

7. Decision Time…
Can I apply for work with my current qualifications?
Or
Will I need to do more courses to get the job I want?
Course Options – part time/fulltime/distance learning/
Free online courses: example www.alison.com

8. Important steps you can take now – choosing
the right course
• Check www.qualifax.ie for selection of course listings including higher education and PLC
• Ensure that your choices are realistic
• Never choose a course on the basis of LC points only
• Never choose a course on the basis of perceived job prospects
• Choose a course that you like and enjoy – you are more likely to get a better result
• Unless it’s a specialised course, employers are not so interested in what you studied – they are more
interested in you as a person
• Develop your people skills through joining clubs and societies in college and by doing
voluntary work – it has been proven that those who do are more successful

9. Important steps you can take now – choosing
the right course
• Up to 60% of jobs are open to graduates of any discipline
• Get advice on CAO and UCAS form completion
• Attend Open Days and talks

10. In summary
• Find out what you like/enjoy
• Research your options
• Network
• Volunteer

11. Catherine Lyster, Careers Officer, Letterkenny Institute of Technology
Any Questions?