Donate your skills for National Volunteering Week

This week is National Volunteering Week (May 14^th-20^th), a week established by Volunteer Ireland to encourage us all to volunteer our time to a non-profit/cause. 

When people think of volunteering, they tend to think of picking up litter or serving food in a soup kitchen.  However there are many other forms of volunteering that can showcase your particular business skills.  If you are new to business or trying to break into a field that you don’t have a lot of experience in yet, volunteering can provide you with valuable experience and contacts.

Many worthy organisations depend on volunteers to help with everyday office duties and many more require volunteer assistance for special events.

For example many of our consultants here at Sigmar, have taken the time to donate their skills throughout the years and have given career advice to groups such as Business in the Community and AHEAD.  And with Blossom Ireland as our Charity of the Year this year, staff here at Sigmar will also be pledging time to help out Blossom Ireland in any way they can.

You too can donate your time to a non-profit this week, for example, if you work in;

Accounting and Finance; Help manage a non-profit’s books and develop a bookkeeping system.

Graphic Design; Assist with graphic design for brochures, event invitations or flyers.  Or help design a logo, merchandise or website.

Human Resources; Help a non-profit going through a round of recruitment with their search and selection process.

Marketing; Help nonprofits with their brand message or copywriting.  Online marketers can help with search engine optimization (SEO) etc.

Multimedia; Produce a promotional video.

PR & Communications; Help a non-profit create a press kit, draft a press release, write a blog or plan an event such as a charity auction.

Social Media; Help the non-profit develop a social media strategy or even better take responsibility for their social media.

Strategy; Help a non-profit with a business plan review or conduct market research.

Technology; Provide IT support and consulting.

Leveraging your work skills for nonprofits makes volunteering more personal and meaningful.  So think about how you can do a world of good with your job.

Charity Quiz Night a Resounding Success

Who was the creator of the Muppets? What was Elvis Presley’s middle name? These were some of the questions thrown at members of Sigmar Recruitment last night as we took part in our Charity Table Quiz at the Russell Court Hotel, Harcourt Street last night.

MC’d by our very own Quizmaster extraordinaire Niall Foster, 15 tables of Sigmar staff, family and friends battled it through 10 rounds of questions to raise a huge €931.40 for our Charity of the Year, Blossom Ireland.

We received great support from all kinds of businesses and we’d like to thank the following for their kind donations; Carton House Hotel, Lyrath Estate Hotel, Ritz Carlton Hotel, Il Segretto, Matt the Threshers, Toners, Buff Day Spa, Dowling’s Pharmacy, Lolly and Cooks, Discount Books Merrion Row, Spar Baggot Street, A+ Service Centre Bray, O’Briens Merrion Row.

A great night had by all. 

Sigmarathon to Singapore

The Irish Sports Council have presented us with a corporate challenge for May 2012. John Treacy is asking companies to get involved and motivate their employees to become more active over the course of May and with the summer fast approaching, we here at Sigmar have only been delighted to get involved in such an initiative.

With this being such a great project, we decided to get all our offices involved including our overseas colleagues in Warsaw and Singapore, and set ourselves the challenge of covering the distance between our offices in Ireland, Poland and Singapore – a whopping 10,000 miles, which we’ve now dubbed as our Sigmarathon to Singapore. This means each of our 90 members of staff will walk/run/cycle 110 miles and swim 1 mile over the course of the month of May.

To encourage our staff members to become more health conscious throughout the month, we’ve arranged for guest speakers to come into us to speak to us on the importance of exercise, how to remain motivated to stay fit and the importance of healthy balanced diet.

On every Monday and Wednesday of the month, we’ve organized 2 mile trails for staff to complete whilst on their lunch and on Fridays, teams shall partake in walking tours of their cities (not only will we be getting fit but we’ll be taking in a bit of culture as well).

To encourage healthy eating, we’re offering a salad buffet to staff members every Friday and we shall launch a website where staff members can share the healthy lunch recipes and exercise tips. And finally towards the end of the month (when our fitness levels have improved) we also plan on organizing a 15km hike in the Wicklow Mountains.

All money raised during our sporting endeavours shall be donated to our charity of the year, Blossom Ireland.

We shall be updating you regularly with our progress on our Blog, Facebook and Twitter, so stay tuned to see how we get on.

Going Green for Earth Day 2012

Sunday will be the 42nd annual Earth Day celebration.   And as the organisers of Earth Day say “The possibilities for getting involved are endless”,  so we here at Sigmar have been thinking of simple yet effective ways in which we all can be more green in the office.

It is a common misconception amongst all that adopting green initiatives is costly and time consuming.  However, this is far from the case, from making simple changes, we can all save ourselves a few Euros and at the same time be kinder to the environment.  Here are a few of our top tips to get you started;

1.       Print Smart

It was said with all the advancements in technology that offices would become paperless environments, whilst computers may have lessened the need for filing systems; we’re still printing vast amounts of documents every day. 

Become print wise and take note of the small reminder we see on all communications – ‘Please consider the environment before printing this email’.  Only print when necessary, print double sided where possible and scan and email a document rather than printing and faxing it.  Also use the back side of paper for scrap and always, always recycle.

2.       Light Wise

Another simple but effective means of going green, that will also save you a few pennies in the long run is switching off lights when they are not needed.  One 100 watt light bulb left on for one hour every day consumes 36.5 kilowatt hours of energy per year. Multiply that by the hundreds of lights left on every day, and it’s obvious that a simple way to reduce energy costs is to simply turn lights off when they are not needed. 

Take this a step further and use natural light where possible and replace all incandescent bulbs with CFLs where possible. 

 

 3.       Ramp up Recycling

Make it a habit to recycle everything at work.  You may already be recycling all your paper products but take it a step further and recycle all plastic and glass bottles, aluminium cans, cardboard, computers, cell phones, ink and toner cartridges.  Also donate all your unwanted office products and furniture to charity.

 4.       Computer Conscious

Computer Monitors use 60% of the energy needed for the whole computer, so it makes perfect sense to enable energy saving settings on all office computers e.g. monitor sleeps after 15 minutes of inactivity.    Ramp this activity up by switching your computer off every night or if not possible at least turn off your monitor.

 

5.       Green Travel

Try and cut down on using your car when going to work.  Walk, Cycle or use public transport where possible.  If not possible, consider arranging a car pool with a few in your locality.  Not only are you reducing your impact on the environment but you are saving yourself money on fuel costs.

Remaining Positive after Interview Rejection

With our unemployment rate currently standing at 14.3% and fewer job vacancies on the market, there is no denying that Ireland’s job market has become a fiercely competitive place.  It is a rarity nowadays for a job seeker to bag themselves a job after only going for one interview.  Knockbacks and rejections are part and parcel of the job hunt these days.

However remaining positive after a rejection can be particularly tough, It’s easy to beat yourself up over your mistakes but the really important thing is that you come back from this rejection and continue on with your job search.

The following are a few methods to try;

Assess

After your interview, take some time to assess how you performed.  Were their questions you were unable to answer? Were there areas you felt you didn’t perform well on? What would you do differently if given another chance? Consider these questions and learn how to improve for future interviews

Review the high points

When assessing your performance don’t just focus on the negatives, this will only lead to self-doubt and negative feelings.  So as well as highlighting areas you need to improve on highlight areas you did well on, if you do this after each interview you should see that your interview skills are improving with each interview.

 Feedback

Make sure you get feedback from the employer/your recruitment consultant.  Don’t be afraid to ask what you did wrong, you have nothing to lose in asking.  This kind of feedback can help you to learn what areas you need to improve on for your next interview.

Get back on the horse

Continue applying for new jobs, the more time you put into your job hunt the less time you have to focus on the interviews you have just completed.  And think of it this way the more CVs you send, the more likely you’ll land a job sooner.

Job Interview rejections can lower your self-confidence; however nearly all job applicants suffer through rejections at one point during their careers.  Whilst rejection may hurt for a while, perseverance will ultimately bag you that job.

 

Blossom Ireland – Our Charity of the Year 2012

Sigmar Recruitment is proud to announce Blossom Ireland as our Charity of the Year for 2012. 

Blossom was set up by two mothers in May 2010 who are passionate in the belief, that their children with special needs deserve the same opportunities as all children.  Their aim is provide respite care to families with children with intellectual disabilities by providing  safe, secure, fun, and stimulating activities for the children during our of school hours. Currently they provide dedicated therapy led summer camps for children with intellectual disabilities aged between 8 and 12 years.

When it comes to the camps their aim is two-fold, first of all to give the children an opportunity to have some fun and participate in a range of artistic, educational and recreational pursuits which will meet their needs and be paced accordingly.  Their second aim is to provide some family respite.

It is for these reasons, Sigmar Recruitment is proud to announce Blossom Ireland as our Charity of the Year for 2012.  Sigmar aim to raise €10,000 by the end of 2012, with our employees participating in numerous events throughout the year such as Sponsored Runs, Quiz Nights, Bake Sales etc.

For more information on Blossom Ireland, see www.blossomireland.ie

It’s our birthday!!

Sigmar Recruitment celebrates 10 years in business today and March 2012 will mark the beginning of a celebration which will last several months. 

 

Since we’ve opened our doors in 2002 as Ireland’s largest indigenous start up, Sigmar Recruitment has been at the forefront of the recruitment industry.  Today we work with hundreds of businesses across a diverse range of markets and continue to maintain our status as market leaders delivering quality service with a proactive and energetic approach to recruitment.

 

We’ve come a long way from our single office in Dublin, with offices now open throughout Ireland, Europe and Asia.  Along the way we’ve had the pleasure of working with the industry’s best recruiters and have grown from an original staff of 22 to now employing over 100 employees. 

 

Sigmar would like to thank our staff, clients and candidates who have worked with us throughout the last decade in making Sigmar one of Ireland’s leading Recruitment Companies.  As we mark our 10th year in business we will continually strive to provide excellent recruitment solutions and continue to be your partner in recruitment.

Ireland’s First Ever Private Industry-led FDI Initiative to Travel to Boston

Ireland’s first ever private industry-led Foreign Direct Investment exhibition will take place in the Boston World Trade Centre on March 27 2012. Irish business leaders from the world of banking, recruitment, law, taxation and technology, amongst others, will travel to Boston to exhibit to and meet with US corporates.

 

The objective of Ireland Gateway to Europe 2012 Boston Expo is to provide detailed practical information to US corporates and their advisors who have an interest in establishing operations in Ireland or the European Union, on the practicalities, costs and benefits of doing business in and from Ireland.

 

The expo will focus on the broad range of advantages and opportunities that Ireland presents including corporate taxes, skills, operating costs, IP generation, track record in EMEA HQ and customer service, EU market access etc., as well as applying some real costings to those services.

 

It is estimated that two to four US companies visit Ireland every week with a view to setting up business, which equates to 100-200 companies a year. By bringing Ireland to the US, the Boston Expo is hoping to attract 250 companies in just one day.

 

Says Ireland Gateway to Europe 2012 co-founder Adrian McGennis, CEO Sigmar Recruitment: “Whilst the IDA’s results in attracting Foreign Direct Investment to Ireland must be noted, we should all play a more proactive role in supporting and complementing State initiatives in attracting further investment. After all, the shining light in job creation in Ireland has been continued success in attracting Foreign Direct Investment.

 

“The Boston Expo is the first private industry initiative to look for ways to practically support the effort to attract, encourage and support overseas companies to set up operations in Ireland. Responsibility lies with all of us, not just Government.”

 

The exhibitors come from banking & financial services, tax & compliance, recruitment, property, life sciences, digital media & IP, and other support services, and include: ByrneWallace, AIB, MKO Partners, Mazars, Sigmar Recruitment, the FKM Group, VHI, vayu, HT Meagher O’Reilly, International Digital Services Centre, Telecity Group, IFG, ML Capital, Apex Fund Services, CXC Consultants Exchange amongst others.

 

Says co-founder Frank Keane, International Partner MKO Partners Chartered Accountants: “This is ‘Team Ireland’ in action. It is a major collaborative business initiative where we all pull together for the common good, which is attracting that all important Foreign Direct Investment either to or via our shores and then helping them prosper through the world class advice and service we offer.

 

“Companies who have invested here have benefited hugely from FDI in the past and can still do so in the present and into the future. We have so much to offer, particularly the four Ts – talent, track record, technology and tax. Ireland is more than just open for business, it is incredibly competitive on a global scale with a hugely inviting and proven business environment. It is up to us all now to get out there and showcase ourselves.”

 

Paul McGennis, Managing Partner ByrneWallace agrees: “Ireland needs to take proactive steps, build on our strengths and develop new opportunities. Supporting Foreign Direct Investment is the responsibility of everyone – Government, State, and service providers alike.”

Ireland the best for business: the best choice for you.

Visit  www.gatewaytoeurope2012.com for more information

National Employment Week 2012 – Foreign Direct Investment Employment Day

Barry O’Leary (IDA), Senator Feargal Quinn, Stephen J Anderson (US Commercial Service in Ireland) and Minister Fergus O’Dowd talk to us about attracting Foreign Direct Investment to Ireland.

FDI Employment Day marked the final day of the National Employment Week. National Employment Week 2012 took place last week, 20th – 24th February 2012 with a series of daily events nationwide.

National Employment Week is a forum focusing on the major social and economic issues surrounding employment in Ireland. It provides a unique opportunity for employment leaders to engage in a high-level debate on the future of the Irish labour market.

The week-long series of breakfast briefings featured a broad panel of speakers presenting current thinking and new ideas to promote sustainable employment and raise the skill base across Ireland.

1 week to go until National Employment Week 2012

National Employment Week is a forum focusing on the major social and economic issues surrounding employment in Ireland.  It provides a unique opportunity for employment leaders to engage in a high level debate on the future of the Irish labour market.

The weeklong series of free breakfast briefings features a broad panel of speakers presenting current thinking and new ideas to promote sustainable employment and raise the skill base across Ireland.  Each day focuses on a different employment theme, with the aim to highlight the prime sectors of our economy that are ripe for job creation and to promote job creation initiatives.

The week kicks off on Monday, 20^th February with the launch taking place in the Convention Centre Dublin.     Officiated by the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Andrew Montague, SME Employment Day sponsored by AIB will focus on “enabling SME job creation”.  With 35% of our workforce employed in SMEs, it is clear that the success of this sector is a vital determinant of the wellbeing of the whole economy. Therefore speakers on this day ,which include Jim Power (Chief Economist, Friends First), Patricia Callan (CEO, Small Firms Association) and John Webb (Head of Business Banking, AIB), will discuss ways in which job creation can be encouraged in this sector.

Graduates take centre stage on Tuesday, 21^st February, with Louise Phelan (VP EMEA, PayPal) and Julia Davenport (Fidelity Investments), to name a few, discussing current opportunities for Irish graduates, the skills gaps present in the Irish market and the solutions to bridge these gaps.

A lesser discussed but important topic on Wednesday – Mental Health & Employment Day sponsored by See Change will focus on creating workplaces where people can be open and positive about their own and others’ mental health.  With the grips of an economic recession, many people suffer from work related depression as they feel more pressure than ever before to perform.  Speakers on the day, which include Dessie Farrell (Chief Executive, Gaelic Players Association) and Dil Wickremasigne, will not only discuss the importance of reducing stigma, but also ways in which we can break down barriers to facilitate employment for candidates with mental health problems.

Thursday 23^rd, Self Employment and Entrepreneurship day pushes our entrepreneurs into the spotlight.  Ireland needs more entrepreneurs to help us return to economic prosperity, so this day has an excellent range of guest speakers across entrepreneurs, contracting experts and franchise experts which include Vincent Browne, Minister Richard Bruton, David Killeen and Michael Dineen.  It is an opportunity for people from all disciplines and walks of life to learn more about becoming self-employed and to network and seek advice.

Finally to wrap up the week, the shining light in Ireland’s drive for maintaining and increasing employment – Foreign Direct Investment. Whilst the IDA and others’ successes should be celebrated we should not depend on them alone to promote, support and encourage international businesses to consider Ireland as a location for new operations.  Speakers on the day include Barry O’Leary (Chief Executive, IDA), Kinglsey Aikins (Networking Matters), Senator Feargal Quinn and John Whelan (CEO, Irish Exporters Association who will all promote the concept of “Team Ireland” and what we all can do in bringing FDI to Ireland.

National Employment Week 20^th-24^th February 2012, is held in association with Monster, the Irish Times, Sigmar Recruitment and AIB. 

For more information on National Employment Week 2012 or to register for any of the events see www.nationalemploymentweek.ie