How to Use Your Job Qualifications for Ireland Jobs
High quality of life and an abundance of natural beauty, Ireland is an attractive destination for professionals looking to advance in their careers. However, successfully securing a job in Ireland needs a bit of thought, to save you some time in the long run, being an island and kind of sandwiched between UK and EU, the country's qualifications system in Ireland is worth looking at, so you know exactly how to apply and what to get sorted before you do, to give yourself the best chance of success.
The Market and Work Culture
Ireland's workplace culture tends to be relatively informal and egalitarian (equal), with an emphasis on collaboration, work-life balance, and employee well-being. Hierarchy exists but managers generally have an open-door policy, it’s a very open and lively kind of country where you talk things out early on, rather than keeping bad feelings bubbling away.
Like most countries, the standard workweek is around 40 hours, the norn is 9am to 5pm. Employees are legally entitled to paid vacation time, sick leave, and maternity/paternity benefits. Healthcare and pensions are common as well, with names like Legal and General being one of the top providers and Bupa or AXA for healthcare. This blend of progressive policies and supportive work culture makes Ireland a high ranking choice for many.
What about the language?
While Ireland has its own Gaelic language, English is the dominant language. Especially in the business world. You can expect them to want fluent English, sometimes asking for certain minimum scores on tests like the IELTS exam. Customer-facing roles may require Gaelic fluency, this will depend on where abouts of course, it's more likely in remote locations compared to say, Dublin.
Identifying In-Demand Industries and Skill Shortages
Ireland is in want of help in a few different skilled professions and you can make the most of this. Technology roles like software engineering, data analytics, and IT project management are in high demand, especially when you consider that for tax reasons, a lot of the big tech firms operating in Europe have their “HQ” in Ireland. Construction is always wanting and growing and check out areas including civil engineering, architecture, and site management,due to real estate development and infrastructure projects always going, there’s no shortage of opportunity for the keen to work.
When it comes to healthcare, look at fields like paediatrics, neonatology, neurology, gerontology, and pharmacy as they have a constant need and at the moment, a bit of a shortfall in staff. Ireland also needs qualified professionals in pharmaceutical and medical device research/development (again, the tax perks of Ireland means you can find some big players there).
What’s Ireland's National Qualifications look like?
The National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) is the go-to resource for evaluating Irish education. The NFQ outlines the expected learning outcomes for each degree type and qualification level, spanning levels 1-10. Most jobs require NFQ Level 7, 8 or 9 qualifications, which include:
- Ordinary bachelor's degree (NFQ Level 7)
- Honours bachelor's degree (NFQ Level 8)
- Master's degree (NFQ Level 9)
The NFQ does make the connection and work out the equivalent between Irish and foreign qualifications. However, recognizing non-Irish credentials requires an assessment process, which might take a bit of time, so prepare for this and make sure you’ve got your paperwork there to back you up.
If you do go down that road, it’s the National Academic Recognition Information Centre (NARIC) which facilitates credential evaluations. NARIC Ireland compares international qualifications to Irish standards and may suggest ways to fix up your credentials, so that hiring managers and companies in Ireland can easily see what level you’re at. A quick Google of these agencies can easy tell you what you should have ready to present, for the quickest processing.
Preparing your docs and applications.
When applying for Irish jobs, prepare to have the proper documentation on your background:
- Academic transcripts, certificates and diplomas - this one is pretty standard.
- Documentation of professional qualifications and licences - especially for things like nursing.
- Your CV, of course.
- Proof of identity and immigration eligibility - so things like passport, visa, drivers licence etc.
As much as it might take some time, it’s worth it for the perks of great salaries, high quality of life, the warmest people and the coldest Guinness. When you’re done preparing your documentation and get over to Workclass where we’ve got a constant supply of Irish jobs for you.