Ok, so at this point we’re probably all tired of hearing about Brexit and speculating its impending implications. The future of Canary Wharf in particular has been plunged into uncertainty, with the international banks still nursing a major migraine following last week’s referendum result. One thing is for sure however… we here in Ireland need to make the best of this bad bargain.
While all is yet to be confirmed, many of our friends across the pond have already begun to make plans around relocating some of their major functions. London’s Financial Services industry, like many others in Europe has always laid on the foundations of a flexible and free flowing travel band across the European continent. Removing this element was always going to be detrimental to its future.
Word on the street has it that big banks are most interested in three major financial hubs across Europe, Paris, Frankfurt and most importantly for us DUBLIN! The jobs market in Financial Services in Ireland has been nicely buoyant for the last 12-18 months. Many of the leading international banks are already at home here in well established, large operations. Following on from last week, Dublin could find itself home to more and more job opportunities and much sooner than we once thought. As a result of this we need to plan ahead where possible. Remember, the early bird catches the worm!
You may not be currently looking for a new job, but we are all candidates in this fast moving market. Not opening yourself to checking out new opportunities in your industry could be a huge setback in your career development plan. Now is the time to start thinking about what you want in your next step.
Below are some key tips to getting yourself and your profile in ship shape before our new neighbours arrive.
Planning
- What do you want? What is your next step? What is most important to you in your job and what do you want for sure in your next one?
- Be specific and realistic. We would all like a car allowance for a Ferrari and space to park it in but there are some more basic factors that are to be considered. Maybe its location, work / life balance, clearer reporting lines or a more collaborative environment. Write these down and discuss them with your recruiter later
- What companies are you interested in? Take a look at the international banks in London and which ones are most likely to move to Dublin – what do you know about them? Who do you know that works for them and can they give you more insight? Try and be as informed as possible.
Action
- LinkedIn is a good place to start and will help you gain more insight into how your market is performing and what movements your peers have been making of late.
- Update your profile fully, list your skills and experience, make sure you have a photograph and your employers are listed.
- Network – get out there and connect with the thought leaders in your space. Who is sharing the content you’re interested in?
- Do a full review of your CV and update it in detail. Don’t worry about the length of your CV, your recruiter will assist you with trimming and formatting where necessary.
Proactivity
- Keep your finger on the pulse of your industry, your peers and competitors. Combine this with your recruiter’s inside knowledge and expertise and you’ll be ahead of the game as new opportunities reach our shores.
- I always remind candidate to be protective of your profile. You are individual in both your skillset and requirements. Bulk applying directly to employers is not the right approach to maximising from Brexit. Meet with your recruiter, plan your approach with them, leverage off their industry knowledge and direct insight into their clients plans for growth and you’ll be ready to hit the ground running when the right opportunities arise for you.
Executive Connections have specialised in Banking and Finance recruitment for over 25 years in Ireland and internationally. We have long standing relationships with many of the companies who will be affected by Brexit and our expert teams can assist you with all of the above, in preparation for a wealth of opportunity that this monumental event may produce.
Click here to view a list of current opportunities I am working on or contact me to discuss you next career move. Call me today on 01-6618740.
