Post-PLC employment

There are lots of different ways to apply for a job in 2025. Some employers use websites such as jobs.ie or indeed.com, some ask you to apply via an agency, some ask you to apply via their own websites and some are now using AI pre-screening or Application Tracking Systems that scan your CV as part of the application process. You might find yourself applying in lots of different ways (or even messaging with a chatbot to begin!), but regardless of the format it takes, most of the basic principles of the job hunt are the same. 

This guide on CareersPortal is a great place to start, and the links to the left of the page offer invaluable advice as you start getting ready to look for a job. Don't forget to drop in to the guidance room if you need help.

Your work experience teachers will be taking you through the process of writing a CV, but as you move beyond college and into the world of work it is a good idea to keep it as up to date and as current as you can. The links below can help. 

There is some very good advice from UCD here on structuring your CV so that it is easily read by Application Tracking Software (ATS). 

The University of Galway's guide is also excellent, and includes advice on the cover letter and a list of action verbs that you can include on your CV. You can read it here.

Grad Ireland have some great templates and examples of CVs and cover letters here. 

Interviews can often feel intimidating, but preparation will help to take away some of the worry. 

UCD have some good advice about both in-person interviews and video interviews here, and TU Dublin have a really useful list of sample questions and answers here as does Jobs.ie here. As you read through the sample questions, you will see that there is a lot of repetition, and that a lot of the same themes come up over and over again. 

If you haven't already, take a look at the STAR technique, which can help you to answer behavioural interview questions. If for example, you are asked about a time that you worked well in a team, you can tell your interview about the Situation you were in, the Task that you had to carry out, the Action that you took and the Result that came from it all. Examples for situations like these help you to provide evidence of your achievements and it is worth spending time on them. UCD have a good list of behavioural interview questions, which you can read here. 

When it comes to interview prep, it is really helpful to practice answering some sample questions out loud. If you would like to run through a mock interview, please make a guidance appointment. If you're preparing independently, the GradIreland Graduate's Guide to Job Interviews is a good place to start. 

AI is now a very real part of the hiring process in many sectors, and it is becoming an increasing part of the job hunt also. This article has a good section on how to use AI responsibly and ethically in your job hunt, explaining how to make sure that your application is a human one!

If you have a disability, you might have questions about how and when to disclose your disability to an employer. 

AHEAD's guide to disclosure is a fantastic resource, that offers guidance on sharing information about your disability, along with some examples from people who have been through the process themselves. You can read it here. 

Below are some of the main job search platforms, which are a good place to start. 

Indeed 

Jobs.ie 

IrishJobs.ie 

Jobs Ireland (run by the DSP) 

LinkedIn 

Public Jobs (for jobs in the Public Sector) 

Education Posts (for our SNA students!)