In Search For New Employees? Check Out These Pro Advice Tips

Many small businesses face a difficult time when it comes to hiring new employees. The search for a talented person who is a good fit in the team and has necessary skills can be long and difficult, but it doesn’t have to be this way. Employees are the key resource that every business needs in order to function properly, so they should be treated as valuable assets. It’s important to remember that if you treat them well, they will do the same to your customers. Here are some pro advice on how to hire new employees.

Use Technology

Nowadays technology is continuously transforming the way we work, live and even think and recruitment is no exception to this. There is no doubt that technology transformed recruitment completely or at least partially automating it, making it more effective, accurate and efficient because technology effectively enables management of data. It also allows for instant communication (e-mail, text message) between both job seeker and recruiter, which is a great benefit as the technology eliminates the need for telephone communication.

Technology offers a platform where job seekers can store their resumes and then send them to any company that they find interesting, thus technology enables search for a new employer at ease with one click of the mouse. 

As technology advances, it is important to implement technology in the recruitment process for more efficiency. And technology can be implemented at various stages of the recruitment cycle making it almost completely automated, which is a great advantage as technology offers instant results.

Define Your Needs

Before you start looking for new employees, you need to have a clear idea about what kind of people are needed in your company. This should be reflected in the job description so that applicants know what skills they need to have or how many years of experience are required. You can also write down the key responsibilities of each role to make things even clearer.

Set Up A Recruitment Strategy

After you’ve defined your needs, it’s time for writing an actual job description that offers information about what kind of person is needed and how he or she will fit into the company culture. Before you post the job on your website or distribute it to all recruitment agencies, decide which of them you will contact. If you don’t have much experience with recruiting new employees, this can be really hard if not impossible, so hiring a recruitment agency is often the best solution. They often write the job description for you and take care of the whole recruitment process, so you only need to provide them with your requirements and there won’t be any mistakes.

 

Create A Competitive Salary Offer

Salary is usually the first thing that comes to mind when you think about attracting new employees, but it’s not the only thing that will motivate them to join your company. Of course, you need to offer a competitive salary, but there are also benefits and perks that can make you stand out from other employers. Some of the most common incentives include health insurance, flexible working hours, paid vacations, and gaming rooms.

Look For The Best Candidate

Looking for the best candidate has not always been easy. Most employers evaluate the work of their employees, but doing so is just one part of creating an excellent workplace. Far too many companies overlook the power of hiring talent that can help them take flight into success, and they forget to look for candidates who possess certain skills that are vital to the success of their company.

The truth is that a good company needs a lot of things to thrive locally, and it’s a must for owners to look beyond finding employees who can do their job. Good employees are not just people with a certain set of skills and knowledge they can apply in their job; rather, they need to be more than technicians who know how to accomplish tasks. Companies  need candidates who have leadership and communication skills

Create A Great Work Environment

Last but not least, it’s important to remember that employees are people and all of them want to like where they work. Creating a good working environment that is beneficial for both the company and its employees is essential. Providing such things as ergonomic chairs or free coffee can go a long way in encouraging workers to put their best foot forward every day.

When it comes to hiring new employees, you should remember that they are an invaluable part of any company and should always be treated as such. Properly treating them will result in satisfied workers that feel valued and as a consequence give better service to your customers as well.

 

Dell Technologies Ireland unveils top five technology predictions for 2022

Dell Technologies Ireland, has today unveiled its top five technology predictions for 2022. The technology leader is forecasting how advances in 5G and Edge computing together with a greater focus on cyber resilience will change the way businesses and organisations protect and harness the value of data in the next twelve months.

With 41% of businesses in Ireland saying the pandemic has significantly increased the amount of data they need to capture and act on, this explosion in data is only set to grow in 2022. Advances in 5G connectivity, Edge computing and the shift to as-a-Service will make managing and extracting value from large amounts of data easier and more efficient for Irish businesses.

The technology predictions for 2022 follow a year in which Dell Technologies uncovered the complex challenges associated with gathering large amounts of data. According to the company’s Global Data Paradox, 63% of companies in Ireland regard their business as data-driven yet only 20% testify to prioritising its use across the business. In addition, although handling greater amounts of data than before, almost 60% of companies in Ireland have not come close to realising their digital transformation goals.

Unveiling his 2022 predictions, Jason Ward said: “As we look ahead to 2022, technology will provide a path to sustaining economic recovery as well as helping businesses to unlock the value of data to achieve their digital transformation goals.

“To help organisations on this road, we’ve identified five technology predictions that will play a key role in 2022. Advances in 5G connectivity will enable greater numbers of businesses to extract real-time insights from data – at the Edge – as well as supporting unprecedented connectivity to transform different aspects of our society.

“We’ll also see cyber security become intrinsic to digital transformation, protecting the growing amounts of data being generated by businesses. Meanwhile, the shift to as-a-Service will accelerate sharply as organisations look to improve their agility and data management. In doing so, they can turn their data burden into a data advantage.

“Next year will also see emerging technologies accelerate the shift to a more sustainable future. At Dell Technologies, we believe that by looking ahead and identifying the IT challenges to come, business leaders can overcome the obstacles standing in the way of digital transformation and remain resilient, competitive and sustainable in the long-term.” 

Top 5 Predictions:

The top technology predictions include:

  • Prediction 1: Cybersecurity will become intrinsic to digital transformation

With the increased focus on technology over the course of the pandemic, cyber resilience has never been more important. The new year will see cybersecurity become intrinsic to digital transformation. No longer seen as an ‘added extra’, organisations will build security and resilience into the very fabric of their IT ecosystem, from supply chains and services to infrastructure and devices.

  • Prediction 2: 5G set to become the digital fabric of our data-driven era

2022 will mark the turning point for widespread connectivity enabled by 5G. As the digital fabric of our data-driven era, 5G will accelerate the creation of digital cities and a surge in new smart mobility services from autonomous vehicles to connected scooters. Private 5G rollout will also become a viable option for many large businesses in the areas of manufacturing and logistics. This heralds a new era of private connection for businesses, enabling greater data-driven insights and real-time business decisions.

 

  • Prediction 3: Opportunities at the Edge will be realised    

As we move into 2022, more organisations will seek to act on data closer to where it is created – at the Edge. With an 800% increase in apps at the Edge expected by 2024, Edge Computing will become the new battleground as data management becomes a new class of workload. Fuelled by 5G, a growing number of organisations in Ireland will seek to capitalise on Edge Computing to increase the speed at which they gather data and enable decision-making in real-time.

  • Prediction 4: Technology to be consumed ‘as-a-Service’

With 83% of businesses around the world battling outdated IT infrastructure, a growing number of Irish organisations will embrace technology ‘as-a-Service’. The IDC predicts that by 2024, half of data centre infrastructure will be consumed ‘as-a-Service, bringing with it the ability to scale to meet the evolving needs of businesses.

 

  • Prediction 5: IT to play a greater role in advancing sustainability   

As the world becomes more aware of its climate commitments, 2022 is due to see an enhanced focus on the role of emerging technology in advancing sustainability. From more efficient farming practices enabled by AI to advanced robotics and 5G fighting water pollution, new technologies have the potential to create a greener future. There will also be a greater focus on how technology companies themselves will meet their own sector-specific sustainability goals.

Tech Tips for a Happy Festive Season – Tara Gale Dell Technologies Ireland

By Tara Gale, Client Solutions Product Manager, Dell Technologies Ireland

With the festive season fast approaching, people across Ireland will be spending significant time purchasing gifts for loved ones online. It is expected that this year’s holiday season will be another year of record-breaking online sales.

We often spend so much time on our chosen e-commerce platform, that it never crosses our minds what happens behind the scenes. There are many threats online, especially during this time of year, and it’s very important to make sure that as you navigate shopping online, you are doing so safely.

Often, we get excited to purchase and open a brand-new device that we forget how we can make use of our old one. Have you thought about recycling your old version or extending the battery life of your current tech gadget? At Dell Technologies, we are here to help guide you to safely shop for new tech, dispose of the old and keep powered up over the festive period.

SAFE SHOPPING ONLINE

The convenience of the internet continues to create new opportunities for online shopping by ways of apps, microsites and so on. However, it’s also a time of year when experts see an uptick in cyberattacks. With both An Garda Síochána and Europol recently warning businesses and shoppers of the dangers of ransomware in the lead-up to Christmas[1], consumers should stay vigilant and follow these tips to stay protected while online shopping:

  • Be sure to use a secure website by looking at the URL (https://)
  • Avoid making purchases on public computers and public Wi-Fi as they may contain malicious software and are not secured
  • Ensure you have a strong password or passphrase, consisting of numbers, letters and special characters
  • Never reuse or recycle passwords and use multi-factor authentication whenever possible
  • Never click on suspicious links

YOU BOUGHT A NEW PC, NOW WHAT?

You successfully got through the online shopping experience for your new device, now what?

Data is often stored on the hard-drive of your PC or computing device. So, when it’s time to make that holiday upgrade to a powerful new system you’ve had your eyes on, you’ll want to safely remove your personal files and information from your old device before disposing of it.

For this, you have options. Some computers already have data removal software. For Dell computers, many models include the Dell Data Wipe feature built into the System Setup. Other brands may have similar software. If your computer does not have software to erase the hard drive, there is software you can purchase.

Once you have removed your files from the computer, what should you do with it? We see out-of-use devices as a valuable resource, one that can go on to be refurbished, reused or recycled. We believe in working with industry to advance sustainability by recycling materials needed to produce our devices.

Through Dell Technologies, we make it simple for our consumers to participate in one of our free consumer recycling programs – taking back any brand, in any condition. In Ireland for example, if your computer is a bit older or no longer working, our Return to Dell mail-back service offers free recycling, even covering the cost of shipping.

TRAVELLING WITH YOUR NEW LAPTOP? TIPS TO EXTEND YOUR LAPTOP BATTERY LIFE

Whether you are closer to home or on the road to visit loved ones over the holiday break, I understand the obstacles that come with technology on the road and the feeling when your battery life runs out along the way. Now that you have your new laptop up and running, let’s make sure the battery life will last as long as possible during your travels this festive season. Here are a few quick tips that may help conserve some battery time:

  • Power off your device before placing it in a laptop bag or other enclosed area.
  • Always use the original AC adapter provided with the laptop. Do not use third-party AC adapters or batteries.
  • Reduce the brightness of the screen.
  • Reduce the amount of open software.
  • Avoid exposure to extreme temperatures. If the system is exposed to extreme cold or hot temperatures, allow it to reach normal temperature before use and before charging.

When it comes to online shopping it’s important not to lose sight of the dangers, even more so in the coming days and weeks. Whether you are buying a new device or disposing of old one, take note of all of the above and make your online shopping experience safe and sustainable.

From everyone at Dell Technologies Ireland, enjoy the festive season.

5 tech tips & tools for successful Black Friday & Cyber Monday shopping

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are just around the corner and online business is booming. With the numerous offers, it is often difficult to keep track of everything or to find those discounts that you haven’t already discovered. Fortunately, there are digital tools and tips that make the shopping experience much easier.

Here are five tips from Michele Don Durbin of Evernote  that will make it easier to keep track and sort through the best Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals.

Tip 1: Collect and keep track of the best offers

To make sure you don’t miss any Black Friday offers, collect and save all important information as you find it in one place. With the Chrome extension Web-Clipper from Evernote, websites can be easily saved within the app and accessed at any time. You can save entire websites with one click, highlight important parts and revisit offers very easily with the help of the intelligent keyword search.

Tip 2: Set an alarm clock

Unbeatable offers come and go quickly. To ensure you don’t miss bargains on products you’ve been holding out for, set the Idealo price alarm clock. As soon as that product is available at whatever you set as your ideal price, Idealo will alert you either via an app push notification or an email.

Tip 3: Shop sustainably

Many rightly criticize the fact that online shopping in particular is not sustainable due to throwaway culture. With websites like musicMagpie you can buy certified refurbished tech at a fraction of the price. Shop smartphones, tablets, laptops, watches, games consoles and more – every device is subject to a 90 point quality check and comes with a free 12 month warranty.  By switching to refurbished tech you’ll be helping to reduce CO2 emissions, e-waste and save valuable materials.

Tip 4: Get technology bargains

In addition to clothing and shoes, tech and gadgets are a top seller during the Black Friday/Cyber Monday period with discounts varying from retailer to retailer. You can use comparison websites to find the best deals. PriceSpy, for example, offers a comparison of many popular electronic products from different retailers. HotUKDeals is also a great place to go for deals, discounts and freebies.

Tip 5: Earn as you spend

If you’re planning to splash out on something big like a TV or new washing machine, check whether you could be getting something back in the process. Cashback sites like Quidco and Topcashback offer deals at more than 4,000 retailers, plus it’s free to sign up. Another easy way to boost your cashback is to pay with a credit card that rewards your spending, whether that’s airmiles, retail vouchers or money off your credit card statement.

With these tips, the Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping marathon is sure to be a success. You can read more tips on productivity, notes, and smart templates on the Evernote blog.

6 Tips to Land a Job in the Tech Industry

Are you a student pursuing a course in technology? Or are you a job seeker in the tech industry? Either way, finding a job is a high priority in this competitive industry. Hundreds to thousands of job-seekers apply and attend interviews, and only a few are picked for the position. With the right tools at hand, you can land your dream job in the tech industry and build your career gradually.

Research shows that technology-related jobs are very competitive because of the ever-evolving nature of the work. The 21st-century advancement in technology makes the job market scarce yet very lucrative. You might even be sacrificing your time seeking out an education, thinking “I need to do my online class to get my dream job.” Hence, be brave yourself, get the right tools in your hands, and seek your dream job relentlessly. We have gathered a few tips to help you land an excellent job in the industry. Read on to enlighten yourself as you look out for an open door.

We have gathered a few tips to help you land an excellent job in the industry. Read on to enlighten yourself as you look out for an open door.

Have the Right Academic Qualification

Finding a job begins with having the required academic qualifications. In this case, pursue a course related to technology as you desire to build a career in this industry. In addition, take extra courses that will boost your degree or diploma qualifications. Today most employers favor people who have gone the extra mile in taking short courses to expand their expertise. Take relevant short courses that will help you stand out among hundreds to thousands of graduates in the market.

Write Customized Resumes for Various Job Applications

Writing quality and customized resume for a specific job application increases your chances of landing the job. Many people do not know how to write good resumes. It is wise to have professional resume companies like ZipJob who have expert writers to help you craft a piece worth the employer’s attention. You could ask, ‘is ZipJob trustworthy?’ If you visit their website, you will learn about their reliability. Most reviews on this company are positive.

Professionals know what most employers look for in any application document. Application tracking filters pick the best resumes only from a pool of papers. Thus, invest in writing a best-fitting piece to be noticed easily. If you doubt your writing skills, get an expert resume writer to help you. They use specific keywords from the job description to help write the best-fitting application letter, cover letter, and resume.

Join Tech Networking Groups

Networking groups provide a perfect platform to help upcoming professionals find their way in the industry. You meet and interact with people with similar interests through networking groups. You will know the right meetings, conferences, and networking events to attend to help you learn more about what to do.

In addition, you could meet a mentor to teach you the best tricks of growing your career in the technology industry. Since they have been in the industry longer than you, they have experience in how things work in the market.

Consider Internships and Voluntary Work

Even when you have completed your degree course and done some short courses, it is still wise to consider internship and volunteer opportunities in your field. These opportunities are great learning platforms. Also, they give you a chance to grow your experience and meet potential full-time employers for your desired job. Many tech professionals have landed lucrative and full-time employment through trying out internships or voluntary work.

Understand How the Job Market Looks Like

The technology job market is broad, with unique roles for each position. Also, technology experts can work in multiple areas of the world. So you need to know the exact part where you want to work. Meaning, you must understand how the market looks like, its offers, requirements, and more. Research widely, and ask your mentors and other professionals for an accurate picture of the job market. In this way, you will be prepared for job interviews and have a high chance of acceptance because you know what you want.

Be Willing to Accept Entry Level Jobs

With a competitive job market, you will likely get offers for entry-level positions. Be willing to accept these opportunities as they could be steppingstones to superior positions in the industry. Research shows that technology experts earn good salaries. However, they come with impressive academic qualifications and experience, so you can start somewhere and eventually get to your dream job with a good salary.

To sum it up, it is good to know that people compete for specific job positions in every career. Expect the same in the technology industry with numerous high-paid jobs. You have to find your way up. The tips above will help you get a job quickly in the fast-growing technology industry and build your career.

Garden ‘Field Trip’ with Google Pixel 4 #Gardening #Pixel4 #GoogleLens #Wildlife

As summer arrives thoughts are turning towards our gardens and balconies and I wanted to share some ways people who might be new to gardening can use Google Lens to discover more of their garden and help children discover a love for their garden.

Whether it’s using Google Lens to identify a flower or insect, brushing up on gardening skills with Google Assistant, following outdoor DIY tutorials or even mastering the art of photography, there’s hours of fun (for adults and children) to be had on your doorstep. To get started, please find a selection of tips and tricks below using features on Google Pixel 4.

 

Fred Brewin, senior product manager for Google Lens, says: ‘There’s magic in the change of a season that makes people want to get closer to nature. We want to help people learn more about the environment around them, and we have a nifty AI-led tool to help. Google Lens can easily identify plants and flowers using your camera on Pixel 4 and other Android/iOSdevices with a simple tap.’

Garden ‘Field Trip’ Pixel 4 Tip Sheet 

Name that flower!  Google Lens: Now your little ones can become the ultimate flower expert by using Google Lens to identify what’s growing in the garden. Challenge them to find as many different species of flowers as they can and once done, move onto plants and insects. You can also encourage them to ask Google Assistant for handy facts as they go along.

  1. Open the camera on your phone, hit more and then press Google Lens

  2. Point your camera at the flower to identify the plant

  3. Swipe up to learn about the discovery

You can also use the folder of stock images to create your own eye spy checklist, or if feeling creative make your own.

Channel their inner artist 

Portrait Mode: Help creativity blossom by showing kids how to take beautiful snaps of the garden. Colourful flowers are perfect to photograph and now Portrait Mode on Pixel 4 makes it easier than ever to take a crystal clear shot. Photograph insects, trees or even clouds and different textures such as bark and grass. What’s more, why not try drawing or painting the photographs when returning inside.

 

  1. Open up your camera and tap the menu icon

  2. Select Portrait mode and tap on the screen to focus on the flower

  3. Older kids can play around with the brightness and shadows slider to make the subject pop

Grow your own

YouTube Tutorials: If spending more time in the garden has you feeling green fingered, create a vegetable or flower patch with help from YouTube tutorials.

 

  1. Simply download the YouTube app

  2. Search for a video such as: ‘How to create a vegetable patch’ or ‘How to grow tomatoes’

  3. Watch step-by-step tutorials on your phone right from the soil bed

  4. What’s more, motion sense on Pixel 4 means you simply have to swipe to pause a video, so there’s no need to take off your gardening gloves

Make something extra special 

YouTube Tutorials: Once you’ve mastered the flower beds, why not start a mini building project with the whole family. Whether creating a bird feeder, bug hotel, worm tower or even a magical fairy garden, there’s a host of YouTube tutorials to follow. Please find example videos at the end of the tips.

Learn more about the world around you 

Google Assistant: Kids can learn more about the world around them with help from Google Assistant. Simply say “Ok Google” followed by your question.  For example, say:

 

  1. Ok Google, tell me about bumble bees?

  2. Hey Google, what is a ladybird?

  3. Ok Google, what are the best flowers to plant this season?

  4. Hey Google, what are the best plants for growing at home?

Bring the magic of the garden inside

Google Assistant: There’s also fun to be had if it’s rainy outside. Google Assistant can recreate the sounds of animals, birds and insects such as the sound of bumble bees or even a woodpecker. So, when telling a story about the garden or teaching your children about creepy crawlies and birds Google Assistant can help bring the lesson to life. For example, try saying:

 

  1. Ok Google, what sound does a pigeon make?

  2. Ok Google, make the sound of a robin?

  3. Hey Google, what sound does a dove make?

  4. Ok Google, what sound does a bee make?

  5. Ok Google, what sound does a fox make?

  6. Hey Google, what sound does a butterfly make?

Garden DIY Project YouTube Tutorials:

Simply say ‘OK Google, play’…followed by the below titles to bring up the video.

 

How To Make A Bird Feeder 

How to make your own fairy garden

Bug Hotel: How to Make a Home for Beneficial Insects

 

How To Make A DIY Worm Tower

How to make a bee hotel

Fun Kids’ Crafts: Painted Pots