The power of perseverance – Limerick Abú!

If you were too busy hiding under a rock or binge watching series on Netflix, you may not have noticed Limerick’s win in the All-Ireland Hurling Championship. 

“The famine is over for the Treaty County” read the headlines, so often the bridesmaid on hurling’s biggest day, they said, finally got over the finish line to win the All-Ireland Hurling championship.

Personally, I was delighted for Limerick (although my mother is from Galway, I hope she doesn’t read this !) they should have won in 1994 but let it slip through their grasp and it seemed a case of déjà-vu when they saw a 8 point lead whittle down to a point. I was expecting to see a couple of the Limerick fans pass out due to nerves and having mini heart attacks but thankfully they got over the line (Galway had their day last year and I’m sure they will be in the mix again next year).

Limerick’s All Ireland success really got me thinking about the parallels when looking at the Irish job market and so I decided to write a blog on it!

Not Getting the job you sought

My role is all about introducing opportunities to people and trying to match the client’s requirements with people’s expectations for a new position. A lot of work goes in to preparing for interview, doing your research, meeting up for a mock interview (well you should with the relevant recruiter if you go through a recruitment agency) and even getting time off to conduct an interview.

Sometimes, people take it to heart when they don’t get the job they so desperately wanted. Some would have left no stone unturned and will have done a great interview but don’t get too despondent if you don’t get the position. Yes; very easy to write this and emotions come in to play, but sometimes it can be out of your control (Trust me, I have been there!).

Only recently, I represented someone for a position, she did a great interview we did 2 mock interviews, one following 1st round and another before 2nd round and presentation. The client said they would have offered her the role but was just pipped at the post by an employee who worked for the company. You should never get too excited or too despondent when you don’t get the role you were looking for. Never show that you are desperate for the position, either control your excitement but sometimes the process is out of your control. It could be like the above case, a role could be put on hold, or that the Hiring Manager knows of someone they have worked with previously ,so don’t take it to heart and like Limerick who have lost many an All-Ireland before finally reaching the mountain top, take time out, reflect and go again. My grandmother said to me “if it’s meant for you, it won’t pass you by”.

The importance of preparation

The only thing you can do is prepare properly. Limerick hurling analysts and players, from the loss to Kilkenny in 2007, commented that they caught up in the excitement. The madness in the lead up to the All-Ireland; autographs, photos, press conferences, cutting of ribbons for the opening of the local shop! In the end, took their eye of the ball off the ultimate prize.

With the recent Limerick win, their preparation began immediately after the win in the semi-final when John Kiely,the Limerick manager, said “ for media to take it easy on the players and don’t hound them” I thought that was brilliant! He laid out his plans, didn’t get carried away over the semi final and then turned his thoughts towards the final. Sometimes, people do a great first round interview but there is often a time gap between the first and second round and the excitement they had coming out of the interview from first round has led to some people getting complacent and not conveying the same interest of preparing the same way. Remember the difference between Limerick 07 and Limerick 2018 prepared thoroughly, properly and all you can do is leave no stone unturned. Focus on what the client is looking for and tailor your answers accordingly.

And lastly, smile! People buy from people! It doesn’t matter how good your experience is, if you’re not yourself that will come through! And remember Limerick 2018 display energy passion and hold your nerve… Limerick Abú!