seasonal staff

Important Skills for Seasonal Workers

Posted on | by Aisling Rafferty

Temporary work, especially coming up to the Christmas season, can be a really exciting and fun experience. Not only can working during this busy period earn you extra cash for your Christmas presents but there are loads of other benefits such as networking, learning new skills and filling gaps in your C.V But this type of seasonal work is undoubtedly busy and will require you to have certain skills and personality traits.

Flexibility

While seasonal work offers you a lot of flexibility and control over your schedule, you also have to offer your potential employer flexibility in return. There is no point applying for positions in busy restaurants if you only want to work Friday mornings. The ability to adapt to your employers needs will get you noticed, in a good way.

Ability to work under pressure

It goes without saying that Christmas is a busy time, especially for those in hospitality and catering. The ability to work under pressure and roll with the punches will make temporary seasonal work not only easier but also far more enjoyable.

Quick learner

Again, Christmas is a hugely busy time for most in the hospitality industry. While most employers will offer temporary staff full training, the ability to pick up the basics and adapt quickly to the company’s culture and way of doing things will mean you settle into the job much quicker and be able to give it your best.

Friendly manner

Just because Christmas is a busy time doesn’t mean normal rules go out the window. Being friendly, courteous and engaged is vital in any job but especially within the hospitality industry.

Your ability to remain customer focused during particularly hectic parts of the day will definitely be noted, and appreciated, by the employers.

Positive Thinking

Although the focus at this time of year is on Christmas cheer and being merry, everybody knows it can be a stressful time. The ability to deal with issues and/or complaints without letting them affect the rest of your shift, or even your whole day will mean you will be even more successful in your temporary role.

Perfect CV

The Perfect CV by the Excel experts

Posted on | by Aisling Rafferty

Here at Excel, we see a lot of CVs. A lot. And our team of experienced recruiters are sharing their insider knowledge on what the look for, and what they avoid, when screening CVs. In most cases, your CV is the first impression an employer has of you so make it count. The aim is to get across you have the skills and experience to get the job, and then go get the job. Presentation is key. The CV and accompanying cover letter should be tailored to the particular job you are applying for. Focus on the skills and experience relevant to that job to avoid your CV being overlong and make it stand out from the crowd.

Keeping the layout of the CV neat, clear and consistent along with correct grammar and spelling are CRUCIAL. Sarah Hurley, Buyer and Head Office recruiter, has a clear idea about what makes a good CV “Keep it simple. My ideal CV has a personal profile that sums the candidate up and describes the main objective for their career, followed by career summary, education, IT skills and the relevant interests.” Sarah also adds a small important point for jobseekers, “put CVs in Word format, not PDF as they can be difficult to format if we need to”.

However, there is no point having a great-looking CV if the content isn’t solid. Head of Fashion and Non-Food, Aislinn Lea explains her number one turn-off when it comes to CVs. “ Not too many jumps on their CV is the main thing I would be conscious of.” If you do have gaps or jumps on your CV, be prepared to explain them, both positively and honestly.

Sean Thomas, from our grocery desk and Nikki Murran, head of our Grocery department look for similar things when screening CVs. Sean says “good longevity and career progression with good company brands names, that are leaders in their markets . Nikki also stresses the importance of longevity, “ I look for strong brand progression and longevity in each role.”

Quote concrete examples of your successes in previous roles such as to support your claims. For example, “This increased profit by 2%” or “This led to a reduction in overheads from €23,000 to €17,000 per year”.

Remember, you never get a second chance at a first impression so make your C.V the best it can be and give your job search the best possible start.

National Hospitality Awards 2016

National Hospitality Awards 2016 – Winners

Posted on | by Aisling Rafferty

The 11th annual National Hospitality Awards took place on November 7th in The Intercontinental Hotel in Ballsbridge Dublin. A winner in the Best Business Hotel category, The Intercontinental was host to the best hospitality businesses across the country. The National Hospitality Awards, held in association with Hospitality Ireland magazine also featured speakers David O’Hare (Bru Brewery) Daragh Anglim (Head of Marketing for Fáilte Ireland) and Declan Maxwell (Luna).

Overall Winners

  • Best Boutique Hotel – Tankardstown
  • Best Business Hotel – InterContinental Dublin
  • Best Casual Dining – The Washerwoman
  • Best Catering Job – Aramark – PWC
  • Best Catering Suppliers – General – Pallas Foods
  • Best Catering Suppliers – Specialists – Keelings
  • Best City Hotel – Hayfield Manor
  • Best Cocktail Bar – Vintage Cocktail Club
  • Best Customer Service – The Dylan
  • Best Destination Hotel – Sheen Falls Lodge
  • Best Dining Experience – Mulberry Gardens
  • Best Drinks Supplier – Diageo
  • Best Hotel Bar – Ashford Castle – The Prince of Wales Bar
  • Best Hotel Restaurant – Inis Meáin Restaurant & Suites
  • Best Local Restaurant – The Twelve MacNean House
  • Best New Establishment – Farrier & Draper
  • Best Nightclub – The Wright Venue
  • Best Overall Hotel – The Europe Hotel & Resort
  • Best Overall Restaurant – Loam
  • Best Pub – Stags Head
  • Best Pub with Food – The Oarsman
  • Best Resort Hotel – Ashford Castle
  • Best Seafood Restaurant – O’Grady on the Pier
  • Best Sporting Pub – The Back Page
  • Best Traditional Pub – Toner’s
  • Best Value Hotel – Garryvoe Hotel
  • Best Wine List – The Twelve Hotel
  • Best Hotel Group – Dalata Hotel Group

 

REI Awards 2016

Retail Excellence Awards 2016 – Winners

Posted on | by Aisling Rafferty

The Retail Excellence Ireland Awards 2016 took place in The Radisson Blu, Co Galway on November 5th. The largest awards programme of its type, boasting over 600 total entries annually, the REI awards recognise the best in Irish retail. The awards programme is the largest event of the retail calendar and recognises the professionalism and innovation of companies, stores, websites and individuals in the retail industry. Excel Recruitment were delighted to see so many of our Grocery, Fashion and Non-Food clients recognised as finalists, as well as many winners across the category range, with our full retail team in attendance. Established in 1995, REI has over 1,620 leading retail companies who operate more than 13,000 stores in Ireland and is the largest retail industry body in Ireland.

Retail Excellence Ireland Awards 2016 – Winners

Rising of The Year – Emma Cooke – Springmount Garden Centre.

Best Website of The Year – Carroll’s Irish Gift Store.

Consumer Choice Awards – Scally SuperValu, Clonakilty.

Best Supermarket Award 2017 – Smiths SuperValu Kinsale.

National Store of The Year – Greenacres Co. Wexford.

Best Forecourt of The Year 2017 – Applegreen.

Garden/DIY Centre of The Year – Arboretum Garden Centre.

Specialist Food Store of The Year 2017 – Greenacres Co. Wexford.

Best New Website – Compu B.

Best Digital Campaign of the Year – Inglot Ireland.

Rising Star of the Year – Agata from IKEA Ireland.

Top 5 Store Status.

  • Arboretum Garden Centre.
  • Greenacres Co Wexford.
  • Kilkenny Shop.
  • Tile Style.
  • Matthew Stevens.

Supplier of The Year – StudioForty9.

Manager of The Year – Colin Curtis – Harvey Norman.

Friendliest Place – Navan, Co Meath.

Jervis Street To Get New Topshop / Topman Flagship

Posted on | by Aisling Rafferty

 

Dublin’s Jervis Street Centre will see their first major shakeup in twenty years, with a new Topshop/Topman flagship on the horizon. The Retail Shopping Centre which is located strategically between the capital’s busiest shopping thoroughfare of Henry and Mary Street, will see new tenancy agreements with some of the UK and Ireland’s most popular retailers.

The Arcadia Group is responsible for the Burton Menswear, Dorothy Perkins, Evans, Miss Selfridge, Wallis, Topshop and Topman brands. New plans will see a flagship Topshop – Topman replace five current stores.

Topshop and Topman currently operate their Irish flagship at Stephens Green. The new store in Jervis Street will launch next summer and will replace five stores currently within the shopping centre.

Arcadia’s current stores in the centre, Topman, Topshop, Burton, Wallace and Miss Selfridge will be replaced with a 20,000 sq. ft standalone store on the ground and upper levels. The current letting of all five stores generate a rent of €2million a year. The new rental agreement will see Arcadia pay €1.3 million for the unified space.

Figures via Kantar Worldpanel for 12 weeks ending October 9th.

Dunnes Stores Ireland’s Second Favourite Supermarket

Posted on | by Aisling Rafferty

 

Kantar Worldpanel have realised the supermarket figures for the 12 weeks ending October 9th. The figures are illustrative of Dunnes Stores success, which are now Ireland’s second favourite retailer. SuperValu retain top spot with further sales growth of 2.9% and command a 22.4% overall market share.

  • Tesco have a market share of 21.6% with volume sales increasing.
  • Lidl has increased its share of the market to 11.6%, with sales growth of 5.1%.
  • The average Lidl shopper visited the retailer 11 times over the past quarter.
  • Aldi enjoyed the strongest growth in this period with sales 6.6% higher than last year and growing their share of the market to 11.4%.

David Berry, director of Kantar Worldpanel said ‘’The biggest factor driving growth for Dunnes over the past year has been an increase in the size of the average shopping trip, which has grown by €3 to €38.10.The retailer with the next largest trip size is Aldi, where shoppers part with €25.10 on average – €13 less than at Dunnes’’

All figures from Kantar Worldpanel.

Topaz announce €33million investment for 2017

Posted on | by Aisling Rafferty

Retail chain Topaz have announced they will invest €33million across 2017 which will create over 200 new jobs. The Irish petroleum retailer, owned by the Canadian Couche-Tard Group has a large presence across Ireland and have invested heavily over the last two years, with a particular emphasis on their Fresh Food offering and Re:Store roll-out.

Niall Anderton MD of Topaz and Jørn Madsen, Executive Vice-President, Central Eastern Europe and Ireland made the announcement at The Topaz Dealer Summit, where over 200 Topaz dealer were in attendance.

BWG to expand with 20 new stores

Posted on | by Aisling Rafferty

Wholesale and Retail Company BWG will add 20 Spar and EuroSpar stores nationwide over the next 12 months. BWG currently operate 450 stores across Ireland and will concentrate on fresh food, innovation and digital trends moving forward.

The announcement was made at the group’s conference, held every two years for all Spar and Eurospar operators. Spar South Africa currently owns 80% of BWG which operate the Mace, Londis and XL brands, about 40% of the total convenience retailing market.

BWG Chief Executive Leo Crawford said “We believe that convenience is high on the agenda for Irish consumers and we are working with retailers to help them attract new customers and grow revenues by focusing on fresh food, innovation and digital trends to give consumers what they want. We also think this will provide new growth opportunities for the BWG Foods and we are anticipating continued store growth in 2017 and beyond.”

Hotel Salary Survey 2016

Posted on | by admin

Shane McLave, General Manager of Excel Recruitment, shares the findings of our company’s recent survey of salary scales in the four star hotel sector.

Overseas visitors to Ireland, as reported by Fáilte Ireland, grew to 7.9 million for 2015, which represents 11% growth on 2014. Record breaking occupancy levels for Dublin and Galway were reported in 2015 and more than 60 hotel properties, with a total value of more than €700m, changed hands in Ireland during 2015. These are just some of the statistics that reflect the positive outlook for the Irish hospitality industry. It also means that demand for a pool of quality potential employees has never been higher. This is good news for recruitment agency Excel Recruitment but the findings of their recent survey of salary scales in the four star hotel sector reveals some worrying trends about the way in which staff shortages are being addressed and the relationship between salary scales and chef shortages in particular.

If you would like to discuss any of the finding you can contact us here. You can view all Hospitality jobs with Excel Recruitment here.

2016 Hotel Salary Survey

Dunnes are Ireland’s second favourite Supermarket

Posted on | by Aisling Rafferty
Grocery Market Share Figures for 12 weeks ending September 11th 2016
Grocery Market Share Figures for 12 weeks ending September 11th 2016

Kantar Worldwide have released figures for the 12 weeks ending 11th September 2016. Dunnes Stores have seen notable growth and are now Ireland’s second favourite Supermarket, a feat they share with Tesco as they both lie in joint second. SuperValu remain top and command a current market share of 22.4%, the third consecutive month where growth has been above 3% for the Irish retailer.

  • Dunnes Stores increased sales by 6.3% to draw level with Tesco.
  • Dunnes and Tesco now account for 21.6% each of the Irish grocery market.
  • Sales within Grocery continue to grow, up 3.7% year on year during the past 12 weeks.
  • Lidl’s market share now stands at 11.7% – in line with last year – while sales increased by 4.5%
  • Sales growth for Aldi continues to improve, with market share increasing from 11.2% last year to 11.4%.

Director of Kantar Worldwide David Berry expanded on the figures saying “Larger trips have boosted sales for Dunnes, with the average spend increasing by €2.50 to €37.20 in the latest quarter, compared with the same time last year. Dunnes has successfully tempted shoppers to add more expensive items to their baskets, with the average price per item rising to €2.05 – an increase of 12% on last year.”

All figures from Kantar Worldwide.