How the Covid-19 pandemic has changed sales roles

Covid 19 Pushing Health & Safety Hiring To Top Of Employers’ Priority Hiring Lists

With the stage set for companies to re-open physically over the next few months in Northern Ireland, health & safety for all employees is a concern and there has been a resulting spike in demand for health & safety professionals. We outline just some of the measures employers will have to take.

How To Succeed In A Remote Interview

Brightwater's Stacy Keogh, Manager within our IT division goes through a step by step guide on how to best prepare and succeed in a remote interview.

When Group Conference Calls Go Astray

The Do's & Don'ts of Conference Calling

Administrative Professionals Day 2020

Today is Administrative Professionals' Day so we at Brightwater are delighted to acknowledge all the work our internal admin team do all year round as well as all the admin professionals we work with.

The Manufacturing Sector, Emerging Heroes

The agility, innovation and quick response of the manufacturing sector to be a part of a global interest effort has been crucial in the fight against Covid-19.

Tech Support, Time To Shine

Working remotely has its challenges but it's made far easier with the help of technical support professionals.

Communication Strategies During A Crisis

An effective communication strategy is vital for businesses at all times, not just in a crisis.

Remote Onboarding

Not in the office? Not a problem! Why Remote Onboarding could be the Future for Employers

Virtual Interviews

9 Key Tips - to make your virtual interview a success

7 Transferable Skills

While each role/industry requires a specific skill set, there are skills that are transferable across every sector.

How To Manage A Remote Team

Managing a team that works remotely presents its own challenges but understanding those challenges will ultimately help engagement and productivity.

Making Remote Working Work For You

The key to successfully manage remote working is to make it work for you.

Employee Appreciation Day

It's the little things that matter the most!

First Placement - Kieran Jefferies

Congratulations to Kieran Jefferies of our Engineering division within the Brightwater NI office on his first placement!

xoxo The BW Tribe

Roses are red, Brightwater is Blue, We have a secret, We love working with you!

Managing Work Place Stress

As an employer, what can you do to relieve the stress your staff face to get the best performance from them or, as an employee, how can you reduce stress in yourself and for your colleagues?

January Blue Ribbon Winner NI

Congratulations Josh Craig Consultant within our Accountancy Division in our Belfast office on winning the Blue Ribbon for the month of January!

Banishing the Monday Blues

Introducing Brightwater engagement with the IBEC KeepWell Mark!

5 work habits to try in 2020

With the New Year, there’s always a lot of talk about a “New You” and lots of resolutions that are usually not sustainable. Developing good habits around your work routine rather than trying to do everything at once will pay far more dividends in the long run. We’ve outlined 5 work habits you should try to form in 2020.

CV Preparation

Writing a good CV can be one of the biggest obstacles you will face when seeking a new job. We've outlined our top tips to get your CV to the top of any employer's shortlist....... Read more below:

How To Get The Most Out Of Your Annual Review

Your annual appraisal shouldn't be viewed as an endurance test but instead as a stepping stone in your career. We outline how to get the most out of your performance review.

November Blue Ribbon Winner NI

Congratulations Conor O’Hagan Manager of our Belfast office on winning the Blue Ribbon for the month of November!

Facing Redundancy

Facing Rudundancy? Brightwater’s Mairead McConnell discusses her success in placing candidates who were made redundant and sheds light on the steps to take when facing redundancy.

The A-Z to Getting Your Dream Job

The A-Z checklist that securing that dream job!

Staying Cool for Summer

Even in the most formal of offices, the rules unbend a little when the sunshine appears. However there are still some lines that can’t be crossed. We take you through the do’s and the don’ts of corporate dressing for summer.

Why Relocate to Ireland? Why Not?

Whether you are Irish and working overseas, now looking to return home or you’re considering relocation to Ireland, the question should really be: why WOULDN’T you want to move to Ireland?

Your Pre-Holiday Work Checklist

Sometimes the stress of just trying to get work completed before going on holiday means that you’re too exhausted to enjoy your break. We’ve outlined some tips to make your pre-holiday preparation go as smoothly as possible

Team of Mentors Added to Brightwater Group

Mentors, a team of senior business advisors who provide expert mentorship services to a range of clients in various sectors, is to become part of the Brightwater Group!

Negotiation Strategies

We negotiate with ourselves every day! Salad or sandwich for lunch? One more episode of Netflix or that extra hour of sleep in the morning? Apply or don’t apply for that job? Brightwater's Natasha Feenan outlines the top 5 negotiation tips everyone needs to know in order to land that deam job!

7 Tips for Studying for Professional Exams

Implementing an effective studying technique is key to success in exams. However, how do you manage when you’re not a full-time student, but instead are studying for your professional exams whilst holding down a demanding job at the same time?

The Brexit Effect

Balancing Work and Home for Working Parents

Intense multi-tasking, strict time management, superb organisational skills, working 18 hours days and the ability to prioritise……. This may sound like a job description and in a way it is. It’s a job description that working mothers all over the world will recognise!

Work-LIFE Balance or Work-LOVE Balance?

These days work-life balance can seem impossible to achieve. We need to arrive at a point where we can manage our jobs to a point of loving not only our jobs again but our lives too and being able to balance both. So how can we change work-life balance to work-love balance?

Beating The Monday Blues

So just how do you defeat the January blues? Brightwater's Eileen Moloney outlines to 4 steps to turn that frown upside down!

How to get the most out of your annual appraisal

5 top tips to get the best out of your annual review!

'Tis The Season.... To Ask For A Payrise

The Christmas party season can prove expensive. Thankfully the festivities are followed quickly by January and your annual appraisal. A pay rise may just be in sight.

A Great Time to Work in Customer Service

A job in customer service can be a fantastic first step on any career path regardless of the sector and it’s certainly one area where there are a lot of opportunities in the region.

ACA QUALIFIED

CPD - The Final Countdown for Legal Professionals

As the 31st December CPD deadline fast approaches, what can solicitors do to ensure that they’re compliant with all CPD requirements for the 2018 cycle requirements?

When Summer In The Office Means Extra Work!

When the summer holidays roll around (particularly in July and August), offices can resemble ghost towns. But don’t let the absence of your colleagues fool you! There is still plenty of work to be done and if you’re the one left in the office, how do you handle the extra workload without needing a holiday yourself?

Attracting & Retaining Millennials – Is It Really That Complicated?

By 2020, millennials will form 50% of the workforce and some major debate is going on about the generational transformation that organisations need to undergo in order to attract and retain these individuals. There is a lot of talk about the stereotypical perks and benefits being offered to attract millennials, particularly with the big tech companies such as on site break out rooms, beanbag chairs, concierge services, yoga classes and subsidised canteens amongst others. This tends to strike panic among the SMEs who just can’t compete with this level of generosity. But is this really what millennials want or are we over-complicating matters?

Set Sail & Change Tack!

NIYSA - Advice for Newly Qualified Solicitors

Shona Mulholland, Recruitment Consultant with Brightwater’s Legal division attended the NIYSA’s latest event for newly qualified solicitors and came away with some thought provoking advice from the key speakers!

Shauna Greely

To mark International Women’s Day Thursday, March 8th Brightwater is celebrating inspirational women. We are championing women who are leaders in their field and make a difference in their community. In this profile we are highlighting Shauna Greely, Finance Business Partner at Ulster Bank and President of Chartered Accountants Ireland as an inspirational woman.

Barbara McGrath

To celebrate International Women’s Day March 8th, we’re championing inspirational women who are leaders in their own fields. We may be slightly biased but we think our very own Barbara McGrath, MD of the Brightwater Group is pretty inspirational herself. So we asked her a few questions to see what she had to say about her own career to date.

Aoife Clarke

To mark International Women’s Day March 8th Brightwater is celebrating inspirational women. We are championing women who are leaders in their field and make a difference in their community. In this profile we are highlighting our very own Aoife Clarke, Associate Director Brightwater Group as an inspirational woman.

Tanusha Naidoo

To mark International Women’s Day March 8th, Brightwater is celebrating inspirational women. We are championing women who are leaders in their field and make a difference in their community. In this profile we are highlighting Tanusha Naidoo, Planning Manager (London & Belfast) at Regional Enterprise as an inspirational woman.

Training doesn't have to be taxing!

Is the route to become a qualified accountant worth it? Brightwater's Stephen Turkington addresses that in an interview with the ACCA Ulster Chair Clodagh Hegarty on her career path and advice for professionals starting off in this field.

90% of people talk about their ex during a job interview

Valentine ’s Day is approaching fast and I’m sure some of you will have be having that very first date. Career hunting and dating might not be as unrelated as you think; you will have a chance to shine and usually one opportunity to impress!

Engineering Sector Booming in NI

Brightwater’s Conor O'Hagan discusses market insights and industry trends for the NI Engineering sector in 2018.

2018 - Time to Make that Move

At some stage in their career, everyone experiences that dreaded “Sunday Evening Fear”, where you really don’t want to drag yourself into work on the Monday morning. The Christmas holiday period only serves to exacerbate this feeling for many. This means that the first day back in the office in January is the time when most people decide to make that move! But before you decide to tender your resignation, here are a few things to consider!

What am I doing with my life...

“It can seem impossible to get goods and services delivered to the customer on time and before Santa has begun his descent down the chimney!” Brightwater’s Mairead McConnell discusses how this can be a particularly stressful and manic time of year for Supply Chain & Logistics Professionals!

There's never been a better time to return to Northern Ireland

Brightwater's legal consultant, Andrew Currie discusses how now is thetime to return to NI. 'Candidates have the luxury of choice as there is a candidate shortage in the legal market. Driving salaries up & making NI an attractive place to work & live.'

Meet Michelle Magner and Alison Byrne

Brightwater’s Talent Acquisition Specialists Michelle Magner & Alison Byrne give a little insight into their own backgrounds and how they came to develop their careers in (and love) recruitment!

Why December is the best time to start your job search

Like promising to go to the gym every day or learn a new skill, so many people decide that the start of the New Year is the ideal time to look for a job. It’s easy to assume that employers down tools when it comes to hiring in December but are you missing out on vital preparation time?

7 Steps to managing stress at work

The money, the perks and rewards will always draw people into a career in sales and there is no doubt that a career in sales remains a highly attractive option for many. Brightwater's marketing and sales consultant Con Lam takes a step back to look at what a sales job is really like under the glossy facade we see from the outside and gives 7 steps to managing the stress and anxiety that is associated with a job in sales.

You are now a Chartered Accountant! What's next?

You are now a Chartered Accountant! What's next? Brightwater's Stephen Turkington looks at the options available to newly qualified ACA members as they make the transition into a world class business profession.

HR Practitioners Forum

Brightwater was delighted to launch the inaugural HR Practitioners Forum over champagne afternoon tea at the Merchant Hotel on Tuesday 17th October 2017.

Returning from Exile - Why Northern Ireland is calling its people

"Having made the move home myself I can confirm that not only is the case for returning compelling, but it's an attainable goal. As I can testify to first-hand at Brightwater we understand the challenges of coming home, both practical and emotional and we have carved out a niche in guiding NI exiles home into career-advancing positions." Phil Clarke - Manager Brightwater NI

The Brightwater Legal Cup in aid of MS

Brightwater was delighted to host the Legal Cup a football tournament for law firms in aid of the Multiple Sclerosis Society. The event was organised by Brightwater's Legal Consultant Andrew Currie on Friday September 1st from 5pm to 8pm at Stormont Pavilion.

Receptionist - the ultimate multi-tasking job

As recruiters, we sometimes get to hear very frank and honest (if somewhat misleading) views of jobs both from job seekers and employers. One of the pet hates of our Business Support team is when they get asked to recruit for a receptionist and are told to find someone who can answer phones and look presentable! A receptionist is SO much more than that! On the flip side, we also get lovely employers who ring up in a panic wondering how they’re going to replace their receptionist with just one person!

Returning to Work for a Previous Employer - Good Idea or Not?

Thinking about returning to work for a previous employer? Been wooed back by the promise of promotion, career progression and the comfort of a familiar environment? You’re not alone. More people have taken this step than you think.

It's HR's time to shine, CIPD Awards 2017

Last Thursday saw the CIPD NI Awards return to Titanic Belfast with Pamela Ballantine hosting the event for the evening. The CIPD NI Awards are the flagship event in CIPD’s annual calendar and they’re the most anticipated and highly regarded awards for HR professionals in Northern Ireland.

Have you ever considered a career as a Legal Secretary?

Read our latest blog post to find out more about what a career as a Legal Secretary entails..

Fall in Love with working in Belfast

Thinking about a move to Belfast? Read our latest blog post here!

Practice Makes Perfect… Amazing Opportunities For Candidates

With the recent announcement of new roles in the Northern Ireland market, there has never been a better time to consider progressing your career within the PPT sector.

Santa’s Little Helpers - Temporary Work at Christmas

During the festive season we traditionally see an increase in temporary roles to help our clients get final deadlines met before the end of the year and cover any peaks in workload.

What is a PLAN and why is it important in your accountancy or tax career?

To advance your Accountancy or Tax career you need to have a PLAN – this is how I can help you with that. The accountancy and tax professional market in Northern Ireland is getting more competitive year on year. To be the best, you need to work harder than anyone else, you need to work smarter than your competitors. There is no elevator to success, you have to take the stairs!

How to make a PLAN and help you progress in your accountancy or tax career.

Previously we discussed what a career plan is and the benefits of creating one in order to improve your accountancy / tax job search in Northern Ireland. How can I help you achieve this success? The key is to understand what you want and create a plan in which you need to incorporating the 4 elements of a PLAN – Prioritise, List, Action, Negotiate.

CIPD Awards, Northern Ireland Style

On Thursday 19th May, Brightwater was proud to be headline sponsors of the CIPD Gala Awards for the 4th year running. In past years, we have attended the Gala evening at impressive locations like the Ulster Museum, Larchfield Estate and Belfast City Hall, this year, the iconic Titanic building was the venue of choice and I must say, it certainly didn’t disappoint. The Gala Awards are always extremely well supported by the HR community in Northern Ireland and this year was no different. Attendance was up more than 20% on last year, and more than 340 professionals came together to celebrate the hard work and achievements in Human Resources within the Northern Irish business community over the past 12 months.

Digital Reality

Everyone’s talking digital, but what does it all really mean – Technology? New ways to do business? Different ways to work with your customers? Just jargon?

5 Reasons to come back to Belfast (or never leave)

Those in the know will tell you that there’s a never ending list all of the fantastic things Belfast can offer – we could to the list on a daily basis. The jobs market is definitely on great course and if you’re considering a move or you’re part of the great Belfast Diaspora you’ll definitely be aware of all that our great city has to offer.

5 Ways To Ace Your Video Interview

In today’s time-poor and global market, the rise of the video interview is inevitable. Although they can feel awkward, here are 5 handy steps to help you prepare and ensure you get the most out of your video interview.

Practice makes perfect….amazing opportunities for candidates

If you’re looking at progressing your career within the PPT sector in Northern Ireland, now is a great time! The deal flow has increased substantially in the market producing a domino effect on roles in Corporate Finance, Audit, and Advisory & Tax within the practice environment. As a Tax Professional you will get the opportunity to work on exciting advisory projects for clients which will broaden your skillset considerably. In terms of Corporate Finance/Advisory, the sky’s the limit with opportunities in Transaction Services, Mergers & Acquisitions, and Special Projects in a variety of Sectors. Audit offers exceptional career potential for experienced candidates both in External Audit and Internal Audit/Risk Assurance.

“Making a Murderer” - EYBA Spring Conference (Part 2)

The 2nd in a 2 part series. Following on from yesterday’s blog, Fionntan Gamble, Legal Recruiter at Brightwater in Belfast, hears from Jerry Buting, famous for his portrayal in Netflix’s smash series “Making a Murderer”.

“Laws of Attraction” - EYBA Spring Conference (Part 1)

Fionntan Gamble, Legal Recruitment Consultant at Brightwater in Belfast, shares some insights into the EYBA Conference that took place in Belfast April 7-9 2016.

Comeback kid – bounce back after interview rejection.

So, you spotted an ad for a job that was right up your street but got the bad news that you weren’t shortlisted for an interview? All is not lost, treat it as a lesson and avoid it happening it to you again with these 5 helpful tips.

Brightwater continues partnership with the NI Young Solicitors Association

Brightwater is delighted to announce our partnership with the Northern Ireland Young Solicitors Association.

CV Preparation & Advice for Accountants

One of the most common questions that I get asked by accountants at business events or at interviews concerns crafting a good CV. Many of those who are moving out of practice haven’t had the need to update their CV since leaving school and quite rightly, they want to make an impact. I’ll say that having this attitude is a great start and shows that you care about making a good impression. Many accountants that I work with are not great at selling themselves. Consider your CV as your chance to make a lasting first impression and use this real estate to show what makes you a great fit for the job.

Getting Started in Your Job Search

There are several reasons why you may want to move job; career progression, money, wanting more challenges or the opportunity to gain new skills. Whatever your reason, there are several ways to go about it.... Read on

Using Social Media in Your Job Search

With the advent of social media, job hunting just got easier! Or did it? We take you through the minefield of social media channels to secure your ideal job......... Read on

How to Resign

With every new job offer, there can also be the tricky scenario of having to resign. In many cases, a resignation causes a lot of emotions on both sides but how do you avoid any bad feeling.......... Read on for our top tips:

How to Handle a Counter-Offer

You have succeeded at interview, you’ve secured the job, signed the contract and written a gracious resignation letter but what do you do when your current employer counter-offers.......... Read on....

Writing a Cover Letter

A cover letter is the best introduction to your CV that you can offer potential employers yet is still a major pitfall for most job seekers. For the best tips on composing a cover letter, read on........

Interview Preparation

Your CV may have secured you an interview but now interview success is all up to you. With interviews, the key is to do your research and be fully prepared for all the interview will throw at you. For our best advice, read on.........

Competency Based Interviews

There are several types of interviews but the one that is becoming increasingly common is the Competency Based Interview. It may sound intimidating but the reality is that this type of interview will get the best out of you as a candidate........ Read on for more

Panel Interviews

A panel interview can sound intimidating. Faced with the prospect of sitting opposite three or four interviewers, this can prove daunting for even the most senior executives but they are increasingly becoming a common part of the interview process........... Read on for our best advice on handling them.

Body Language in Interviews

We all know how important what you say in an interview is but never underestimate the importance of body language...... Read on.....

Common Interview Mistakes

We all get nervous during interviews, we all make mistakes. But employers are witnessing the same mistakes turning up again and again. We outline how you can improve your performance in interviews......... Read on for more

How to Get a Promotion

Even when you know you work hard and you deserve to be recognised, asking for a promotion can prove extremely stressful. Here's how to ask........

Negotiating a Pay Rise

Think you're due a pay rise and you're not sure how to approach your manager? Here's how to successfully get a pay increase...........

Getting the Most out of Networking

Whether you're looking for a new job, seeking a promotion in your current one or simply trying to develop new business relationships, networking is a vital lifeline. But if you're not prepared to put in the work, is networking a waste of time? Read on for our top tips on getting the best out of networking..........

Working Overseas

Working abroad can be an incredibly exciting experience but have you thought your decision through? And how do you deal with visas, work permits and the actual packing? We've outlined everything you need to consider before making your final decision............ Read on for more