Returning to Ireland
Ireland’s unemployment rate has fallen to 6.1 per cent, according to the Central Statistics Office. The last time Ireland saw a rate of unemployment at this level was in June 2008, prerecession. The Department of Finance has estimated that unemployment rates will fall below 6% by the end of this year with the potential to reach full employment from 2018 onwards. With these predictions in place, it would be the ideal time for those considering the move home to take the leap. We speak to Top Tier Recruitment’s Maeve Daly on her experiences living abroad and the move home.
Why did you decide to move to Australia?
Growing up in a small town in Galway, you quickly get used to the friend’s older siblings, cousins and school friends gradually taking off on their adventures to overseas. To be completely honest, during this time, the prospect of moving to Australia had never appealed me. I had completed an undergrad at Maynooth University, but soon got comfortable undertaking full time employment in my part time college job. After 2 years of not knowing which direction my career would take and job prospects at a minimum, I decided to apply for a visa to Australia.
What was your experience like working abroad?
I’ve had friends who relocated to Australia, and it just wasn’t for them. It took close to 3 months to fully settle, after which point I had fully immersed myself in the Australian lifestyle I had heard so much about. Finding work was certainly not as easy as it is made out to be. In my second year, 2016, I decided to spend some time living in Brisbane, which was a lot slower than Sydney.
Why did you decide to return to Ireland?
Two years quickly came and went, and my second-year visa was coming to a close. I battled with the dilemma of whether to stay or go. In order to stay, I would have had to secure sponsorship, or apply for a student visa. After much deliberation, I decided to call it a day and head back to Ireland. This decision was based mainly on the fact that I had never intended to live in Australia long term. Missing my family and friends was a huge factor in my decision to move home. As much as I got used to people leaving Ireland for Australia, you must undergo the reverse effect when living in Australia. Having had discussions with friends at home, they had assured me that “Dublin was booming” and that getting a job would not be difficult. Knowing that I was returning to a growing economy where jobs were plentiful really sealed the deal.
How did you feel when you returned to Ireland?
Initially I felt unsettled. Of course, there is an adjustment period, which is natural. It’s always fantastic to see friends and family after being away for any long period of time. I spent the first few weeks settling in and reconnecting with family and friends. Reality eventually set in and I decided I needed to get a plan in place. I decided to make the move to Dublin shortly after returning. This decision came from the fact that many of my friends had since moved up to Dublin for work, and job prospects in Galway are not as easy to come by.
What advice can you give to others planning on returning to Ireland?
Planning your return to Ireland is a daunting experience, but there are certain things you can organise before you leave to make the move easier. I would advise requesting references from any landlords/agencies whilst away as the housing market in Ireland is extremely competitive. You may also need to have bank statements/utility bills as proof of residence. Having your CV and employment details up to date will take the stress off job hunting when you return. Request employer references and make sure they are aware that you would like to use them as a reference when you return home.
In terms of looking for employment when you return, if you haven’t done so already, get yourself on LinkedIn. Let recruiters/employers know that you are back and actively seeking new opportunities. Use titles like “Seeking/Available for new opportunities”. Having travelled can make you even more attractive to hire. It A: Shows that you have completed your travels making you less likely to up and leave due to “the travel bug”, and B: having international experience demonstrates that you can adapt within different environments. Reach out to former colleagues or contacts within your sector. Get a feel for what’s out there and get the word out that you will be returning home and seeking employment.
Other useful resources:
- Global Irish contains information from the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade on coming home – see www.dfa.ie/global-irish/coming-home/
- The Citizens Information can give you a good overview of what to consider when making your decision - www.citizensinformation.ie
- You can find many articles by people who have already made the move back at Irish Times Abroad section on returning to Ireland - https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/abroad/returning-to-ireland
- Safe Home Ireland have this great list of FAQs’ on returning to Ireland - http://www.safehomeireland.com/
Since arriving home, and joining Top Tier Recruitment, it is evident that there is no shortage of Finance and Fintech roles at all levels in Ireland. If you are in the Finance/Technology industry and are thinking about returning home, get in touch with Top Tier Recruitment. We would be delighted to take the time to talk to you.
Call or email us today - +353 1 564 9602 / info@toptierrecruitment.com