Please note! The info in this article is... um... a couple years out of date. The Celtic Tiger's dead. So sorry!
There's still jobs going, but look before you leap, you know? Well, on to the article, circa 2000. Thanks, Mick
If you are into computers, GET YER BUTT ON A PLANE AND COME WORK IN IRELAND.
To cut a very long and interesting story short, the Irish economy is booming for the first time in history. Ireland has become the world’s largest exporter of software, and is the world capital when it comes to localization. The nation has close ties to the US and Canada, is a traditional trading partner of the UK, and now has full membership in the European Union. Ireland’s population is English-speaking, sociable, highly literate, and can boast an excellent standard of living. Plus, they make Guinness.
‘Nuf said.
For the first time in its history, Ireland is receiving immigrants. The domestic universities cannot produce enough manpower to maintain the growth in certain specialized fields like pharmaceuticals and software development. I myself moved over here a few years back, in 1997. I’ll be straight: it was difficult, at first. There were some very dark days of adjustment. In the long run, though, I’ve got to say: I cannot imagine being much happier. I’ve married the world’s best-lookin’ chick, become a homeowner, and settled into a job that rewards my efforts very well.
OK, here’s how it works, in a nutshell. Any citizen of the EU has full rights to work in any member country, so there’s not even any paperwork required. DFAs like me have a couple more hoops to jump through. First step is to lay down some groundwork: each individual who would like to work in Ireland must ultimately be sponsored by an Irish company. Check out the jobfinder website for some leads and to get an idea of the state of play in your area of speciality.
Now, most of those positions advertized are put there by recruitment agencies. Most jobs are filled that way, over here in Dublin. Even though it would save the needy company a couple thousand pounds if they hired applicants directly, the Human Resources departments here only respond positively to people who approach them through agencies. Don’t ask me why. Point is, steel yourself for an interview with the recruitment agency before you meet anyone from the company itself. There’s never a charge to the applicant for the agency’s services, but you have to put up with some very dodgy characters. Stay away from cpl recruitment, Richmond Recruitment, Grafton Recruitment and Head Hunt International at all costs. Fuckwits, the lot of them. SkillsGroup International are professionals who treat people much more fairly, and I can also recommend 1-800 People for those interested in call center positions.
With contacts and solid leads in hand, jump on a plane over here. The stamp they will give you at Dublin Airport will allow you to remain in the country for three months. Use a hotel, a Bed & Breakfast, or yer Ma’s third cousin Nuala’s house as a base, and get out there to some interviews. Impress them with all of the research you have done on the company, its technology and market (that’s a hint, dammit) and wait to hear. With luck, you will soon have your pick of offers. But before you can set yer nameplate at yer new Irish desk, there’s some paperwork that the Irish company needs to do on your behalf.
Basically, the company needs to demonstrate to the Irish government (1) that this position was open to all comers and was vacant, (2) that you, the applicant, are qualified to fill it, and (3) you are in the country legally. There’s a form that the company needs to send in on your behalf, attaching (1) a copy of the wanted ad from the newspaper, (2) your C.V. and a copy of your diploma, and (3) a photocopy of your passport, showing that valid 3-months stamp you got at the airport. They also need some passport photos of you and a processing fee from the company. And that’s it.
The process is designed to keep, as much as possible, EU jobs for EU-born people. That’s fair enough. It dates back to the days of 20+ percent unemployment, when most graduates were forced to look abroad for jobs. Many employers, even today, get a bit edgy about hiring a foreign fellow. The important thing is to show them that you will be a benefit to their fine organization, and that the process to bring you on board is very straightforward.
Processing a Work Permit takes a couple of weeks, so make some plans for orienting yourself, settling housing, and seeing some sights during that time. Be sure that you get pretty good at drinking beer and kicking a soccer ball, though maybe not in that specific order. Generally it’s all the fellows from the office kicking the soccer ball around first, then going for beers after. We do that once or twice a week, where I’m working.
Well, that’s about the extent of it. Any specific questions, feel free to contact me, Mick "DFA" Halpin- proof positive that there is a crock o’ gold at the end o’ that Irish rainbow.
Oh, one last thing for any readers without much cop-on. I’m not the final word on this matter. Full details can be found on the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment’s website, so check the ins and outs thoroughly before doing anything life-altering. Duh.
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