Relocation to Dublin for IT work...recruiters or direct?

Don_1234

Hi everyone, first post.

I'm looking to relocate to Dublin as soon as I secure a job with sponsorship. I'm a US citizen, with about 9 years of experience in the IT industry (mostly Microsoft tech, developer & database).

In the US I have primarily used recruiters for placement, but I have heard from some that I might have a better chance applying directly to companies as they tend to not want to pay for both the sponsorship and the recruiter's fees.

Does your experience agree or disagree with this?

I'm planning on using August to get contacts and I'll be in Dublin for the entire month of September to do inperson interviews.

I'm excited about living in Ireland, thanks in advance to any help or advice you can give me.

Gone West

Are you really REALLY sure you want to do this?
Pretty sure there is basically no jobs going, even for somebody with 9 years experience.

Don_1234

FuzzyLogic wrote: »

are you really REALLY sure you want to do this?

I'm sure there is some threshold in which I would find it too hard to accomplish but I haven't yet hit it yet.

A little more background about my situation:

I'm currently not working in the US, and it's not easy to find a job in my current area.

I've never worked overseas, but I'd like to seriously give it a try.

I've been reading alot lately on the current state of things in Ireland, as someone in an area of the US that just went thru a similar situation with a real estate bubble, I can say from experience that I'm sorry it turned out the way it did.

Needless to say, if all I end up with from my month in Dublin for September is some good memories of trying to find something, so be it.

I've contacted over 70 different recruiters in Ireland at this point, I have a Skype phone on my desk with a local Dublin number hooked to it, and I get up at midnight here 'cause that's when it's 8am in Ireland.

I've heard lots of different info about the IT industry in Dublin and my chances of getting a work permit or greencard. Some say good, some say impossible.

Do you work in IT, are you a native or did you come over on a permit?

Let me know what you think.

Thanks.

Don_1234

FuzzyLogic wrote: »

Are you really REALLY sure you want to do this? Pretty sure there is basically no jobs going, even for somebody with 9 years experience.

I've been looking on quite a few sites on the net, most are postings by recruiters, I did get ahold of a software company this week in Dublin, with whom I had a phone screen with yesterday.

Just my experience though, YMMV.

On a somewhat related note, I've been following news regarding the unemployment rates, and I haven't yet seen one that has a breakdown by industry, so I'm not sure how hard the current downturn is hitting developer/DBA jobs.

artful_codger

FuzzyLogic wrote: »

Are you really REALLY sure you want to do this?
Pretty sure there is basically no jobs going, even for somebody with 9 years experience.

well you're wrong, so keep your negative generalisations to yourself. One of my mates got a job just last week in IT, and that was about four weeks after registering with agencies. I also work in IT, and there are jobs out there for programmers with 9 years experience in databases and front-end development. OP - the downturn is severe in ireland, but IT companies in ireland (excluding banks) service the international market, so they're mostly immune to irish problems. I can't comment on their views towards sponsorship, but every company i've worked for has employed indians, so i presume it isn't a problem, plus many IT operations are american multinationals anyway.

Don_1234

@ artful_codger: Thanks a ton, I really appreciate it.

none

Most of the questions can be answered here:
http://www.entemp.ie/sitemap/internationalworkers.htm.
Makes sense consider Green Cards as opposed to Work Permits, it's more flexible.

KarlDrake

Don, best of luck to you and your attitude will serve you well.

Both agencies and direct is your best bet, but somewhere in the middle may be a good alternative tack, meaning companies who specialise in sourcing IT candidates for state and other very large enterprises. The likes of Vantage, IT Alliance, IT Force and Sabeo have certain sectors pretty much sewn up.
They all have track records of winning large scale IT projects that require massive tendering documentation in this area. Very few standard recruitment agencies (bar CPL, Harvey Nash) have had success in this area due to the scale of requirements and requirement for track record in the public sector.
No doubt you're aware of Bord Snip Nua, but there are still many tenders up for grabs and each state agency will require cost cutting, thereby actually increasing the economies of scale for these types of companies, where the smaller agencies with agreements can't afford to compete.

Ditto for the banks, these same companies have excellent relationships, so if you're not in already with these companies, they may be worth a shot!

If you can make it here, you're gonna make it, anywhere etc;)
Best of luck with it!
Slán

Don_1234

none wrote: »

Most of the questions can be answered here:
http://www.entemp.ie/sitemap/internationalworkers.htm.
Makes sense consider Green Cards as opposed to Work Permits, it's more flexible.

Hi none,

Yes, I've read both the Green Card and Work Permit pdf's thoroughly. Part of my confusion regarding legal work status stems from having recruiters tell me that green cards require 'labour market needs tests' (they don't only work permits require that). Also, many still use the term "work visa" where, AFAIK, the green cards phased out the work visas.

For anyone in the US following along, I'm sure the consulates here mean well, but several tried to let on like they were experienced, at least one stated that "Ireland doesn't have green cards, only work permits". I'm sure they meant well, but for questions on anything like that, definately entemp.ie.

I gave them a call and they were very helpful answering all the questions I had.

Don_1234

KarlDrake wrote: »

Don, best of luck to you and your attitude will serve you well.

Both agencies and direct is your best bet, but somewhere in the middle may be a good alternative tack, meaning companies who specialise in sourcing IT candidates for state and other very large enterprises. The likes of Vantage, IT Alliance, IT Force and Sabeo have certain sectors pretty much sewn up.
They all have track records of winning large scale IT projects that require massive tendering documentation in this area. Very few standard recruitment agencies (bar CPL, Harvey Nash) have had success in this area due to the scale of requirements and requirement for track record in the public sector.
No doubt you're aware of Bord Snip Nua, but there are still many tenders up for grabs and each state agency will require cost cutting, thereby actually increasing the economies of scale for these types of companies, where the smaller agencies with agreements can't afford to compete.

Ditto for the banks, these same companies have excellent relationships, so if you're not in already with these companies, they may be worth a shot!

If you can make it here, you're gonna make it, anywhere etc;)
Best of luck with it!
Slán

Hi Slán,

I agree about the attitude. While things are tough in Ireland right now, they're tough where I'm currently living too...I had a nice position as lead developer on a team of 3, but was very unhappy with the mismanagement of the company and left. I think life is too short to be that unhappy.

Anyways, thanks for the tips on those companies, some I've heard of and some I have yet to try. You can bet after Monday's bank holiday, Tuesday at 8am (midnight my time here) they'll be getting a call from me.

Thanks!

jimmycrackcorm

Don, I've experience with guys who've moved over from the states ans it's all good. I think a huge benfit you have is the general optimism and go-get-it attitude that americans have. It's tough out there for recruitment as it is world-wide but Americans do know how to sell themselves in aninterview and that is exactly what it is about. Deciding to take someone on for what could end up 20 years comes down to how well they sell themselves for a given position. Keep the faith up - You have the 9 years experience, if you find an opening with matching skills, it will all be down to how you sell yourself.

none

Slán is actually Bye in Irish;) Nevermind the recruiters, they're always scared of problems with foreigners so it's better to tell them from the very beginning that you don't need any visas or Work Permits. And you won't be a financial burden on the employer. This is important to emphasise it. When it comes to an offer, you can pay for it.
Yes, another useful official site on the subject: http://www.citizensinformation.ie/categories/moving-country/moving-to-ireland/working-in-ireland