Jobs website allows users to advertise themselves to potential employers

A jobs website with a difference is allowing people find work by advertising themselves to potential employers. The Upforwork.ie free website gives people the chance to attract employers who may be looking for specific types of employees.

Seamus McMahon, 60, thought of the idea for the novel website when he lost he lost his hugely successful security company in the crash of 2008. The father- of-one has spotted what he believes to be a gap in the market in the recruitment industry.

Mr McMahon said: “Those looking for work are logging to the site and Facebook page to gauge how the jobs market is, for all types of work including medical, construction, engineering, clerical, legal and accountancy professions. For too long it’s been the norm for employers to advertise jobs they need to fill rather than employees marketing their skills and qualifications,” he said.

The Dublin native lost his firm, Advanced Monitoring CCTV Services Ltd, when government contracts across various departments and related bodies were not renewed due to the downturn. Having run a company for many years it was apparent to Mr McMahon, that finding new or replacement staff with suitable qualifications and available in the area of the country required was, “troublesome and problematic.”

“Because of this I set up the Up For Work employment site which is effectively a register for employers to see who is available and where.

Employers can register on the site for seven days and contact up to three employees which costs €75 or register on the site for €350 for 45 days allowing contact to up to 20 employees,” he says. Those looking for employees can avail of a notification facility where they can be informed by the site when any specific employee type sign up.