Kelly Services Ireland is now proudly part of Gi Group, one of the world’s largest and most forward-thinking HR and recruitment specialists.

Look inside: Could your next star candidate come from within your organisation?

​The battle for talent. The great resignation. The skills gap. Whatever you call it, more and more organisations are finding it tough to fill roles.


The fight for eligible candidates is fierce and it can leave organisations feeling like they are constantly losing out on skills needed to meet their goals. It’s not just employers who can benefit from focusing on and developing internal talent, ambitious workers can also reap the rewards of seeking out learning and development opportunities when choosing internal roles.


In this blog, we explore some of the key talking points from a recent McKinsey Talks Talent podcast - including tips for candidates and employers when thinking of internal hiring.

Bridge talent gaps internally



During the discussion, Emily Field talked about the importance of creating an internal digital marketplace:

“A digital talent marketplace reveals who within your organisation wants new opportunities—it’s about identifying talent, their skills, and their openness to take on new roles.”


Traditionally, the capabilities of internal job networks have been limited. Roles are not widely advertised and only those candidates who are actively seeking a particular role in a particular area will move upwards. Digital marketplaces open everything up – enabling candidates to show off their skills and capabilities and be matched with relevant roles. A successful internal marketplace opens up a huge pool of talent to hiring managers, while creating visibility across the organisation.

Look for skills and attributes, not accolades


Some job listings can be overly restrictive and can exclude potentially strong candidates due to arbitrary criteria. On the podcast, Bill Schaninger says:

“The question becomes, where can we change—but not lower—the bar to open up the funnel, so people can become aware that their qualifications are close to those required for open roles?”


When creating an internal labour pool, organisations should carefully consider which skills are really necessary to the success of a role. They should also consider transferable skills and whether they should be thinking about people who have some of the skills required and could shine with supplemental training.

The benefits of an internal career move for employees


The benefits of sticking with a current employer can be huge for employees. Emily summed it up neatly in the podcast:


“From the individual’s perspective, the benefit is massive. Employees are able to stay at the organisation they’ve chosen to be at. They’re able to transition to a role that they’re a match for already, or perhaps that requires them to learn a couple of skills.”


If you love where you work and the people you work with, but you’re also ambitious and driven - it can feel like you have no option but to look outside your current company. This isn’t always the case. Always take the time to examine internal career and learning opportunities, it might be the best way to accelerate your jobs search.

Here are some quick tips for candidates and employers that are thinking about internal roles:

Tips for candidates


  • Make connections across departments and business areas.
  • Actively search for learning and development opportunities.
  • Identify your passion and look for opportunities to develop this internally – even if that means thinking outside of your current specialism.
  • Make your desire to stay and grow with the company known.

Tips for employers


  • Consider people with transferable skills across every area of your business.
  • Reconsider the skills and barriers attached to every role.
  • Give current employees the space to say they are open to new challenges.
  • Consider how technology can enhance your internal talent pool.


Internal talent pools are often overlooked. Make sure your organisation isn’t making this mistake. By developing robust internal talent pools and internal talent marketplaces, everybody wins. If your organisation is struggling to attract and retain top talent, not to worry! Click here to get in touch with our team and discover what we do to play our part in recruiting for a better world.

By Ben Forde 19 Apr, 2024
As a longstanding temporary and permanent staffing supplier to leading businesses across Cork and Galway Kelly Services Ireland are pleased to confirm their acquisition by Gi Group Holding. Kelly, under the new name of Gi Group Ireland, will be joining Marks Sattin & Matthew Fitzpatrick as another Gi Group Holding Recruitment and HR solutions offering in Ireland. The recent acquisition comes with great opportunity for the Irish market, introducing Gi Group and their breadth of expertise to the region while maintaining the invaluable local capabilities delivered by Kelly Ireland. This marriage of well-established local knowledge, relationships and expertise from Kelly with the resources granted by Gi Group’s considerable size makes for a formidable new staffing provider in Ireland. The existing Kelly team will be on hand to support current clients and workers continuing ‘business as usual’ to offer a seamless transition to all parties involved. In support of this transition, some common queries regarding the acquisition have been address below. Is it BAU for us as a Kelly Client? Yes absolutely, our dedicated teams in Cork and Galway will remain the same, delivering to client requirements as they have been for over 40 years. What are the main changes? Initially the change of name. We will continue to provide temporary and permanent staffing services to the Life Sciences, Engineering, IT and Renewable Energy Industries. In time we may add additional services in line with Gi Group service offerings across Europe, this will not impact any existing relationships. What do we put on invoices going forward?  We are currently still operating as Kelly Staffing Ireland Ltd. All invoices must be addressed as such to avoid any delays in payments. Once the transition to operating as Gi Group Ireland is complete further communications will be sent out.
06 Feb, 2024
In the ever-evolving landscape of the professional world, many of us find ourselves at crossroads, contemplating a change in career or seeking new opportunities to ignite our passion.
By Shazamme System User 07 Sep, 2023
Summer is over. September is here. For you lovers of the summer this can often bring feelings of the blues, but September can represent a time for a fresh start. This time of the year can offer many opportunities for job hunters to find a new job that aligns with their skills, goals, and experience. Check out our top tips on how you can land your dream job this time around (and why you should work with Kelly). 1. Get Clear On Your Goals First and foremost, you must have a clear objective of what you want for your career. Searching for a new job can bring feelings of excitement and motivation but it can also be overwhelming for applicants. Having an idea of what industries, you would like to work in, the timeline in which you would like to find a job, and the companies you’re interested in will reduce those negative feelings but will also give you a sense of direction and focus. 2. Update Your CV The next thing you should look at is improving and updating your CV. Have you demonstrated your most valuable skills? Have you highlighted your most important accomplishments and achievements? Have you included your personal websites, business profiles, and your LinkedIn profile? These are some of the many things to consider when updating your CV. Job applicants should also keep in mind that you should adjust your CV for every job you apply for. You should customize your CV so that it reflects the job you’re applying for. 3. Work with a Recruiter Are you aware of the benefits of working with a recruiter? Recruiters are experts in the hiring industry. They can help save you a significant amount of time during your job search as they know exactly what jobs are available in the market and they can match you with a role that aligns with your experience. Recruitment consultants can help you improve your CV and cover letter as well as make sure you are prepared for interviews. If you would like to read more about the benefits of working with a recruiter, click here . September is an excellent time of the year to find that new opportunity that you have been longing for. By following these tips, you should be on the right course to navigate the job market and find a role that suits you. It’s important to stay positive during your job search as it can sometimes be a lengthy process. But just remember, the right opportunity can take time. If you would like assistance during your job search, please do not hesitate to reach out and email us at info@kellyservices.ie . Or click here to search our latest vacancies and apply today!
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