Finding Jobs in Ireland: Complete Guide to Job Search & Applications (2025)
Finding a job in Ireland as a foreign worker requires understanding where Irish employers advertise, how recruitment works, and what makes a successful application. The Irish job market is strong, particularly in tech, healthcare, pharma, and finance, but competition can be fierce and the application process has its own norms.
This guide shows you exactly where to find jobs in Ireland, which recruitment agencies to use, how to network effectively, and how to create applications that get interviews. Whether you’re applying from abroad or already in Ireland, you’ll learn the strategies that actually work in the Irish job market.
Overview of the Irish job market
Current state (2025):
- Unemployment: ~4.5% (relatively low)
- Strong sectors: Tech, pharma, finance, healthcare, construction
- Skills shortages: Software developers, nurses, engineers, trades
- Growing: Life sciences, fintech, renewable energy
- Challenging: Retail, hospitality (lower pay, less opportunity)
For foreign workers:
- Ireland actively recruits skilled workers
- Tech sector particularly welcoming
- Work permits available for qualifying jobs
- English-speaking makes transition easier
- EU citizens have full work rights immediately
Geographic concentration:
- Dublin: 40% of jobs, especially high-skilled
- Cork: Second largest job market, pharma/tech hub
- Galway: Growing tech sector, medical devices
- Limerick: Manufacturing, tech, Shannon Airport zone
- Other towns: More limited options, some specialization
Salary context:
- Dublin: Higher salaries, much higher living costs
- Regional: 10-20% lower salaries, 30-40% lower living costs
- Cost of living matters more than gross salary
For complete salary and cost information, see our cost of living guide and salary expectations guide.
Best Irish job boards
Jobs.ie
Overview:
- Largest Irish job board
- Thousands of listings
- All sectors and levels
- Most employers use it
Best for:
- General job search
- Entry to mid-level roles
- Wide variety of positions
- First place to start
How to use:
- Create profile
- Upload CV
- Set up job alerts
- Apply directly through site
URL: jobs.ie
IrishJobs.ie
Overview:
- Second major job board
- Similar to Jobs.ie
- Comprehensive listings
- All sectors
Best for:
- Alternative to Jobs.ie
- Checking both daily
- Different employers sometimes
Features:
- CV upload
- Job alerts
- Company research
- Salary checker
URL: irishjobs.ie
Overview:
- Global professional network
- Increasingly important in Ireland
- Direct recruiter contact
- Company pages and insights
Best for:
- Tech and professional roles
- Networking
- Being found by recruiters
- Researching companies
Critical for success:
- Complete professional profile
- Optimize for keywords
- “Open to work” feature
- Connect with Irish recruiters
- Engage with content
How Irish recruiters use it:
- Search for candidates actively
- Message directly (InMail)
- Post jobs
- Check your profile before interviews
Highly recommended: LinkedIn is essential for professional job search in Ireland.
URL: linkedin.com
Indeed.ie
Overview:
- Global job aggregator
- Lists jobs from multiple sources
- Includes company sites
- Comprehensive search
Best for:
- Broad search
- Finding jobs from company sites
- International companies
- Viewing salary estimates
Features:
- Company reviews
- Salary comparisons
- Application tracking
- Job alerts
URL: indeed.ie
Glassdoor
Overview:
- Job listings plus reviews
- Salary information
- Interview insights
- Company culture information
Best for:
- Researching employers
- Salary negotiation prep
- Understanding interview process
- Company reputation
Valuable features:
- Employee reviews (honest insights)
- Interview experiences shared
- Salary data by role
- CEO approval ratings
Use before applying: Research every company on Glassdoor first.
URL: glassdoor.ie
Sector-specific job boards
Tech:
- VanHack.com (tech roles, startup focus)
- Stack Overflow Jobs (developer positions)
- AngelList (startup jobs)
- Tech company career pages directly
Healthcare:
- HealthcareIreland.ie
- Medical recruitment agencies
- HSE jobs.ie (public sector)
Finance:
- eFinancialCareers.com
- Bank career pages directly
Academia:
- Jobs.ac.uk (includes Ireland)
- University career pages
Public sector:
- Publicjobs.ie (government positions)
- HSE, local councils, civil service
Recruitment agencies in Ireland
Recruitment agencies place many jobs in Ireland, especially professional roles. Building relationships with recruiters is valuable.
General recruitment agencies
CPL Resources:
- One of largest Irish recruiters
- Tech, finance, professional services
- Permanent and contract
- National coverage
- URL: cpl.com
Hays Ireland:
- Global recruiter, strong Irish presence
- Tech, banking, life sciences
- Professional and executive roles
- URL: hays.ie
Matrix Recruitment:
- Engineering, IT, construction
- Permanent and contract
- Good for technical roles
- URL: matrixrecruitment.ie
Morgan McKinley:
- Finance, technology, professional services
- Mid to senior level
- Permanent and contract
- URL: morganmckinley.com/ie
Prosperity Recruitment:
- Finance, accounting, operations
- Strong permanent placement
- Professional services
- URL: prosperity.ie
Tech-specialist recruiters
Reperio:
- Tech roles exclusively
- Startups to enterprises
- Good market knowledge
- URL: reperio.jobs
Version 1:
- IT recruitment
- Software, infrastructure, project management
- Contract and permanent
- URL: version1.com
FRS Recruitment:
- Tech, pharma, construction
- Contract specialists
- URL: frs.ie
Healthcare recruiters
Medforce:
- Doctors, nurses, allied health
- Help with registration
- Locum and permanent
- URL: medforce.ie
HRM Recruitment:
- Healthcare specialists
- Nursing, doctors, therapists
- Support with relocation
- URL: hrmrecruitment.ie
How to work with recruiters
Do:
- Register with multiple agencies
- Keep CV updated with them
- Be responsive to calls/emails
- Be honest about skills and experience
- Ask questions about roles
- Build relationship over time
- Follow up after interviews
Don’t:
- Apply for same job through multiple recruiters
- Exaggerate qualifications
- Ignore their calls
- Be rude if role isn’t right
- Accept job then back out
- Ghost them after placement
Remember:
- Recruiters are paid by employers (not you)
- They want to place you (it’s their job)
- Good recruiters give market insights
- Bad recruiters waste your time
- Choose quality over quantity
Company career pages
Many Irish and international companies in Ireland post jobs directly on their own sites.
Major employers in Ireland
Tech giants:
- Google: careers.google.com
- Meta (Facebook): metacareers.com
- Microsoft: careers.microsoft.com
- Apple: jobs.apple.com
- Amazon: amazon.jobs
- Salesforce: salesforce.com/careers
- LinkedIn: careers.linkedin.com
- Adobe: adobe.com/careers
Irish tech:
- Intercom: intercom.com/careers
- Stripe: stripe.com/jobs
- Workday: workday.com/careers
- HubSpot: hubspot.com/careers
Finance:
- All major banks have career pages
- Accenture: accenture.com/careers
- Citi: citi.com/careers
- State Street: statestreet.com/careers
Pharma/medical devices:
- Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, Abbott, Medtronic
- All have dedicated career pages
- Search “(company name) careers Ireland”
Why check company pages:
- Some jobs only posted there
- Shows direct interest
- Sometimes easier application
- Learn about company culture
Strategy:
- Make list of target companies
- Check their career pages weekly
- Set Google alerts for “company name jobs Ireland”
- Apply directly where possible
Networking in Ireland
The Irish job market values personal connections and referrals significantly.
LinkedIn networking
Build connections:
- Connect with Irish recruiters in your field
- Connect with employees at target companies
- Join Irish professional groups
- Engage with content (comment, share)
- Post about your job search (tastefully)
Reach out:
- Message people in roles you want
- Ask for informational interviews (20 mins)
- Be respectful of their time
- Follow up with thanks
- Build genuine relationships
Example message: “Hi [Name], I see you work at [Company] as a [Role]. I’m moving to Ireland and interested in [Field]. Would you be open to a brief call to share your experience? I’d really appreciate any insights. Thanks!”
Most Irish people are friendly and willing to help.
Professional associations
Join relevant organizations:
- Engineers Ireland (engineersireland.ie)
- Marketing Institute of Ireland (mii.ie)
- Institute of Chartered Accountants (charteredaccountants.ie)
- Irish Computer Society (ics.ie)
- Industry-specific associations
Benefits:
- Networking events
- Job boards (members only)
- Professional development
- Credibility boost
- Meet hiring managers
Meetups and events
Attend:
- Industry meetups (meetup.com)
- Tech conferences
- Professional seminars
- Startup events
- University alumni events
Dublin in particular:
- Very active meetup scene
- Many tech/startup events
- Networking opportunities abundant
- People generally welcoming
Cork, Galway, Limerick:
- Smaller but active scenes
- Easier to stand out
- Tight-knit communities
- Good for building reputation
Referrals
Most valuable way to get a job:
- Employee referrals prioritized
- Often skip to interview stage
- Higher success rate
- Faster process
How to get referrals:
- Connect with employees on LinkedIn
- Ask if they can refer you
- Make it easy (give them your CV, explain fit)
- Many companies have referral bonuses (they benefit too)
Example approach: “I’m applying for [Role] at [Company]. I see you work there—would you be comfortable referring me? I’ve attached my CV. The role seems perfect for my background in [X]. Happy to chat first if you’d like. Thanks!”
Irish work culture: Personal recommendations carry significant weight.
Creating a strong Irish CV
The Irish CV format has specific expectations. American “resumes” and some European CVs need adaptation.
Format and length
Length:
- Graduate/early career: 2 pages
- Mid-career: 2-3 pages
- Senior: 3-4 pages maximum
Not one page. Irish employers expect more detail than American-style resumes.
Essential sections
1. Personal details:
- Full name
- Phone number (Irish number if you have one, or indicate international)
- Email (professional address)
- LinkedIn profile (if strong)
- Location (city is enough, or “relocating to Dublin”)
Don’t include:
- Photo (not standard in Ireland)
- Marital status
- Age
- Religion
- Any protected characteristics
2. Personal profile:
- 3-4 sentence summary at top
- Your experience level
- Key skills
- What you’re looking for
Example: “Experienced software engineer with 5 years in full-stack development, specializing in React and Node.js. Strong background in agile environments and cross-functional collaboration. Seeking senior developer role in Ireland’s growing tech sector. Eligible for Critical Skills Employment Permit.”
3. Work experience:
- Reverse chronological order
- Job title, company name, dates
- 4-6 bullet points per role
- Quantify achievements where possible
- Use action verbs
Format:
Software Engineer | TechCo Inc. | June 2020 - Present
• Led development of customer portal serving 50,000+ users
• Reduced page load times by 40% through optimization
• Mentored 3 junior developers
• Technologies: React, Node.js, PostgreSQL, AWS
4. Education:
- Degree, institution, year
- Relevant coursework (if recent graduate)
- GPA if impressive (3.5+/4.0)
- Thesis/dissertation if relevant
5. Skills:
- Technical skills with proficiency levels
- Languages (if applicable)
- Certifications
- Software/tools
6. Additional sections (if relevant):
- Publications
- Projects (especially for developers)
- Volunteer work
- Awards/achievements
Key differences from American resumes
Irish CV vs American Resume:
- Longer (2-3 pages vs 1 page)
- More detailed bullet points
- Education section can be shorter
- Less emphasis on “objective” statements
- Work experience in more detail
- References line at end (“References available on request”)
Tips for foreign workers
Address work rights clearly:
- If you need a work permit, mention eligibility
- “Eligible for Critical Skills Employment Permit”
- If you have Irish/EU citizenship, state it
- If you have Stamp 4, mention it
Don’t hide that you’re foreign:
- Irish employers hiring foreign workers regularly
- Being upfront is better
- Highlight international experience as strength
Emphasize relevant Irish experience:
- Any time in Ireland or UK
- Working with Irish/European clients
- Understanding of Irish/EU business culture
- Willingness to relocate
Cover letters
Cover letters matter in Ireland. Many applications require them, and they’re read.
Structure
Paragraph 1: Opening
- Why you’re writing
- What role
- Where you saw it
- Hook their interest
Paragraph 2-3: Why you’re qualified
- Match your experience to job requirements
- Specific examples
- Show you understand their needs
- Quantify achievements
Paragraph 4: Why this company
- Show you researched them
- Why you want to work there specifically
- What you can contribute
- Cultural fit
Paragraph 5: Closing
- Express enthusiasm
- Confirm availability
- Call to action (looking forward to discussing)
- Thank them
Length: 3/4 to 1 page. Not longer.
Tips
Do:
- Customize every letter
- Address hiring manager by name (LinkedIn research)
- Show enthusiasm
- Be specific about achievements
- Proofread multiple times
Don’t:
- Use generic template obviously
- Repeat CV word-for-word
- Be too casual
- Include salary requirements (unless asked)
- Go over 1 page
Tone:
- Professional but personable
- Confident but not arrogant
- Enthusiastic but not desperate
- Warm but not overly familiar
Irish communication style:
- Friendly and approachable
- Less formal than very corporate
- Humor acceptable (subtly)
- Authenticity valued
Application process
Timeline expectations
Typical timeline:
- Apply → 1-2 weeks → Recruiter call
- Phone screen → 1 week → First interview
- First interview → 1-2 weeks → Second interview
- Final interview → 1-2 weeks → Offer
- Total: 6-12 weeks typical
Can be faster:
- Startups: 2-4 weeks
- Urgent hiring: 3-6 weeks
- Internal referral: Often faster
Can be slower:
- Large corporations: 12-16 weeks
- Public sector: 16-24+ weeks
- Multiple interview rounds: Adds time
Interview stages
1. Recruiter phone screen (20-30 mins):
- Basic qualification check
- Salary expectations
- Availability
- Right to work in Ireland
- General fit assessment
2. First interview (45-60 mins):
- Usually video call (Teams/Zoom)
- Hiring manager or team lead
- Technical questions for technical roles
- Behavioral questions
- Your questions for them
3. Second interview (60-90 mins):
- More senior stakeholders
- Deeper technical assessment
- Cultural fit
- May include presentation/task
4. Final interview (optional):
- Some companies have 3-4 rounds
- C-level or department head
- Final decision makers
- Usually good sign if you reach this
Interview tips for Irish employers
What Irish employers value:
- Authenticity and honesty
- Team fit (very important)
- Communication skills
- Problem-solving approach
- Cultural awareness
Irish interview style:
- Generally relaxed and conversational
- Less formal than very corporate US
- Friendly but professional
- Small talk at beginning normal
- Building rapport important
Common questions:
- “Why Ireland?” (be genuine)
- “What do you know about our company?”
- “Tell me about a challenge you’ve overcome”
- “How do you work in teams?”
- “What are your salary expectations?”
Prepare questions:
- About the role and team
- Company culture and values
- Growth opportunities
- Day-to-day responsibilities
- Next steps in process
Red flags to avoid:
- Bad-mouthing previous employers
- Being arrogant or overly confident
- Not researching the company
- Focusing only on money
- Being too passive (ask questions!)
Following up
After application:
- If no response in 2 weeks, polite follow-up email
- Through recruiter if agency involved
- Directly if applied on company site
After interview:
- Send thank-you email within 24 hours
- Reference specific discussion points
- Reiterate interest
- Keep it brief (3-4 sentences)
Example: “Thanks for taking the time to meet with me yesterday about the [Role] position. I really enjoyed our discussion about [specific topic] and learning more about [Company]. I’m very excited about the opportunity to contribute to [specific project/team]. Looking forward to hearing about next steps.”
Work permits for foreign workers
If you’re not an EU/EEA/UK citizen, you’ll need a work permit.
Who needs a work permit
Don’t need:
- Irish citizens
- EU/EEA citizens
- Swiss citizens
- UK citizens (Common Travel Area)
- Stamp 4 holders
Do need:
- Americans
- Canadians
- Australians
- Indians
- All other non-EU nationals
Types of permits
Critical Skills Employment Permit:
- For highly skilled roles
- €32,000+ salary (most roles)
- 2-year path to Stamp 4 (permanent residence)
- Best option if you qualify
General Employment Permit:
- Wider range of jobs
- €30,000+ salary
- 5-year path to Stamp 4
- If Critical Skills doesn’t apply
For complete work permit information, see our work permits guide and Critical Skills permit guide.
Employer must sponsor
Important:
- You cannot apply yourself
- Employer applies for permit on your behalf
- Employer pays €1,000-€1,500 fee
- You need job offer first
Finding employer who will sponsor:
- Tech companies sponsor regularly
- Multinational corporations
- Healthcare employers
- Companies with history of hiring foreign workers
- Startups sometimes (if well-funded)
In job search:
- Apply to roles you qualify for
- Mention permit eligibility in application
- Discuss in early interviews
- Many Irish employers familiar with process
Job search strategies that work
Start before you arrive (if possible)
Timeline:
- 6-9 months before move: Start research
- 3-6 months before: Active applications
- 1-3 months before: Interviews
- Arrive with job if possible
Advantages:
- Less pressure
- More time to find right fit
- Can negotiate start date
- Work permit processed before arrival
Apply strategically, not desperately
Quality over quantity:
- 5-10 tailored applications better than 50 generic
- Research each company
- Customize CV and cover letter
- Follow up properly
Track your applications:
- Spreadsheet with company, role, date applied, status
- Set reminders to follow up
- Note names of recruiters/contacts
- Track interview dates and outcomes
Use multiple channels simultaneously
Effective approach:
- Job boards: Daily checks, apply to new listings
- Recruiters: Register with 3-5 good agencies
- LinkedIn: Optimize profile, active networking
- Company sites: Target 10-20 companies, check weekly
- Networking: Attend events, informational interviews
Don’t rely on just one method.
Network your way in
Most effective approach:
- Find companies you want to work for
- Connect with employees on LinkedIn
- Ask for informational interviews
- Learn about company culture
- Get referrals
- Apply with inside knowledge
This takes longer but has much higher success rate.
Consider contract/temporary first
Benefits:
- Easier to get initial role
- Build Irish work experience
- Network within company
- Often leads to permanent
- Get to know employer before committing
Contract agencies:
- CPL, FRS, Hays all do contracts
- Tech contractors particularly common
- Day rates can be good (€300-€600/day for skilled roles)
Be patient but persistent
Reality:
- Job search takes time (3-6 months normal)
- Expect rejections (everyone gets them)
- Stay organized
- Keep applying
- Learn from each interview
- Adjust approach if needed
Red flags to reassess:
- 50+ applications, no interviews: CV/targeting problem
- Interviews but no offers: Interview skills need work
- No responses at all: Not applying to right roles
For specific situations
Recent graduates
Challenges:
- Limited experience
- Competition from Irish graduates
- Work permit harder (lower salaries)
Strategies:
- Target multinational companies (sponsor more)
- Consider graduate programs
- Highlight internships and projects
- Emphasize willingness to learn
- Network through university alumni
- Consider further study in Ireland first (then Graduate visa)
Career changers
Challenges:
- Lack of direct experience
- Explaining career change
- Convincing employers
Strategies:
- Take relevant courses/certifications
- Do projects to build portfolio
- Network into industry
- Target smaller companies (more flexible)
- Be prepared to take step back in level
- Explain change positively in cover letter
Senior professionals
Challenges:
- Fewer senior roles available
- Salary expectations may be higher than Irish market
- Work permit salary thresholds easier to meet
Strategies:
- Target director/VP level at multinationals
- Leverage international experience
- Network at senior level
- Consider slightly lower title for same responsibility
- Research Irish salary norms carefully
- Emphasize leadership style fit
Career break/gap in employment
How to address:
- Be honest about gap
- Frame positively (personal development, family, travel)
- Show what you did during gap (courses, volunteer, projects)
- Emphasize eagerness to return
- Don’t apologize excessively
Irish employers understanding about:
- Family leave
- Health issues (briefly mentioned, not detailed)
- Travel (common for Australians/New Zealanders)
- Further education
Red flags to avoid
In your search:
- Applying for roles you’re not qualified for
- Generic applications
- Typos in CV/cover letter
- Unprofessional email address
- Not researching companies
- Desperation in tone
In interviews:
- Being late (or too early - 5 mins early is perfect)
- Bad-mouthing previous employers
- Not preparing questions
- Being too focused on salary/benefits early
- Not understanding the company
- Arrogance
With recruiters:
- Lying about skills/experience
- Not being responsive
- Turning down too many opportunities
- Accepting job then backing out
- Being difficult
Salary negotiation
When to negotiate:
- After receiving offer
- Not during early interviews
- When you have leverage (multiple offers, unique skills)
How to negotiate:
- Research typical salary (Glassdoor, recruiter insight)
- Know your worth
- Be specific (“€55,000” not “mid-50s”)
- Justify with experience/skills
- Be prepared to walk if too low
- Consider total package (pension, bonus, benefits)
Irish salary culture:
- Less negotiation than US typically
- But still possible
- Be polite and professional
- Smaller companies more flexible
- Multinationals less flexible (bands)
Non-salary negotiation:
- Extra holidays
- Remote work days
- Start date
- Relocation assistance
- Professional development budget
- Flexible hours
For detailed salary information by profession, see our salary guide.
Common mistakes to avoid
1. Not understanding work permit requirements
- Applying for jobs you can’t legally do
- Assuming all jobs sponsor
- Not mentioning permit eligibility
2. Using American resume style
- One-page resume (too short for Ireland)
- Overly sales-y language
- Not enough detail
3. Not adapting to Irish norms
- Too formal or too casual
- Not researching companies
- American spelling in applications (use British/Irish)
4. Giving up too soon
- Job search takes time
- Rejections are normal
- Persistence pays off
5. Poor time management
- Not starting early enough
- Missing application deadlines
- Being unprepared for interviews
6. Not networking
- Relying only on applications
- Not using LinkedIn
- Not attending events
7. Salary expectations
- Expecting US-level salaries (lower in Ireland)
- Not researching market rates
- Being inflexible
Timeline: From job search to starting work
Realistic timeline for foreign worker:
Months 1-2: Preparation
- Research Irish job market
- Optimize CV and LinkedIn
- Identify target companies
- Register with recruiters
Months 2-4: Active searching
- Apply to 5-10 roles per week
- Network on LinkedIn
- First interviews
- Refine approach based on feedback
Months 4-6: Interviews and offers
- Multiple interview rounds
- Receive offers
- Negotiate
- Accept position
Months 6-7: Work permit
- Employer applies for permit
- 6-12 weeks processing
- Permit approved
Month 7-8: Relocation
- Arrange accommodation
- Book flights
- Prepare for move
Month 8: Start work
- Arrive in Ireland
- Register with immigration
- Start position
Total: 6-9 months typically from starting search to first day of work in Ireland.
Resources and tools
Job boards:
- jobs.ie
- irishjobs.ie
- indeed.ie
- linkedin.com
Salary research:
- glassdoor.ie
- payscale.com/research/IE
- Revenue.ie (tax calculator)
Recruitment agencies:
- cpl.com
- hays.ie
- morganmckinley.com/ie
- reperio.jobs (tech)
Professional networking:
- linkedin.com
- meetup.com (events)
- Industry associations
Company research:
- glassdoor.ie
- LinkedIn company pages
- Companies.ie (company financials)
Work permits:
- enterprise.gov.ie/workpermits
General information:
- citizensinformation.ie
Summary
Finding a job in Ireland requires strategic approach, patience, and adaptation to Irish norms:
Key steps:
- Research thoroughly: Understand Irish job market and target companies
- Optimize your CV: 2-3 pages, Irish format, address work permit eligibility
- Use multiple channels: Job boards, recruiters, LinkedIn, company sites, networking
- Network actively: LinkedIn connections, informational interviews, industry events
- Apply strategically: Tailored applications, quality over quantity
- Prepare for interviews: Research company, prepare questions, be authentic
- Be patient: 3-6 months normal, persistence pays off
Most important factors:
- Work permit eligibility if non-EU (mention it clearly)
- Strong LinkedIn profile (recruiters search actively)
- Networking (referrals are gold)
- Tailored applications (generic applications ignored)
- Persistence (rejections are normal, keep going)
The Irish job market is welcoming to skilled foreign workers, particularly in tech, healthcare, and engineering. With the right approach, realistic expectations, and patience, you can successfully find employment in Ireland.
For complete information about relocating to Ireland, see our guides for Americans, British citizens, or EU nationals. For work permit details, see our work permits guide and Critical Skills permit guide.