Finding a job in Cork

Finding work in Cork
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Updated by Anne-Lise Mty on 21 January, 2020

Cork is the biggest county in Ireland in terms of size, which is why a lot of locals like to refer to it as being the real capital of Ireland. It is the second biggest city in the country, and as a result, there is a strong economic performance in the region. There are many different career paths open to those who are looking for work from overseas.

The local economy

The economy in Cork is currently experiencing a good time of things. As the city lies in what is one of the biggest natural harbours globally, it has historically been a major port town that has a lot of industry-related employment. However, over the past few decades, it has attracted many leading multinational companies, which are now some of the biggest employers in the area.

There is a thriving tech scene in Cork, with Apple being a major player. There is also a booming healthcare manufacturing and pharmaceutical hub in the city and surrounding areas. This includes the likes of Novartis, Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer. Moreover, job opportunities exist in tourism and hospitality, particularly around the port area.

The unemployment rate in Cork

Naturally, due to the booming economy in Cork, the unemployment rate is quite low. It currently lies at about 5.6%, which is very good for such a developed economy. In Ireland as a whole, there is almost a full-employment level. Therefore, in its current state, there are a lot of job opportunities out there for those who are looking, even for foreign professionals.

The most promising fields in Cork

As mentioned above, there are now a lot of tech companies operating in and around Cork, as well as many multinational firms. These are always going to be areas of potential employment. There is also a demand for those in the medical device manufacturing business and the pharmaceutical world.

Wages in Cork

In terms of wages, due to the presence of the major global companies, you can expect very competitive remuneration packages on offer in Cork. According to official figures, the average salary is around the €34,000 mark, but this goes a lot higher when you are only looking at higher-skilled jobs. The presence of a major university in the city means that there is a good talent pool available.

Job hunting in Cork

There are a few different methods that will help you with the job hunt in Cork. If you are already working for a multinational company that has an office in Cork, you can investigate potential opportunities internally that will allow you to move.

You can also use local recruitment agencies to match you up with positions that suit your skillset. Finally, you can check online and offline job boards, newspapers, etc. Word of mouth is another powerful tool for finding out about burgeoning opportunities.

 Useful links:

Jobs in Ireland
Irish Jobs 
Jobs.ie
Monster
Simply Hired
Indeed

We do our best to provide accurate and up to date information. However, if you have noticed any inaccuracies in this article, please let us know in the comments section below.