Pat Shortt

Dublin-based ETC Consult has been matching people with employers for over three decades.

The organisation, established in 1982, which specialises in selection, training, development and career guidance, certainly covers all the angles.

The company uses psychological expertise, competence-based interviewing skills and practical experience in providing a range of personal and professional services to individuals and organisations.

“Our main focus is psychometrics and matching people with jobs, careers and occupations,” says chief executive Pat Shortt.

“There are two sides to the business; the corporate side where ETC Consult assists companies when they are selecting and hiring, promoting staff or sending employees abroad. Then there is the service provided to individuals covering career guidance for people aged 17 and upward.”

ETC Consult’s services are not only valuable to organisations looking to hire. “When a major Dutch firm established a presence in Ireland over a decade ago, staff selection at all levels was carried out by ETC. When the firm decided to shift its operations to London, it engaged ETC to provide intensive career guidance, CV preparation and interview skills training to staff remaining in Ireland.

“ETC Consult recently added another service, taking over the distribution of Hogan Personality Tests. Globally recognised, these instruments scientifically measure how people are likely to behave in the workplace – in normal circumstances and in unusual circumstances, and predict the kind of work that is likely to motivate them best.”

For those dissatisfied in their work, who are considering a change, Pat advises, “Ask yourself why you don’t like what you’re doing. See if there are other roles you could be happier in within your workplace. Discuss with your boss or HR Manager your reasons for seeking to change. That’s the ideal road to go down but if that fails, then you should come to people like us for advice and guidance.”

For individuals from age 16 upwards who are unsure as to what jobs or careers they might find most interesting, and for which they are likely to have the right mix of aptitudes and personality attributes, ETC Consult provides a comprehensive person-to-person Career Guidance Service.

It incorporates the completion of an Occupational Interests Inventory: 6 tests of key aptitudes and a ‘personality inventory’ from which three charts showing the individual’s highest occupational interests; strongest aptitudes and most positive personality attributes are generated.

“We discuss what the charts indicate with the client, and also discuss their background, educational experiences, best-liked and least-liked subjects, extracurricular activities, leisure-time interests, work experiences, time given to sport, the arts, the media, the social media, travel – all facets of his or her ‘history’ to date."

ETC Consult’s occupational psychologists produce a comprehensive career guidance report and, with an eye to the employment market, recommend ten careers with specific guidance on how to access those careers, be it through third-level college courses, College of Further Education courses, online courses or apprenticeships.

ETC Consult will also advice or how to get into an organisation at a level commensurate with one’s current level of expertise and moving upwards to management, diagonally to sales, marketing, production, accounts, human resources – or outwards to set up their own company.

“Professional, valid career guidance pays for itself over and over again in terms of job satisfaction and life happiness." (Pat Shortt)