Get the essentials in place
A few basics make you employable and reassure employers you're ready:
- An Irish phone number and a professional email address
- A PPS number (you can usually apply once you have an address and a job offer)
- An Irish bank account for wages
- Clarity on your right to work (citizenship or immigration stamp)
Write an Irish-style CV
CV conventions differ by country. In Ireland: no photo, no date of birth, no marital status — just a clear profile, skills, work history (most recent first) and education. Keep it to one or two pages, and translate any foreign qualifications into their nearest Irish equivalent where you can.
Target the sectors that hire newcomers
Some sectors hire in volume and train from scratch — a strong starting point while you build Irish references: warehouse and logistics, healthcare and care, hospitality, retail, cleaning and general operative roles. A cheap ticket (manual handling, HACCP, Safe Pass) widens your options fast.
Reassure the employer
Say clearly on your CV that you're eligible to work in Ireland (or your stamp type), and that you're available immediately. Good spoken English for the role, reliability and flexibility matter more to most employers than a long local history.
Frequently asked questions
What is the first thing I need to work in Ireland?
Confirm your right to work (citizenship or a stamp that allows it), then get set up with an address, phone, email and — around the time of a job offer — a PPS number for payroll. See our right-to-work guide for detail.
Which jobs are easiest to get as a newcomer to Ireland?
High-volume sectors that train from scratch: warehouse and logistics, care, hospitality, retail, cleaning and general operative roles. A cheap ticket like manual handling or HACCP helps you stand out.
Do employers accept foreign qualifications?
Often yes, but it helps to explain them in Irish terms and, for regulated roles, to have them formally recognised. On your CV, note the nearest Irish equivalent so employers understand the level.