IAS’s Claire Griffin explores how she started her career in recruitment and the opportunities open to professionals in this space.
A technology recruiter at IAS, Claire Griffin told SiliconRepublic.com that a career in recruiting was unexpected at first.
“I come from a background in the performing arts and teaching. I’ve always worked in people-oriented roles, where building relationships and understanding people was at the core of what I did.
“Jumping into something completely new is what brought me to recruiting, but it’s the people side of the role that has kept me here for over 10 years. Every day is different, and I still really enjoy meeting new people, hearing their stories, and helping connect them to opportunities where they can truly thrive.”
What are some of the challenges in this field and what are they like? win?
There are many challenges in hiring technology right now. In terms of the Irish market there is supply and demand to fill certain senior roles that require specific skills. AI, while advancing in many ways, has hindered certain aspects of recruitment processes, including the creation of CVs to match job specifications, as opposed to candidates’ knowledge, the use of unannounced tools during technical interviews. Also, Ireland’s housing and rental shortages have prevented skilled workers from immigrating to Ireland making competition for talent fierce.
What job opportunities are there for professionals in this space?
Ireland is a really strong place to build a deep tech career right now. There is a healthy mix of world-class research, international R&D and a growing number of ambitious start-ups, giving candidates more choice in how they do their work. Students with deep technical skills can work across research and innovation through Ireland’s universities and research institutes, where the focus is on turning successful ideas into real-world solutions. At the same time, many global giants in technology and life sciences companies base their engineering and R&D teams here, offering opportunities to work on cutting-edge projects with global impact. In recent years Ireland has also experienced significant growth in the environmental start-up process. Deep-tech founders and early adopters are increasingly receiving international support, funding, and access. This can open up leadership, product development, and commercial roles. Overall, deep tech in Ireland is no longer just a technical role. It is about long-term projects that involve innovation, impact and global relevance.
What makes the applicant stand out from the crowd?
In a world full of AI-generated CVs, it can sometimes be difficult for candidates to stand out. We’re seeing a lot of this CV listing technology, where people may have worked for five years or five minutes, but they’re listing it, hoping to get past the applicant tracking system. What differentiates candidates is their ability to demonstrate impact, not just skills. A strong CV will clearly explain what they built, why it’s important, and what problem it solved. Strong candidates also show curiosity and flexibility. Technology is moving fast, so hiring managers are looking for people who are active learners.
This is demonstrated through side projects, open source contributions, or keeping up with emerging trends and applying that learning in practical ways. Communication is another key difference. The ability to explain complex ideas clearly, work across teams, and understand the business context behind the technology is often what separates good engineers from great ones. In the end, a little research on the company goes a long way. Candidates who understand the company’s mission, who can articulate why they want the role and who can demonstrate how their experience matches it, tend to stand out more than those who send generic applications.
What skills should deep-tech professionals prioritize?
In Ireland’s technology sector, deep-tech professionals must prioritize strong core competencies especially in areas such as applications engineering, AI, data, and systems design. They must also have the ability to apply that technology in real-world settings. Employers appreciate people who can move quickly from idea to assignment. Adaptability is the key difference for people to move forward. Ireland’s tech ecosystem includes international institutions, startups, and research institutes, so professionals who can work across locations, learn continuously, and collaborate with diverse teams often stand out. Clear communication and commercial awareness. Being able to explain complex technology with ease and understand how it supports business outcomes is critical to Ireland’s growing technology industry.
What advice do you have for other tech employers working in this space?
My main advice is to go beyond keywords and really understand the technology you are hiring for. Many technical roles are nuanced and strong candidates don’t always fit a standard profile. Taking the time to understand the problem the team is trying to solve makes a big difference. We are a recruiting partner so strong relationships built on trust and transparency with both hiring managers and candidates are key to moving forward. Ireland’s Deep Tech talent pool is small so taking the time to establish and nurture long-term partnerships is more important to your company and to you as an individual than a quick win. Finally, networking with research institutes, startup and industry networks and networking is a great way to keep your finger on the pulse of what’s going on from a client and candidate perspective.
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