Are there particular short-term courses that won\u2019t break the bank, and that are looked upon favourably by <\/b>employers<\/b><\/a>? Are there any other areas or things I should do to progress?<\/b><\/p>\n Many experienced professionals are looking to \u201creposition themselves\u201d without returning to full-time education, and there is no shortage of flexible, short-term courses to upskill, according to those working in recruitment and career progression.<\/p>\n Although AI is increasingly featuring in hiring conversations, employers are not necessarily expecting candidates to be technical experts, says Breda Dooley, recruitment manager at Matrix Recruitment.<\/p>\n However, a willingness to learn and adapt to new technology, confidence in using AI tools such as Microsoft Copilot for everyday tasks, alongside an understanding of how AI can improve productivity, have become desirable.<\/p>\n \u201cCandidates who can show practical use of AI, for example drafting emails, summarising documents, organising workloads, improving reporting, or streamlining admin tasks, are already standing out,\u201d Dooley says.<\/p>\n Online certifications in Excel, digital skills, project co-ordination, and AI fundamentals are viewed positively by employers, she says.<\/p>\n \u201cThe key is to focus on one or two areas that complement existing experience rather than trying to learn everything at once,\u201d Dooley says.<\/p>\n She urges the reader not to overlook their soft skills, however, saying employers are looking for adaptability, a willingness to learn and practical, transferable skills rather than additional formal qualifications.<\/p>\n \u201cEmployers value reliability, communication skills and the ability to multitask just as highly as qualifications. For someone coming from an administrative background, there are several areas that can improve employability relatively quickly,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n These include strong digital skills, which remain \u201chugely valuable\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cAdvanced Excel and data handling is still one of the most consistently requested skills across admin, finance support, and operations roles,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n \u201cExperience with systems such as SAP, Oracle, Salesforce, or CRM platforms will also strengthen a CV significantly, so make sure these are outlined clearly when applying for a job.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1781075533_864_1754647931518-c07d65db-55b5-463e-ae51-976300c5837e.jpeg\"\/)
David McRedmond: \u2018O\u2019Connell Street needs high density housing\u2019 <\/p>\n