Despite Dublin's crazy rents, the head of LinkedIn Ireland says it's still an attractive place to work
Sharon McCooey says the firm has little problem attracting new staff here.
DESPITE DUBLIN BECOMING one of Europe’s most expensive cities, one of the capital’s largest multinational employers says it still has no problems attracting workers here.
The head of LinkedIn Ireland, Sharon McCooey, said Dublin was a “very livable city” and one in which international staff are keen to work.
“Half of our employees can walk or cycle to work, so it’s great from that perspective,” she told Fora.
McCooey’s comments are at odds with those of many other employers and recruiters, who have said Dublin’s high rents and cost of living were turning foreign tech workers off possible relocation.
Nevertheless, last month a report from LinkedIn said there had been a sharp decline in the number Irish workers moving to the UK since the Brexit vote.
McCooey also said that this trend is partly due to the strength of the Irish economy, which is creating more jobs and attracting professionals from all over the world to Dublin – something she has “absolutely” seen in her own organisation.
“We have people of 55 different nationalities working for us now – most of those came here to work for LinkedIn Ireland and as part of the wider tech community in Dublin.”
She said competing for staff with other multinational and indigenous tech employers was “something that keeps (her) awake at night”, and the company relied on various health and employment perks to remain competitive in the jobs market.
Growing business
McCooey was one of the first people involved in LinkedIn’s Irish operation when it launched here in 2010, and she has seen the company grow to 1,200 local staff in a new €85 million office recently opened at Wilton Place.
“We’re bullish for the future and I see further growth ahead,” she said.
McCooey was speaking to Fora ahead of being named as an ambassador for Techies4TempleStreet, an annual event that raises funds for the children’s hospital.
“I was keen for staff to get involved in something where they could meet people from other companies – I’m conscious that a lot of our staff are new to Ireland and need help to get integrated into the community,” she said.
