Ulster Bank does not want to hire you if you've spent any of the past two years doing nothing at all

Second only to the chaos at Barclays this morning, is the chaos at Ulster Bank. More than 10 days since the 'IT glitch' began glitching, customers there are still locked out of their accounts.

In the circumstances, you might think Ulster Bank would be rushing to hire some new IT staff, or some new consultants to help amend the processes which led to the problem. A look at the bank's own website reveals that it is indeed hiring in Ireland, with 29 vacancies in total and 14 in Dublin.

However, getting a banking job at Ulster Bank is not that easy - especially if you have the misfortune to have spent any time out of the market.

Before you can join, it's necessary to pass three required recruitment checks. 

Check one is that you have a proven right to work in Ireland.

Check two is that you can prove you are living at your current address and provide evidence of a previous address.

Check three is the most interesting and potentially onerous: you must be able to prove 'employment activity for the last 2 years (this could also include education or travel).'

The implication, therefore, is that if you want to work for Ulster Bank you must have spent the past two years doing something documented and constructive. You cannot, apparently, have spent any of that period hanging around at home looking for a new job. It's a lesson for anyone who's out of the market: make sure you can clearly show how you've been spending your time. Walking the dog does not count.