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eivawahu · 21-03-2012, 09:01

Sorry this isn't the most academic question ever, but how hard is it for a student to get a summer job?

I've been trying to get one (any one) each summer since 2010 but haven't been able to get one anywhere. Not in McDonalds, Burger king, small shops around Dublin, subway, Penneys, Boots, bars and resteraunts, other fast food resteraunts, as a cleaner, nothing. Is is genuinely this hard to get a summer job? Or am i really badly off the mark with where i'm looking?

In fairness, i'm 20, female, and in college in the US (tho im irish) and i don't have many connections in Ireland anymore apart from family and some friends, who don't really have any connections. So i've been only able to do online applicaions in advance (like February for the coming summer), as well as getting my mam to drop CVs off for me. This strategy clearly hasn't been working!

So, i was wondering, any ideas on how to get a summer job, doing anything, anywhere (preferably in Ireland, but abroad would be fine too)?

RichardAnd · 21-03-2012, 09:29

As with many things, the experience is entirely subjective. I know of people that walk into jobs and I know of plenty that, like yourself, find it woefully difficult.

I think the key problem for you here is a lack of connections, which you rightfully have taken notice of. Many part time jobs aren't advertised at all because the owner of the company will give the job to someone he knows and trusts to do the job because for him, that's a hell of alot easier than going through CVs and interviewing people.

I would also say that, in my earnest opinion, dropping CVs into store is a dreadfully inefficient means of acquiring employment. It costs money to print, takes up time in traveling from shop to shop and I have been told by more than one business owner that cold CVs just end up in the bin.

As to what you can do, you need to look at what connections you might actually have. You say you have few but I'm sure you know someone that might be able to help you. Do you have any family with businesses or friends that might? If you do, see if they can point you in the right direction. Many jobs never get advertised and sometimes, they don't even exist until someone asks.

It's not going to be easy but with a little luck, anything is doable.

antoobrien · 21-03-2012, 09:33

It depends on what you're willing to work at and how much for.

Anecdotally there are plenty of jobs around but people aren't willing to work for the low wages on offer (e.g. there's an ad in one of the galway papers - 300 jobs, 100 placements).

By all accounts the export sector is still going strong. So I'd start by finding out which recruitment agencies deal with multi national factories - they usually take on people over the summer.

There's usually summer jobs going in shops & pubs etc

Good luck.

**bluewolf** · 21-03-2012, 10:17

moved from politics

JSP · 22-03-2012, 04:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by antoobrien

It depends on what you're willing to work at and how much for.

Anecdotally there are plenty of jobs around but people aren't willing to work for the low wages on offer (e.g. there's an ad in one of the galway papers - 300 jobs, 100 placements).

which newspaper is that please?

antoobrien · 22-03-2012, 07:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSP

which newspaper is that please?

It's an initiative that's being run by the Connacht Tribune group (3 papers & local radio).

This article has some of the details.

JSP · 22-03-2012, 07:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by antoobrien

It's an initiative that's being run by the Connacht Tribune group (3 papers & local radio).

This article has some of the details.

Thanks
Where are the jobs listed? I didn't see any in the online paper

antoobrien · 22-03-2012, 11:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSP

Thanks
Where are the jobs listed? I didn't see any in the online paper

Dunno anything about it apart from what i've posted, sorry. I suggest you contact the paper or anyone mentioned in the article.

janullrich · 23-03-2012, 11:25

So true Richard. It very much it is who you know not what you know at the moment. I am visiting a good friend in the property industry today. He has connections everywhere. I am looking to set up something small and we are going to discuss it and see if he can talk to someone who will be willing to help me out.

21-03-2012, 09:01	#1
eivawahu Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 13 Adverts \| Friends	How hard is it to get a job? Sorry this isn't the most academic question ever, but how hard is it for a student to get a summer job? I've been trying to get one (any one) each summer since 2010 but haven't been able to get one anywhere. Not in McDonalds, Burger king, small shops around Dublin, subway, Penneys, Boots, bars and resteraunts, other fast food resteraunts, as a cleaner, nothing. Is is genuinely this hard to get a summer job? Or am i really badly off the mark with where i'm looking? In fairness, i'm 20, female, and in college in the US (tho im irish) and i don't have many connections in Ireland anymore apart from family and some friends, who don't really have any connections. So i've been only able to do online applicaions in advance (like February for the coming summer), as well as getting my mam to drop CVs off for me. This strategy clearly hasn't been working! So, i was wondering, any ideas on how to get a summer job, doing anything, anywhere (preferably in Ireland, but abroad would be fine too)?

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21-03-2012, 09:29	#2
RichardAnd Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 2,331 Adverts \| Friends	As with many things, the experience is entirely subjective. I know of people that walk into jobs and I know of plenty that, like yourself, find it woefully difficult. I think the key problem for you here is a lack of connections, which you rightfully have taken notice of. Many part time jobs aren't advertised at all because the owner of the company will give the job to someone he knows and trusts to do the job because for him, that's a hell of alot easier than going through CVs and interviewing people. I would also say that, in my earnest opinion, dropping CVs into store is a dreadfully inefficient means of acquiring employment. It costs money to print, takes up time in traveling from shop to shop and I have been told by more than one business owner that cold CVs just end up in the bin. As to what you can do, you need to look at what connections you might actually have. You say you have few but I'm sure you know someone that might be able to help you. Do you have any family with businesses or friends that might? If you do, see if they can point you in the right direction. Many jobs never get advertised and sometimes, they don't even exist until someone asks. It's not going to be easy but with a little luck, anything is doable.

21-03-2012, 09:33	#3
antoobrien Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: Galway Posts: 4,263 Adverts \| Friends	It depends on what you're willing to work at and how much for. Anecdotally there are plenty of jobs around but people aren't willing to work for the low wages on offer (e.g. there's an ad in one of the galway papers - 300 jobs, 100 placements). By all accounts the export sector is still going strong. So I'd start by finding out which recruitment agencies deal with multi national factories - they usually take on people over the summer. There's usually summer jobs going in shops & pubs etc Good luck.

21-03-2012, 10:17	#4
bluewolf Moderator Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 41,296 Adverts \| Friends Mod: Libertaire, Personal Issues, Politics, Separation and Divorce	moved from politics

23-03-2012, 11:25	#9
janullrich Closed Account Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 405 Adverts \| Friends	So true Richard. It very much it is who you know not what you know at the moment. I am visiting a good friend in the property industry today. He has connections everywhere. I am looking to set up something small and we are going to discuss it and see if he can talk to someone who will be willing to help me out.