22 with no qualifications and little experience

irish life

I dropped out of college last year and since then I've been temping (6 month contract and 2 month contract). I did well in both jobs but the offer of a permanent didn't arise. I want to try my hand at a job outside of office work if possible. I definitely don't want to go back to college though. Am I only really looking at dead end jobs under that criteria? I should say I definitely don't want to do shift work.

pwd

retail management?

CSC

Why rule out shift work? You're 22 and looking for experience; if I were you I wouldn't limit myself to 9-5.

Tom Dunne

irish life wrote: »

I should say I definitely don't want to do shift work.

Well, what do you want to do?

Admittedly, not having a qualification will limit your employability and your future prospects, but you are young, you may decide to go back at a later stage when you are ready for it.

irish life

I'm after changing this post about 4 times now because I'm actually learning a bit about myself with everything I post.

To be perfectly honest I don't want to do shift work because it's a lot worse for my social and every day life outside of work. I'd rather get my work done and over with during the most boring hours of the week.

I think if I was to get the job I wanted it'd be a job on rubbish pay and very little chance of progression. I have a friend who works with his brother in law doing deliveries in a van. They're really good friends and they make a decent wage. That would be my ideal job at this moment, genuinely. A journey in a car with a friend is certainly no chore.

So I think I've realised that colleagues are the most important thing to me. When I started in a financial company last year, 4 other people also started at the same time. It was 5 of us in the one team working together. We got on great and I loved it. I love being on level par with everyone else. I did a 3 day training programme before I worked in a bookies and I loved that because we were all in the same boat.

This is of no use to anyone but myself but at least I know that I may like my next office job if I decide to go for one. I need to look even 6 months down the line. It takes me at least a month to settle in and become confident in an office environment. I just dread having to start another job and get to know another 20 people, be a nervous wreck on the phone, etc. That's actually my biggest problem. I hate even talking to my aunts on the phone. I hate talking to anyone on the phone in front of other people. In an office you have to talk to new people every day in front of at least 4 or 5 colleagues. Not my thing at all and not something I'd be looking forward to on a Monday morning.

Sephiroth_dude

im in the same boat as urself,22,no qualifications,stuck in a dead end job,that i hate.

CSC

Interesting post. I think you need to increase your self confidence.
Your ideal job shouldn't be with "rubbish pay with little or no chance of progression". Certainly start at the bottom and gets lots of experience (which in my opinion is better than qualifications) but think where you want to be in 5/10 years time when you may be thinking of buying a house, getting married, having kids etc. Set yourself goals and have something in your life to work for.
Workmates are important but you work with good people and build good relationships with colleagues in any job.
The more you practice talking on the phones it front of people the better you become. The more you do it, the less nervous you will be and eventually get over it. I have worked in an office and most people aren't passing any heed of what your saying on the phone any ways as there more interested in doing their own job.

Wile E. Coyote

Your not really leaving yourself with many options.

You have no qualifications and very little experience yet want a 9-5 monday to friday job thats not in an office. You don't want to have to deal with people on the phone, you don't want to do shift work cause it'll effect your social life and the job you do hope to get has rubbish pay and very little chance of progression.

I really don't think you know what you want and your closing out all your options before you've given them a chance.

So I think I've realised that colleagues are the most important thing to me. When I started in a financial company last year, 4 other people also started at the same time. It was 5 of us in the one team working together. We got on great and I loved it. I love being on level par with everyone else. I did a 3 day training programme before I worked in a bookies and I loved that because we were all in the same boat.

That's interesting, I recently realised I'm the same. I like being part of a team and working with people on the same level, I hate feeling like the bottom rung of a ladder or having to work independently all the time. I'm motivated by my colleagues and a good atmosphere at work. There's a lot of jobs like this......... what sort of pay would you be looking for and would you be aiming to earn a lot eventually?

irish life

Wile E. Coyote wrote: »

Your not really leaving yourself with many options.

You have no qualifications and very little experience yet want a 9-5 monday to friday job thats not in an office. You don't want to have to deal with people on the phone, you don't want to do shift work cause it'll effect your social life and the job you do hope to get has rubbish pay and very little chance of progression.

I really don't think you know what you want and your closing out all your options before you've given them a chance.

Yeh I agree. I guess if I want a decent job in 10 years time office work is my only option (after ruling out shift work, college, apprenticeships). I was just posting on the off chance someone would mention a job I hadn't thought of.

Rosalie Deafening Rule wrote:

......... what sort of pay would you be looking for and would you be aiming to earn a lot eventually?

I've been on 12ph since November and am happy enough on that atm.

Wile E. Coyote

One job that i always loved (and i know it doesn't fit in with what your looking for at the minute) was as a barman. Spent 9 years doing that before deciding it was time to get myself a 'real' job in an office.

In a lively bar/hotel the fun you can have and the people you meet it's like no other job in the world and can really build up your confidence in dealing with people that will stand to you in any career you choose to persue after it.

fret_wimp

you need to break the problem down.

Problem: You dont have qualifications to get a job you want.

Solution:
1. decide exactly what career you want to persue. this is the most important step. if you sit on the fence forever you'l become good at nothing.

2. Figure out (using the boards here and asking friends) how to get into the field you have decided on. This can mean one of many things from taking a low paying job in a company doing the work you like, and working up thorugh the ranks. Or identify a course in college that will give you the required qualifications. this can be part or full time. If you use a part time course, you can also get the job and thus gain expirience in college and in the field at teh same time.

3. by this stage you are on your way, will have some confidence that you are heading in the right direction. now have patience. work hard and you will be rewarded.


Every problem is solvable if you can break it down into small steps.


One thing, you are adverse to shift work, and thats fair enough, but dont be too snooty to turn down any job that doesnt fit you perfectly. Its about getting your foot in the door, and if some unsociable hours or low pay are required for this, then so beit, it will be worth it in the long run.

besides, you are really young. now is the time to become proactive. dont leave it for too much longer or youl stagnate and just settle in your rutt. its your time now, use it.