Recession Redundancies

Bitsie

I have been working in the architecture industry for the last 6 years. now because of the downturn in the construction industry, my company are laying off 20 people (including me). The problem for me now is, I cant find another architecture job as there are none available, but it is the only thing i am qualified to do. My question is, how can i possibly get a job to covers my rent bills etc. if there are none out there!! Has anyone else come across this problem?

Climate Expert

Your redundancy money, savings and dole should tide you over for a good while so I wouldn't be panicing.

jon1981

dont panic? easier said than done. op are you in a position to look overseas? the redundancy money might help you to set yourself up abroad.

chris85

Perhaps try abroadd as previously mentioned. London seem to be doing a lot of work with the olympics coming up in four years. They must need architects over there.

Bitsie

well not due redundancy package as i am only in this particular company for a year. Cant consider abroad as have ties here...............so every reason to panic a bit!

Saggitarius

It's coming soon any bad days cos' looks like not only the construction industry have trouble, recession. Me and many other workmate also spend the notice period. I don't know what will happening but drive me crazy. Bills are rising and everywhere I hear cut back only. (Hotels, Universities...)

maninasia

Have you considered, gosh, working a different job for a while until something came up. There are still jobs available in Ireland last time I looked.

DublinWriter

Funnily enough, just two threads up from yours in the New Posts screen is the following thread:

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055338566

Maybe it's fate?!?

krd

You have to face it. Construction is a feast or famine industry. There's now a global down turn in the industry. Except in China, and the OPEC countries.

In construction, if you want the money, you have to move with the work.

The Irish industry may not return to it's previous levels for 15 years.

You were lucky to ever have an architecture job in Ireland in the first place.

Go abroad, it's sunnier, and the people are nicer. And your children may one day love you for it.

justfortherecor

maninasia wrote: »

Have you considered, gosh, working a different job for a while until something came up. There are still jobs available in Ireland last time I looked.

The guy is a qualified architect, not some student working part-time in retail.

Bitsie

justfortherecor wrote: »

The guy is a qualified architect, not some student working part-time in retail.

thanks for that, it was exactly what i was thinking.........eh.............but i am not a guy!!
And sursprisingly enough there are not alot of jobs out there paying near enough the money i was on in another industry

chris85

Bitsie wrote: »

thanks for that, it was exactly what i was thinking.........eh.............but i am not a guy!!
And sursprisingly enough there are not alot of jobs out there paying near enough the money i was on in another industry

Totally understand. When looking for jobs dont take a step back as its harder. You are very qualified and have a lot of experience. I hope something comes along for you.

But from my suggestion in other post, if its possible your ties here could be moved abroad have a think about it as other construction industries are booming around the world.

maninasia

I didn't say take a job in retail, but if I did what's the big deal. The guy's moaning just like everybody else in construction, it was a boom industry and totally bloated, it didn't really contribute anything to this country except overdevelopment and it's never going to support the job number it once did.
He can think about working in a related area (like demolition planning for all the crap houses) or some other area until another architecture opening comes through or else he can stay on the dole and get 220euro/wk. Where I live that's more than a lot of people earn working their ass off every month.
There's also loads of post-grad 1 year courses that are available for further training at a steal of 2000 euro/yr or less.
Sure there are not many jobs that pay aswell as an architect, that's why there are not many architect jobs though. Or he/she can do like me and many others and try somewhere else, if he can't try somewhere else deal with the circumstances and get a different job until something better comes along. Spoilt kids the lot of ya....

Xcellor

The difficulty with saying "Just get another job..." is that a lot peoples finances are tied closely with what they are making. Many people have loan repayments/mortgages which depend on getting xxxx per week. Of course there are other jobs around but if these jobs can't keep you out the red then you have reason for concern.

For people with mortgages I cannot emphasize how important it is to have repayment insurance in case you or your partner loses their job... With the current employment situation its worth every penny.

OP, you might not have a choice but to find another job in a different industry or not directly related to architecture but if you take a dive in the salary you're gonna have to budget around it.

Bitsie

yeah Xcellor that my problem, my wage was covering my loans etc....i have no problem finding another job in another industry, its finding one to pay enough for me to keep in the black..............
MANINASIA.............I AM NOT A BLOKE ..AN IM NOT "MOANING"......keep your useless comments to yourself please.

snellers

Just a thought but if you are a fully qualified architect why not try and work for yourself? (Of course this does take time to generate business and you would need to get something else to clear the bills but in the long term it would be the way to go)

maninasia

Xcellor wrote: »

The difficulty with saying "Just get another job..." is that a lot peoples finances are tied closely with what they are making. Many people have loan repayments/mortgages which depend on getting xxxx per week. Of course there are other jobs around but if these jobs can't keep you out the red then you have reason for concern.

For people with mortgages I cannot emphasize how important it is to have repayment insurance in case you or your partner loses their job... With the current employment situation its worth every penny.

OP, you might not have a choice but to find another job in a different industry or not directly related to architecture but if you take a dive in the salary you're gonna have to budget around it.

I fail to see your point excellor, I have indicating the only realistic option. No job A, then look for job in B. The actual issue that it doesn't pay as much is immaterial, as now there is no option A. I'm sorry for anybody losing their job but it can be used as a chance to re-arrange things or try something new.

dazberry

maninasia wrote: »

I fail to see your point excellor, I have indicating the only realistic option. No job A, then look for job in B. The actual issue that it doesn't pay as much is immaterial, as now there is no option A.

Logically yes, I agree - it makes sense.

But there's another side to this that people don't consider. Say you have worked job A for 5 years, and did say 4 years of college so to get job A in the first place. Then there's a downturn. So you apply for job B. Employer looks at your CV, sees your career, knows there's a downturn in that sector, and thinks that as soon as a relevant position related to your career experience (that likely pays more) arises - you'll leave, so your application likely won't be considered.

During the IT crash I applied for jobs B,C,F,J,... and it was a complete waste of time. I had one company come back to me saying "having reviewed your CV we think you should write computer programs" (genius), and one guy came back in relation to a bog standard office job and said - "you'll just leave when the IT market picks up". You have to respect the honesty but at the time I would have cut my arm off to get any feckin job.

Bitsie all I can suggest is that you keep plugging away - in the short term things get pretty grim - but they do tend to work out over time...

D.

Bitsie

snellers wrote: »

Just a thought but if you are a fully qualified architect why not try and work for yourself? (Of course this does take time to generate business and you would need to get something else to clear the bills but in the long term it would be the way to go)

yeah i was thinking of this too and i think it may be the way to go.