work for your dole

tbaymusicman

Hey guys im an out of work electrician and im getting the dole or job seekers from my stamps been a few months since i got let go due to downturn!!heres my idea surely the goverment could use my skills to maintain there office's or whatever rather then giving me the 204 for noting???and at least id be doing something also im hoping of applying for rent allowance as my savings have evaporated so i feel guilty for getting free money anyone think thats a good idea

Xiney

There are problems though, with that approach: the government would otherwise be hiring someone to do that work: thus by you doing it for being on the dole, you're putting someone else on the dole.

Don't get me wrong, I'd like to be doing something as well as looking for work... I've got skills that could be better utilized. But doing work that someone else would otherwise be getting paid for isn't the answer.

tbaymusicman

well im sure the goverment cold think of something for me to do i dont wish to be one of the many scroungers that live on the dole for ever and see it as a lifestyle(no offence just not my thing)choice im going off my head doing noting:(:(

Xiney

you're not a scrounger.

PRSI stands for Pay Related Social Insurance.

It's no different than the insurance you pay on your car or your house every year on the off chance that something terrible happens. You're entitled to claim that money.

CorkFenian

tbaymusicman wrote: »

well im sure the goverment cold think of something for me to do i dont wish to be one of the many scroungers that live on the dole for ever and see it as a lifestyle(no offence just not my thing)choice im going off my head doing noting:(:(

I know where ure coming from...On it since January...I have been very hard on myself from time to time.(Like ureself, way too hard on myself...It acheives nothing)
For majority of time since I'm taking courses and exams off my own back, learning basic Spanish, reading loads of books, watching dvds..Getting fit...I'll be doing great then get depressed for a few days...I hate going to the welfare office, f**king hate it, but have applied everywhere for work..Been told too qualifed,job doesnt exist,the usual..etc..Its an employers market and that market is slowed down to a halt..What have we done to be ashamed of??We are certainly not scroungers..I have to be positive though..And be ready for when I get that job..Thats the only option I have open to me...

Mrs OBumble

tbaymusicman wrote: »

well im sure the goverment cold think of something for me to do i dont wish to be one of the many scroungers that live on the dole for ever and see it as a lifestyle(no offence just not my thing)choice im going off my head doing noting:(:(

Well start doing something off your own initiative, then, instead of waiting for someone else to organise it for you!

Set yourself some targets:
- read one book a week/fortnight/month/whatever's achievable for you
- spring-clean your house
- go for a vigorous 45 minute walk every day
- learn to play a musical instrument (whistles only cost about E4 each, lots of websites have free tutorials etc)
- learn to play a new sport
- volunteer for some role in a local club
- learn something that would be relevant to your work (course if you can afford it, library book if not)
- join a church choir (they're free!)
- spring-clean your house
- learn a language

... whatever works for you.

Make yourself a ticklist of the things you'd like to achieve while you have this gift of extra free time.

Do out a plan for the week: allocate some time each day to job-hunting, and some to the targets you've set. (eg "Monday: 10am-12noon, spanish, 12-2 lunch, 2-4 job hunting, 4-6 exercise, 6-8 dinner and TV, 8-10 rugby practice). At the end of the week, revise progress, and adjust for the following week.

hblock21

JustMary wrote: »

Well start doing something off your own initiative, then, instead of waiting for someone else to organise it for you!

Set yourself some targets:
- read one book a week/fortnight/month/whatever's achievable for you
- spring-clean your house
- go for a vigorous 45 minute walk every day
- learn to play a musical instrument (whistles only cost about E4 each, lots of websites have free tutorials etc)
- learn to play a new sport
- volunteer for some role in a local club
- learn something that would be relevant to your work (course if you can afford it, library book if not)
- join a church choir (they're free!)
- spring-clean your house
- learn a language

... whatever works for you.

Make yourself a ticklist of the things you'd like to achieve while you have this gift of extra free time.

Do out a plan for the week: allocate some time each day to job-hunting, and some to the targets you've set. (eg "Monday: 10am-12noon, spanish, 12-2 lunch, 2-4 job hunting, 4-6 exercise, 6-8 dinner and TV, 8-10 rugby practice). At the end of the week, revise progress, and adjust for the following week.

You really like spring cleaning don't you!!

cooperla

JustMary wrote: »

Well start doing something off your own initiative, then, instead of waiting for someone else to organise it for you!

Set yourself some targets:
- read one book a week/fortnight/month/whatever's achievable for you
- spring-clean your house
- go for a vigorous 45 minute walk every day
- learn to play a musical instrument (whistles only cost about E4 each, lots of websites have free tutorials etc)
- learn to play a new sport
- volunteer for some role in a local club
- learn something that would be relevant to your work (course if you can afford it, library book if not)
- join a church choir (they're free!)
- spring-clean your house
- learn a language

... whatever works for you.

Make yourself a ticklist of the things you'd like to achieve while you have this gift of extra free time.

Do out a plan for the week: allocate some time each day to job-hunting, and some to the targets you've set. (eg "Monday: 10am-12noon, spanish, 12-2 lunch, 2-4 job hunting, 4-6 exercise, 6-8 dinner and TV, 8-10 rugby practice). At the end of the week, revise progress, and adjust for the following week.

Like your attitude OP.

One of the things here stands out for me: volunteering. You're helping out without doing the work that someone gets paid for as someone mentioned earlier. I'd expect a quick call to some local charities saying you have such and such skills/qualifications and are not working at the moment - do they have anything they need done - would very quickly result in some work.

Good luck with the job hunt.

EllaF

What can I say, Im sure I know how you feel.

It's been a couple of weeks since I was let go and my god being out of work can really knock your mind and body out of whack. I feel like a prisoner of my situtation, and I just want to get out.
They say it's important to have a routine so I've tried my best with that ye know.. a schedule of when i job hunt and get a bit of exercise etc. and for the most part I keep my spirits up, and my attitude positive, but I do get moments when i feel quite down, and to be honest like a complete failure, which is silly I know...

Oh and whoever said it is right, the social welfare offices are hell.. my local one has fights breaking out in it regularly its so packed, and with the lowest of the low really (sorry, true) its humilating to have to be a part of such madness..

I was thinking of doing some volunteering work myself however It was said to me that if the social welfare get wind of this, it would effect your claim because you should be spending that 2-3hours you volunteered, looking for work.. I mean is that not just nonsense? Do they want us to end up in psychiatric wards or what?

hmm one good thing is I have an interview 2moro.. so fingers firmly crossed, along with the other 200 applicants im sure will turn up:p
fun times:D

I wish original poster and all others the best of luck in their job seeking

Shiny

tbaymusicman wrote: »

Hey guys im an out of work electrician and im getting the dole or job seekers from my stamps been a few months since i got let go due to downturn!!heres my idea surely the goverment could use my skills to maintain there office's or whatever rather then giving me the 204 for noting???and at least id be doing something also im hoping of applying for rent allowance as my savings have evaporated so i feel guilty for getting free money anyone think thats a good idea

Perhaps use what you know to try and make something.

As an electrician you would have a huge advantage in terms
of building a little device that could be used in the area of
renewable energy or the energy sector in general.

If you are in a remote location, perhaps look into building a small
wind turbine using second hand components. If it works, maybe
build a second and more efficient one, catalogue your design and
put it in a blog perhaps. Put a few google ad's there and you might
make a few euro for yourself.

This way it keeps your mind at work and you would have fun.
You could also mention this when applying for jobs etc.
May also open doors for you in the renewable energy sector which
is going to be massive in the next few years.



Last time I was on the dole, I was on the verge of doing this.:)


There is also an energy show here in April. There would be alot of small
companies at this, some of who may be expanding despite the downturn.
I think, given your qualification it may be worth a look and would turn out
to be interesting at the very least.

tbaymusicman

JustMary wrote: »

Well start doing something off your own initiative, then, instead of waiting for someone else to organise it for you!

thanks justmary but im not waiting for someone else to organise anything for me i simply asked why cant my government use my skills i didn't ask for anyone to organise anything for me and i didn't appreciate the way you put it!!

monkeyfudge

FÁS has a community employment scheme. But it's for those who are unemployed over a year.

But it's essentially a way of getting people back and used to the routine of working and give them a chance to learn new skills on the job.

More info here:
http://www.citizensinformation.ie/categories/employment/unemployment-and-redundancy/employment-support-schemes/community_employment_scheme

tbaymusicman

monkeyfudge wrote: »

FÁS has a community employment scheme. But it's for those who are unemployed over a year.

But it's essentially a way of getting people back and used to the routine of working and give them a chance to learn new skills on the job.

More info here:
http://www.citizensinformation.ie/categories/employment/unemployment-and-redundancy/employment-support-schemes/community_employment_scheme

im not unemployed a year thank god and i pray im not going to be:(:(

Mrs OBumble

tbaymusicman wrote: »

thanks justmary but im not waiting for someone else to organise anything for me i simply asked why cant my government use my skills i didn't ask for anyone to organise anything for me and i didn't appreciate the way you put it!!

I'd imagine that prospective employers won't appreciate your lack of computer skills and poor use of English, either.

Now you're an adult, it's not the government's job to baby-sit you.

nesf

JustMary wrote: »

I'd imagine that prospective employers won't appreciate your lack of computer skills and poor use of English, either.

Now you're an adult, it's not the government's job to baby-sit you.

There's no need to criticise his English, his posts are perfectly legible.

eth0_

JustMary - this is a warning, do not speak to other boardsies like that.

tbaymusicman

JustMary wrote: »

I'd imagine that prospective employers won't appreciate your lack of computer skills and poor use of English, either.

Now you're an adult, it's not the government's job to baby-sit you.

you have some cheek!!!what exactly is wrong with my computer skills and my English??you think the government is going babysitting me i think you should read it again i want to contribute my skills for there disposal rather then being a scrounger

Mrs OBumble

tbaymusicman wrote: »

you have some cheek!!!what exactly is wrong with my computer skills and my English??you think the government is going babysitting me i think you should read it again i want to contribute my skills for there disposal rather then being a scrounger

Computer skills: look at post #11, where the quoting is weird.

English:
- capital letters at the beginning of sentences
- punctuation at the end of every sentence (full stop, question mark, etc)
- a space (or two if you an old fashioned typist like me) at the end of sentences
- capital "I" when it's used by itself, and in "I'm" and similar contractions
- "their" not "there" in your last sentence above.

Yes, this may sound harsh and nit-picking. But believe me, such things do matter to employers, and to their customers. Looking ignorant is NOT the way to get a job.

The tone of your first post is "someone else should organise to make use of me", rather than "can someone give me some suggestions of how I could make myself useful?"

PauloMN

JustMary wrote: »

Computer skills: look at post #11, where the quoting is weird.

English:
- capital letters at the beginning of sentences
- punctuation at the end of every sentence (full stop, question mark, etc)
- a space (or two if you an old fashioned typist like me) at the end of sentences
- capital "I" when it's used by itself, and in "I'm" and similar contractions
- "their" not "there" in your last sentence above.

Yes, this may sound harsh and nit-picking. But believe me, such things do matter to employers, and to their customers. Looking ignorant is NOT the way to get a job.

The tone of your first post is "someone else should organise to make use of me", rather than "can someone give me some suggestions of how I could make myself useful?"

Please tell me you are taking the mick. He is an electrician looking for work to do, not an English teacher or a programmer.

I pity your other half (assuming you have one).

bobbbb

tbaymusicman wrote: »

Hey guys im an out of work electrician and im getting the dole or job seekers from my stamps been a few months since i got let go due to downturn!!heres my idea surely the goverment could use my skills to maintain there office's or whatever rather then giving me the 204 for noting???and at least id be doing something also im hoping of applying for rent allowance as my savings have evaporated so i feel guilty for getting free money anyone think thats a good idea

You must have some elderly neighbours who live in old houses with dangerous wiring.
How about offering to rewire their houses for them at just the cost of the materials while you have no job.

They probably wouldnt normally be able to afford to get this done, so you are not putting anyone out of a job. And you would feel really good about yourself too.

Lobelia Overhill

AFAIK you're not allowed to do voluntary work when you're signing on the live register as it means you're not available for work 24/7 ...

and as for poor English/typing skills, dear gawd you should see some of the official letters I've had in my time. I had to request proof of my parent's pensions and one of the letters came back dreadful grammar, and instead of the amount of money his pension is, they'd the date his pension started. Letter completely useless and couldn't be used. There/their/they're your/yore/your frequently mis-used.

tbaymusicman

bobbbb wrote: »

You must have some elderly neighbours who live in old houses with dangerous wiring.
How about offering to rewire their houses for them at just the cost of the materials while you have no job.

They probably wouldnt normally be able to afford to get this done, so you are not putting anyone out of a job. And you would feel really good about yourself too.

See there's insurance problems with that and there's also the fact if the social found out i was doing any sort of work they'd probably halt my payments i would imagine???

tbaymusicman

JustMary wrote: »

Computer skills: look at post #11, where the quoting is weird.

English:
- capital letters at the beginning of sentences
- punctuation at the end of every sentence (full stop, question mark, etc)
- a space (or two if you an old fashioned typist like me) at the end of sentences
- capital "I" when it's used by itself, and in "I'm" and similar contractions
- "their" not "there" in your last sentence above.

Yes, this may sound harsh and nit-picking. But believe me, such things do matter to employers, and to their customers. Looking ignorant is NOT the way to get a job.

The tone of your first post is "someone else should organise to make use of me", rather than "can someone give me some suggestions of how I could make myself useful?"

Are you for real???do you ask your fooking tradesmen to take a grammar test before you hire them to do some work for you??your only looking for something to bitch about because i called you on your post and now you want a little tit for tat fight

bobbbb

tbaymusicman wrote: »

See there's insurance problems with that and there's also the fact if the social found out i was doing any sort of work they'd probably halt my payments i would imagine???

If you really wanted to you could. You're not working, you would be doing a favour for someone, thats all. You're still available for paid work if it comes up. The insurance issue is a load of balls.
You dont get insurance when you're doing work for your family as a favour do you?

DonkeyStyle \o/

tbaymusicman wrote: »

do you ask your fooking tradesmen to take a grammar test before you hire them to do some work for you??

Yeah that's silly... I usually drop some obscure Shakespeare references into the conversation, and if the tradesman doesn't laugh then I tell him there's no work for him today.

tbaymusicman

bobbbb wrote: »

If you really wanted to you could. You're not working, you would be doing a favour for someone, thats all. You're still available for paid work if it comes up. The insurance issue is a load of balls.
You dont get insurance when you're doing work for your family as a favour do you?

your family wont sue you if theres a fire due to an electrical fault bobbb so how is that a load of balls???if the dole find out your working for free they'l stop your claim and thats a fact if i really wanted to chance it i could but im not an idiot iv bills like everyone else so i need the money just would rather the government work me for it

bobbbb

tbaymusicman wrote: »

your family wont sue you if theres a fire due to an electrical fault bobbb so how is that a load of balls???if the dole find out your working for free they'l stop your claim and thats a fact if i really wanted to chance it i could but im not an idiot iv bills like everyone else so i need the money just would rather the government work me for it

You're a bit overly woriied i think about doing your elderly neighbours a favour. I often help my elderly neighbours out with all sorts of stuff. Havent been sued yet.

tbaymusicman

ye perhaps your right bobbb but no harm being cautious at times like these:D:D

segaBOY

tbaymusicman wrote: »

Hey guys im an out of work electrician and im getting the dole or job seekers from my stamps been a few months since i got let go due to downturn!!heres my idea surely the goverment could use my skills to maintain there office's or whatever rather then giving me the 204 for noting???and at least id be doing something also im hoping of applying for rent allowance as my savings have evaporated so i feel guilty for getting free money anyone think thats a good idea

I like your way of thinking-however you know the way the Civil Service and Government works, send an email to the Dept. of Welfare and a state office outlining your idea. They may throw some "you must be employed to carry out works" or "you won't meet our insurance requirements" or "we already have the staff, thanks"

Tbh these guys are so unionised the prospect of a hard worker taking someone elses job would horrify them so just keep that in mind.

Best of luck by the way it's tough out there.

segaBOY

JustMary wrote: »

Computer skills: look at post #11, where the quoting is weird.

English:
- capital letters at the beginning of sentences
- punctuation at the end of every sentence (full stop, question mark, etc)
- a space (or two if you an old fashioned typist like me) at the end of sentences
- capital "I" when it's used by itself, and in "I'm" and similar contractions
- "their" not "there" in your last sentence above.

Yes, this may sound harsh and nit-picking. But believe me, such things do matter to employers, and to their customers. Looking ignorant is NOT the way to get a job.

The tone of your first post is "someone else should organise to make use of me", rather than "can someone give me some suggestions of how I could make myself useful?"

Troll

tbaymusicman

segaBOY wrote: »

I like your way of thinking-however you know the way the Civil Service and Government works, send an email to the Dept. of Welfare and a state office outlining your idea. They may throw some "you must be employed to carry out works" or "you won't meet our insurance requirements" or "we already have the staff, thanks"

Tbh these guys are so unionised the prospect of a hard worker taking someone elses job would horrify them so just keep that in mind.

Best of luck by the way it's tough out there.

thanks dude think il drop them a line for the laugh see what they say:D:Dthey probably freak out and ask is it a radio scam haha

SarahMc

Lobelia Overhil wrote: »

AFAIK you're not allowed to do voluntary work when you're signing on the live register as it means you're not available for work 24/7 ...

This is absolutely false. People who are in receipt of social welfare can volunteer for as many hours as they like without it affecting their payments as long as they are still actively seeking work.

Register with your local Volunteer Bureau and Age Action who have schemes in many areas there unemployed/retired tradespeople do DIY jobs for the elderly.

The Government is just playing catch-up here, there is a real need for a revised Community Employment scheme where people who are unemployed less than a year can use their skills to benefit the community.

lolli

I'm looking for a job at the moment but i'm doing voluntary work in the evenings to keep me sane. Great to give a bit back but will also look good on my CV especially as its an area that I would like to work in.

tbaymusicman

you put your volunteering work on your cv???

Xiney

If it's relevant to your career, of course you should put voluntary work on your CV.

ynotdu

tbaymusicman wrote: »

Hey guys im an out of work electrician and im getting the dole or job seekers from my stamps been a few months since i got let go due to downturn!!heres my idea surely the goverment could use my skills to maintain there office's or whatever rather then giving me the 204 for noting???and at least id be doing something also im hoping of applying for rent allowance as my savings have evaporated so i feel guilty for getting free money anyone think thats a good idea

Hi first thing to reinforce is you are not receiving money for nothing as you state you are still receiving benifit from your stamps which were paid for from the wages you earned.you paid for your e204,its no handout!

you by instinct realise that people need to do something to keep themselves healthy physically and mentally even though you have the right to the e204(lets be honest really not enough for a quality of life anyway?)

Having read each thread i just find the poster who brought your grammer into it really has little to worry about:rolleyes:what a truly absurd off topic pile of nonsense!

you go for it,your value system is highly admirable and your fear of even doing voluntry work well justified,some in the dept could not possibly understand why somebody might do something for nothing!

best of luck to you:)

monkeyrevenge

Ok this might be a help for people

http://www.talenttank.ie

Its a new website where you can offers your skills/services/time to people for free.
There is a lot of charities and organisations that need help and it may be a good place to gain contacts for more work etc.