What to do when you're unemployed

Ironé

I'm unemployed at the moment with no job in sight and I'm getting bored out of my mind. Daytime TV only gets you so far.

Is anyone out there in the same boat? What do you do during the day that's constructive?

If you had the time to start some project what would you do?

TwoShedsJackson

Ironé wrote: »

What do you do during the day that's constructive?

If you had the time to start some project what would you do?

You could apply for jobs.

chakotha

Dig up the garden (if you have one) and plant vegetables. Its planting seeds time from around now onwards. Good and healthy and outdoors and it's fun watching their progress.

Latchy

You could go on a course of some sort at your local college were you will meet other people and make friends along the way . Also think about taking up a hobby of sorts , like DIY that will keep your mind and body occupied .

raptorman

You could to a load of training and get yourself into great shape.

TestTransmission

Fap

CreepingDeath

Refresh your skills or learn new ones, with FAS courses or the like.

Chase up recruitment agents, proactively send you CV into companies and don't wait for them to advertise.

Do a bit of exercise, it's good for the mind and body.

Or grab an auld black sack and start collecting the rubbish around your area.

If I were made redundant, then aside from job hunting I'd be learning new skills based on the jobs advertised. Eg. in I.T. I might learn new languages like .NET, or start my own open source projects as a showcase for my skills.

ntlbell

work out.
apply for jobs.

do some courses at home.

whack off

Ironé

TwoShedsJackson wrote: »

You could apply for jobs.

Hillarious!

You see the thing is due to the recession, there is no jobs out there in what I do. I would do anything to be back in work but after a few months of nothing I'm beginning to realize that this could be my life for a lot longer so am trying to do something constructive whilst continuing to look out for work.

PurpleBerry

Ironé wrote: »

What do you do during the day that's constructive?

Answer dumb questions on Boards.ie.

Ironé wrote: »

If you had the time to start some project what would you do?

Try to figure out the whole "who is Batman" conspiracy. . I've narrowed it down to three suspects. 1) Pighead. 2) Christian Bale or 3) Dustin the Turkey. I think I'm getting close.

Saint_Mel

- Do a FAS/part-time/evening course
- Do all that DIY you never had time to do before
- Do some charity work
- Learn to play the guitar

Cianos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4P785j15Tzk

nevaeh-2die-4

PurpleBerry wrote: »

Answer dumb questions on Boards.ie.



Try to figure out the whole "who is Batman" conspiracy. . I've narrowed it down to three suspects. 1) Pighead. 2) Christian Bale or 3) Dustin the Turkey. I think I'm getting close.

4) your ma

Ironé

chakotha wrote: »

Dig up the garden (if you have one) and plant vegetables. Its planting seeds time from around now onwards. Good and healthy and outdoors and it's fun watching their progress.

Great idea thanks! Was thinking of teaching myself to bake properly too.

edgpower

how's it going. i'm currently unemployed and bored out of my face. looking for a job but no joy. thinkink of doing course but they cost a bit.

Saint_Mel

edgpower wrote: »

how's it going. i'm currently unemployed and bored out of my face. looking for a job but no joy. thinkink of doing course but they cost a bit.

If your unemployed can you not qualify for funded FAS courses or something?

TwoShedsJackson

Ironé wrote: »

Hillarious!

You see the thing is due to the recession, there is no jobs out there in what I do. I would do anything to be back in work but after a few months of nothing I'm beginning to realize that this could be my life for a lot longer so am trying to do something constructive whilst continuing to look out for work.

Well it's true I am hilarious, but in all seriousness, my sister is in the same boat and is taking getting a new job as her current job, so to speak. She researches, applies, does interviews etc. from 9 to 5. It does fill the day.

What field are you in? If it's nuclear physics or something, ok you could have trouble, but you may have to diversify in the current climate.

Ironé

edgpower wrote: »

how's it going. i'm currently unemployed and bored out of my face. looking for a job but no joy. thinkink of doing course but they cost a bit.

There's actually a lot of courses you can do online for free. Particulalrly IT stuff. And FAS courses would be a good option.

I've been doing some grinds for the leavingcert and juniorcert too - handy bit of money and it's kind of interesting.

Ironé

TwoShedsJackson wrote: »

Well it's true I am hilarious, but in all seriousness, my sister is in the same boat and is taking getting a new job as her current job, so to speak. She researches, applies, does interviews etc. from 9 to 5. It does fill the day.

What field are you in? If it's nuclear physics or something, ok you could have trouble, but you may have to diversify in the current climate.

Oh I'd be well on for doing interview 9 to 5 if there were any jobs out there to interview for. I have 15 years experience in IT - in various different roles - there is nothing out there. I've done a few interviews but as my last role was quite senior I'm now over qualified.

I'm actually thinking about starting up my own business and have been doing some work on this but it really does not fill the day.

BaconZombie

No jobs?

Ironé wrote: »

Hillarious!

You see the thing is due to the recession, there is no jobs out there in what I do. I would do anything to be back in work but after a few months of nothing I'm beginning to realize that this could be my life for a lot longer so am trying to do something constructive whilst continuing to look out for work.

Xavi6

/subscribes to thread

PurpleBerry

nevaeh-2die-4 wrote: »

4) your ma

Nah, sure me ma is Wonder Woman. Wait, unless that's just her cover.

This case has just been blown wide open people!

Blazer

What you could be is become a stud muffin and start calling around to all those lonely milfs whose husbands are working during the day.
That way you're providing a service to your local community and the benefit of passing time away for yourself.

Ironé

BOFH_139 wrote: »

No jobs?

Are you for real? You think I can get a job as a civil engineer without any qualifications? Or maybe I could just become a lawyer - they earn a lot of money.

There are no jobs in my field where I live. With the greatest respect you know nothing about me or what I have done to try and get work. There are many many people in this situation in Ireland.

Ironé

Mathew Reilly wrote: »

What you could be is become a stud muffin and start calling around to all those lonely milfs whose husbands are working during the day.
That way you're providing a service to your local community and the benefit of passing time away for yourself.

Might be an issue considering I'm a woman

leinster93

How about doing some charity work? Taking up oil painting, water colour painting or some hobby of the sort...? I saw a chap recently with an easal up along the canal doing an oil on canvas. Made me wonder if he was made redundant or perhaps it was just his day off...on a Wednesday??? Anyway, what about taking up a musical instrument or how about getting your finances in order if they need it?

The general advice out there is not to become a recluse. Go for walks in the park, go to the coffee place and hang out or go to the bookstore to pass time... or maybe join the library. They got internet access also...Go to some places like museums which are free...

Just my 2 cents worth...

Latchy

Ironé wrote: »

Might be an issue considering I'm a woman

You'll just have to have a sex change so

I RLY shouldnt be encouraging such stuff .

Xavi6

leinster93 wrote: »

The general advice out there is not to become a recluse. Go for walks in the park, go to the coffee place and hang out or go to the bookstore to pass time... or maybe join the library. They got internet access also...Go to some places like museums which are free...

Danger ****? Hmmmm intriguing......

Ironé

latchyco wrote: »

You'll just have to have a sex change so

I RLY shouldnt be encouraging such stuff .

But they're so expensive and my other half might have some issues with that?

Maybe there's some form of grant?

ScumLord

If I was unemployed I would spend my entire day trying to overthrow the government.

chughes

I find myself in the same position as yourself. I had been working in IT for many years and this is the first time in my life that I'm out of work. Smart alex answers to a serious question isn't very helpful and I just want you to know that you're not alone in your predicament.

Blazer

Ironé wrote: »

Might be an issue considering I'm a woman

well then you can call around to my place when I get left go

leinster93

Xavi6 wrote: »

Danger ****? Hmmmm intriguing......

... Taking the p*ss on this subject is not something I want to be dragged into.

North_West_Art

Ironé wrote: »

Oh I'd be well on for doing interview 9 to 5 if there were any jobs out there to interview for. I have 15 years experience in IT - in various different roles - there is nothing out there. I've done a few interviews but as my last role was quite senior I'm now over qualified.

I'm actually thinking about starting up my own business and have been doing some work on this but it really does not fill the day.

If your willing to relocate.. be sure to apply for this, as I know that the staff are asking around at the moment does anyone know someone that would be interested
http://www.stangelas.com/administration/human_resource/jobs/technicial_officer_ICT.php

Its also very picturesque, and in a great location in the NW if your into surfing, water sports in general, theres always loads of stuff going on..
good luck

BaconZombie

That was a listing of ALL jobs in Cork.

So since you can;t be arsed click the sector you want, here is a link to all the IT jobs in Cork:

http://www.irishjobs.ie/Search_Roles2.asp?RecType=3&Company=ON&Agency=ON&Location=42&IsProvince=0&MatchPerc=40&Ranking=&JobType=0&No_Days_Created=0&Category=3

Ironé wrote: »

Are you for real? You think I can get a job as a civil engineer without any qualifications? Or maybe I could just become a lawyer - they earn a lot of money.

There are no jobs in my field where I live. With the greatest respect you know nothing about me or what I have done to try and get work. There are many many people in this situation in Ireland.

Ironé

chughes wrote: »

I find myself in the same position as yourself. I had been working in IT for many years and this is the first time in my life that I'm out of work. Smart alex answers to a serious question isn't very helpful and I just want you to know that you're not alone in your predicament.

Yeah it's a real shock to the system. I feel so guilty as well as my partner is heading out for work every morning, paying the bills, giving me money for a few drinks at the weekend

He's being extremely well fed though and he's getting all his washing, ironing done. It used to be the other way around as I worked such long hours.

I do really feel though that it's a good time to start up your own small business or something. All this time could be put to some good use, which is why I posted just to see what people would advise. I'm going to get out in the yard soon and start clearing the place up and getting ready for some gardening thanks to people's advice today.

Dragan

I finish up work on Friday and shall be doing the following.

Friday - finish work
Saturday - fly to Amsterdam.
Next week - get back and chill for a while.
Following Monday : Up by 9, working by 10.
Week days broken into two blocks, 10-12:30 and 13:30 to 17:00.

Between those times i will be working on main painting, photography, drawing, sculpture, digital art and art techniques in general.

I will also be doing a lot of reading on Art/Photographic history and theory.

There will be excursions to museums, gallery's, parks, zoo's, sights of natural beauty etc etc.

That's 5 days a week, weekends as normal.

All in the name of my Portfolio.

Ironé

BOFH_139 wrote: »

That was a listing of ALL jobs in Cork.

So since you can;t be arsed click the sector you want, here is a link to all the IT jobs in Cork:

http://www.irishjobs.ie/Search_Roles2.asp?RecType=3&Company=ON&Agency=ON&Location=42&IsProvince=0&MatchPerc=40&Ranking=&JobType=0&No_Days_Created=0&Category=3

Yes I can't be arsed - it's like you're inside my head? It's not like I don't look at that site everyday and apply for any job I can when it turns up in my field - which is rare.

So that's where I'm going wrong? Thanks so much for clearing that up for me.

Ironé

Dragan wrote: »

I finish up work on Friday and shall be doing the following.

Friday - finish work
Saturday - fly to Amsterdam.
Next week - get back and chill for a while.
Following Monday : Up by 9, working by 10.
Week days broken into two blocks, 10-12:30 and 13:30 to 17:00.

Between those times i will be working on main painting, photography, drawing, sculpture, digital art and art techniques in general.

I will also be doing a lot of reading on Art/Photographic history and theory.

There will be excursions to museums, gallery's, parks, zoo's, sights of natural beauty etc etc.

That's 5 days a week, weekends as normal.

All in the name of my Portfolio.

Sounds great. It's so important not to lie in in the mornings - I get up at the same time as my partner every day.

You've def given me some food for thought.

novarock

Ironé wrote: »

Yeah it's a real shock to the system. I feel so guilty as well as my partner is heading out for work every morning, paying the bills, giving me money for a few drinks at the weekend

He's being extremely well fed though and he's getting all his washing, ironing done. It used to be the other way around as I worked such long hours.

I do really feel though that it's a good time to start up your own small business or something. All this time could be put to some good use, which is why I posted just to see what people would advise. I'm going to get out in the yard soon and start clearing the place up and getting ready for some gardening thanks to people's advice today.

There are always IT support jobs available, It just takes getting used to the fact that you are not going to be earning as much money. Over qualified or not, those jobs are high turnover, and employers will hire people who are over qualified even to make use of the experience they have for a certain amount of time.

Id much rather be earning a reasonable wage than being on the dole. Plus finding a job while you are in a job is always easier...

North_West_Art

Dragan wrote: »

I finish up work on Friday and shall be doing the following.

Friday - finish work
Saturday - fly to Amsterdam.
Next week - get back and chill for a while.
Following Monday : Up by 9, working by 10.
Week days broken into two blocks, 10-12:30 and 13:30 to 17:00.

Between those times i will be working on main painting, photography, drawing, sculpture, digital art and art techniques in general.

I will also be doing a lot of reading on Art/Photographic history and theory.

There will be excursions to museums, gallery's, parks, zoo's, sights of natural beauty etc etc.

That's 5 days a week, weekends as normal.

All in the name of my Portfolio.

Thats pretty much how I spend my time also... any chance of seeing some of your stuff?

thebigcheese22

Dragan wrote: »

I finish up work on Friday and shall be doing the following.

Friday - finish work
Saturday - fly to Amsterdam.
Next week - get back and chill for a while.
Following Monday : Up by 9, working by 10.
Week days broken into two blocks, 10-12:30 and 13:30 to 17:00.

Between those times i will be working on main painting, photography, drawing, sculpture, digital art and art techniques in general.

I will also be doing a lot of reading on Art/Photographic history and theory.

There will be excursions to museums, gallery's, parks, zoo's, sights of natural beauty etc etc.

That's 5 days a week, weekends as normal.

All in the name of my Portfolio.

Fair play to you, you seem to be not fazed by this at all! Wish ya all the best with that portfolio

On another point, I find it shocking the amount of boardsies that are saying they're unemployed recently, tis tragic

North_West_Art

In case any of you IT heads didnt see this link, here it is again...2 positions available.

http://www.stangelas.com/administration/human_resource/jobs/technicial_officer_ICT.php

Ironé

novarock wrote: »

There are always IT support jobs available, It just takes getting used to the fact that you are not going to be earning as much money. Over qualified or not, those jobs are high turnover, and employers will hire people who are over qualified even to make use of the experience they have for a certain amount of time.

Id much rather be earning a reasonable wage than being on the dole. Plus finding a job while you are in a job is always easier...

Yeah I'm actually thinking of maybe doing the IT support stuff myself. I've been doing a lot of odd jobs for people so looking at making a job for myself.

I am not at all looking for a high salary - not at all. Anything at all would do. And I'm not on the dole - not that it matters.

Will have a look around though and see if there is any IT support stuff in my area. Thanks for the tip.

Degsy

novarock wrote: »

There are always IT support jobs available, It just takes getting used to the fact that you are not going to be earning as much money. Over qualified or not, those jobs are high turnover, and employers will hire people who are over qualified even to make use of the experience they have for a certain amount of time.

Id much rather be earning a reasonable wage than being on the dole. Plus finding a job while you are in a job is always easier...

It seems a lot of people in "IT" want to do that and nothing else.
I suppose its easier sitting in front of a computer all day than working in a pub etc but i would've thought anything is better than being on the dole.

Ironé

Degsy wrote: »

It seems a lot of people in "IT" want to do that and nothing else.
I suppose its easier sitting in front of a computer all day than working in a pub etc but i would've thought anything is better than being on the dole.

I guess it all depends what you want out of life.

I think its fair enough for IT people to want to do IT work - if that's what you've worked at for years - if that's what you're good at.

Degsy

Ironé wrote: »

I guess it all depends what you want out of life.

I think its fair enough for IT people to want to do IT work - if that's what you've worked at for years - if that's what you're good at.

But if they desperatly want to get off the dole they may have to lower thier sights a little bit...take whatever jobs might be available.
I think its a bit arrogant for people to consider themselves "overqualified" when they dont have a job.

Dragan

Ironé wrote: »

Sounds great. It's so important not to lie in in the mornings - I get up at the same time as my partner every day.

You've def given me some food for thought.

Yeah, herself will actually be in the same boat as she lost her job ( i went for VR ) so we will be keeping each other on track, or at least that is the plan.

North_West_Art wrote: »

Thats pretty much how I spend my time also... any chance of seeing some of your stuff?

Sure thing, you can click the link to my Flickr below, it has a lot of my photography on it. My Art and Digital Art stuff mostly exists on my Facebook, so i can add you if you have one and you can have a look.

Degsy wrote: »

It seems a lot of people in "IT" want to do that and nothing else.
I suppose its easier sitting in front of a computer all day than working in a pub etc but i would've thought anything is better than being on the dole.

This is something i have noticed as well, people don't seem to want to step back and work a lower job than the one they had. Not something that bothers me, money is money and bills need paying.

is_that_so

My last experience of this went on much the same way and I got bored very easily. My approach was to plan the week which in itself would soak up some of that time.
Many of the suggestions here I'd concur with.

My own list of ramblings

• Get a daily routine of activities. Write a comprehensive list.
• Get into the habit of talking to people every day (OH doesn't count)
• Go to the library.
• Don't laze in bed. Make each day seem like a work day.
• Revamp your CV.
• Talk to Fas.
• Visit some agencies if relevant to your line of work. It also gives you a chance to dress up a bit. Surprising how good this can make people feel.
• If you are thinking of your own business go to your local Enterprise Ireland
• Join your local chamber of commerce. OK some outlay but not massively expensive.
• Apply for any jobs that you could physically do -never mind what you've been doing.
• Online courses are good but can keep you trapped at home.
• Exercise every day - walk, cycle, gym, swim, gardening whatever your preference. Build it into your routine.
• Learn to cook if it's something you could be better at. Get some new hobbies
• Do something you've "always wanted to do".
• Read lots
• Paint the house
• Go to the supermarket more often instead of just one shopping trip at the end of the week.
• Offer your experience or services for free or see is there is a skills exchange group around.
• Look forward to the weekend. This can help make the rest of the week feel like a normal week especially if you have a long lists of things to do from Monday to Friday.
• PMA(Positive Mental Attitude). Things will get better.
• Pat yourself on the back(literally) when you get through all the things on your list.

Ultimately all of this will end.

Ironé

Degsy wrote: »

But if they desperatly want to get off the dole they may have to lower thier sights a little bit...take whatever jobs might be available.
I think its a bit arrogant for people to consider themselves "overqualified" when they dont have a job.

Ok, I'll take it that is directed at me as I stated that I was "over qualified" for many of the jobs I applied for. Not by my own decision but by the prospective employer. They aren't interested in my CV as I am over qualified for the position being advertised. I've been in their position before and have discounted CVs for the same reason.

I've spent 15 years working in IT - 6 years getting qualifications - I am not going to walk away from that unless I really have no other option.

Alcatel

I used to work as a freelancer, so I suppose even if I didn't have a job I'd never consider myself to be "unemployed"... And you should think of yourself as a freelancer as well.

1. Set yourself some goals
2. Set a schedule
3. Stick to it!

For example, goal #1 could be "Find a new job." Okay, so dedicate 9am-11am (or something) to looking at new jobs, sending CV's. Actively look around, research new avenues, not just the job sites - for example, have you considered consulting? IT rates are coming down a lot, and if you can undercut the guys working for 850EUR a day!

Goal #2 could be "Expand my skills to X, Y or Z" Something practical and useful, be it a FAS course, or just picking up a how-to book and working on it. More IT skills? New skills entirely? You could research small business startup, if you like.

Goal #3 could be something personal, "Get fit" being the obvious one.

The key thing is, fill your days 9-5 like you would if you were at work! Remember, you work for "Me Ltd" now. Don't stay in bed till midday, get up and feel miserable. Get up and work for yourself. Set your own goals and keep a schedule. Not everyone can freelance, but now that you've been forced into the position you should learn to do it.