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No hope

  • 02-06-2009 04:05PM
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 166,006 ✭✭✭✭


    Regular here going unreg, out of embarrassment.

    I am completely losing hope... it is getting me seriously depressed.

    I have a Bachelors degree, I consider myself to be educated and intelligent. I have worked in a good few industeries, such as building, catering, bar work, retail, banking and a lot more. I have always worked. Sometimes I have had 3 jobs on the trot. While at college I worked at least one job. At times I had two... working up to 45 hours in a weekend. Crazy I know. For the past year I have searched for a job, but to no avail. I wouldn't mind if I was getting some sort of feed back but I seem to be putting my CV into a black abyss... it goes in and I never hear anything back. If I got interviews I wouldn't be so depressed, but all I ever get is, "you have not been successful this time" etc etc.

    I am on social welfare, which is fine, I live week by week. If it stops I will be homeless. I have college loans, which I can afford, I have bills which I can afford and I can feed myself, so that is not a huge problem. What is a huge problem is that I have been trying to find a job for so long, I have just lost all hope. Some days I just say, why bother... should I just sit it out and hope things improve next year? I was looking at some courses too, but I have done 5 years in college already, I spent one year doing a differant course and changed. I really don't want to do another 4 years. It would just finish me off at this stage.

    I have some thoughts, I love cooking so I would consider a cert course, but no more than two years. I have another course in mind, which is another thing I would love to do. A certificate (6 months) in Personnel Practice in National College of Ireland, it is €1890, which is expensive. My parents offered to pay that though. Thing is if I go back to college I will lose my social welfare and a student grant is nowhere near enough to live on. I would be a mature student.

    I would like to further my education but it would cost almost 20 thousand euro for the college and course I would like, so impossible.

    What do people do in desperate situations. I am just drained of all hope, doing the same thing every day, find it hard to go out and do fun things as it costs money... simple things like going to the park, still costs money.

    I am depressed... :( And all I want to do is work...


Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,009 ✭✭✭✭Cuddlesworth


    I know I'm going to be shot for saying this but your "Degree" means very little in the real world without experience. And depending on the degree it could mean nothing even with experience.

    You and a lot of graduates are in a situation where the job market is saturated and in a choice between a grad who has to be trained and assessed and a person with 2-3 years experience guess who will get it?

    I would suggest first finding a field of work that you want to do. You seem to just be flitting between jobs given your past. In this filed of work, try gain any sort of experience even voluntary.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 166,006 ✭✭✭✭LegacyUser


    I am not in between jobs, I have no job. My degree is a business one. I have learnt quite a lot from it. Law, consumer behavious, economics etc etc. It was a very good degree.

    I am interested in a few things. The army was one, but I am too old for that now. Guard was another but there is a freeze on recruitment. I also like cooking but I think that will always be a hobby. I believe that my career would be in Human resource managment, but I have no experience in that field. Looking at courses, it is also very expensive.

    I apply for the call centre jobs, the minimum wage jobs, anything that can give me a bit of security, but I never hear from anyone. My cv is "a recruiters dream" according to the professionals. I have a lot of experience in working in many industeries. Which I listed.

    Voluntary work is just as difficult to get. Firstly a company would have to take me one. There is risk involved in that, secondly I would lose my social welfare if I do voluntary work.

    I am not unemployed long enough to get any assistance from fas, I will be next month though.

    Sorry cuddlesworth, but it seems that you have not read my post, or if you have, you have not read it proparly.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 9,925 ✭✭✭Otis Driftwood


    Have you tried tailoring your CV to the individual jobs you are applying for?

    Say focusing on your communication/negotiation experience for call centre jobs etc.

    Just from what you have written above
    building, catering, bar work, retail, banking and a lot more.

    They are all pretty different industries so as an ex recruiter the first question I would ask is why have you moved so much through different sectors?

    Your CV may be too cluttered if you are including every single job you have done.

    As for the CPP,you can do it in DIT for less than a grand,exactly the same course but what i would say is that its not worth the paper its written on unless you are working in HR.A friend of mine finished hers last September and is still unemployed(she has a BA too)

    I finished it a month ago,have an honours HR degree and I cannot even get an interview for HR administrator jobs that are paying 20k so maybe hold off investing in it just yet.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,009 ✭✭✭✭Cuddlesworth


    LETMEWORK wrote: »
    I am not in between jobs, I have no job. My degree is a business one. I have learnt quite a lot from it. Law, consumer behavious, economics etc etc. It was a very good degree.

    Great degree, relevant to a tiny percentage of starting jobs. See the problem?

    And your in between jobs, no job is when you resign yourself to living on the dole. Which you haven't.
    LETMEWORK wrote: »
    I am interested in a few things. The army was one, but I am too old for that now. Guard was another but there is a freeze on recruitment. I also like cooking but I think that will always be a hobby. I believe that my career would be in Human resource management, but I have no experience in that field. Looking at courses, it is also very expensive.

    If you like cooking go for it. But its a very very tough job with no glamour, horrible hours and physically demanding unless you happen to get famous.

    If you are going to do a course, make sure it is relevant to real world experience. Very few of them are related to the actual work you are supposedly being trained for.
    LETMEWORK wrote: »
    I apply for the call centre jobs, the minimum wage jobs, anything that can give me a bit of security, but I never hear from anyone. My cv is "a recruiters dream" according to the professionals. I have a lot of experience in working in many industeries. Which I listed.

    Your a recruiters dream because they are hoping to get you into a well paid job. On the other side of the fence for the low end jobs, I'm going to see a intelligent person working well below his level who will jump ship at the earliest opportunity. Not my first choice.

    Its not a bad thing really, because sooner or later somebody will take you on hoping you exceed expectations and rise ranks. Not a needed attribute when working in Micky d's. But make your mind up as to what you want to do.

    As for the wealth of experience in jobs. So do I. From the crap ones all the way up. And when I applied for my current one all it accounted for was the fact that I could work as they had little to do with it. I got it because I went out of my way to gain experience in that field.

    Finally a lot of the jobs on sites at the moment are bull. They are just a excuse for the gathering of CV's.
    LETMEWORK wrote: »
    Voluntary work is just as difficult to get. Firstly a company would have to take me one. There is risk involved in that, secondly I would lose my social welfare if I do voluntary work.

    I'm pretty sure that in order to not qualify for the dole you need to earn money. Which you won't for voluntary work. Even charity work would keep you occupied.

    LETMEWORK wrote: »
    I am not unemployed long enough to get any assistance from fas, I will be next month though.

    Sorry cuddlesworth, but it seems that you have not read my post, or if you have, you have not read it proparly.

    I read it and I understand the situation you are in. But you are in that situation with the rest of the dole queue who want to work. 15 HR personnel were let go from my company last month. Thats 15 more people on the market with the same degree and years of office work behind them who will take the job your degree lead you towards.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,233 ✭✭✭artvanderlay


    Would you consider teaching English as a foreign language in a language school here in Ireland (or abroad-even better!)? You can do an intensive month long course for around €1000 and the wages usually start at around €20 per hour. Might be worth a shot and you do have a degree which means that you can actually teach English here.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 166,006 ✭✭✭✭LegacyUser


    Great degree, relevant to a tiny percentage of starting jobs. See the problem?

    It's a degree which I would have a lot of opportunities I would have thought. It was a very broad course which covered a lot of things. Customer service, human resources etc etc.
    And your in between jobs, no job is when you resign yourself to living on the dole. Which you haven't.

    Ok sorry I misunderstood you there. Jumping jobs a lot, which I didn't :)


    If you like cooking go for it. But its a very very tough job with no glamour, horrible hours and physically demanding unless you happen to get famous.

    Hard work has never put me off a job, I am not 100% sure this is what I want. I could keep this as a hobby.
    If you are going to do a course, make sure it is relevant to real world experience. Very few of them are related to the actual work you are supposedly being trained for.

    I don't think I will invest in this. I am very indecisive, sorry :(


    Your a recruiters dream because they are hoping to get you into a well paid job. On the other side of the fence for the low end jobs, I'm going to see a intelligent person working well below his level who will jump ship at the earliest opportunity. Not my first choice.

    Its not a bad thing really, because sooner or later somebody will take you on hoping you exceed expectations and rise ranks. Not a needed attribute when working in Micky d's. But make your mind up as to what you want to do.

    As for the wealth of experience in jobs. So do I. From the crap ones all the way up. And when I applied for my current one all it accounted for was the fact that I could work as they had little to do with it. I got it because I went out of my way to gain experience in that field.

    I surely would jump ship if the job didn't offer me anything over time, it's the natural thing to do. I have a few jobs in mind, I would love to manage people, but if I didn't I wouldn't be annoyed. I enjoy customer service too as I know I am good at it. I have never been bad at any job I have taken on.

    It was easier a few years ago to get experience in certain fields... but not now, it's quite difficult. I cannot get experience in anything. My best mate has his own company. Insurance brokers, he won't even give me work experience...
    Finally a lot of the jobs on sites at the moment are bull. They are just a excuse for the gathering of CV's.

    Yea I only use jobs.ie and only apply directly to companies themselves... That's ok right? News papers aint that good, Fas is ok too.


    I'm pretty sure that in order to not qualify for the dole you need to earn money. Which you won't for voluntary work. Even charity work would keep you occupied.

    I checked it out, I used to do voluntary work to add to my CV but stopped since I heard I could lose my dole I stopped doing that.



    I read it and I understand the situation you are in. But you are in that situation with the rest of the dole queue who want to work. 15 HR personnel were let go from my company last month. Thats 15 more people on the market with the same degree and years of office work behind them who will take the job your degree lead you towards.

    Ok thanks for your advice. :)


  • Posts: 24,774 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    LETMEWORK wrote: »
    , I spent one year doing a differant course and changed. I really don't want to do another 4 years. It would just finish me off at this stage.

    Have you considered a postgraduate course like a masters or Higher diploma which would follow on from your degree? Most are only one year so you would not have to face into years of college and even after a year there may be more jobs out there and you would also be more qualified.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,803 ✭✭✭bluefinger



    I'm pretty sure that in order to not qualify for the dole you need to earn money. Which you won't for voluntary work. Even charity work would keep you occupied.

    fyi. in order to qualify for dole you have to be available for and seeking work if a person was working, even in a voluntary capacity they would be automatically disqualified as they are not available for work.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,102 ✭✭✭am i bovvered


    LETMEWORK wrote: »
    I have some thoughts, I love cooking so I would consider a cert course, but no more than two years.
    What do people do in desperate situations. I am just drained of all hope, doing the same thing every day, find it hard to go out and do fun things as it costs money... simple things like going to the park, still costs money.

    I am depressed... :( And all I want to do is work...

    Hello :)
    I am a chef, and reading your post above feel you have all the attributes to make it.... hard working, a natural love of food, and intelligent.
    What I believe you should do is apply for a profesional cookery day release program, it means that you can work as well as go to college.
    The employer is supposed to sponsor you, but this is not always the case, there are little to no fees.
    At the same time apply to all local good restaurants for any position in the kitchen, call in leave your name and number, ask them to ring if they are stuck. Every restaurant gets stuck you... they will ring you.

    It is a tough job, but also rewarding. I only became a chef after I was married and already had one child, I qualified 9 years ago.

    No job is safe these days.... not even mine but this industry always needs good chefs, and jobs are always available. Even if the big money is gone out of it for now.

    I also feel your degree would be a great asset down the line. I would love to have one now it would open doors to another level of management.

    Good luck no matter what you do, if you continue to have the "want to work attitude" you will be fine.... good luck.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 539 ✭✭✭piby


    Would you consider teaching English as a foreign language in a language school here in Ireland (or abroad-even better!)? You can do an intensive month long course for around €1000 and the wages usually start at around €20 per hour. Might be worth a shot and you do have a degree which means that you can actually teach English here.

    +1

    I know a few people who have just graduated and are heading to the Far East for a year or so. Honestly if you have no commitments (kids, girlfriend etc.) you should consider it. The likes of Japan, South Korea and Tawain offer good wage (I believe Tawain is the best if you want to save money as it has a low cost of living). Seriously while it'll require an initial investment I think it's well worth it. You get to live abroad for a year and you're doing something worthwhile for the community. If anything it may just be good to get away from Ireland for a while and come back refreshed.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 166,006 ✭✭✭✭LegacyUser


    I love cooking too but wouldn't consider it as a career though worked in many restaurants in my time. Its simply a very tough dirty hard job. I know a few chefs who would love to get out of it.
    Travelling, korea etc is always good, I did that too for awhile. tbh its a stop gap and not going to forward your career in any significant way but I suppose you could always come back when times are better.

    Friends of mine have gone back to college after a year on the dole, with grants and dole and rent allowance and all the frills. You're already six months into being eligible. Find out if this option is still available. It might be your best bet.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 7,132 ✭✭✭x in the city


    just no jobs there

    I got 6 years of 3rd level and a few eng degrees, but not much work exp

    practically impossible to get work, im looking into masters in some specific fields which sould hopefully reap dividends


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 724 ✭✭✭cock robin


    No hope indeed. Do not be negative Not having a job should be seen as a challenge. Some of the greatest works of art and literature were created by guess what? Unemployed people. If they had jobs the chances are we would never have witnessed their creativity. You sound like your ok for the basics(bed & board) etc. You sound like a very articulate and intelligent person. Use the time in some new way. You would be amazed at where not having to work for some one can lead. Enjoy the freedom. :):):)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 166,006 ✭✭✭✭LegacyUser


    Would you consider teaching English as a foreign language in a language school here in Ireland (or abroad-even better!)? You can do an intensive month long course for around €1000 and the wages usually start at around €20 per hour. Might be worth a shot and you do have a degree which means that you can actually teach English here.


    A friend of mine is on the dole and she has started one of these courses paid for by Fas and a back to work scheme


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