Newly Qualified Social Worker- cant get a job

Prettylady

hi all,
I am looking for advice about work. I am a newly qualifed social worker, qualifed from Trinity College with a Masters in Social Work in June 09. I have been unable to find any work since. I also have a BA hons degree in social care. I have completed several work placements, both in my degree and in my masters. I have completed placements in child protection and adoption also in disablites and in a local authority.
The only work I can currently get is a bit of relief social care work which might only be 4 days a month at this stage. I am not in a position to emigrate or reclocate.
I have applied to every social work dept, statutory and voluntary as well as hospitals and organisations. i would happily take a social care work job by these as imposible to find outside of dublin.
I have so far failed to even get an interview for a social work job as i get rejection letters saying i need at least 2 -3 yrs post qualifying experience.
I cant get the job without the expereince or the expereince without the job. I am beginning to despair. I spent six full years in college to train and now nothing. i feel like i wont even know how to do the job the longer I am out of it.
any advice would be very much appreciated.

Dave!

Not much to be said really other than it's not just social workers that are finding it find to get a job in this climate ! I have a mate that graduated with a 1st class honours in economics, and a masters in finance, and he spent months with nothing. Ended up taking a job doing door to door sales for Eircom, great !

You probably heard all the anecdotes about law graduates applying for McDonald's, etc.

Are you looking for work in other areas too?

dellas1979

Prettylady,

As in the words of the great MJ "You are not alone".

If you are driven to get a job in said area and you can afford to not be working (in any job) then just persevere. In this case, despite what you think, you are one of the lucky ones.

There are loads of people out there who, despite being trained to Masters, PhD level or whatever in various fields, had to take jobs doing anything to pay bills and put food on the table. I know plenty of people in this state who have years experience but cannot get a job in their desired area, but cannot afford not to work either.

Prettylady

yes I have applied for jobs in other jobs but I want a job in my area. Also the little bit of work as relief social care worker in one or 2 shifts brings in more money than I would make during a week on mininmum wage so i wouldnt give that up.
it just seems impossible that I will ever get a social work posiiton with no experience.

dellas1979

Prettylady wrote: »

yes I have applied for jobs in other jobs but I want a job in my area.

We all want jobs in what we trained for. I think you are lucky to be doing what you are at the moment - may lead to something better - in which case it is a case of perseverence. Yeah, unfortunately a piece of paper with MA/MsC/MbA written on it doesnt mean diddley squat these days - we all have em

You get as much experience as you can anyway you can - employers can afford to ask for as much as they want these days - its an employers market. Years ago employees were job hopping here and there, and demanding this and that. Thats all finished with. If they want someone for 30k with 5 years experience Im afraid they can do this. You may get a break if you continue the way you are and persevere.

Prettylady

thanks 4 de advice, well I def wont give up, I keep applying and applying and praying. to even get a locum positon would be great.

Nolanger

Voluntary work in a charity shop/homeless shelter/citizens advice office?

kelle

Prettylady wrote: »

hi all,
The only work I can currently get is a bit of relief social care work which might only be 4 days a month at this stage. I am not in a position to emigrate or reclocate.
.

Why can you not emigrate, Prettylady?

My brother qualified as a Dietician in Jun 08. Like yourself, he applied for every position that came in Ireland (most of those required 6 months experience!), but was never successful. Then he discovered an agency's website which had vacancies all over the UK, and did not require post qualification experience. He sent in his CV and next day got a phone call asking him to start in a hospital in North england the following week! This was a year ago, and he has since been made permanent in this job. He loves it and he is also building up valuable experience - which will be very useful for any vacancy that may arise in Ireland in the future.
Of course he wishes he was living in ireland, but he knows he would be either drawing the dole or working in something not relevant to his qualification. Thanks to Ryanair he flies back here most weekends so it doesn't feel like he's away!

Bluetonic

dellas1979 wrote: »

Yeah, unfortunately a piece of paper with MA/MsC/MbA written on it doesnt mean diddley squat these days

:rolleyes:

mood

kelle wrote: »

Why can you not emigrate, Prettylady?

My brother qualified as a Dietician in Jun 08. Like yourself, he applied for every position that came in Ireland (most of those required 6 months experience!), but was never successful. Then he discovered an agency's website which had vacancies all over the UK, and did not require post qualification experience. He sent in his CV and next day got a phone call asking him to start in a hospital in North england the following week! This was a year ago, and he has since been made permanent in this job. He loves it and he is also building up valuable experience - which will be very useful for any vacancy that may arise in Ireland in the future.
Of course he wishes he was living in ireland, but he knows he would be either drawing the dole or working in something not relevant to his qualification. Thanks to Ryanair he flies back here most weekends so it doesn't feel like he's away!

Maybe the OP has children and/or a partner with a good job here. Maybe she takes care of an elderly parent. There are situations that can prevent someone from emigrating. However, it would be a good option if at all possible. It could be only for a year or two until things improve here.

Prettylady

mood wrote: »

Maybe the OP has children and/or a partner with a good job here. Maybe she takes care of an elderly parent. There are situations that can prevent someone from emigrating. However, it would be a good option if at all possible. It could be only for a year or two until things improve here.

yes, there are personal reasons why I cant emigrate, it just isnt an option so Ill have to stick it out here for the time being.

AARRRGH

Prettylady wrote: »

it just seems impossible that I will ever get a social work posiiton with no experience.

Every single graduate goes through what you are experiencing. No employer, except those with graduate schemes, wants to hire someone without any experience. Basically, you're useless to them when you're straight out of college.

I went through this, and no doubt nearly every other graduate did too.

You just have to keep applying. Take a different job and do social work on the side. Volunteer at the rape crisis centre. Basically do anything which will give you experience on your CV.

It can be done, just stick with it.

Prettylady

I have over 4 years experience as a social care worker in the area of disability. its actual social work case experience they want which all I have is my 2 placements when in college, u cant do voluntary social work expereince in the hse only when in college, also I need to make a living of some kind. its seems hopeless at time but I wont give up hope totally yet.

AARRRGH

Yeah, just don't give up. It'll work out for you. As they say, people make their own luck, so keep plugging away to get your "lucky" break!

Danbo!

Hi OP,

My girlfriend was in a similar position, graduated June 09, had a terrible time trying to get a job. Same story, every day the rejection letters piled through the front door and it was very disheartening for her. Worked in social care for a while but obviously after 5 years in college and a very expensive masters, you want to get your foot in the door and get experience in the field you train in. She managed to get temp posts in the HSE but these are stressful enough as it meant moving down the country for short term stints, then upping and moving somewhere else miles from home.

Have you applied to the national panel? That seems to be the only way to get a job in a desired location. The only other option is to stay in Social Care work until offers begin to filter through in Dublin, which apparently there have been a couple already. Or maybe in the leinster area if its a realistic distance from home.

mood

Where are you living or able to commute to? Strangely I seem to be coming across jobs that could suit your skills.

Atomic Pineapple

I graduated in May 09 and applied for loads of Jobs (Software Engineer), I got a good few interviews both they were either looking for a graduate with very specific final year or work placement experience or they had a graduate scheme where every applicant in the country had applied!

Had two interviews with IBM that went really well and I never even heard back from them!

I was starting to feel the same as you, was starting to think I was never gonna end up with a job but then in December I got offered a position that I had only dreamed of getting when leaving college right in the specific area I want to work in.

I had to up sticks and move for the job but couldn't turn it down, so just keep plugging away and you'll get something.

chocgirl

I work in the HSE and know how hard it is to get into but there is movement in some areas you just need to keep sending in applications and hopefully you'll get lucky.

Try for more work experience in voluntary bodies, they tend to be more in favour of work experience, this goes down well on the CV as well, I know you have to earn a living but you have to keep your CV current as well.

Is there a national panel for social workers?

Prettylady

yes there is a national panel and I have an interview for that soon so hope I get on it. however there is already a panel in existence so that must be exhausted before the new one can begin so it oculd be years before u would be called.
mood- I live in the midlands but in a rural area and def not in communting distance to dublin.

Welease

draffodx wrote: »

I had to up sticks and move for the job but couldn't turn it down, so just keep plugging away and you'll get something.

That is going to become more the norm for people.. People are going to be sadly disappointed if they expect because they have qualifications, that jobs will come to them.

Prettylady

Welease wrote: »

That is going to become more the norm for people.. People are going to be sadly disappointed if they expect because they have qualifications, that jobs will come to them.

yes but also people have families, homes and commitments so relocation is not an option for everyone.

chocgirl

Prettylady wrote: »

yes there is a national panel and I have an interview for that soon so hope I get on it. however there is already a panel in existence so that must be exhausted before the new one can begin so it oculd be years before u would be called.
mood- I live in the midlands but in a rural area and def not in communting distance to dublin.

Make sure you are really really well prepared for the panel interview. I presume it's competency based, know your competencies inside out, have at least 2 examples of each and you should be able to talk freely on these until they stop you.

If you can afford it, I'd try to do an interview skills class first, somewhere reputable. The competition is unbelievable and it unfortunately won't be the best clinical workers who will get the jobs.

You'd be surprised jobs tend to pop up much quicker in rural areas and people are less likely to take them so you could be lucky in that regard.

If I was you I'd try to have an idea of the number of people on the panels in various regions of the country. There is no point in applyin in Dublin if there is no movement on that panel, you need to think about it really strategically.

Welease

Prettylady wrote: »

yes but also people have families, homes and commitments so relocation is not an option for everyone.

Untrue.. Relocation is an option... Family who need to be cared for can be moved, those who don't need to, can be visited..

It's about priorities, there is nothing in the midlands medically/physically than cannot be obtained in Dublin (or abroad).. So it's personal choice to remain located there.

I know that sounds harsh, but harsh times require people to make harsh decisions... If you really really want to work in the position, you may need to make some sacrifices.. (and even that doesn't guarantee success).

You may get lucky and get a local job, if you do great, if not, then you need to be flexible. The first Irish astronaut didn't get into space waiting for the Irish government to fund a space program

I wish you the best of luck either way..

Prettylady

chocgirl wrote: »

Make sure you are really really well prepared for the panel interview. I presume it's competency based, know your competencies inside out, have at least 2 examples of each and you should be able to talk freely on these until they stop you.

If you can afford it, I'd try to do an interview skills class first, somewhere reputable. The competition is unbelievable and it unfortunately won't be the best clinical workers who will get the jobs.

You'd be surprised jobs tend to pop up much quicker in rural areas and people are less likely to take them so you could be lucky in that regard.

If I was you I'd try to have an idea of the number of people on the panels in various regions of the country. There is no point in applyin in Dublin if there is no movement on that panel, you need to think about it really strategically.

thanks chocgirl, I have already stated which counties i would work in on the application form so that bit is ok. yes I am preparing alot for the interview, it is competency based, i will look into interview course thanks.

Prettylady

Welease wrote: »

Untrue.. Relocation is an option... Family who need to be cared for can be moved, those who don't need to, can be visited..

It's about priorities, there is nothing in the midlands medically/physically than cannot be obtained in Dublin (or abroad).. So it's personal choice to remain located there.


u make it sound so simple but its not, people may have husbands who have a job here and children,also a home so upping and moving from everything you know is not a choice as u describe it. anyway ill say no more about that.

Welease

Prettylady wrote: »

Welease wrote: »

Untrue.. Relocation is an option... Family who need to be cared for can be moved, those who don't need to, can be visited..

It's about priorities, there is nothing in the midlands medically/physically than cannot be obtained in Dublin (or abroad).. So it's personal choice to remain located there.


u make it sound so simple but its not, people may have husbands who have a job here and children,also a home so upping and moving from everything you know is not a choice as u describe it. anyway ill say no more about that.

Please don't take that as an attack.. it was not meant as such... just a harsh reality that needs to be factored in to your equastion.

You are unwilling to move, so therefore you are making the choice to limit your possibilities (and btw I don't disagree with your motives), but it does mean you might be waiting a long time, or never get that job, as others are more flexible in their arrangements

LadyMayBelle

Gosh Prettylady, you have my thoughts! I qualify as a social worker in June, and the job prospects are nil The graduates of last years class have all gone back to their old jobs in social care, one back to retail. It's gutting. I'm currently keeping my foot in the door of my part time job as I know it's where I'll be for the forseeable future:( I have 5 years exp in disability as social care worker/leader and placements in Mental health and palliative care but the future is dim, even with the panel.

Wish I could offer some support, but I'm another graduate being churned out into the same field later this year..

Best of luck x

Prettylady

LadyPennyworth wrote: »

Gosh Prettylady, you have my thoughts! I qualify as a social worker in June, and the job prospects are nil The graduates of last years class have all gone back to their old jobs in social care, one back to retail. It's gutting. I'm currently keeping my foot in the door of my part time job as I know it's where I'll be for the forseeable future:( I have 5 years exp in disability as social care worker/leader and placements in Mental health and palliative care but the future is dim, even with the panel.

Wish I could offer some support, but I'm another graduate being churned out into the same field later this year..

Best of luck x

hi ladypennyworth, where r u doing your course? the only thing is no one can take the qualifation from us, I was so proud when i got my NSQW.
like you, i also have expereince woring as a social care worker in disabiilty for 4 years and managed to hold on a relief position but there is very little work apart from during the summer.
recently i failed to get an interview for a social work position in disability, there said i wasnt shortlisted as i no experience of working as a sw in disablity only as a scw.
its very disheartening, u need the exp to get the job and u need the job to get expereince.
i just keep telling myself it wont always be like this and hopefully things will get better but i really dont know when sadly.

miec

I find it amazing that two qualified social workers cannot get work as I am dealing with social services in my area and I have been told that they are short staffed and cannot respond properly to my queries :mad:.

I wish they would employ both of you (prettylady and ladypennyworth). I don't know if either of you are aware of activelink.ie, there are jobs advertised in the social/ community fields there. Good luck and hope things pick up soon.

Prettylady

miec wrote: »

I find it amazing that two qualified social workers cannot get work as I am dealing with social services in my area and I have been told that they are short staffed and cannot respond properly to my queries :mad:.

I wish they would employ both of you (prettylady and ladypennyworth). I don't know if either of you are aware of activelink.ie, there are jobs advertised in the social/ community fields there. Good luck and hope things pick up soon.

hi Miec, thanks for your reply and I hope u get your query sorted soon. unfortunately the hse is not filling locums positons such as maternity etc outside of dublin, due to the current embargo.

I am on activelink daily but havent had luck so far ut hopeful for the future.

Raiser

miec wrote: »

I find it amazing that two qualified social workers cannot get work as I am dealing with social services in my area and I have been told that they are short staffed and cannot respond properly to my queries :mad:.

I wish they would employ both of you (prettylady and ladypennyworth). I don't know if either of you are aware of activelink.ie, there are jobs advertised in the social/ community fields there. Good luck and hope things pick up soon.

LadyMayBelle

Thanks. I think the biggest insult came from reading the FAS website yesterday; Full time (40hours) social work position available with a leading disability provider in the West of ireland. There is no salary, just the equivalent to the dole provided. I posted a thread about it because it really annoyed me, that after all these years of training and working 1000hours unpaid (on placement which meant moving away from home for 4months x2), the only specifically social work job i can apply for pays 197 euros while my colleagues get three times that. Grr.

It is appalling there are no social work jobs, just look at the state of the country. Not tooting the social work horn too much (!) but we are trained in many areas that can help people out but we aren't given the chance.

Activelink is handy site alright, thanks.

mood

LadyPennyworth wrote: »

Thanks. I think the biggest insult came from reading the FAS website yesterday; Full time (40hours) social work position available with a leading disability provider in the West of ireland. There is no salary, just the equivalent to the dole provided. I posted a thread about it because it really annoyed me, that after all these years of training and working 1000hours unpaid (on placement which meant moving away from home for 4months x2), the only specifically social work job i can apply for pays 197 euros while my colleagues get three times that. Grr.

It is appalling there are no social work jobs, just look at the state of the country. Not tooting the social work horn too much (!) but we are trained in many areas that can help people out but we aren't given the chance.

Activelink is handy site alright, thanks.

They are insulting a lot of profession with the WPP1s and WPP2s not just Social Workers!

miec Your area is probably short staffed because the HSE are not hiring not because there are no Social Workers available for work (or any other professions for that matter).

LadyMayBelle

mood wrote: »

They are insulting a lot of profession with the WPP1s and WPP2s not just Social Workers!

miec Your area is probably short staffed because the HSE are not hiring not because there are no Social Workers available for work (or any other professions for that matter).

Of course they are insulting all of us who trained to qualify.
And of course we all know the HSE aren't hiring. What's worse is that the universities still get funded to take in the same number of social work students; I think form the masters level, over 120 graduate each year nationally

mood

LadyPennyworth wrote: »

Of course they are insulting all of us who trained to qualify.
And of course we all know the HSE aren't hiring. What's worse is that the universities still get funded to take in the same number of social work students; I think form the masters level, over 120 graduate each year nationally

But if third level institutions don't take in students they will be on the dole which will probably cost the state more.

I was point out to miec that social workers are available but the HSE are not hiring because he said this:

I find it amazing that two qualified social workers cannot get work as I am dealing with social services in my area and I have been told that they are short staffed and cannot respond properly to my queries .

panda100

This thread has me a tad worried!
I plan to do the conversion degree of the Higher Diploma in Social Policy next year with the hopes of getting onto the Masters in Social Work next year. I dont want to spend the next three years studying with no hopes of a job at the end?

I am not hopeful that the recession will end soon, and I am not hopeful that the HSE is at all serious about the important roles Social Workers play within the Health System in Ireland. I can't see things getting better here regards employment for Social Workers. Perhaps I should look into training elsewhere in the world?

My heart really goes out to all those social workers struggling to find jobs because they are so desperatly needed in Irish Soceity!

LadyMayBelle

Today I saw about 80 people interview for 20 places on the social work course in Galway, when not even a handful of last years graduates have proper social work jobs. The future's bleak, unless they all get pregnant and we can take their maternity leave shifts!

vector

dellas1979 wrote: »

Prettylady,

in the words of the great MJ "You are not alone".

+1

Prettylady

UPDATE!!!!
well i was successful at the panel inerviews in jan. panel went live 4 weeks ago and it is moving fast which i didnt think it would. anyway got a temp job from it in my area. couldnt be happier as its a start. been waiting nearly a year for this so Im thrilled :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes: so my advise is dont give up hope.:)

AARRRGH

Well done.

Prettylady wrote: »

my advise is dont give up hope.:)

Yep, you can't be successful without persistence. ("Overnight successes" often have many many years of persistence behind them...)

LadyMayBelle

Well done Pretty Lady! I might PM you if that is okay as I have a few questions..qualify very sooner and very anxious!

cutymonalisa

Re the National Social Work Panel - does anybody know what areas of the country are moving faster than others?? Danke!

Prettylady

cutymonalisa wrote: »

Re the National Social Work Panel - does anybody know what areas of the country are moving faster than others?? Danke!

dublin all areas moving fast and the west sligo and donegal. hth.

LadyMayBelle

Yup, been told all areas moving pretty fast; someone in Manorhamilton said they were 30 jobs sitting ready to go, which is a good sign for everyone, even the newbies who will hopefully get panel interviews next week

Prettylady

yes its looking good. even the fact that they r doin another panel so soon. this one in place now has to expire first do. the new jobs r coming from the ryan report. hope i get permanent in my area. good luck to everyone waiting. think the next interviews r in early june.

miec

well i was successful at the panel inerviews in jan. panel went live 4 weeks ago and it is moving fast which i didnt think it would. anyway got a temp job from it in my area. couldnt be happier as its a start. been waiting nearly a year for this so Im thrilled so my advise is dont give up hope.

Congrats Prettylady, I am really chuffed for you.

ps: I got my issue eventually sorted out as well, they got there in the end, with a lovely resolution.

I hope it is a start of a really fruitful career.

SpinGirl

Hi quick question.....does anybody know how long it actually takes to start working once you've been offered a job from the SW panel?? Was successfull at last panel interviews and offered a permanent job about 9 weeks ago and Im still waiting to begin working, have sent back all forms and documents requested by the hse weeks ago and have heard zilch back yet! Im not working at the mo as Im a recent graduate and while I know I should probably enjoy my freedom Im starting to get really impatient not to mention extremely bored. Ive also turned down a lot of temp work while Ive been waiting because I didnt want to commit to anything (even if it was only for a few weeks). Just feel like Im in limbo at the mo

howayhinny

Has anyone had any experience of dealing with CORU since they 'subsumed' the NSWQB?
I was given advice by the NSWQB and now the goalposts have moved under CORU.
I have just completed a year long level 3 course with the open university, but CORU can't / won't confirm whether this will still be enough to validate my DIPSW - so frustrated!