unemployed, how do you put in your day?

Straycat

i was given the option of redundancy today. (or a change in work conditions & substantial cut in pay) so i dont have much choice in taking the redundancy.

having worked all my adult life (nearly 15 years or more) i imagine the first month or so will feel like an extended holiday, but after that im sure the boredom/loneliness will set in.

how do people fill their time? if you volenteer can you still claim whatever benefits you are entitled to?

Mrs OBumble

I plan myself occasional "holiday" days (eg the fortnight over Christmas/New Year), when I sleep in etc, just like you would when you're on holiday.

But other than that, up between 7:30 and8 every day. I plan the day, including scheduling time for walks, hobbies, socialising/networking and job-hunting.

Every Sunday evening, I draw up a plan for the coming week. Originally I just had broad goals an broad times (eg morning, afternoon, evening - for each day). Now I've taken the times down to hourly, and put some more detailed tasks in. I don't rigidly schedule every hour/day, but have enough detail in to keep me motivated. And I do it in pencil, so it can be changed when job-interviews and other unexpected things come up.

You may not need this much structure ... I find I do. Do whatever it takes to keep yourself 100% motivate and work-ready.

But also use this opportunity of having the time to follow up interests you might have: I've started constructing some public-service websites, partly to keep myself occupied and keep my writing skills up, an partly as a way to learn some new skills.

ttoppcat

Have been unemployed now for 3 months and it can be difficult to stay active. I suppose it really depends on your personality..I unfortunately am not the best self motivator so find myself slipping into bad habits (late morning naps etc) at times:rolleyes: Thankfully i have a 7 year old so that gives me a routine for a large part of the day.
Like the previous poster i would recommend developing your interests (I started to learn guitar..finally:D) and volunteer 2 afternoons a week.
Also re. Volunteering, if you are going to be in reciept of job seekers, it may be best not to declare any volunteer work you're doing. I've heard Social Welfare think that if you are volunteering then you are not "ready and available for work" (daft really:rolleyes:)
Anyway, best of luck, and fingers crossed we'll all be back in work soon.:)

Welease

Personally, I would take the cuts and look for other employment while still employed... Depending on your skills it can be tough out there, and and employed person is a lot more immediately attractive than an unemployed person (and probably better income for you).

mood

Welease wrote: »

Personally, I would take the cuts and look for other employment while still employed... Depending on your skills it can be tough out there, and and employed person is a lot more immediately attractive than an unemployed person (and probably better income for you).

I agree 100%. Crap money is better than long gap on the cv and the whole sole destroying nature of unemployment, trust me I know! Have you signed anything yet?

JonnyM

yes take the pay cut and look for a new job if you want. Dont take redundancy and have nothing lined up this would be madness as you may be out of work for 6 months or more.

Sephiroth_dude

I go to the gym 2/3 times a week,I spend alot of time on job websites looking for work,I help out at home,Just keep yourself busy and looking for work and you'll be ok.I dont think you can claim JSB and do volunteer work,I too would take the pay if I was you unless the redunancy is a subsantial amount.

Single1

Hi all, I agree with the suggestions to plan your day and everything but does anyone know how to get information on courses available for the unemployed. I have found courses in the city but there seems to be nothing outside of the large cities. Does anyone know of any sites where you can find local development courses for the unemployed. I would like to increase my chances of getting a job and use this "off time" to expend my skills. Its kinda costly to travel to the city everyday as I live an hour away and I'm unemployed so I limited funds . If anyone can offer any suggestions I would appreciate it

Atomic Pineapple

Single1 wrote: »

Hi all, I agree with the suggestions to plan your day and everything but does anyone know how to get information on courses available for the unemployed. I have found courses in the city but there seems to be nothing outside of the large cities. Does anyone know of any sites where you can find local development courses for the unemployed. I would like to increase my chances of getting a job and use this "off time" to expend my skills. Its kinda costly to travel to the city everyday as I live an hour away and I'm unemployed so I limited funds . If anyone can offer any suggestions I would appreciate it

Check your local college or institute of technology for information on part time and evening course's, while looking for a job I done a photography course in my local IT

sanj2408

As far as I know you can do voluntary work and still claim JSB in certain circumstances. Your local SW office or citizens information office should be able to tell you

HashSlinging

I've taken to the books and between looking for a new job I'm updating my skills, I've taken up photography, running, and 5 a side..I'm the fittest I've been now ever.. something about getting lean... six sigma black belt next .. basically .. doing all the stuff I've wanted to do in the last 10 years but been far too busy due to work/life/work/work imbalance.

Sounds like im enjoying myself but my head is wreaked... saying that we've just had the best Christmas ever and through budgeting were able to get everything and had loads of time to do it..

Been finished about 3 months now and starting to get itchy feet..

Columbo

I've taken up walking the dogs 6 miles a day.....

Mrs OBumble

Single1 wrote: »

Hi all, I agree with the suggestions to plan your day and everything but does anyone know how to get information on courses available for the unemployed. I have found courses in the city but there seems to be nothing outside of the large cities. Does anyone know of any sites where you can find local development courses for the unemployed. I would like to increase my chances of getting a job and use this "off time" to expend my skills. Its kinda costly to travel to the city everyday as I live an hour away and I'm unemployed so I limited funds . If anyone can offer any suggestions I would appreciate it

If on-line learning works for you, check out www.eCollege.ie

Courses are free if you're receiving (some types of?) welfare payments.

Mrs OBumble

Also, beware of boards.ie.

There are lots of interesting forums out there, you can get sucked into spending all day on 'em!

_Kaiser_

Well like JustMary, I treated the first month or so as an extended holiday (being so bad at taking vacation anyway it was a nice break) and I caught up on things I'd been putting off or not had time to do, but now (nearly 3 months on) I'm starting to find it hard to fill the day.

I'm still looking for jobs every day and applying to the few I see but I'm finding that employers seem to be holding out for everything on a requirements list (I'm in IT) with the idea being that with so many unemployed, they'll find someone who has everything rather than having to train someone in in one or two areas.

I'm also getting more worried about the financial situation as the redundancy money rapidly runs out..

doolox

I have been working for the past 7 months in an city centre technical support office doing mostly visual inspection ans test on the company's range of automation equipment.
I have found the work challenging in parts but my eyesight wasn't up to the task of inspecting stuff and have been told to go......

In such situations it is vital to keep on as good terms with the decision makers as possible and move on to, hopefully, more suitable employment with as much grace and patience as one can muster.

At least now I have a list of skills which I need to brush up on and get sorted for the next job, if one comes up.

mood

doolox wrote: »

I have been working for the past 7 months in an city centre technical support office doing mostly visual inspection ans test on the company's range of automation equipment.
I have found the work challenging in parts but my eyesight wasn't up to the task of inspecting stuff and have been told to go......

In such situations it is vital to keep on as good terms with the decision makers as possible and move on to, hopefully, more suitable employment with as much grace and patience as one can muster.

At least now I have a list of skills which I need to brush up on and get sorted for the next job, if one comes up.

Was an eye site test required to get the job? Could you not just get glasses? Seems strange!

susanroth

Its been a year!! Ive completed a course with fas which wasn't very exciting or effective in gettin a job!
I am beyond depressed at this stage and extremely worried that i will never have a job again! I've had my cv looked and was told it was good and that i had good experience etc. i've really lost all motivation and hope at this stage and would love to know how to get it back!!
PS another side effect is my boards.ie addiction...

newfrontier

susanroth wrote: »

Its been a year!! Ive completed a course with fas which wasn't very exciting or effective in gettin a job!
I am beyond depressed at this stage and extremely worried that i will never have a job again! I've had my cv looked and was told it was good and that i had good experience etc. i've really lost all motivation and hope at this stage and would love to know how to get it back!!
PS another side effect is my boards.ie addiction...

Hi Susan... I think this is going to be a big factor in the coming months and I think alot of people are going to be in the same boat..I would like to hear from people who are interesting in doing something about this ..I have an idea that might work but I need feedback..

mood

newfrontier wrote: »

Hi Susan... I think this is going to be a big factor in the coming months and I think alot of people are going to be in the same boat..I would like to hear from people who are interesting in doing something about this ..I have an idea that might work but I need feedback..

What is you idea? Can't give feedback unless we know what it is!

susanroth

Whats the plan? Am so tired of this government. They seem entirely focussed on cuts and seem to have no clue as to how to generate employment. FAS which is supposed to help people is a bit of joke at this stage.. you walk in there with an honours degree and postgrad and all they have to offer is "well why don't you try the ecdl course..." I don't even know why the social welfare want people to attend these meetings.

I don't know what i expect from them but surely they can do a bit better than this...

Welease

susanroth wrote: »

Whats the plan? Am so tired of this government. They seem entirely focussed on cuts and seem to have no clue as to how to generate employment. FAS which is supposed to help people is a bit of joke at this stage.. you walk in there with an honours degree and postgrad and all they have to offer is "well why don't you try the ecdl course..." I don't even know why the social welfare want people to attend these meetings.

I don't know what i expect from them but surely they can do a bit better than this...

In all fairness what do you expect FAS to do for someone with a degree and postgrad?
They could offer to retrain you for an area where there is work, but you are unlikely to want to take it. They are not in a position to magically create jobs for people.

susanroth

Welease wrote: »

In all fairness what do you expect FAS to do for someone with a degree and postgrad?
They could offer to retrain you for an area where there is work, but you are unlikely to want to take it. They are not in a position to magically create jobs for people.

Obviously i realise this but it is a requirement that you go and meet with FAS when you are claiming and i see this as a waste of their time really if they all they have to offer is an option of doing another course!
Maybe if they were looking at your cv or something like that there would be more of a point to this meeting

Welease

susanroth wrote: »

Obviously i realise this but it is a requirement that you go and meet with FAS when you are claiming and i see this as a waste of their time really if they all they have to offer is an option of doing another course!
Maybe if they were looking at your cv or something like that there would be more of a point to this meeting

Well, that's their way of making sure you are actively seeking employment :P

Ridiculous i know, but in fairness what else can they do? In all reality, do you honestly think the person there can do much for you in the given climate, especially when people won't consider jobs "beneath" them.

It think it might be interesting in the next few years if they decide to force peoples expectations lower.. and by that i mean, If you read these boards a lot of people turn their noses up at certain jobs because the have qualifications.. How long until welfare decide, so what? there are jobs available, if you wont take them while you wait for the "perfect" job.. then do it at your own expense...

susanroth

:eek:

Welease wrote: »

Well, that's their way of making sure you are actively seeking employment :P

Ridiculous i know, but in fairness what else can they do? In all reality, do you honestly think the person there can do much for you in the given climate, especially when people won't consider jobs "beneath" them.

It think it might be interesting in the next few years if they decide to force peoples expectations lower.. and by that i mean, If you read these boards a lot of people turn their noses up at certain jobs because the have qualifications.. How long until welfare decide, so what? there are jobs available, if you wont take them while you wait for the "perfect" job.. then do it at your own expense...

Well thats not true for everyone. i would take anything that would enable me to afford rent and bills on! I think the idea is to take anything and always has been, but yes ppl abuse it. I have never abused welfare this way and never will! i know ppl who did go on welfare when they came back from travelling until smthg decent came up and they are currently working. Then theres me who has never went on it unless absolutely no choice and low and behold i seem to be stuck on it:( go figure..

but i was thinking if these ppl from fas could look at your cv and advise on how to make it better and tweak it so you actually get called for an interview.
I feel at the moment part of my problem is i am experienced but not experienced enough and too experienced to be called for certain other jobs(i know this post is written poorly:eek: but maybe you get what i mean..)

Welease

susanroth wrote: »

:eek:
Well thats not true for everyone. i would take anything that would enable me to afford rent and bills on! I think the idea is to take anything and always has been, but yes ppl abuse it. I have never abused welfare this way and never will! i know ppl who did go on welfare when they came back from travelling until smthg decent came up and they are currently working. Then theres me who has never went on it unless absolutely no choice and low and behold i seem to be stuck on it:( go figure..

but i was thinking if these ppl from fas could look at your cv and advise on how to make it better and tweak it so you actually get called for an interview.
I feel at the moment part of my problem is i am experienced but not experienced enough and too experienced to be called for certain other jobs(i know this post is written poorly:eek: but maybe you get what i mean..)

Yeah I get what you mean .. Sometimes the problem with lack of experience is not the lack of experience.. it's the too high expectations of the applicant (and i don't mean that to sound harsh, but its true for a lot of applicants.. their skills don't match the basic requirements of the marketplace)

I don't want to sound like an uncaring internet warrior.. I do honestly feel for everyone caught in that situation, but at the end of the day you and only you will rectify it. Some (and not to tar them all with the same brush) half interested underpaid/overworked employee in FAS isn't going to tell you anything that a decent agency or Google won't tell you years in advance.

(and i know the too much experience is a painful one.. i have had that when I was desperate for any work).

I wish you the best of luck.

susanroth

Welease wrote: »

Yeah I get what you mean .. Sometimes the problem with lack of experience is not the lack of experience.. it's the too high expectations of the applicant (and i don't mean that to sound harsh, but its true for a lot of applicants.. their skills don't match the basic requirements of the marketplace)

Just to clarify what i don't have very high expectations its just that at the moment i have to apply for everything even if I have 2 years instead of 3 yrs experience!
I understand your point about FAS and I know that truly I myself am probably far better at writing cv/cover letter with the aid of google than any of them would be. Tbh i am just frustrated with the whole system and the lack of hope being given to the unemployed at the moment and i think i prob just need a break from looking and thinking about it as i have gotten myself into a rut where i am just totally negative and unable to think clearly!
PS its also a bit of a burn to see ppl working redundant jobs in the public service....yes i know they are not all bad but some....please don't attack!!:eek:
I should add i think i am jealous they have jobs...

smileyme1

From a psychological point of view, work gives us a routine and structure, a social outlet and a sense of purpose and achievement. If you aren't working for a sustained period it's important to find ways to get these things in other areas of your life. There are some great ideas and lots of inspiration from other people in this thread on this.

'Mind Fit' for 2010
Positivity & resilience workshop
www.peoplepotential.ie

maxxie

join the gym mate and maybe start a sport! Great for your health both mentally and physically!

miec

Hi Op

I fill my time up by job searching, writing a novel that I had planned years ago and caring for my family. In the mornings I write, have lunch, then do job seeking, CVs and letters in the afternoon. After that I split up household chores after that. I am nearly finished my novel and I have as much success getting that published as getting a job, the competition is very fierce at the moment.

Out of interest, if your redundancy payment is quite sizeable would you consider starting up a business? There are a number of start your own business courses that help you with making a business plan, budgeting, working out costs, marketing and so forth plus I think there are grants available for new start up business, you just have to find a niche market and learn some business skills.

Mimojo

newfrontier wrote: »

Hi Susan... I think this is going to be a big factor in the coming months and I think alot of people are going to be in the same boat..I would like to hear from people who are interesting in doing something about this ..I have an idea that might work but I need feedback..

Just came across this thread. I have been unemployed since Oct, am doing a part time college course which is keeping my mind active, and do try to schedule my day to keep active, do household, job hunting etc. Some weeks are better than others I have to say. College course is finishing up soon which is a worry. I have actively looking for ANY suitable work, not have much luck but have to keep trying. I am interested to hear what this idea is??!

PS Have to say boards.ie is addictive, but it has a lot of interesting and helpful information, and sometimes come across job related stuff that I would never have found otherwise!

sanj2408

Ive been unemployed a year now apart from a couple of days temp work. Its very hard to keep going and there are days when I do just sit around and watch tv but I have a two year old boy who keeps me busy. Ive been told my CV is good and I have good references and Ive applied for everything and still nothing. It is completely soul-destroying to be out of work for this long and my JB has run out as well. I did a Fas course, I walk constantly and my house is super-organised. Ive also learned to cook and bake but I'm just wondering how much longer this can last?

who_ru

sanj2408 wrote: »

Ive been unemployed a year now apart from a couple of days temp work. Its very hard to keep going and there are days when I do just sit around and watch tv but I have a two year old boy who keeps me busy. Ive been told my CV is good and I have good references and Ive applied for everything and still nothing. It is completely soul-destroying to be out of work for this long and my JB has run out as well. I did a Fas course, I walk constantly and my house is super-organised. Ive also learned to cook and bake but I'm just wondering how much longer this can last?

Sounds like you are doing all you can, hats off to you for learning how to cook and bake, hope you turn the corner soon. i've been unemployed myself for long periods in the past and could well be again in a couple of months. one thing i have learned is that it is completely pointless being hard on yourself for being in the position you're in. if you have some good friends and family around you and a few hobbies you like doing it can be bearable. it's just this stupid consumerist society we live in whereby people tend to value the things they have rather than the time they have.

anyway best of luck.

shoegirl

Welease wrote: »

Personally, I would take the cuts and look for other employment while still employed... Depending on your skills it can be tough out there, and and employed person is a lot more immediately attractive than an unemployed person (and probably better income for you).

This is kinda hard though. At the moment I've been given written notice that my job is likely to go, though they are not saying definitely just yet. I initially paniced and brushed off the cv, and I hope this doesn't upset anybody (but I basically have a huge cv, and have covered an awful lot of useful stuff in the last 5 years that seems to now make me very employable) but my phone is hopping and now it looks that I might well secure a position before I even know if I will definitely be laid off.

Colleagues are telling me I shouldn't be doing my employer a favour since they've given me a pretty raw deal, and even agencies are saying to me that I should wait it out, that my CV is good, but I am really scared of ending up out of work. At the same time, its a few months away and things could be harder then. So I kind of understand your dilemma - its 6 of one and half a dozen of the other.

shoegirl

Welease wrote: »

In all fairness what do you expect FAS to do for someone with a degree and postgrad?
They could offer to retrain you for an area where there is work, but you are unlikely to want to take it. They are not in a position to magically create jobs for people.

Advice and guidance is badly needed for recent graduates and people without a lot of experience. In fairness, I struggled for 6 or 7 years after graduation due to a lack of real understanding of job markets, and a massive lack of confidence due to a lot of rejections. It would help people a lot if they are helped to manage job searches more effectively.

Shtanto

I'd say I'm in a similar boat. After my old part time job offered another pay cut or the door, I decided to call it a day. I fill the months between September and May with Springboard courses.

I never found a proper job after college. A lot of the '07 and '08 graduates are the same. The whole concept of employment is doubtful. I can still help others though, so I haven't tried anything silly yet.

Fás is solas now, right? Also, has anyone else stopped to appreciate the irony of the social welfare logo where the bird is escaping from the hand?