Stuck in a rut - unemployment

LegacyUser

I feel like I'm struck in a rut since I graduated (2008). I have been unable to find a job. I've only had a few days here and there. I've done some work experience and also volunteered for a number of different things. I'm constantly applying for jobs and sending out CVs to get work experience. I'm applying to college again (just to do something) but it's kind of half hearted as I have nothing in my mind that I want to go back and study for. Once I finished college I was ready to go out and work and earn a living. I feel like my life just stopped when I graduated.

I find it hard to go out incase I bump into someone I know and they ask me what I'm doing and I have nothing to say. All my friends are working/still in college/travelling so they're all busy with in their lives. My family don't understand as they're all in college/working. After I graduated and couldn't get a job my Mam ignored me for a few months because she just thought I was being lazy. And she always makes little remarks like "all these jobs you say you've supposedly applied for" even though I have proof from the jobs websites and my email. I just feel my confidence has been knocked and have no encouragement or anyone to talk to about things.

I know there are people who are/have been in the same situation as me so I was just wondering what do you do with your time and to keep yourself motivated?

LegacyUser

I'm a lot older than you and graduated in another bad economy, some years ago. I went around to job agencies and put my name on their lists in person. I felt that being there in person for them and letting them see me helped. I got a job fairly quickly that way. The internet is great in many ways but in a bad economy I can see how a CV will just be ignored by many HR depts.

You might also just go to some companies and leave your CV with them. Again go in person.
Good luck!

Thucydides

Hey,

Believe me - I know how you feel. I graduated back in 2008 as well. I went back to Uni when I realised there was effectively no chance of finding employment.

I hate being back in the place. My grades are excellent. Though in fairness I feel as if I'm just collecting pieces of paper. Don't get me wrong it is the lesser of two evils, but it all seems so pointless.

I wish I could offer you solid advice. I guess what I've learned so far is, firstly keep yourself busy (buy a newspaper, visit a museum, rent a movie etc) and secondly go back to Uni / travel. Not that a postgrad will guarantee you employment, but it will keep you occupied for a year at least.

It's all about finding a lifeboat at the moment and waiting until the storm is over - a few years at a minimum in my opinion.

Keep an eye on this thread over in NUIM

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055804077

Overall though It's amzing how little you hear about graduate unemployment in Ireland. I regularly come across it in the British press. Even on Boards the Graduate Forum is nearly always deserted. I've often asked myself were are all this graduates going? Is everyones' Mummy & Daddy bankrolling a trip to Oz?

The Corinthian

Keep busy.

If your industry supports contracting or freelancing, then set yourself up as an independent; Web site, business cards, etc. Work for free or for deferred payment to build up your portfolio of work. It may not make you much, or any, money and will not look as good on your CV as a full time position, but it'll look a lot better an a big blank gap when the market does pick up again and may also lead to real opportunities down the line.

Another option is to go abroad for a year or two to weather out the storm. There are numerous one-year visas out there to places like Australia and Canada, and if you don't mind learning another language then there are opportunities in Europe too if you look for them.

Finally there is the escapist route. Examples of this include backpacking for a year or going off to do charity work (in Ireland or abroad). These might sound nice - and are not necessarily bad - but ultimately they do not add to your professional experience. Going back to college can also fall into this category as all too often people go back for the sake of going back, not because the course or qualification will actually benefit them.

Whatever you do, you should keep busy. The worst thing you can do is nothing - sitting at home in your underwear until something happens. Other than driving you crazy, it will become a big glaring hole in your CV which will haunt you for a few years (until it becomes so distant as to no longer matter). Think of yourself as a shark - if you stop swimming, you'll drown - and you'll be fine.

Claire121

Thucydides wrote: »

Overall though It's amzing how little you hear about graduate unemployment in Ireland. I regularly come across it in the British press. Even on Boards the Graduate Forum is nearly always deserted. I've often asked myself were are all this graduates going? Is everyones' Mummy & Daddy bankrolling a trip to Oz?

Not at all. I graduated in 2008 and I barely know anyone who hasn't managed to find a job. I am well aware of the recession, but a lot of people use it as an excuse - they visit the same ridiculous Irish recruitment sites every day and whine that there's no jobs. Every single person I know who's been proactive has managed to find a job within a couple of months, especially those who were willing to move abroad. Even those who insisted on staying in Ireland have all found something - not always dream jobs (care assistant, retail, secretary etc) but they can support themselves until things improve and have as reason to get up in the mornings. I don't know why people assume Mammy and Daddy must be funding people. I moved over to Belgium for a year, with the money I earned temping, and found an apartment and full time employment within 2 weeks of arriving.

OP, how many jobs are you applying for, and how are you applying? Are you willing to move or do you have to stay in Ireland? What type of work are you looking for? Have you had your CV checked over? Have you been called for interviews?

Thucydides

Agreed. Emigrating, as I mentioned previously, is the only real option of finding graduate employment. Granted there will always be exceptions to be people landing on their feet straight away in Ireland, but the truth of the situation still holds - there are no graduate jobs.

Even emigrating isn't always a practical option. I know, for example, that if I was offered a job abroad tomorrow I wouldn't be able to take it.

Why? I wouldn't have any money to reloacte. Neither would I have any possibility of a loan from friends, family or even a bank. Who would touch an unemployed indebted graduate?

I'm confident that things will pick up in the medium term - even if it involves emigrating. I'm lucky in that I speak fluent German.

Being optimistic and hopefull is a necessity. But so is realism and seeing the bigger picture.

When people reiturate the old chestnut of 'get up and be pro-active' I'm in agreement up to a point, but I'm always reminded of a graduate relative who is unemployed - he went to Harvard Business School.

LegacyUser

Claire121 wrote: »

Not at all. I graduated in 2008 and I barely know anyone who hasn't managed to find a job. I am well aware of the recession, but a lot of people use it as an excuse - they visit the same ridiculous Irish recruitment sites every day and whine that there's no jobs. Every single person I know who's been proactive has managed to find a job within a couple of months, especially those who were willing to move abroad. Even those who insisted on staying in Ireland have all found something - not always dream jobs (care assistant, retail, secretary etc) but they can support themselves until things improve and have as reason to get up in the mornings.

How did you and your friends find out about your jobs if you didn't use "ridiculous job websites"? I consider myself to be very proactive. I'm not using the recession as an excuse. I do use the job websites including FAS and ask my family to keep an ear out for any jobs where they work. I cold call and email businesses that are not even advertising for jobs. I'm not being selective in the type of jobs I'm applying for. I've applied to stack shelves, pack boxes in factories, cleaner jobs, shops, waitress/floor staff in restaurants/pubs etc. The industry I'm trying to get into is small and very much who you know. I am not afraid of emigrating. I've lived abroad before but I don't have enough money saved right now to set myself up in another country.

Claire121

LetMeOut wrote: »

How did you and your friends find out about your jobs if you didn't use "ridiculous job websites"? I consider myself to be very proactive. I'm not using the recession as an excuse. I do use the job websites including FAS and ask my family to keep an ear out for any jobs where they work. I cold call and email businesses that are not even advertising for jobs. I'm not being selective in the type of jobs I'm applying for. I've applied to stack shelves, pack boxes in factories, cleaner jobs, shops, waitress/floor staff in restaurants/pubs etc. The industry I'm trying to get into is small and very much who you know. I am not afraid of emigrating. I've lived abroad before but I don't have enough money saved right now to set myself up in another country.

We did use some job sites, but also just searching the Internet, going to places in person, contacts... calling and emailing businesses who aren't even advertising is par for the course. Did you get any interviews for these jobs? I find it really odd that you couldn't find any work in 18 months. I don't think myself and my friends and my boyfriend's friends have all been particularly lucky and they all have jobs. You mentioned that some of your friends are working, how did they get their jobs?

As for emigrating, some companies will pay moving costs (I don't know what field you're in so it's hard to say). Or something like a TEFL job will pay for your flights and accommodation, especially if you go to Asia. Are you on the dole right now? Have you any savings?

LegacyUser

Claire121 wrote: »

I find it really odd that you couldn't find any work in 18 months.

In my first post I said that I have had jobs but they were only a few days here and there. Not a stable job.

Claire121 wrote: »

You mentioned that some of your friends are working, how did they get their jobs?

They were already working in their jobs before the recession hit. Some had graduated a year or two before me and had studied in more stable industries (Medicine, Accounting, Business). The others I graduated with still have the part time jobs they had when we were in college. I went travelling the Summer after finishing and when I came back the part time job I had would not take me back on as business was bad for them.

Claire121 wrote: »

Are you on the dole right now?

No I'm not. I am living on the savings I have from the part time job I had while studying.

Claire121

LetMeOut wrote: »

In my first post I said that I have had jobs but they were only a few days here and there. Not a stable job.

Same thing, I meant that you couldn't find any stable job.

No I'm not. I am living on the savings I have from the part time job I had while studying.

Are you not eligible for the dole? Normally I wouldn't advise people to sign on if they didn't have to, but it sounds like you could use the money to start something up abroad?

oil painting

I think you need some support on this OP, you said you came on here for some understanding because you cant speak with anyone at home, I would like to address the lack of confidence it does give you and how humiliating it can make you feel not to have a job especially after working to attain a degree in college to do so, try not to let the negative comments define who you are, eventually something will come up, it is better to try keep your spirits up and not feel guilty about the wait, try to enjoy the time, i think u should do what ever you can to make life better, dont put too much pressure on yourself others are putting enough on you, try reach out to a friend to feel validated and understood. Could you live with another family member sister/brother or grandparent to have a change from home?

LegacyUser

Claire121 wrote: »

Same thing, I meant that you couldn't find any stable job.

I don't know why I'm not getting any stable jobs. You mentioned you were temping and used the money to set up in Belgium. Why couldn't you find a stable job in Ireland?

Claire121 wrote: »

Are you not eligible for the dole? Normally I wouldn't advise people to sign on if they didn't have to, but it sounds like you could use the money to start something up abroad?

I am probably entitled to something but I'd rather wait until I really need to.

Claire121

LetMeOut wrote: »

I don't know why I'm not getting any stable jobs. You mentioned you were temping and used the money to set up in Belgium. Why couldn't you find a stable job in Ireland?

I was temping because I'd left my full time job and had a month to go before starting a TEFL course. There's no need to get defensive, it's not my fault you can't get a job. I'm simply telling you the recession made very little difference to me, and I have a bog standard arts degree, nothing special. You didn't answer my question about interviews or CV checking, but even in this climate, it's unusual not to find even a badly paid job in 18 months and that's in Ireland.

Anyway about how not to get bored...I haven't been unemployed really, but I used to get really bored during the summers when I was at school and too young to work properly. I learned Spanish, taught myself web design, the guitar and tried to get outside for some air every day.

thefeatheredcat

Great suggestions already made here.

I was in the same position as yourself when I finished college but eventually got a stable job (after many knock backs) for the next few years although I'm back at square one again.

Keep yourself busy and get yourself out and about. Use the time you have to upskill yourself to be more employable. It doesn't have to be an academic thing, even something like first aid which while stand to you and looks good on the cv.

A great way to keep busy is fulfill your personal goals like learning to drive if you don't already, upskilling yourself on computers or languages. Even spend the time doing hobby type stuff. Think back to before college and what you did in your spare time before you had to study all the time.

Made sure that you stay connected to people even family and old friends, don't fall into the bad rut of spending all the time on your own. If you never had time for certain things that you always wanted to do, you have the opportunity to do so.

I'd like to say for the dole though, if you're entitled to it go and get it. Sadly I've met people who decided to live off their savings/redundancy who have literally ended up on the breadline when the money's gone. Your savings are for your future, not to live off of on a general day to day basis.

Oh and keep yourself in a positive mindset!!!

While it may be embarrassing to admit that you're not really doing anything career wise, there are plenty of people I have met in the same boat and it's not at all shameful.

LegacyUser

Claire121 wrote: »

I was temping because I'd left my full time job and had a month to go before starting a TEFL course. There's no need to get defensive, it's not my fault you can't get a job. I'm simply telling you the recession made very little difference to me, and I have a bog standard arts degree, nothing special. You didn't answer my question about interviews or CV checking, but even in this climate, it's unusual not to find even a badly paid job in 18 months and that's in Ireland.

I know it's not your fault I can't get a job but your posts are not very helpful. If you havin't been in this position and find it difficult to comprehend how someone could be still in this position then don't bother posting with unhelpful remarks.

Claire121

LetMeOut wrote: »

I know it's not your fault I can't get a job but your posts are not very helpful. If you havin't been in this position and find it difficult to comprehend how someone could be still in this position then don't bother posting with unhelpful remarks.

Unhelpful? I've suggested ways you can find a job, asked about if you've had your CV checked and so on. If you prefer to resign yourself to unemployment, fine, but it seems your problems of being bored and feeling down could be easily solved if you really wanted.

LegacyUser

I know how you feel. Id been looking for well over a year and couldnt get anything. Used to dread meeting anyone for fear theyd ask what I was doing. I didnt sign on either and went through my savings.....big mistake! Go sign on! I had just about given up hope when I got offered an excellent position abroad. In fact any interview I had for a job was abroad! Most of my friends who got jobs in Ireland got them through knowing someone....I think that practice is more prevalent here than other countries. The rest of my friends have found employment in the uK or the states, and one in the middle east. You should start applying abroad, and sign on- try to save what you can so you can set yourself up abroad. I wish I had as now Im facing an expensive relocation with hardly any cash....beans on toast till the first paycheck , but Iknow it will be worth it as having experience in my field in another country will help my cv stand out when i return home. Chin up, Im sure you will get something soon.

LegacyUser

Claire121 wrote: »

Unhelpful? I've suggested ways you can find a job, asked about if you've had your CV checked and so on. If you prefer to resign yourself to unemployment, fine, but it seems your problems of being bored and feeling down could be easily solved if you really wanted.

In what way am I resigning myself to unemployment when I'm actively applying for jobs? What part of that are you finding hard to understand?

My CV as far as I have been told by the employers I had work experience with is that it is clear and concise. They couldn't pick out any faults other than the fact that I have not got that much experience in the field I am trying to pursue.

LegacyUser

Hey op,

I know your pain. Graduated in 2009 and can't find work. I took on an unpaid internship when i finished but left in dec to get some sort of paid job and i'm still looking. I actually came on here to post! It's horrible; the depression, the hopelessness the sheer embarrassment! everything just gets to you! and the frustration!!!!!!!!!!!! reliving the same day over and over again is horrible and has really knocked my confidence big time. I can't handle being back at home either. I've set out a million CV's, to places that weren't even looking and nothing has happened for me yet. I don't even know what is keeping me going.

The only advice that I can give you is keep yourself busy. I'm learning a new language to try and keep myself busy and "upskill" myself. I'm looking towards London now as i was there not to long ago for a visit and was told by a recruitment agent that there's plenty of work.

I hope you get something soon. I really can identify with what you're going through and i really do feel for you.

Evil-p

Claire121 wrote: »

Unhelpful? I've suggested ways you can find a job, asked about if you've had your CV checked and so on. If you prefer to resign yourself to unemployment, fine, but it seems your problems of being bored and feeling down could be easily solved if you really wanted.

Woah, Claire121, you are posting on the personal issues forum and honestly your replies are more than a little derogatory and mean spirited when someone is looking for help! I see this elitist attitude time and time again on boards and I think its a sad reflection on our country when we can't show a little empathy for people in the worst recession any of us are likely to see in our lifetime. I don't know about your background but i am surrounded by people (particularly men) who worked in the construction industry and just can't catch a break. I takes time to get visas for english speaking countries (Oz, Canada etc) and not everyone is lucky enough to speak a foriegn lanuage.

Op, I really feel for you and i'm sorry you don't have more support at home which would definitely make it easier.

What I would suggest is the following:

Make yourself known to companys in your field of expertise. Ring and ask to speak to HR and ask can they advise you in the skills being sought and do they have any sort of work experience arrangement where you could come in for a day and shadow a worker. That way when positions come up, they may think of you.

When you apply to a job ring within 24 hours and speak the HR dept (or whatever dept is relevent). Just try to chat about number if positions vacant and when they expect to review your CV etc. Hopefully they will seek out your CV of the hundreds they are getting and you have a better chance of being short listed.

It may be worth consulting a career advisor on your CV and whether it is up to scratch and getting interview advice as that can be the difference between getting a job or not.

And remember Op, this like all things will pass! With a degree there is a good chance that you will be in a management position some day and you will remember this and give someone who is down on their luck a chance!

Thucydides

Letmeout, I'm surprised you haven't gone on the dole yet. Living of your hard earned savings is cazy! I'm not going to lie to you. Signing on is not the most memorable of ocassions, but once you do it, you'll be glad you did.

I remember when I went to sign on - a very sad day - I had to queue for four hours only to be served by a guy - i'd say 18 or 19 - he had no idea what he was doing. Frankly, I don't know how he found hmself working there. I suspect he was a son of one of the older employees working temporarily.

In any case, things have 'improved' (if that's the right word to use) a lot since the days when people were forced to queue for 4 hours and wait 3 months for their first payment.

A relative of mine, like yourself, who initially refused to sign on, was forced to do so once her savings ran out. She hated it. In retrospect, however, it was a wise decision as not only were their payments backdated (by 3 months) but they now have a regular income to support themselves - not least save up the money for moving abraod if the opportunity arose.

Also, once on the dole for 6 months (including the back dated period) you could apply for the FAS Work Experience Programme.

Check out -

http://www.fas.ie/en/Job+Seeker/WPP/wpp.htm

It's a win - win situation.

Remember your not alone. We're all in the same boat.

Wompa1

KnowHowItFeels wrote: »

I'm a lot older than you and graduated in another bad economy, some years ago. I went around to job agencies and put my name on their lists in person. I felt that being there in person for them and letting them see me helped. I got a job fairly quickly that way. The internet is great in many ways but in a bad economy I can see how a CV will just be ignored by many HR depts.

You might also just go to some companies and leave your CV with them. Again go in person.
Good luck!

This is how I got my job. I started applying for jobs 2 months before I even finished college. Walked around my town into the recruitment places. I got 2 interviews. Unfortunately 1 of them needed me to start right away so I couldn't take it, next one was my current employer. I thought I fluffed the interview but going into my last exam I had my job sealed. I literally finished my college job on the Thursday and started with my full time job on the Friday.

Also have you tried other jobs such as retail? I know a lot of people who weren't as lucky as me and didn't want to lower themselves to working in retail..it was professional work or college only which is such BS.

Today if I saw a CV with a big gap and then saw a CV with someone who at least was holding down a non-skilled job I'd go for the person that has showed a work ethic.

People around here say there are no jobs going either but the same places are always hiring...I think those places don't get many willing applicants because it's deemed lowering yourself to work there.

The free internship idea posted by somebody is also a great idea. offer your services for 3 months or something. Work hard, show your worth and if it's possible they will hire you

Nevyn

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