Unemployed and fedup

LegacyUser

I'm ten months unemployed since graduating. At university I was very busy because I was also working part-time. I was basically either working or studying 60 hours a week. Then I was living in Dublin so could go out. Now, for the past 10 months I've been out of college and work. I really can't stand it any more. It really seems as though it won't get better. I've been for a few interviews - but got nowhere. I am completely fed up here in Ireland. I just want to leave and never return. I got offered a canada visa but I had to turn it down as I don't have any money. It irritates me that my parents won't offer to loan me the money to emigrate. Am I being unreasonable? Obviously I would pay them back. They adopt an attitude that, well you're getting 150 euro on the dole - you don't want the uncertainty of going to Canada, because you're not guaranteed of a job. I can't stand it here. I'm living in the middle of the country with nothing to do. I just sleep until lunch, get up watch some tv, spend the rest of the day on jobs.ie, fas, etc. Haven't heard back about anything in ages. I have a small CC debt of 1500, so that is restricting my ability to move. I can't really save money until that is payed off - and that will take another half year. What do you think I should do?

Agent J

Your parents have a point about Canada. You'd be jumping in at the deep end with no back up.Also they may not be in a position to lend you the money or might think that you are out of college now and they dont really have a duty of care to lend you the money.(Did you ask them out of interest?)

Look at the positives. You are going to interviews and actively looking for work so you are making an effort. It is very tough out there at the present.

I'd suggest you take up a few interest, hobbies, projects to keep yourself moving and occupied while unemployed. As well as learning something new, keeping you busy its a great thing to drop in an interview.

Being unemployed is not easy. The 1st week or two is great then its boring as hell and only gets worse. The best you can do is make as much productive use of your time as possible.

tenchi-fan

My advice. If you are living at home and not handing money up you can easily save that €150 a week. After 10 weeks your credit card is clear. NOT another half a year. I know, because I saved up loads of money once when I was on the dole for a few months! Alcohol is out of the picture, so are takeaways - you only eat what's in your parent's cupboards, and you can forget going to the cinema or topping up your mobile. It's tough but it can be done. If you are handy at anything give it a go (painting, wallpapering, gardening, etc) because even if you got €60 for a full day's work, well it's not like you had anything more important to do.

Then get a credit union loan of about €4500 and off you go to Canada. Hopefully your parents will give you some cash as a going away gift, and if you run up some credit card debt over there they might pay that too.

I would definitely do this if I was in your shoes... it will fill a gap on your cv (travelling straight after college looks really good to an employer, especially if you work during your time abroad). And if you really job hunt as much as you say you do, you will hopefully find something over there. Canada is so cheap to live in compared to Ireland.

If you decide to stay in Ireland all I can suggest is consider applying for jobs that aren't advertised. If you do send in your cv, always follow up with a phone call. And phone larger companies and ask to speak to the HR department and see if they have any graduate positions, then ask for a direct email address, or if you are posting in your cv ask whose attention you should mark it for. The job situation is bad across the country but your best bet might be to look for jobs in Dublin, particularly temp work.