Pointless looking for a job?

Kev_ps3

Ive applied to a few jobs over the past few weeks, office work etc. Havent heard anything back yet.
Im deciding on whether to do a course in a fee paying college for the year or just looking for a job. If I have little to no hope of getting one though I might as well do something academically (no course really jumps out at me tho if you know what I mean).
What would ye recommend.

mikemac

Just a few applications over the last few weeks?

With email nowadays you can send more applications then that in a morning.
And then print off your CV and visit places if it's retail work you're after.

Sorry OP, but there are posters here applying for hundreds of jobs.
Or at least tell us that they are.

It's not pointless looking for a job, don't give up.
But increase your chances, apply for more and more.

If you do your course sure you are still going to want a weekend job anyway

Kev_ps3

Im in Limerick so there isnt the huge range of jobs advertised. I apply to every job that interests me in the slightest.

danbohan

Kev_ps3 wrote: »

Im in Limerick so there isnt the huge range of jobs advertised. I apply to every job that interests me in the slightest.

apply for the ones that dont intrest you !, maybe if you needed food you might not be as picky .

Kev_ps3

danbohan wrote: »

apply for the ones that dont intrest you !, maybe if you needed food you might not be as picky .

Thats true.
But atm im not desperate so its only jobs that interest me thankfully.

Cherry Blossom

You don't say if you have much work experience under your belt or if you already have any qualifications, if you have no qualifications work on that, if you have a degree but lack experience consider some of the FAS graduate placement schemes.

eire2009

Ive applied for everything I can these days which is a lot, Ive about 10 cv`s and the only interviews Ive gotten are lower skilled ones with my qualifications taken out and more experience put forward..

Seems to be what employers are looking for these days experienced staff which are out of work looking for work in the same area and who will want to be working in that area after the recession..

College grads looking for bar work, retail positions etc with limited experience don't seem to be getting the positions simply because your boss wants someone who isn't going to jump ship as soon as a better position becomes available they also don't want to be left feeling with an inferior education..

Teenager's are usually best suited to these positions like MC Donnalds because they will be happier with the conditions, being told what to do and the money also.

Id work in MC Donald's but it seems like someone whos older has a degree/masters/Trade isnt wanted even if they need the money and are willing to work there.. This is where it gets hard as Ive had to lie just to get the interviews and then come across as to confident or academic so I don't get the position its a nightmare.. All my younger relatives are working and there like I got a job no problem your just lazy ...

I lose 200 pw + 400 RA roughly 1200 pm by working so a position that pays minimum wage 350 pw = 1400 pm which makes me 200 euro - (travel expenses + lunches) better off each month which isn't anything

Thats the reality of this country id still rather work for minimum wage than do nothing but for someone who has earned 1000+ a week easily during the boom, has savings and is qualified to do so much more isn't going to be happy and its not going to take much for them to leave..

Younger with no qualifications and 100pw on the dole and a couple of years experience in a similar position and your the perfect candidate for half of the positions advertised today remember that

Denerick

eire2009 wrote: »

I lose 200 pw + 400 RA roughly 1200 pm by working so a position that pays minimum wage 350 pw = 1400 pm which makes me 200 euro - (travel expenses + lunches) better off each month which isn't anything

Bring a packed lunch and cycle to work. Problem solved. People really haven't grasped the meaning of austerity yet.

eire2009

Denerick wrote: »

Bring a packed lunch and cycle to work. Problem solved. People really haven't grasped the meaning of austerity yet.

Cycling to work could be done if you wanted to increase the risk of getting knocked down, breathing in car fumes all along the keys twice a day im sure that's healthy, getting wet colds/flu that's forgetting about the effort of spending 2hrs a day getting to and from work to save 4 euro a day on bus fare on top of a days work.

Fair play, im liking your cost/benefit analysis and not forgetting the health risk assessment.

I thought working was suppose to increase your standard of living ??

As for austerity its not just the dole they cut they increases taxes if you haven't noticed meaning I`ll only get 320 pw or 170pw on the dole holding RA constant leaves me in exactly the same position 200pm - (Lunch money for a packed lunch + a bike/maintenance + added health bills)

Denerick

eire2009 wrote: »

Cycling to work could be done if you wanted to increase the risk of getting knocked down, breathing in car fumes all along the keys twice a day im sure that's healthy, getting wet colds/flu that's forgetting about the effort of spending 2hrs a day getting to and from work to save 4 euro a day on bus fare on top of a days work.

Fair play, im liking your cost/benefit analysis and not forgetting the health risk assessment.

I thought working was suppose to increase your standard of living ??

As for austerity its not just the dole they cut they increases taxes if you haven't noticed meaning I`ll only get 320 pw or 170pw on the dole holding RA constant leaves me in exactly the same position 200pm - (Lunch money for a packed lunch + a bike/maintenance + added health bills)

I honestly didn't mean to be abrupt; I'm in the same boat as you. What I'm saying is that costs can be dramatically cut down by taking your bike to work and taking a packed lunch with you (That seems to have been anathema for the past 20 odd years)

If you're living in Dublin city thats another matter - though I wouldn't worry about car fumes or from getting a cold. Wear a rainjacket and you won't get wet. Wear an extra jumper and you won't get cold. In fact exercise, even in wet/cold weather will likely increase your immunity leading to fewer headcolds flues anyway, provided you wrap up.

You might die, but thats another matter...

pog it

Denerick, your posts as always are bloody great

To eire2009, have you a subject you specialised in that you are really good at - e.g. maths? Could you try applying for some subbing work/teaching work?

Mister men

Your wasting your time there's nothing out there.

Gang of Gin

Mister men wrote: »

Your wasting your time there's nothing out there.

You may be coming across somewhat facetious, but I'm almost beginning to believe this. Many are.

Denerick

pog it wrote: »

Denerick, your posts as always are bloody great

Flattery will get you everywhere

Sarcasm will get you... Somewhere

eire2009

Denerick wrote: »

I honestly didn't mean to be abrupt; I'm in the same boat as you. What I'm saying is that costs can be dramatically cut down by taking your bike to work and taking a packed lunch with you (That seems to have been anathema for the past 20 odd years)

If you're living in Dublin city thats another matter - though I wouldn't worry about car fumes or from getting a cold. Wear a rainjacket and you won't get wet. Wear an extra jumper and you won't get cold. In fact exercise, even in wet/cold weather will likely increase your immunity leading to fewer headcolds flues anyway, provided you wrap up.

You might die, but thats another matter...

I had a moped it doesn't matter what gloves, jacket you wear you will be wet and cold plus just wiping your face from all the smog isn't very appealing something tells me you haven't done this on a bike in the winter forgetting about ice patches all over the road it just cant be done .. Working on site we had dry room which meant you got your wet clothes dry for going home and the fact that you may have gotten your face/hair/snickers gear a lil messy didn't matter .. Working in a retail position and on a bike its just going to be less appropriate and prolong the agony..

The last job I had was temporary in a bar in Dublin I was only covering the holidays luckily enough I was still getting paid cash as a 2 euro bus fair in + 20 euro taxi out(no nightlink mon-fri) wasn't helping matters I thought about getting a bike if the job became permanent but cycling through the city center,Inchicore and Ballyfermot in the middle of the night didnt seem sane

dan_d

I don't know OP, I'm exactly where you are.

I'm unemployed 4 weeks...or maybe 5. Anyway, I'm a civil engineer. Instantly, that's out the window - there are no jobs.

So what am I left with?? Everything I see is IT/higher level finance/sales and marketing. I've applied for a couple of admin jobs, but even they require vast experience in admin, which I obviously don't have-although I know I'd be well able to do a lot of the jobs advertised. I'm spending HOURS cruising the internet everyday, looking everywhere I can think - and nothing. Not even stuff I'm not interested in! Just stuff that I'm simply not qualified to do, or don't have the experience for.

I have no more ideas-I'm trying my best to think outside the box and I've just run out of ideas. I'm just not prepared to sit here for the next X number of months, hoping and hoping I'll find something. I want to do a course although the one I'd really like to do is now closed (I missed the date because I was still working back then). I'm going to try giving a few grinds and stuff but - I just don't know if there's any point bothering, if I shouldn't just leave now.Everything is so expensive here when it comes to education, and I don't really know what to do either. I feel totally stuck in limbo.All I want is to find a job.And that's just not happening...

eire2009

pog it wrote: »

Denerick, your posts as always are bloody great

To eire2009, have you a subject you specialised in that you are really good at - e.g. maths? Could you try applying for some subbing work/teaching work?

Yes me and the other 10`000 graduates every year and the other 10`000 qualified electricians in this country..

How many positions are there ?

eire2009

dan_d wrote: »

I don't know OP, I'm exactly where you are.

I'm unemployed 4 weeks...or maybe 5. Anyway, I'm a civil engineer. Instantly, that's out the window - there are no jobs.

So what am I left with?? Everything I see is IT/higher level finance/sales and marketing. I've applied for a couple of admin jobs, but even they require vast experience in admin, which I obviously don't have-although I know I'd be well able to do a lot of the jobs advertised. I'm spending HOURS cruising the internet everyday, looking everywhere I can think - and nothing. Not even stuff I'm not interested in! Just stuff that I'm simply not qualified to do, or don't have the experience for.

I have no more ideas-I'm trying my best to think outside the box and I've just run out of ideas. I'm just not prepared to sit here for the next X number of months, hoping and hoping I'll find something. I want to do a course although the one I'd really like to do is now closed (I missed the date because I was still working back then). I'm going to try giving a few grinds and stuff but - I just don't know if there's any point bothering, if I shouldn't just leave now.Everything is so expensive here when it comes to education, and I don't really know what to do either. I feel totally stuck in limbo.All I want is to find a job.And that's just not happening...

Send your CV to Sepam.com there an Irish company .. Other than that Im thinking about S.Korea teaching English or doing a masters/hdip Ive forgotten about my trade a long time ago:(

pog it

eire2009 wrote: »

Yes me and the other 10`000 graduates every year and the other 10`000 qualified electricians in this country..

How many positions are there ?

Sorry I didn't realise you were an electrician. From what I hear that is near impossible to get work in now. I guess maybe by word of mouth you could get nice cash in hand jobs anyway, keeping your weekly payments? I know they'd be few and far between though as people are delaying fixing things unless they have to..

Have you considered going to Adult education centres and offering to teach DIY electrics (and safety obviously)? Something like how to change ordinary switches to dimmer switches? You'd come up with more ideas than me. It's just a thought but adult education is doing well at the mo.

eire2009

pog it wrote: »

Sorry I didn't realise you were an electrician. From what I hear that is near impossible to get work in now. I guess maybe by word of mouth you could get nice cash in hand jobs anyway, keeping your weekly payments? I know they'd be few and far between though as people are delaying fixing things unless they have to..

Have you considered going to Adult education centres and offering to teach DIY electrics (and safety obviously)? Something like how to change ordinary switches to dimmer switches? You'd come up with more ideas than me. It's just a thought but adult education is doing well at the mo.

Thats like teaching people how to fish and then trying to sell fish mate :rolleyes:..

I get what your saying look outside the box

eire2009

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLni3wbndls

shoegirl

Its worth pushing hard, you only need 1 job, and welfare is pretty low if you are used to 400 or more a week.

eire2009

shoegirl wrote: »

Its worth pushing hard, you only need 1 job, and welfare is pretty low if you are used to 400 or more a week.

Sadly Im used to welfare now at this stage I never knew how much healthier having less money was :rolleyes: .. Its more something to do im nothing going to make anything out of it financially and I wouldnt turn my nose up to any job at this stage. I was mearly trying to point out that people with qualifications are at a disadvantage applying for theses positions.

fat__tony

eire2009 wrote: »

Send your CV to Sepam.com there an Irish company .. Other than that Im thinking about S.Korea teaching English or doing a masters/hdip Ive forgotten about my trade a long time ago:(

Ahem, I wouldn't.

They treat their employees very shabbily

It's like a revolving door at that company because of this.

eire2009

fat__tony wrote: »

Ahem, I wouldn't.

They treat their employees very shabbily

It's like a revolving door at that company because of this.

They were paying me 1000+ sterling a week after tax for 3-4 months I wasnt complaining when they let me go nor would I complain if they offered me a job again.. 200 sterling a week living expences and 200 a month flights home every month on top of this, I dont think the word shabbily fits the bill here especially when the dole in england is 60 sterling a week

Sterling was worth a lot more back then also

fat__tony

eire2009 wrote: »

They were paying me 1000+ sterling a week after tax for 3-4 months I wasnt complaining when they let me go nor would I complain if they offered me a job again.. 200 sterling a week living expences and 200 a month flights home every month on top of this, I dont think the word shabbily fits the bill here especially when the dole in england is 60 sterling a week

They do pay very well indeed but they hire/fire employees at the drop of a hat.

It's not acceptable behaviour at all particularly when you have a number of guys working on a project far from home and morale is non-existent.

This seems to be the case on every project with them.

eire2009

fat__tony wrote: »

They do pay very well indeed but they hire/fire employees at the drop of a hat.

It's not acceptable behaviour at all particularly when you have a number of guys working on a project far from home and morale is non-existent.

This seems to be the case on every project with them.

Thats the nature of the trade really Ive never been treated any differently by any other employer other than working for the government where people are in the job so long they have chips on their shoulder and are constantly going on about unions and pay all day it just drove me mad I had to leave .. They wouldn't sack the worst and laziest of employees this complete contrast causes major problems also..

mood

I am also surprised you applied for so little jobs in a few months! When I was unemployed I managed to apply for about 10 jobs a day. However, I was willing to relocate and ever leave the country. Is there a reason you can relocate?

You really don't seem motivated to get a job or do a course. I think you need to try to motivate your self in order to do either properly. You need to think long term - a course that will stand to you in the future or a job to show you are a hard worker etc.

gollem_1975

eire2009 wrote: »

Yes me and the other 10`000 graduates every year and the other 10`000 qualified electricians in this country..

How many positions are there ?

you don't need to get a job for all 10,000+ you just need to look after yourself.

all 10,000 of ye are not the same.

you are different ,have things to offer and can do things that other guys in that 10,000 can't.

you can bet that there are some of those 10,000 are applying for these positions and some that are saying " i won't bother because there are so many other people in the same boat"

eire2009

gollem_1975 wrote: »

you don't need to get a job for all 10,000+ you just need to look after yourself.

all 10,000 of ye are not the same.

you are different ,have things to offer and can do things that other guys in that 10,000 can't.

you can bet that there are some of those 10,000 are applying for these positions and some that are saying " i won't bother because there are so many other people in the same boat"

I had a interview in march for a p/t bar position, I asked how many people applied she said 700 and said she couldn't even read all the applications just picked them at random until she was happy with the interview stage. She also said it was hard as a lot of people were coming from construction backgrounds had limited experience, I laughed and said thats true having lied through my teeth to omit those years from my cv. The other guy being interviewed was a bar manager who couldn't find work and was looking at taking the job with the hope of full time employment in the future..

Construction jobs forget about applying, the companies don't bother even advertising anymore they have so many CV`s and know so many trades men out of work they can fill any positions in minutes. There was 50% job losses in the construction sector in 2009.
Its 90% luck to get your cv even looked at..

As for grad positions which I can now waist my time applying for are being snapped up by lawyers, qualified accountants people with Hdip`s and masters. These people are obviously finding it hard to find work also if there applying for these positions. Trainee positions are limited and internships just as hard to get as the jobs themselves..

Its a lotto at this stage, every year more people graduate, finish up their training and more people leave school to be let down by the very society who preached you need an education to get a job, If you have a trade you`ll never be out of work, college is the way forward etc.. All this country can offer most of its youth is a sales assistant position if their lucky. The social welfare system is up till now any way the only thing keeping peoples living standards alive in this country and they even screwed the youth there also . How the can a person whos 18 need less money than a person whos 25.. We both live in the same society are both adults, pay the same taxes, prsi and have the same expenses etc. But yet we just stood by and let them cut their welfare entitlements in half at the drop of a hat.. None of which weren't even responsible for what happened or putting the government in power are the ones getting screwed the most .. Theres nearly a 50% unemployment rate for males 15-19, 35% for those 19-25 its their recession and there the ones being overlooked by society, while they get there benefits cut and trades,professions and degrees not worth the paper their written on.

Sorry for ranting on its not hopeless, I have had 2 interviews this year so far but ive applied for over 300 positions with about 10 cv`s cutting qualifications where needed.. Its hard to be positive when my only options are wasting more time in college, find a different country to settle in.

Mister men

Gang of Gin wrote: »

You may be coming across somewhat facetious, but I'm almost beginning to believe this. Many are.

I'm not being facetious at all. It's a fact.

Pablo Sanchez

eire2009 wrote: »

Cycling to work could be done if you wanted to increase the risk of getting knocked down, breathing in car fumes all along the keys twice a day im sure that's healthy, getting wet colds/flu that's forgetting about the effort of spending 2hrs a day getting to and from work to save 4 euro a day on bus fare on top of a days work.

Fair play, im liking your cost/benefit analysis and not forgetting the health risk assessment.

I thought working was suppose to increase your standard of living ??

As for austerity its not just the dole they cut they increases taxes if you haven't noticed meaning I`ll only get 320 pw or 170pw on the dole holding RA constant leaves me in exactly the same position 200pm - (Lunch money for a packed lunch + a bike/maintenance + added health bills)

Im absolutly amazed at your attitude, if there was ever an argument for cutting the dole for certain people then there it is.

Over the last year and a half my OH has been in constant employment, she currently does 3 part time jobs and works seven days a week, she manages to 'brave' all the potential 'health problems' you associate with getting to work and takes in more then i do in my full time job ive had for years. She is highly qualified academically but her jobs are retail/cleaning/coffee shop type jobs, pays the bills and most amazinly she dosnt whine.

While no-one would try to say that jobs are ten a penny, if your willing to be flexible and work hard you can get by quite nicely, it all starts with your attitude, if the dole was gone in the morning i dare say you would find something very quickly.

eire2009

Pablo Sanchez wrote: »

Im absolutly amazed at your attitude, if there was ever an argument for cutting the dole for certain people then there it is.

Over the last year and a half my OH has been in constant employment, she currently does 3 part time jobs and works seven days a week, she manages to 'brave' all the potential 'health problems' you associate with getting to work and takes in more then i do in my full time job ive had for years. She is highly qualified academically but her jobs are retail/cleaning/coffee shop type jobs, pays the bills and most amazinly she dosnt whine.

While no-one would try to say that jobs are ten a penny, if your willing to be flexible and work hard you can get by quite nicely, it all starts with your attitude, if the dole was gone in the morning i dare say you would find something very quickly.

Maybe they should cut the dole, but its not going to help the economy much as I dont know anybody amassing savings from it. I personally spend about 100 euro of my own money a week on top of it luckily for me I can afford it .. If the dole was cut in half people could survive on it obviously but remember thats 100 X 500`000 = 50`000`000 a week or 2.6 billion less being spent in this economy every year.. The jobs that will suffer the most are those in retail/coffee shops etc.. and there will certainly be less hope of finding a job with less jobs available and more people on the dole ... If the dole was gone in the morning, the way things are going it may some day become reality thats 5.2 billion less in the economy each year and 500`000 people desperately seeking employment to survive with less jobs available how thats going to increase my chances of employment in your eyes I fail to see ..

Ive applied to everything I can and with all my skills is a lot, since January 2009 when the hotel I was working in closed down, I was working there p/t. If the dole was cut to zero I would have applied for more p/t positions your right but Im looking for full-time and I don't see how if I haven't had any look with full time how part time would be any different

Denerick

I don't know where you are getting the 2.6 billion figure from. If the dole was cut by that amount the Irish debt and tax burden would decrease, thus the 2.6 billion would manifest in other ways. That money is not 'new', its recycled cash from taxpayers and foreign lenders.

But this really is academic. And the dole should only be cut for people without children and the under 30s IMO.

eire2009

Denerick wrote: »

I don't know where you are getting the 2.6 billion figure from. If the dole was cut by that amount the Irish debt and tax burden would decrease, thus the 2.6 billion would manifest in other ways. That money is not 'new', its recycled cash from taxpayers and foreign lenders.

But this really is academic. And the dole should only be cut for people without children and the under 30s IMO.

Maybe I didnt make myself clear people on the dole spend their dole they dont save it so if theres 500`000 people on the dole and they spend 100euro a week less thats if you do the math 2.6 billion a year. If you take that out of the economy every year and use it for repaying our national debt its not going to stimulate the economy its going to cause more job losses fact.

With children definitely not.. Why under 30`s ?? Do people older need more money all of a sudden, do over thirties pay more taxes, are they more important than other people, are they more intelligent, do they have more voting rights, do they adhere to different laws why?? .. Are we not all equal adults in society where ageism is a form of racism..

snorlax

to be honest I think if people have a mentallity ' there are no jobs' it does nothing but make oneself depressed/ get onself into a negative cycle of thinking. I'm sure employers can smell desperation a mile off..

I finished up a contract recently and have being occupying myself by doing some voluntary work in a dream industry a few days a week (i'v been procrastinating this masters since I finished college so in a way what happened to me was a mixed blessing) and signing myself up for a part time masters.
I'v also being going to fitness classes in UCD which are only 3eur a class (and exercise is extremely good for reducing stress). I'm also running art classes (free) in Rathmines / For Dublin Simon ..and when I'm not doing that i'm job searching.It really is important not matter what is going on in your life to leave some time for things you enjoy...also from the last interviews i'v done working voluntary as contributed to me being offered a part time position as a carer as they said it was obvious from my voluntary work I was 'committed/ hard working'.
So turn off the computer..go for a job/ walk..give someone a hug and then try some more searching also I believe there's a job club in Dublin run Friday mornings..

eire2009

snorlax wrote: »

to be honest I think if people have a mentallity ' there are no jobs' it does nothing but make oneself depressed/ get onself into a negative cycle of thinking. I'm sure employers can smell desperation a mile off..

I finished up a contract recently and have being occupying myself by doing some voluntary work in a dream industry a few days a week (i'v been procrastinating this masters since I finished college so in a way what happened to me was a mixed blessing) and signing myself up for a part time masters.
I'v also being going to fitness classes in UCD which are only 3eur a class (and exercise is extremely good for reducing stress). I'm also running art classes (free) in Rathmines / For Dublin Simon ..and when I'm not doing that i'm job searching.It really is important not matter what is going on in your life to leave some time for things you enjoy...also from the last interviews i'v done working voluntary as contributed to me being offered a part time position as a carer as they said it was obvious from my voluntary work I was 'committed/ hard working'.
So turn off the computer..go for a job/ walk..give someone a hug and then try some more searching also I believe there's a job club in Dublin run Friday mornings..

happy days:)

dory

eire2009 wrote: »

Thats like teaching people how to fish and then trying to sell fish mate :rolleyes:..

Thats not true!! I'd love to know some DIY things about electrics, but I'd still call a pro for a big job. Don't make up excuses. But I feel your pain as I've been there. Voluntary work helped me out a lot too. Good luck.

NeuroticMonkey

Quick background info...I'm a medical science graduate June 2010 going about the seemingly "pointless" task of looking for work in my field. Before people on here get bitchy about being lazy/spoon-fed etc. I should point out that at the moment I'm working pretty much full time (32-40hrs wk) in a brick factory for the summer, but can envisage that work drying up when the "holiday season" is over. Ideally I would've gone back to college this Sept to do a biotechnology masters but missed the deadlines (due to having to "resit" an exam I missed in May last week because of illness on the day). So...I have a year where I can't be in full time education and getting relevant work seems pretty hopeless (from surfing net and writing to employers directly and going on forums like this and seeing people who have vastly more experience not being able to get work).

I hate the thoughts of having to sign on when work runs out and have no real idea about how to even go about getting unpaid experience in a relevant setting (research lab/science-related manufacturing plant/diagnostics). It seems to me that employers are even unwilling to take on unpaid interns because of insurance reasons. I have the added worry of not being from Dublin (or any city) so that working unpaid would mean I'd need a p/t position as well to support myself. I was wondering if it would be possible to get the dole while doing unpaid work exp...or do you have to be "available for work"? I really don't want to waste my unexpected year "off". Any advice/suggestions appreciated. Does anyone have any recruitment agencies they can recommend for the life sciences area?

gollem_1975

NeuroticMonkey wrote: »

I was wondering if it would be possible to get the dole while doing unpaid work exp...or do you have to be "available for work"?

yes - its called the Work Placement Program (WPP) - these jobs are advertised on the fas website and having not checked this in sometime myself I don't know how the number of jobs outside Dublin compare with those in Dublin.
Under the WPP you are "available for work" - i.e. if a paying job turns up you are not under any obligations to stay in the WPP job. I don't see why you shouldn't be able to retain your benefits if you were to take an unpaid position NOT advertised on the Fas website.

good luck

eire2009

dory wrote: »

Thats not true!! I'd love to know some DIY things about electrics, but I'd still call a pro for a big job. Don't make up excuses. But I feel your pain as I've been there. Voluntary work helped me out a lot too. Good luck.

I'm not, putting capital into a declining industry or starting a business when they are folding up like transformers isnt smart. I want a decent job not a business plan

eire2009

NeuroticMonkey wrote: »

I really don't want to waste my unexpected year "off". Any advice/suggestions appreciated. Does anyone have any recruitment agencies they can recommend for the life sciences area?

Im not familiar with your area, apart from emigrating there's nothing for most.. Dublin has 20%+ unemployment while some parts of the midlands only have 7% your better off where you are statistically for finding work..

mood

eire2009 wrote: »

Im not familiar with your area, apart from emigrating there's nothing for most.. Dublin has 20%+ unemployment while some parts of the midlands only have 7% your better off where you are statistically for finding work..

I would be interested in looking at this stats list. Could you tell me where you got this info?

eire2009

mood wrote: »

I would be interested in looking at this stats list. Could you tell me where you got this info?

24% in dublin ..

http://www.cso.ie/releasespublications/documents/labour_market/current/lreg.pdf

Pablo Sanchez

Thats means that 24% of the people out of work in Ireland live in Dublin. Not that 24% of people in Dublin are unemployed.

mood

Pablo Sanchez wrote: »

Thats means that 24% of the people out of work in Ireland live in Dublin. Not that 24% of people in Dublin are unemployed.

Well, over a quarter of the population of the country live in Dublin so it make sense.

Pablo Sanchez

It depresses me that my taxes end up in your pocket so you can misquote CSO statistics and think up reasons why you cant work.

eire2009

Pablo Sanchez wrote: »

Thats means that 24% of the people out of work in Ireland live in Dublin. Not that 24% of people in Dublin are unemployed.

True, True. I cant find actual stats I just remembered the graph when I was writing the post ..

eire2009

Pablo Sanchez wrote: »

It depresses me that my taxes end up in your pocket so you can misquote CSO statistics and think up reasons why you cant work.

Sorry for being human. Ive possibly paid more taxes than you have in the last 10 years. As if I needed a reason not to work .. I wouldn't have an opinion if I hadn't been looking for work for the last 2 years

NeuroticMonkey

Cheers gollem_1975

_Kaiser_

Well in my case I'm out of work nearly 10 months now and applying for anything and everything I think I may be suitable for - I'm in IT (Support/Management end of things) with 13 years of experience and qualifications, and despite this (and being told how good it is) I can rarely get further than the agencies... that's assuming you get a reply in the first place!

My experience so far is that employers want someone who has support experience AND programming/scripting AND Unix/Linux AND Windows AND some qualifications and who'll work for circa the €30-35k mark with all this.
Most of these requirements were seperate jobs until 2 years ago!

Plus there's just so many people applying for what jobs there are, that I really am starting to think I've a better chance of winning the lotto than getting an equivalent IT job at this stage. I've even tried emphasing the other skills I have (project management, procurement, team management etc) but still no luck!

These unpaid "Work Placement" schemes are simply a cynical way for employers to take advantage of recently unemployed people.
Sure the theory, give graduates a start in their chosen industry, is sound but the reality is a lot of these jobs are looking for experienced professionals to work for nothing, not freshly qualified kids who are looking for some experience.