It's been asked before, but I'm asking again.

dan_d

Hi all.

I know this has been covered a million times before around here, but I'm going to ask anyway.

How on earth am I supposed to find a job?

I'm unemployed just over 2 months. I have a good degree, and I have 5 years solid experience. It is in construction, but I'm looking outside that, aswell, as there's nothing there. From my experience, I have a varied amount of experience in management skills, dealing with clients/customers, excellent analytical and problem skills, really good computer skills, I'm extremely capable of expressing myself well...can I go on?

The problem is that I think people see "worked on construction site" and think.." nope that's not what we want". They don't really understand what was involved, or what I would be capable of.

I'm tailoring my CV, I'm writing individual cover letters, I'm applying to anything I think I might have even half a chance at - and nothing. Admittedly, there's not much out there I'd have a chance at, because as far as I can see, most jobs are IT based, and finance based, neither of which I have qualifications or experience for.

I'm considering doing a few courses to get more skills and a bit of variety, but it was past the date for a lot of masters etc when I finished up, so I'm limited in what I can do.But I'll still go on and try and do one before Christmas.

The thing is I just don't know where to turn next. I feel like I'm staring at a massive fence, with people and jobs and workplaces on the other side, and no way for me to get through to that. It's like I don't exist. I get very few replies to anything - having said that, I got 2 rejection emails in the last week. It's just that if they even called me for interview, I might have half a chance. But I'm getting nowhere, and I'm running out of patience. I've said it before around here, I'm just not interested in spending a long period of my life on the dole and struggling with money. It's my life, I'm not wasting it sitting around because somebody else screwed up the economy.

So has anyone got any tips at all?? I'm scouring the usual jobs sites, visiting individual company sites, jumping through all the hoops, and I can't seem to even raise an email back saying "thanks for your application", let alone a call for an interview. I know I'm not the only one out there feeling like this. Can you guys tell me what you do?

Sorry about rambling, I'm just so...annoyed. And frustrated.

bullpost

I'd say you'd be a good candidate for project management jobs in IT.
Maybe get onto one of the free PM courses that FAS are doing , perhaps get some work experience and start from there?

MonkeyBone

I think the PM route would be an ideal way to go. I am currently finishing off a Certified Associate in PM (CAPM) with FAS and it is very good. My undergraduate was in IT but non programming stuff and a Masters in Business but I have spent nearly 1.5 years trying to get a job. PM seems to be the only alternative for any decent chance at a job out there at the moment. PM coupled with you experience and degree would put you heads above me or my fellow graduates in terms of employability.

One suggestion I would make is to look at the Irish Project Management Institute website as the are offering a Certified Diploma in PM in Cork, Limerick and Dublin. It costs a bit but if you are in touch with FAS they will cover €1250 (BTEA grant) and it cost around 1600... I think. The course is excellent and if you prefer a more classroom/practical environment then the FAS web type lessons of their PM course then it is a better choice IMO. If it was me I would do both but as I am emigrating soon I won't be able to.

I hope this helps and best of luck with the job hunt

dan_d

Thanks loads guys. I was looking at a PM course in DBS, however I will go into FAS tomorrow and see what's available.

Emigration may be inevitable, but not for a couple of months (due to OH's circumstances), so I need to try and fill the non-job-hunting time.

I wonder if it will ever come to a point however, where people can only do so many courses, and they still can't get a job....

Mr. Loverman

Emigrate? The UK is doing well...

dirtyghettokid

dan_d wrote: »

I'm just so...annoyed. And frustrated.

I feel ya. But two months? I've been trying for over two years! I have tried alot of different approaches, but none seem to work. Will be keeping an eye on this thread anyway. There are plenty others in the same boat. It's very depressing!
Emigrate.........oh lord how I wish I could! OH doesn't want to leave though.........:mad:

SeaFields

I don't want to turn this thread political but i think the jobs scene wont improve until we get a change in leadership. I'm not saying a new government will have a magic wand to make it better but i hope they will not be as blinkered as the current lot and a few initiatives will be put in place quickly to get things moving.

I was at an emigration party last Saturday night. Several of my friends couldn't go to the party I was at because they had to go to another emigration party in a different pub. It getting ridiculous how many of the people i know are heading away.

Seriously OP, two months ain't that bad from some of the stories you can read on boards. Keep the head up and keep applying. Maybe if your last area of occupation is gone quiet, see if your skills transfer elsewhere. You might be surprised how transferable they are. And failing that certainly more eduaction! You can never have enough education!!

Faith+1

If possible Emigrate OP. You worked your ass off to get your qualifications so why sit around doing nothing? There's plenty of countries that will appreciate your skills and what you have to offer. Things will not change in this country for a long time to come.

My friend has done 10 courses through Fas in the last 1 1/2 years and still can't a job flipping burgers! Get out while you can sir!

eire2009

Education is worthless without a job..You can be the smartest guy in the word but not afford the bills which isn't too smart. Find job first then education.. The only people making money out of this economy is debt collectors and education facilities its a sham .. All I hear on the radio is kick start your career with x or z it dont do jack **** it makes the situation worse you`ll be over qualified for standard jobs and under experienced for the ones you have new qualifications in..

I have to lie and lie I do on every cv and cover letter its the only way I get half a response...

1. They dont like Trade backgrounds its not their own
2. They dont like career switches during a recession
3. They dont like older more qualified people
4. They prefer to look after the people in their line of work before people from construction backgrounds bumped in.
5. Young unqualified employees are going to be happier packing shelves like we were 10 years ago there for they get most of these sort of jobs
6. They`ll put 1 years experience over a 1 years masters degree
7. I wanted to do accountancy but even with a 1.1 in a accountancy degree because I`m older and have a construction background and have earned 1000+ a week how happy am I going to be being told to get the tea in the mornings and do all the donkey work while I do my trainee programme. Im up against someone younger who done Accountancy in the LC knew what they wanted to do leaving school got a 1.1 degree in accountancy and possibly even had done an internship during the summer while I was off working on a rig. They`ll also happily do the runaround getting lunches in the morning like I did doing my apprenticeship as it will be their first proper job, they`ll be happy with the money and the employer will be able to mold them alot easier than somebody who has already taken some shape. I am not the perfect candidate and that's what employee's can employ these days as their choice is unlimited. If they wanted somebody with a masters or a H.Dip in a certain area for the same position they`d find it.

Unless I find an accountant from a hr department that has a construction background and can understand my ex-line of work and appreciates it, I can forget about accounting by the looks of things in this country..

hobochris

bullpost wrote: »

I'd say you'd be a good candidate for project management jobs in IT.
Maybe get onto one of the free PM courses that FAS are doing , perhaps get some work experience and start from there?

I wouldn't, nothing against the OP but there are already plenty(in fact way to many) PM's who do not know how long things actually take to do. This makes for unrealistic time frames and a nightmare for all technical staff involved, especially developers.

Any good Project managers I've met have worked as Developers/DBA's/Testers before and know how long things take to do as well any complications that may or may not be involved.

dan_d

dan_d wrote: »

Hi all.

I know this has been covered a million times before around here, but I'm going to ask anyway.

How on earth am I supposed to find a job?

I'm unemployed just over 2 months. I have a good degree, and I have 5 years solid experience. It is in construction, but I'm looking outside that, aswell, as there's nothing there. From my experience, I have a varied amount of experience in management skills, dealing with clients/customers, excellent analytical and problem skills, really good computer skills, I'm extremely capable of expressing myself well...can I go on?

The problem is that I think people see "worked on construction site" and think.." nope that's not what we want". They don't really understand what was involved, or what I would be capable of.

I'm tailoring my CV, I'm writing individual cover letters, I'm applying to anything I think I might have even half a chance at - and nothing. Admittedly, there's not much out there I'd have a chance at, because as far as I can see, most jobs are IT based, and finance based, neither of which I have qualifications or experience for.

I'm considering doing a few courses to get more skills and a bit of variety, but it was past the date for a lot of masters etc when I finished up, so I'm limited in what I can do.But I'll still go on and try and do one before Christmas.

The thing is I just don't know where to turn next. I feel like I'm staring at a massive fence, with people and jobs and workplaces on the other side, and no way for me to get through to that. It's like I don't exist. I get very few replies to anything - having said that, I got 2 rejection emails in the last week. It's just that if they even called me for interview, I might have half a chance. But I'm getting nowhere, and I'm running out of patience. I've said it before around here, I'm just not interested in spending a long period of my life on the dole and struggling with money. It's my life, I'm not wasting it sitting around because somebody else screwed up the economy.

So has anyone got any tips at all?? I'm scouring the usual jobs sites, visiting individual company sites, jumping through all the hoops, and I can't seem to even raise an email back saying "thanks for your application", let alone a call for an interview. I know I'm not the only one out there feeling like this. Can you guys tell me what you do?

Sorry about rambling, I'm just so...annoyed. And frustrated.

Why so panicked, as someone else said it has only been 2 months!

You have been working for the last 5 years in a (then) massive industry, and I assume at a high level, probably with a premium salary to boot.

So unless you have been living like a king, you should be comfortable enough, and dole payments here are still generous. Plus rent allowence/other benefits.

Take a step back and 'enjoy' the time off...pick up a new hobby or learn something new...while still job hunting of course!

Thing of the current graduates with no future...many have no entitlements, didn't get to experience the working life and must be wondering was living on noodles for the last few years worth it...mentally that is a worse postition to be in.

(I work btw, but I see this with friends)