I feel unemployable - What can I do?

LegacyUser

Going private here for my own sake.

Anyway, I'm a 25 year old male recently finished college and have recently signed up for the dole, that sort of stuff. The thing is I feel that my parents, who I know are well intentioned are trying to push me down an uncomfortable path.

I mean, its not like I am not going to try looking for a job but my experiences in the past in trying to get a job have being less than fruitful. Its disheartening to hand so many CVs but hear a peep back from anyone! I fear that is what going to happen to me.

As a result, there is a massive gap in work experience in my CV, something that I feel is making me unemployable as no one will want to touch someone who hasn't had any form of job since 2004!

It doesn't help that my education was unconventional so to speak. I did 3 years in one course ( graphic design ) but hated and never graduated but I recently passed another 2 year course in a slightly different field. ( Multimedia ) However, all the jobs I've looked all require the dreaded ' E ' word - Experience. How I am supposed to get experience without a job and how would I explain those 3 years in the college before I switched?

Back to my parents, my father especially - I really feel that they'll make me apply for a job that I know I'll hate all for the sake of ' life experience ' and having it ' stand to me for the rest of my life ' - maybe that's a good thing but its something I dispute, why would I willingly want to do that to myself?

Being honest, they are a little old fashioned with the mindset that a job is a job and that you should do it, regardless of whatever you like or not. I'm a bit more unconventional, seeing that a job should be an extension of yourself and that I don't need to ' grow up, cop on and get a real job. '

I guess it all boils down that I don't want to be just another cog in the machine - something that I feel that will be forced on me if I don't do anything otherwise but seriously, I feel unemployable and they are putting pressure on me to look for a job and I'm not sure what to do.

Any advice?

Whynotme

Have you gone to FAS? There are work placements that you can do, get your dole, and gain experience. These are generally unpaid apart from expenses. However, it gives you a chance to gain experience, and if you are any good, a chance to create a position for yourself within the company. I know of 2 people that have gained employment this way so it is definitely worth a shot. Plus it helps to bulk out your cv and shows you are willing!

MissFlitworth

unemployable? wrote: »

It doesn't help that my education was unconventional so to speak. I did 3 years in one course ( graphic design ) but hated and never graduated but I recently passed another 2 year course in a slightly different field. ( Multimedia ) ... how would I explain those 3 years in the college before I switched?

Honestly, that's not really a big deal. It'd be different if you'd done 3 years in one course & then sat on your bum for 2 years doing nothing. If someone asked you in an interview about 3 years in college that you never finished all you'd have to say is that you tried to push yourself through your graphic design course but you don't have the apptitude for it and as it's such a competitive field you felt you'd be better served by switching to something you could excel at instead of getting a qualification in something you could only ever be mediocre at. It's not a bad thing at all to have decided something isn't for you and to have had the balls to switch courses

Agree with the poster above, you need to get yourself some kind of work experience in the field you want, even if it's unpaid. When you work in creative media you tend to have to work like a donkey the first few years in order to gain experience, and lots of people do that at the same time as having a part/fulltime job that pays their bills

Esoteric_

Not to be mean or too blunt but if you haven't worked since 2004, you need to get up off your backside and forget about worrying that you might not like a job. Apply for shop jobs, warehousing jobs, any crappy job that doesn't require much experience because at least then you'll be earning a wage and you've apparently not worked in SEVEN years. That's quite honestly ridiculous. I understand wanting to work in the field that you've studied but beggars can't be choosers. Apply for shop jobs and things like that because without experience you won't get a job in multimedia but with a retail job, at least you have some retail experience which can be of benefit in a media job.

nyarlothothep

I don't know much about how to gain multi media experience but you could design websites for free or something like that? Create your own projects, start your own company, include them in your portfolio and tag that as experience? Google may be your friend in this one as I would posit that there have been people in your position who wanted to get experience in the same industry and had to create their own opportunities.

greengirl31

There have been some good points made here OP - Like signing up with FAS, offering your services for free, - I think there's some sort of bartering site where you can offer your services in return for those of a plumber perhaps ... Not sure what it's called but maybe someone else here knows of it ...

In the meantime though, your dad is right - Get out and get a job - any job !! I hate to break it to you but we're all just cogs in a machine no matter what we're doing. Very few of us are fortunate enough to be in a job we're passionate about and it's down to necessity more than anything else. Get earning, you'll be surprised what it'll do for your self esteem!! And just because you're working in a shop or warehouse or whatever, you can still look for a job that you want ...

dafunk

What about the new government internship program?

robman60

I can see the OP's point of view here. Someone spends 15-20 years in the education system, and by the end of it, there is no job which allows you to utilize your skills and you end up working in Tesco or something. At least that's what I think the OP means.

Anyway, one could wallow in what I've said above forever, fact is, you have to do something. I'd advise offering your services for free. This can be a great way to show a potential employer that you're eager for a job, and that you're willing to work. Even if the person doesn't employ you after your stint of unpaid work, it's still additional experience which is crucial for any CV.

If you can't get anything even after working for free, then I'd suggest emigration. The reason many people are doing it is because it may offer you a chance to finally work in a sector you want, which in the current climate here can be almost impossible.

starlit

Hi OP, there is a new thing out, starting the 1st of July if you want to gain some work-experience. There is a new scheme out in July, similar to WPP but you get €50 a week plus the social welfare. Check it out. The government has just recently introduced it. Honestly I think its a scheme that is more likely to work than the WPP.

Check out the website: http://www.jobbridge.ie/

Good luck!

boobar

dafunk wrote: »

What about the new government internship program?

Dafunk is right. This program was heavily promoted today. Look into the details, this might help you get the initial experience which will lead to the job you want.

Also, can I recommend a book very suitable for jobseekers - What Colour is your Parachute, a great read with loads of good solid advice.

Don't be so hard on yourself.

tenchi-fan

What's all this nonsense about a job being an extension of yourself? That's student talk and you're in the real world now.

Regardless of what job you work at you will learn something. Whether it's work ethic, customer service skills, management skills, problems solving, work-life balance, time-keeping, computer skills, etc etc.. you will be a lot more employable with any work experience than sitting on your ass for months on end.

Wompa1

Stop making excuses OP, get off your arse and work. Why haven't you worked since 2004?

Jobs were pretty plentiful up until late 2007. I don't get people that don't work during college, a good CV is important too. I'm involved in hiring myself now and it's something I'd look for

Humria

Hi OP. I understand how you would feel disheartened but I'd have to agree with your parents on this one. I'd suggest you get a job and start saving some money. It doesn't have to be long-term but it gets you back into the working world. A job in a shop may not seem related to what you have studied but you can always use it on an application form to say you have gained skills dealing with customers (or something along those lines). I think you just need to realise that every bit of experience you can get will help you. I'd also agree with the other posters who suggest offering your services for free, you never know what will come of it.

Dark Phoenix

look it is all great in theory to want to do what you love but how many people can afford that luxury? I do my job because it pays the bills and I do what I love outside of work. I work to live I do nto live to work. I have worked since I was 15 years old as its what I was brought up to and were I unemployed tomorrow I would take any work I could get whether I liked it or not because any job is surely better than none at the moment?

The gap in your cv? just be honest say you were in college and just explainit, people appreciate honesty and the fact that you went on to do another course and finished it shows you don;t just give up and do nothing.

Its time to man up, apply for jobs and take when you can get so that you earn a living and gain experience at something. Once employed you can always do what you love outside of work or still seek work doing what you love. You are not unemployable but if you sit around much longer refusing to apply yourself at something because you think you wont like it that is eventually going to head in the unem,ployable direction