bored unemployed

LegacyUser

hey, just wondering what to do with my life, spend all day every day on the internet looking for jobs im not qualified for anything so its hard, i cant voulenteer because i live in the middle of the country miles from the nearest town and dont have a car, so im looking for jobs in Dublin id commute every day on the bus if i did get one but cant seem to get anything fed up at this stage every day is the same what should i do?????im only 25 so i need to start living and getting out and about

ElleEm

If you are willing to commute to Dublin, then what is keeping you from volunteering in a nearby town? Even once or twice a week if the busfare is an issue.

Are you in receipt of JSA or Unemployment assisstance? Ask at your local CWO about a training budget. One of my friends got a once off payment from Fas for training. See if you can get anything.

Start using your time online for productive things, like making a few quid through online surveys and stuff. Print off coupons, save money and use it for busfare to volunteer.

Learn a new skill online. Download new computer programmes to use, learn a language, read stuff- once you have the internet, you should be learning SOMETHING! All of this will help you get a jo as it shows you work off your new initiative.

LegacyUser

bus fare is too expensive when not working 15 euro return for fare to local town, so cant afford it, ive did the fas training courses and now i just dunt know what to do next, im fed up sitting on a computer looking up jobs its not getting me anywere ,

solovely

Are you living at home with your parents?

Why not go to college? Do you already have a degree? What about doing a masters/ FAS course, etc? Can you get rent allowance to move out of home.

And surely, as ElleEm has pointed out, if you can get to Dublin to work, you could get somewhere to volunteer. I am currently looking crazily for volunteers for an organisation I help out in, and its really hard to find any. It annoys me when I come on here and see people sitting around complaining of being bored.

What about doing an unpaid intership?

And just getting out and about, keeping your mind healthy - do you run, walk, hike, swim, cook, bake, knit, etc? All cheap hobbies that will keep your body and mind active? What about your social life? I understand you must be broke, but do you have friends you can call over to/ invite over for tea?

What about your home/ family life? I'm assuming you must be living at home. Do you help out much at home? Do you have much support, people to chat to? Also, can you be doing more to help around the home if you're not in a position to pay rent?

Just think, when you do get to the interview stage of a job, the person with the well rounded life is going to seen like a much more appealing candidate than the one who sits in all day moaning. Hobbies and interests are still very important for showing what a well rounded, adaptable person you are.

Also, ElleEm's practical solutions of doing online surveys, coupons, etc. are very good.

LegacyUser

i have gone to college its not my thing, i want a job and its just not happening, online surveys well thats being on the internet at home i want to get out and about and away from the computer, the nearest town is very small ive done voulenteering before and it took most off my money to pay bus fares trying to get there and back its so far away, alot off people are bored not out off choice and would love to be out and about in the working world!!

ElleEm

But something you're doing/ not doing is hindering your ability to secure a job. Unfortuneatly, it's just the way it is in the current climate.

You need to make yourself more appealing to prospective employers. Learning things off your own back would be a great way of showing initiative. Volunteering would show an enthusiasm and motivation for actually WANTING to do something outside of your home, as well as showing you use your time well (and you aren't just sitting at home, bored!). You will also gain extra skills through this.

You need to be motivated to doing something to change your situation.

LegacyUser

voulenteering is not an opsion for me right now, theres so many people looking for work its really hard to get anything i know because ive being trying, and ive worked since the age of 18 so im not afraid of hard work, ive done loads of courses aswell now im just lost what to do next?????

solovely

I'm from the middle of the country and I know there are way more opportunities to volunteer down there than there are in big cities - old people afternoon clubs, community alert, tidy towns/ villages....even just calling in to an elderly neighbour, babysitting for neighbours, there's lots of good stuff you could be doing that won't cost a penny and will show that you are willing to get off your backside and use your spare time for good.

You seem to have gotten into a negative spiral, which is totally understandable given the circumstances, and I'm sure there are lots of other people in your situation who feel the exact same. But that said, I doubt many employers want to employ a "glass half empty" type of person, so even if you're faking it, you need to think positive and look at all the good that is in the world around you.

Do you get outdoors a lot? As I said, do you see your friends often? You need to make yourself happy and then this confidence will come through in interviews!

How is your CV? Have you looked at sprucing it up. How is the spelling and grammar in it? Have you shown it to friends and family to see could it stand out a bit more?

Surely, you can't rule out college completely? Maybe something a bit more practical if academia is not your thing?

What about getting rent allowance to live away from home and do an unpaid internship?

You are only 25, there really is no reason to be hopeless. Yeah, things are crap in Ireland right now, but you're young and have your whole life ahead of you to enjoy. I bet when you are employed and working crazy hours, you'll wish you had used your free time when you had it doing things you love. You need to find your passion. Good luck

LegacyUser

but for all that volenteering u need transport i am miles away from anything thats my point, i need to walk 40 minutes just to catch a bus, then the bus costs a fortune and then another 40 minute walk in the lashing rain to get home, if i lived in a town id be more den happy to voulenteer, yes i see my friends maybe twice a month as i cant afford to go see them its 25 euro to travel to see them, lifes a bit miserable to be honest i would love a 1 way plane ticket out of here most of my friends have gone to Australia, im looking out at the rain and wind today thinking id love to be with them!!

solovely

So, are you looking for a solution or problems?

Both my sisters lived at home in the backarse of nowhere and were on the dole for a while, but I never heard them moan like this. I understand that you are feeling low and down, but you need to try your best to pick yourself up out of this downward spiral and look at all the positives you have in your life. You need to start tying to find solutions rather than problems.

Are you not getting the dole? Surely €200 a week will allow you to get out, meet your friends, take up a very cheap hobby, do some volunteering. I find it very hard to believe that in a rural community there are not groups crying out for people with spare time. I know when my sisters were out of work, my Mam roped them into everything she could in the community (old folks day club, cake sales, cleaning up the village, etc.). They were also great for calling into my Grannies, going on long walks, calling over to see friends, etc. Where we're from is miles from anywhere, much further by the sounds of things than your 40 mins walk to a bus to Dublin.

As for the job thing, what do you have to offer that other people don't? You need to figure out what this is and focus on the positives about yourself rather than the negatives. You are obviously a bright, caring person who is just going through a rough spell. Only you can get yourself out of this.

I know you say college is not for you, but is there anything else you really want to do with your life? What do you want to be? What type of jobs are you applying for? Maybe, try to visualise yourself in 5/10 years time, and make a plan of what you need to do to get yourself there.

LegacyUser

no im just looking for some advice as this is an advice board??? no i dont get 200 euro a week 150 and most off it is spent on buses, food, and paying rent at home!! which i dont mind doing its just the sitting in the house all day is starting to get me down

Taltos

OP - please re-read the posts from ElleEm & solovely.
They have consistently offered suggestions on different ways to do things.
It is clear you are frustrated with what you are doing now but please be considerate of the time these people have taken to respond to you as helpfully as they know how.

Taltos

LegacyUser

i have read all the posts and appreciate the answers. thank you

Neyite

OP

All of these things are free to learn online:

Shorthand
Touch speed typing /Dictaphone typing

Microsoft Office suite of products – Word, Excel, Access, Powerpoint, Publisher – All have online tutorials that you can learn all about these to an advanced level.

Find out what other software products offer free monthly trials of their software and download and do their online tutorials – Photoshop, Sage Accounting Software, Payroll software, CAD software.

Learn how to build your own web page.

Download any free language programs and learn these. Spanish, French, Chinese, whatever.

Build your daily timetable – allocate a mornings to job search, in the afternoons assign yourself some of the classes from above – pick, say three or four, and do an hour each day. Learn several things so your topics vary per day and you dont get too bored.

Read up on interview skills, and prepare possible answers to interview questions so that when you do get the interview, you will nail it.

All of these courses can be added to your CV, and will greatly enhance your office skill set for life. Furthemore, it shows to any prospective employer that despite being in the middle of nowhere, and unemployed, that you are eager, hardworking and self-motivated. It gives a great talking point in interviews that you can show what you have learned for free.

Look into doing an accredited online course – lots of the universities offer online or distance learning and you might be able to get some funding for it from the social welfare depending on your eligibility.

The Aspirations Coach

Hi Bored Girl,

A few questions for you!

What area are you trying to find work in?
What jobs have you done before- what did you like, what did you not like?
What did you study in college- you said you ahd tried it but it wasn't for you?
Do you have any hobbies?
How active are you?
What kind of structure does your day have?
What would be your absolute dream job?
What skills do you have?
What do you do well that people come to you for help with?
Do you believe that you'll be able to get a job in the next 3 months?

Thanks,

Paula

LegacyUser

Hey OP,

I've just turned 26 and have been unemployed for just over a year. I understand your frustration and feelings about the boredom.

The trick is to keep yourself busy. Forget sitting infront of the PC all day and *Dont* turn on that TV before 5.30! Get up early and structure your day.

Im normally up and about by 8am. Have breakfast and spend about an hour online looking for jobs. Then its off to the shop to grab the paper and whatever is needed for the house. Then I saddle up the dogs and take them for a walk. When I'm back, cup of tea and crossword in newspaper. I then get stuck into whatever chores need doing (Laundry, hoovering etc.)

Lunch and then I'll take out a book, I've stocked up on "For Dummies" books and have taught myself HTML & CSS, I'm currently working through one of their internet marketing books.

Like you I'm not very skilled and because of my age I havent got many years experience under my belt, but I hope to do a night course that starts in Oct to get a diploma, I'm just waiting to hear from inspector in SW office.

Maybe a night course would suit you better than a full time course? Most are only for 1 or 2 nights a week and a lot of the community schools have night classes at this time of year.

What kind of volunteer work would you be interested in? I volunteer on Saturdays with my local tidy towns and I also foster dogs from a local rescue. Both are great ways to meet new people and get out and about. Its also a great way to network!

sethasaurus

Put 20 euro aside each week and save enough to escape. If you go on like you are now, in a year, you'll have the same problems, but you'll have 1000 euro up your sleeve. Buy a train ticket to a city and DO something.

Actually, I have a vague memory of a place in Dublin doing working visas to Australia. Sounded like it wasn't hard to get into that course of action..

http://www.usit.ie/work-abroad/event?gclid=CLmo76zKoKsCFcgj3godt2uHtw

gerryk

Would you not consider moving somewhere that has a higher concentration of possibilities. Most of the solutions posited have been knocked back due to travel constraints, so eliminate that barrier by moving somewhere that has opportunities within walking distance.
You say you are paying rent at home. If you get a small bedsit, you can claim rent assistance, which may result in your having more cash as a result.