Life on the dole

Johnny Foreigner

KIERAN1 wrote: »

Its crappy, and really boring socially been on the dole. I can not move out of my family home either cant afford the rent. I wish i could just get a job and fend for myself! I've been unemployed for 2 year plus, and its not because i haven't tried. I've sent out countless CV's to industries here were i am living. But never seem to get an interview call (have received letters though confirming they've got my CV and that they'll will keep it in on file? I am wondering now though is it because of my age (34) that i don't get interviews calls, like i once did before this recession kicked in? Or is just there is no job matching my skilled set, and employers, are being truthful and genuine with their responses back to me?

I'm not overly educated, but do have a leaving cert and have done one college courses to get ahead in the past. I also have lot of experience in factory floor work, years, but for whatever reason can't even get in the front door anymore for an interview. Really Demoralising, like i am hard working, good with people, and brilliant with time keeping, so there's no real reason why i should be getting dole!!

I am in a similar situation myself. I am 34 years of age and have been applying for jobs for the last 2 years. If its any consolation, I have a 1.1 BA (Hons) degree, and a MA Masters degree; with 10 years industry experience and I can't get a job! I have managed to get interviews, even get called back to second interviews; but never get offered the job. My confidence has taken a knock after 2 years of receiving rejection letters. Often I am over qualified and experienced for minimum wage, and junior management jobs, but under qualified for senior management jobs. To be honest with you, having a Masters degree is more of a hindrance than a help. I can remember 10 years ago being able to pick and choose where I wanted to work. Its a sign of the times that people like us who want to work, can't get a job. I find it demoralising. The hardest thing is when you meet a new girl and she asks; what do you do for a living? I'm unemployed. It's a real conversation killer.

teaandtoast

KIERAN1 wrote: »

Its crappy, and really boring socially been on the dole. I can not move out of my family home either cant afford the rent. I wish i could just get a job and fend for myself! I've been unemployed for 2 year plus, and its not because i haven't tried. I've sent out countless CV's to industries here were i am living. But never seem to get an interview call (have received letters though confirming they've got my CV and that they'll will keep it in on file? I am wondering now though is it because of my age (34) that i don't get interviews calls, like i once did before this recession kicked in? Or is just there is no job matching my skilled set, and employers, are being truthful and genuine with their responses back to me?

I'm not overly educated, but do have a leaving cert and have done one college courses to get ahead in the past. I also have lot of experience in factory floor work, years, but for whatever reason can't even get in the front door anymore for an interview. Really Demoralising, like i am hard working, good with people, and brilliant with time keeping, so there's no real reason why i should be getting dole!!

Well it's good to have experience because I never really had a proper job even in the boom times it was hard for me to get work! There was no reason why I was on the dole long term but no one ever gave me a chance or gave me the benefit of the doubt. It must be very hard for the long term unempolyed who don't have skills and qualfications because here you have over qualficed people working min wage jobs, those jobs should be for people who are no skills/qualifications to get them back on track because they are the only people who can do those jobs justice. I remember I went for a few CE scheme with 3 people interviewing me it's a part-time job where no experience is required! that pays €200. How do they want to help people to get back to employment, it's frightening that there is people working in managment at FAS and in the CE schemes that don't have basic intelligence, they know how to use their heads! Their interview procedure is like a job for a brain surgeon. No wonder this country is a mess and mental health is issue, it's a struggle for the people who are marginalised in this society that are taking the steps improve their lifes/better themselves

I would say try to do more courses, education is the way to go. I would like to think they are employers out there who employ people for who they are aswell as what they can do. I would definitely try looking for voluntary work too even if it's not in your line of work the thing is people always need volunteers and it is enjoyable. You just have to keep believing in yourself

Eroticfishcake

Johnny Foreigner wrote: »

I am in a similar situation myself. I am 34 years of age and have been applying for jobs for the last 2 years. If its any consolation, I have a 1.1 BA (Hons) degree, and a MA Masters degree; with 10 years industry experience and I can't get a job! I have managed to get interviews, even get called back to second interviews; but never get offered the job. My confidence has taken a knock after 2 years of receiving rejection letters. Often I am over qualified and experienced for minimum wage, and junior management jobs, but under qualified for senior management jobs. To be honest with you, having a Masters degree is more of a hindrance than a help. I can remember 10 years ago being able to pick and choose where I wanted to work. Its a sign of the times that people like us who want to work, can't get a job. I find it demoralising. The hardest thing is when you meet a new girl and she asks; what do you do for a living? I'm unemployed. It's a real conversation killer.

Tough break, hope things turn around for you in the new year. As for the conversation killer with the ladies, she isn't worth your words if she's judging you on this. It takes confidence and balls to pick yourself up and keep looking for work opportunities.

Ainekav

Digitalism wrote: »

To be fair, theres plenty of jobs in Australia, compared to here anyway. The jobs wont come to you though.

I meant 'complain about how there's no jobs in Ireland'...

mandrake04

Digitalism wrote: »

To be fair, theres plenty of jobs in Australia, compared to here anyway. The jobs wont come to you though.

There are plenty of jobs in Australia but they

a) Require some sort of skill that most people on here wont have.
b) Require you to have a visa that most people on here wont qualify for unless you are prepared to pick apples for $4 an hour.

Faith+1

mandrake04 wrote: »

There are plenty of jobs in Australia but they

a) Require some sort of skill that most people on here wont have.
b) Require you to have a visa that most people on here wont qualify for unless you are prepared to pick apples for $4 an hour.

Assumption is the mother of all F*ck ups.

mandrake04

Faith+1 wrote: »

Assumption is the mother of all F*ck ups.

Yeah you shouldn't assume that just anyone can get a job in Australia.

I did say most and not all, and lets face it's for that very reason is why only 3000 Irish people qualify to migrate to Australia per year.

mosi

I hate being on the dole.
I graduated from uni this year with a 1.1 BA, and have been looking for work, internships etc.
I had hoped to do a Masters next year but with the grant now abolished that will be impossible unless I get a job...which seems impossible to get.
I was applying for internships to get experience in my field, but I really need a job at this stage if I am to go back to uni. It is so demoralising to apply for all these different positions...writing good cover letters, tailoring the cv etc...only to hear nothing, not even an acknowledgement back from any of them. It's even worse when the position is unpaid.
I try to keep busy day to day, and hope to get involved in a few more activities in the New Year, if only to keep my sanity.
What really gets me as well is that some people I had thought to be friends, have made snide comments around me about people on the dole.
Hopefully something will come up soon, as I am absolutely frustrated with it all.

gsxr1

Horrible life,
Depression high, self worth low. Worst 2 years of my life.

Thank God my fortune changed for the better.



Best of luck in getting work in the new year.

Acacia

Awful... but I've just heard yesterday that I've got a job and I'm delighted!:D


I wouldn't wish depending on social wefare on anybody. I know there are scammers and sponges and whatnot on the dole, and there always has been. But that doesn't change the fact that there are many, many genuine people struggling to get by on it, and being lumped in with people who've never worked a day in their lives does nothing but add frustration and anger to an already horrible experience.

I'll never forget what it felt like to have sign on every month and collect money from the post office every week. You feel like everyone is watching you, they can see how much many you get, and assume you're just another sponger out to rob from the tax-payers. You're desperate to find work, you don't want to be living on hand-outs, but you don't have a choice. It's hard to understand unless you've been there yourself. To be fair, some of the dole office employees were okay, but the vast majority made you feel like sh1t on their shoes for having the audacity to be out of work and be giving them a job! It was at times humiliating and I hope I never have to experience it again.

To everyone out there struggling at the moment, keep holding on, and hopefully 2012 will be your year!

Also, I found this blog helpful to read, very touching and relatable, for those who are out of work, particularly this entry!

http://www.surviveunemployment.com/unemployment_depression

kiffer

My life on the dole...
No work, no money, bored out of my mind, lonely, depression high, anxiety high, health suffering... I hate being unemployed...

Then your talking to some smiley fecker: "unemployed? You mean fun-employed! I'm having a great time!"
Then you talk to someone with a job: "I wish I had the free time... And money for nothing..."
Then a friend: "You're just not trying... If you really wanted a job you'd have one right now".
This was after I'd given up trying for a while and then climbed back on the horse and started sending out cv's again and calling into shops...
I'd been back at it a week and they meant it as in "In the last 7 days you could have gotten a job if you really wanted" and not as in "If you'd not taken that break from searching".
I said I'd be happy if I got an interview in the next week or so... "No, you could get a job tomorrow if you really actually wanted one".)

unemployment, soul crushing hand to mouth survival.

Acacia

Logical Fallacy wrote: »

It's also an enormous cash injection into the economy each week. People will talk about dolers spending money of drugs and saving it but that is largely bollix.

Mostly they put everything they get into the hands of local businesses. You should read about Plan B with regard to the UK economy, it explains it far better than i could and largely made me completely change my view of what should be done about the dole in Ireland.

Agree a million per cent!

When I was on the dole, the minute I got my 144 yoyos (yup, not everyone gets the full dole, for those who like to throw around the "spongers getting 200 euro a week" rubbish), about 50 went on rent, the rest went on groceries and paying for services (bills, etc) , and maybe about 10 euro was left over for emergencies during the week ( a pint of milk, a loaf of bread, envelopes for sending out CV's, etc)... so yeah, pretty much everything went back into the local economy. Needless to say, whenever I would rarely have some left over for a drink or new clothes my mind would flick back to threads like these on boards and and I felt guilty for spending my paltry sum on "non-essentials".

I think the feeling of "It's my money and I can do what I want with it" is something people with a job take for granted. It's not something you even have to think about until you're on the dole and suddenly it's the tax-payers' money, not yours.

I vowed to myself I wouldn't have an arrogant attitude if I was ever lucky enough to get a job. Now, that it's finally happened and it's my money those on the dole are spending, I really couldn't give a flying fcuk if they buy drink with it. Because the vast, vast majority of people for the main part are just using it to scrape by, and I won't be a begrudger.

Clareboy

I have been on the dole for a number of years and I would recommend those in a similar situation to consider doing some kind of voluntary work. I have volunteered in five different organisations and I have found volunteering to be very rewarding. I have a reason to get up out of bed in the morning and also enjoy the company of other volunteers and colleagues. Try it! www.volunteer.ie It will also look good on your CV if you do get a job interview.

Degsy

I reckon people on the dole should go on strike..refuse to collect thier money and do a bit of work instead.

ClovenHoof

I am on the dole and working - my cousin has a painting contracting firm. I take in about 2K a week - sometimes more.

I am not bothered as all I have to do is compare myself to Civil Servants and Bankers and I don't feel such a parasite after all.

Degsy

ClovenHoof wrote: »

I am on the dole and working - my cousin has a painting contracting firm. I take in about 2K a week - sometimes more.

I am not bothered as all I have to do is compare myself to Civil Servants and Bankers and I don't feel such a parasite after all.

The difference is that civil servants pay tax..you dont.

Anyway it wont be long before your arse is ratted out and then you'll be getting fcuck all!

LH Pathe

Killer Pigeon wrote: »

It can be compared with the life of a parasite.

<awaits tsunami of condemnation from parasites>

we spend most of our life longing to rasp on something that isn't technically ours so what's the difference.

KIERAN1

Johnny Foreigner wrote: »

I am in a similar situation myself. I am 34 years of age and have been applying for jobs for the last 2 years. If its any consolation, I have a 1.1 BA (Hons) degree, and a MA Masters degree; with 10 years industry experience and I can't get a job! I have managed to get interviews, even get called back to second interviews; but never get offered the job. My confidence has taken a knock after 2 years of receiving rejection letters. Often I am over qualified and experienced for minimum wage, and junior management jobs, but under qualified for senior management jobs. To be honest with you, having a Masters degree is more of a hindrance than a help. I can remember 10 years ago being able to pick and choose where I wanted to work. Its a sign of the times that people like us who want to work, can't get a job. I find it demoralising. The hardest thing is when you meet a new girl and she asks; what do you do for a living? I'm unemployed. It's a real conversation killer.

That's a bummer mate. It would be great if employers told you why your not being hired by them! It wouldn't happen unless you ask the question i guess! Maybe something for you to consider going forward? I Haven't got any interview myself lately, so not something i can do so easily!

A your bound to have taken a confidence hit especially as you have put lot of work into achieving your educational results. I find it odd though with your standard of education you're still unemployed, 2 years crazy insane to me.

I don't find its a real conversation killer with the ladies, but been on the dole and dating, can cause problems longer-term as your limited financially. Money issues undoubtedly will put a strain on any new relationship that starts. Girls will blow you off fairly quickly anyways if their only interested in men with money. Those Girls are everywhere theses days especially as we are so consumer minded, but theres good girls out there as well mate. Who'll want you for you, not what you have in the bank as savings. I don't understand why Girls would be put off you anyway's mate.

Your are overeducated, but that aint a bad thing you have a brain and it not likely with your education you'll been unemployed forever. Maybe though this how bad it really is?

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wV1lZMTCqf8&feature=related

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

maxfresh

ClovenHoof wrote: »

I am on the dole and working - my cousin has a painting contracting firm. I take in about 2K a week - sometimes more.

I am not bothered as all I have to do is compare myself to Civil Servants and Bankers and I don't feel such a parasite after all.

Really .well if your gettin 2 grand a week painting why are you bothered with the measly 188 dole

CyberJuice

maxfresh wrote: »

Really .well if your gettin 2 grand a week painting why are you bothered with the measly 188 dole

free money is free money,have you never seen the shows on the uk channels where they catch out benefit frauds driving aorund in mercedes cars,running hotels and pubs and they are collecting 200 quid every fortnight on the dole over there lol

Spunge

ClovenHoof wrote: »

I am on the dole and working - my cousin has a painting contracting firm. I take in about 2K a week - sometimes more.

I am not bothered as all I have to do is compare myself to Civil Servants and Bankers and I don't feel such a parasite after all.

Why would you admit to defrauding the government on a public message board ?

SEPT 23 1989

moy83

ClovenHoof wrote: »

I am on the dole and working - my cousin has a painting contracting firm. I take in about 2K a week - sometimes more.

I am not bothered as all I have to do is compare myself to Civil Servants and Bankers and I don't feel such a parasite after all.

I dont think painters made that kinda dust in the good old tiger days not too mind now . A hundred grand a year as a painter in a recession :rolleyes:

If its geting you down read a book called ...The right to useful unemployment ....

Monife

ClovenHoof wrote: »

I am on the dole and working - my cousin has a painting contracting firm. I take in about 2K a week - sometimes more.

I am not bothered as all I have to do is compare myself to Civil Servants and Bankers and I don't feel such a parasite after all.

If this isn't trolling, then you should be ashamed of yourself. Hope someone shops you soon!

HovaBaby

The dole is OK in this country, better than the UK.

a-k-47

ClovenHoof wrote: »

I am on the dole and working - my cousin has a painting contracting firm. I take in about 2K a week - sometimes more.

I am not bothered as all I have to do is compare myself to Civil Servants and Bankers and I don't feel such a parasite after all.

2K a week as a painter, get the fkg boat, semi skilled trade never make that money unless your the boss (pre 08!)

Johnny Foreigner

ClovenHoof wrote: »

I am on the dole and working - my cousin has a painting contracting firm. I take in about 2K a week - sometimes more.

I am not bothered as all I have to do is compare myself to Civil Servants and Bankers and I don't feel such a parasite after all.

Trolling.

Gareth2011

ClovenHoof wrote: »

I am on the dole and working - my cousin has a painting contracting firm. I take in about 2K a week - sometimes more.

I am not bothered as all I have to do is compare myself to Civil Servants and Bankers and I don't feel such a parasite after all.

Well done. You have managed to possibly get yourself f**ked over. Your just a fully pledged parasite this country can do without.

membersonly

ClovenHoof wrote: »

I am on the dole and working - my cousin has a painting contracting firm. I take in about 2K a week - sometimes more.

I am not bothered as all I have to do is compare myself to Civil Servants and Bankers and I don't feel such a parasite after all.

2k a week? You painting Da Vinci replicas and selling them as originals is it? That is fraud alright, you awful man.