How is the jobhunt going?

Ainekav

Hi Everyone,

Just came across a similar but old bumped thread from 2009 asking the same question, and I don't think we have one going at the minute.

How is everyone getting on with the jobhunt?
How many jobs have you applied for and what feedback have you gotten?

I've been applying for jobs on and off since the Summer, when I finished my postgrad.
I was getting by on very sporadic work there from the Summer to Christmas (in the arts/community sectors, as well as a retail Xmas job).
The last shred of this is about to dry up so I've been properly back on the jobhunt since December. I have been trying to meet people for coffee etc moreso than I did the last time. I haven't gotten any feedback at all I don't think. I'm applying for everything and anything - bar work, waitressing etc. I did agency waitressing aswell during Christmas but that has more or less vanished. I can't get the dole because I live with my boyfriend - well I think now that all my work is gone I could get 38 euro approx.

I've been applying for a lot of online jobs, and I will soon start to throw out CVs to everywhere else, regardless of whether or not they have vacancies. I have about two months or so before I'll have to start borrowing money etc.

Have started to seriously think about heading to London, but I would have to borrow money to get me started since I don't have any savings. An awful lot of my friends are already there.

Anyone else have any stories, good, bad or indifferent?

eire1

I'm heading that way too. Got let go in June last year but I got a bit of work for a few weeks after. I went to college for a 1year course but don't meet requirements for any financial aid. I've applied to well over 30+ places and got maybe 3 replies. Any saving I had are rapidly running out.
Good luck to you, hope you get something soon.

Ainekav

Cheers,
Good luck to You too

Hijpo

Iv applied for 4 jobs and 2 internships before christmas and havent had a reply from any of them. I emailed one crowd two weeks ago asking if the position had been filled and if it had, could the simply give me advice on what to do about gaining some recognised experience (IT Tech) and they wouldnt even email me back about that. Makes you wonder why you bother your arse sometimes.

experiMental

It's a long story of how many jobs I have applied since July 2011, but every time I had an interview, I had rejection afterwards. Maybe I didn't appear as confident or maybe I didn't sell myself enough. Whatever reason it is, there's always someone with better personality or who speaks more confidently at an interview.

I have international awards for my work, a first class honours degee in my field and also two work placements as well. Oh, I also got orders from abroad for the things that I have created. It's not a positive experience for me signing on the dole and showing all the rejection letters.

Do you think I should be working on improving my ability to talk more confidently, so I could get a better chance of winning an interview or should I start my business?

Thanks for your opinion!

Ainekav

Yeah I've been told before I didn't demonstrate my skills well enough in an interview.

I haven't had a formal interview in i don't know how long... I've gotten a lot of work in the arts through contacts, so the interviews for that tend to be v informal, then I had a group interview for my christmas job and the last proper interview I had was for a grinds school, and I got the job but as far as I can see the place closed down!!!

I would encourage you to work on your interview skills - you could do this for free if you had a friend who has been on lots of interviews, or alternatively you can pay for it.

The fact that you are getting interviews (when loads of others aren't) show that you are probably falling at the interview hurdle. I would say definitely get some help on this. Even if you just looked for tips online and then got a friend to do some mock interviews with you, that might help

makker

I was made redundant three months ago. Since then i have applied for 12 jobs, I probbably got 6 replies and I managed to get one interview.

My previous job was fairly specialised and roles of that nature have dried up since the downturn. However there are a few support roles around linked to what i previously did, which i think i would be capable of doing. However the feedback i have got from the jobs i applied for is usually one of skeptism from the employer saying that i will lose interest as soon as something else turns up, which is not the case, as lounging around the house is starting to get to me.

In addition i sent out 10 speculative applications to companies yesterday, I already got one rejection saying he was fully resourced, but i appreciate he took the time out to send me a reply.

I'll continue to keep an eye out for roles, hopefully the market will pick up with the start of the new year. I will also send out another 10 speculative application in a couple of weeks and give it probably two more months and if nothing comes up I will pack my bags and reluctantly head abroad (even though my whole life is in Ireland)

Keep the heads up guys and stay positive, it comforting to know that there are others in the same boat who can relate to the issue.

Hijpo

makker wrote: »

I already got one rejection saying he was fully resourced, but i appreciate he took the time out to send me a reply.

Fair play to him, takes a few seconds to type a couple of words and click send. Its not a bloody hand writen letter costing a couple of cent per stamp. I find it unbelievably ignorant, they put out the advert, i replied, show some courtesy and let people know where they stand.

pog it

experiMental wrote: »

It's a long story of how many jobs I have applied since July 2011, but every time I had an interview, I had rejection afterwards. Maybe I didn't appear as confident or maybe I didn't sell myself enough. Whatever reason it is, there's always someone with better personality or who speaks more confidently at an interview.

I have international awards for my work, a first class honours degee in my field and also two work placements as well. Oh, I also got orders from abroad for the things that I have created. It's not a positive experience for me signing on the dole and showing all the rejection letters.

Do you think I should be working on improving my ability to talk more confidently, so I could get a better chance of winning an interview or should I start my business?

Thanks for your opinion!

Start your own business. Enterprise Boards, etc. Entrepreneurs like yourself are amongst the most valuable people on this island. Don't be discouraged.