Jobbridge - is it better than sitting at home?

Bringbackrafa

Hey guys, I graduated from a Marketing Degree in 2009. I went to OZ in Jan 2010. Since my return I have struggled to get a proper job and could only find work in a local shop. Even though I like this job I'm not going to be working here forever, I need a marketing job asap or else It will be like I went to college for no reason!! Some of my friends who went straight into work after we left secondary school seem to be a lot better of than those of us who actually went to college. What does this say about Ireland today. Not only do we have to pay huge college fees but We cant even get a proper job once we get our degree.

Anyway, I have been reading a lot of negativity here regarding jobbridge internships. I need to gain some marketing experience but I don't want to become a slave for 6-9months.

Has anyone on here had/heard of any positive results?

Thanks

Bringbackrafa

Sorry guys, what a way to join , grammar mistakes in my title ha ha

Eoin

If I was interviewing someone, I can't see how it wouldn't look better for a candidate to be on job bridge rather than sitting at home.

Bringbackrafa wrote: »

Sorry guys, what a way to join , grammar mistakes in my title ha ha

Updated for you!

CatFromHue

While there are a lot of problems in Jobbridge it is in theory a great idea.

The more experience you have the better and as a recent grad it can be tough to get this experience.

In my old place when we were hiring a replacement for some one who was leaving an applicant who'd decided to take a Jobbridge internship position was looked at very favourably by the boss. Both the boss and the applicant knew he was being shafted by host company but both knew he needed the experience.

iBananas

I graduated in 2009 and spent a year sitting at home watching entire series of TV shows while I sent my cv to every company and job recruiter I could think of. I got called for a good few interviews, but there was usually about 6 or 7 others there for the same job on the day. The feedback I got from the employers was that they had gone for someone with a masters or with several years experience.

In the summer of 2010, I signed up for Jobbridge or whatever it was called back then. I contacted the same companies again, asking them if the would consider taking me on under this scheme. I outlined that it would be of no cost to them, I would gain by getting experience and maybe make some contacts in my field.

within a week, ten replied asking me to come in for an interview. I attend three interviews and I took the third offer of a 9 month contract. All three offered to take me on, people love free stuff!

It was tough having to come in every day to do the same job as everyone else and not get paid, plus the cost of accommodation, food, etc on the dole is not fun. But 7 months in the company offered me three year contact on a good wage, Woo!! plus another guy came into the company 6 months after me under the same scheme and got a contact as well!.

My personal experience is that it is better to be doing something like this with a good company (not one of the joke positions you see on Jobbridge for a pot walloping technician in some bar, deli or hotel). If you put in a good performance, at best the company may give you a contact and at worst you get a good reference and some experience. Your budget will be tight and you will feel resentful some days, but sitting around home will do the same to you.

I applied for rent allowance and the medical card, I got both, not a lot but every little helps. You also turn into a very savvy bargain hunter and haggler!

also if your out of work for 12 months or more you can apply for the Revenue Job Assist to get extra tax credits when you do start getting paid. It gives you extra tax credits for three years and you can hold on to the medical card for a bit longer too.
http://www.revenue.ie/en/tax/it/credits/long-term-unemployed-return-to-work.html

Anyway best of luck with whatever you decide, staying positive can be the tough part.

Mrs OBumble

Bringbackrafa wrote: »

I need a marketing job asap or else It will be like I went to college for no reason!!

I think you've answered your own question there.

AnnyHallsal

Take a JobBridge but research it carefully. There are tonnes of marketing internships, think about the best place to work for you - who will give you real hands-on experience, what would look good on a CV, is there a chance the internship will lead to a paid position.

Bringbackrafa

Thanks for the advice. I was going to start applying but I am not on Jobseekers allowance so I don't qualify. Free internships is my only option but I don't think I am that desperate yet.

Eoin

mac_iomhair, you're spamming this link all over the place; this is not what the OP asked for.