No job for the last 2 years - options?

Colibri

I've been unemployed since January 2011. I had a brief contract during Christmas part time, and since then I've been on social welfare. Adding that up and previous work experience (school project), I've got less than half a year experience in retail. Sending out countless CVs each week and haven't recieved a single call back - since Christmas.

I've got no degree, average leaving certificate results, not a lot of experience. The only thing I do have going for me is a great work ethic.

What do you think I should do? It's getting tougher everyday without money or a job/course. Living at home, mother unemployed too. I've been looking at a course and that's even a pipe dream now, expense wise.

I'd love to move abroad but I don't know where, and I doubt anyone would take a 20 year old Irish male with no degree or experience!

What would anyone do in my situation? I am not looking for sympathy, just some opinions

Maire2009

Go to Jobsbridge/FÁS and try and see if you can get work experience through them. Is there anything in particular you like or that you are good at?

Anything you get now will help in the future.

christmas2012

Jobbridge and FAS are the very reason there is unemployment,as they hog up occupy what could have been a paid job advertised,it never suprises me the amount of people that think fas/jobbridge is a good thing?!when in reality it nicks jobs from the community - never sign up to these unemployment agencies - they create unemployment its their job

do voluntary work in charity shops and animal shelters at least you are genuinely giving something back to the community there.

Maire2009

christmas2012 wrote: »

Jobbridge and FAS are the very reason there is unemployment,as they hog up occupy what could have been a paid job advertised,it never suprises me the amount of people that think fas/jobbridge is a good thing?!when in reality it nicks jobs from the community - never sign up to these unemployment agencies - they create unemployment its their job

do voluntary work in charity shops and animal shelters at least you are genuinely giving something back to the community there.

At least with Jobbridge he will get some work experience - he has virtually none so it will help him.

My sister was briefly unemployed and was told she could not help in a charity or do voluntary work as it meant she was deemed "unavailable to work."

jabberwock

Colibri wrote: »

I've been looking at a course and that's even a pipe dream now, expense wise.

it's been a while since I was unemployed thankfully but last time I *had* to go on a course after 6months drawing dole.

So unless things have changed so much in the past 5 yrs, FAS for a course.

Colibri

Jobbridge is being checked regularly too. Unfortunately a lot of them all require some sort of experience/qualification before entry :S

I've been thinking about volunteering alright but as Maire2009 said, my JSA would be in jeopardy if they found out since I'd not be eligible to work

Arciphel

Consider going back to college? Is there anything you would be interested in?

christmas2012

You dont tell them obviously thats how you get around it,of course there are always fas courses you can do or jobbridge if you feel you have to.Look ive done one of these schemes myself,and i can tell you 99 times out of 100 there are no jobs after youre done on these schemes,employers abuse it for free labour.Instead of advertising for paid work they sign up to jobbridge - thats how its a job blocker,i know its frustrating what else can you do?

Eod100

Have you applied for jobs in call centres?

These places usually have high turnover in staff so they hire often. Many positions don't require experience and the company will provide training.

Geekness1234

College or at the very least upskill.

Colibri

College is out of the question, can not afford it at this stage. Interviews and selection process is done for this year too! I don't want to try to 'get around it' either by not telling them about volunteering - I am not risking it at this stage! The JSA is a life saver right now. Currently looking into FAS courses in other counties too

Eod100

Also, like others have suggested JobBridge could be an option.

You'd get paid 50 euro per week on top of your social welfare payment. Most roles are full-time and last either 6 or 9 months a year.

It could be a good way of gaining experience, contacts and references.

Another option is the Springboad courses. These courses are free to study on and all are part-time as far as I know.

They range from certificate to degree to post-grad courses and are in lots of different areas of study. The website is http://www.springboardcourses.ie/ .

Outkast_IRE

Can i ask why havent your tried to get the back to eduaction allowance and get onto a college course in a area with job vacancies ?

Colibri

Outkast_IRE wrote: »

Can i ask why havent your tried to get the back to eduaction allowance and get onto a college course in a area with job vacancies ?

I wasn't eligible for BTEA when the interviews were being held, only on the JSA a month before the applications started!

FizzleSticks

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Colibri

FizzleSticks wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

I'm 20, so there'd be no way of getting in with a mature student status. It's too late to apply this year isn't it ? :pac:

Trhiggy83

Ring Fas and tell them you want to talk with a FAS faciliatator, in the mean time have a look on their website to see if there is courses you are interested in.

paul9mm

Hi, if my experience helps you, glad to offer.
Like you, unemployed since Feb 2011, but rather than sitting on backside, immediately went to local FAS office looking into what "real" course and career options were on offer.

What I found:
-It is initially depressing, full of people who give all signs/body language of not being there of own free will. (A friend who was in same position gave me advice that boils down to: the FAS staff are more than willing to help you and go out of their way, if you are willing to meet them half-way.)

This in mind, I looked over the FAS site in preparation; (http://jobseeker.fas.ie/Default.aspx?q=iSRIxZhfcq1m5f+Y0OsKti+tyY9zujTi+SVsEaZYgQqUn8i5blxfFx5wJnE6rSXeVnOAD5wAZ81L+/QZETqlQvFy66U5DpkjRVt1i98EyDVKTjwz/tRuciQzJB00XkAxiUDsWbpsRGT2LIBA480YhuEWnRLjtSUG127wDJIW4U0v0w7111OmxX0hU8aLAibPvc0zkztb/yw3bH0xp5aYuSH/lPJxbwGc8QlmfevgEbdBSO6+s26WjhsptIHSssF2VNtStw6DiBSxN64I7vwQmCSsa6foN4c5pLAl80Bd+3u5bjykGNWyB0Wr5Mf0Bgo3ZJtY1puxCdgI6nn+kf+gedf+a8jMSGd7QT8VqujxORy11W2wWt5dtw==) , printed out course choices I was interested in and talked with friends on their opinions, previous course choices and any advice. I met with the FAS person who, as I was able to be both blunt about my background, what I was looking for and my new career plan, went way beyond what I expected in help.

Case in point: I wanted to do a FAS IT course that was starting in a few weeks, but I was under the 6 month JSA window. The FAS officer there and then called the regional officer, put in a recommendation and I got the place.
Put simply: expect the FAS/Social Protection staff to be mean/cranky or rude and they will be. Treat them as you would like to be treated and they will try to help you. That being said, having brought along the FAS, Social Protection and grant info (http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/education/third_level_education/fees_and_supports_for_third_level_education/maintenance_grant_schemes_for_students_on_third_level_courses.html) and more (http://www.losingyourjob.ie/options-for-education-and-training/sources_of_information_on_returning_to_education.html)

So what about your situation? First, be realistic.
Yes, you are young and have little experience but and a bloody big but, you are young and are willing to get stuck in given the chance. Ask yourself: would you rather spend the next year watching TV, surfing the net killing time or take a challenging course and have something to show at the end? It is incredibly disheartening to feel like their is no hope but, like myself, you have too little income and too much time. Use the free time you have, pick a course that sounds interesting and if FAS is paying for it, what have you got to lose?

In my case, by explaining to FAS that I wanted to follow a clear career path (IT) and was more than willing to put in the time and effort to get there, last week I got my first choice mature student CAO offer!

How? I did two back-to-back FAS IT courses (CompTia A+ and Network+) and in the middle of another full-time course. At the third-level interviews I went to, both interview panels were visibly impressed that I had done the courses in the past year and was able to explain clearly, and with specific examples, that I wanted to take their course as I wanted a qualification that had weight behind it, rather than a series of certs.

To become a mature student, you need to be 23 years old, however at the open evenings I went to last Nov & Dec, about 50-60% of people there were about 25.
Sorry about the long reply but hope this in some small way helps?

disneyoutlook

I feel your pain...
A few years back I would have suggested you consider college...but I've since changed my view...
Ireland is certainly producing a 'brain drain'. Im just back from Oz and there are loads of Irish over there.(much easier when you are in your early twenties!)...wish I'd done it years ago..
My advice..save up and go..(alone if necessary!)
Take it from me..met loads of people from different countries over there who didnt even have a degree and were in very successful jobs.

I feel I wasted 6 years in college and uni and for what...only to be told I'm over-qualified for jobsbridge or dont even get an interview...
One needs a masters to sweep the streets these days...

At this point its hard to have an incentive to actively seek REJECTION!!
You know your lifes in the toilet when you meet past pupils of yours in the queue for signing on....

Alternatively you could 'create a job' for yourself and get them to advertise it on the jobsbridge site(obviously they have to meet certain criteria)...(if they cant prove that more than 3 people applied...the jobs virtually yours...) chase them up...and complain if theres dodgy dealings...
The SW will like your enthusiasm....
I hope you get something soon...xo:P

NakedNNettles

disneyoutlook wrote: »

I feel your pain...
A few years back I would have suggested you consider college...but I've since changed my view...
Ireland is certainly producing a 'brain drain'. Im just back from Oz and there are loads of Irish over there.(much easier when you are in your early twenties!)...wish I'd done it years ago..
My advice..save up and go..(alone if necessary!)
Take it from me..met loads of people from different countries over there who didnt even have a degree and were in very successful jobs.

I feel I wasted 6 years in college and uni and for what...only to be told I'm over-qualified for jobsbridge or dont even get an interview...
One needs a masters to sweep the streets these days...

At this point its hard to have an incentive to actively seek REJECTION!!
You know your lifes in the toilet when you meet past pupils of yours in the queue for signing on....

Alternatively you could 'create a job' for yourself and get them to advertise it on the jobsbridge site(obviously they have to meet certain criteria)...(if they cant prove that more than 3 people applied...the jobs virtually yours...) chase them up...and complain if theres dodgy dealings...
The SW will like your enthusiasm....
I hope you get something soon...xo:P

What complete and utter bol*x. Despite your user name, you couldn't be anymore negative could you? It's easy for you to write this sh*te when you spent 6 years in college and probably already have your degree or whatever. Pull yourself together, you are already many steps ahead of those unemployed with no education.

Don't listen to any of this rubbish OP. Make a long term plan to learn a skilled trade or get a third level education in whatever interests you. Despite this trash above, education goes a long way and opens many doors, just be prepared not to have everything handed on a plate just because you have a degree. Determination, drive and attitude are key to succcess.

You are already getting some good advice about courses you can do, if nothing else these will give you more structure to your day and give you a reason to get out and about.

Long term make higher education or a skilled trade your goal. It goes a long way in today's world.

Sala

Op, think about what you would like to do and work from there. In my opinion it is still hard to get a job if you just think any job will do - rather tailor your approach to what you want and keep moving forward. So lets think you want to work in an office; you can go to FAS having narrowed down what courses suit your goals such as the Computer Applications and Office Skills course. Once this is completed, you can apply for entry level jobs in a wide range of industries or go onto a jobbridge scheme if you don't get anything paid.

If you are applying for jobs and sending out CVs and not hearing anything back, it is not working. Rather than continue to do this, and hope someone will give you a job, you need to identify what is missing and work towards improving this - experience and education in relevent areas.

If you can identify an area you would like to work in and employer you would like to work for, approach them and ask about an internship - you do not need to apply for internships that are advertised on the website- you can set up your own and still qualify for the extra payment

disneyoutlook

Just giving another side of the coin as Im unemployed myself and feeling that sometimes my degree is worthless...
On a positive note you have time to research what courses are best and what is suited to industry needs.
This can be invaluable if you are on an internship/jobsbridge and can get first hand knowledge of what employers want in a candidate...

Apologies if I was negative...just missed out on securing a job at the final hurdle so was feeling pretty worthless yesterday...
I do think that creating a job is your best bet while researching courses...

Make sure to come armed with what you need to learn on your course...
This will certainly improve your employment prospects down the line....

Emigration isnt for everyone but it seems to always get me out of a 'rut'..
Down the line your degree will be very valuable in other countries where is expensive for them to attend 3rd level..

I hope you will be part of the young people who bring the country back off its knees!

Thanks nakedknettles...i needed a sting...(im back applying for jobs!!!)...now wheres that dock leaf!!

NakedNNettles

disneyoutlook wrote: »

Thanks nakedknettles...i needed a sting...(im back applying for jobs!!!)...now wheres that dock leaf!!

No probs, I know the feeling of being unemployed, the simple things can start to become quite draining, I often needed a kick myself rather than the ' Sure it will all work out' approach. Nothing will work out unless you keep trying.

I see you mentioned 'meeting past pupils in the dole queue' and you seem to enjoy the travel....... if you are a teacher you should consider ESL for a year or two. Korea, Japan (degrees required) Middle East (masters).

pamela7

Hi, try not to be disheartened. I suggest you go to your Local Employment Services see a Mediator and ask them to put you on their Jobsclub. Its 3 days a week for 3 weeks. Helps you with your CV, interview skills, broadening your options and importantly exploring what job or training you would really like to do. You also get to engage with a group of people who are in the same boat and gain contacts and ideas. Look closer to home before you think of moving away. It can be v expensive to get started in a new country and a bit lonely too. But if you have someone to go with or go to then check it out. Good Luck! It will happen for you

Colibri

Thanks guys and gals all the advice really helped me I was at the FÁS Training Centre for the group engagement session the day after I posted this thread and got some ideas for things to do. Applied for a course in a local college and have an interview with the FÁS Coordinator on Monday so I can discuss college with him. It'll keep me busy for a year at least, and I am interested in the course