don't know what to do.

LegacyUser

Hi,

I've got a bit of a problem regarding my work history. I left school in 2007 and got a job straight after the leaving cert in a warehouse, I worked at this warehouse for a few months and things were starting to get bad with the economy so I was let go.

I was suffering with depression that began in early 2007 and my dad was diagnosed with cancer about two months before my leaving cert began and he was in a very bad way thankfully he has survived. Needless to say with the stress of nearly losing my dad I did crap in my leaving and didn't repeat as I thought I would have my job long term and was going to save up some money and return to do a FETAC course.

I've suffered with deep depression the last few years and it has lifted in the last months and am thankfully feeling alot better, The problem now is that I only have a few months work experience in the warehouse and I got a job with a security company in 2010 who ****ed me over big time with pay so after the first 2 months I quit as I was basically working for free! So I've omitted it from my CV.

I've a fairly sizeable gap on my CV apart from September 2010-May 2011 when I returned to college to do a FETAC level 5 I got 10 distinctions and was the student of the year. I'm 22 now and feel that I've wasted alot of time and dont want to give a sob story to any future employers about being depressed etc.

The only other experience I have is as a volunteer firefighter which is my passion and something I hope to do on a professional basis one day, I know it's not exactly work but its something at least.

I dont know how to market myself and I know people my age who have degrees and plenty of work experience and have a life they're meeting new people and forming friendships and the likes and I feel left out.. I want to have a life and start accomplishing my goals.. I want to be get a job return to college to get a degree as I dont think any fire service in they country will accept a fetac diploma in lieu of the minimum requirements and I want to start meeting people again.. I have some friends but they're all into weed and hallucinogenics and there lives revolve around procuring weed.

I hope someone can give me some practical advice as I feel like a bit of a waster lately.. I have a wonderful girlfriend who supports me and hasn't left me even though I cant provide for her the way I should be able to and I feel guilty about that also. I dont want to wake up in a few years and realise I'm screwed, I start freaking out when I think about the time that has elapsed and my experience or lack thereof.. So any advice is much appreciated.

Cheers.

banquo

First, I know loads of people with degrees who I would never, ever hire. You have a pretty good CV that shows work ethic and employability - that will stand to you far more.

Second, even just by posting here you've proved that you're not a waster. If I was hiring I'd hire you in a flash.

If you want a bit of help professionalising your cv then drop me a PM and I'll send you my email address. Do you know what kind of work you want to do?

I also know a good bit about college entry (old job, long story) Do you know what you want to study?

Enright

well done on the 10 distinctions, not easy to get - use your points from your fetac to get into college? you have 400

Taltos

banquo - Please review our charter - asking an OP to PM you is clearly called out as one thing never to do here.

Thanks.
Taltos

snafuk35

confused young man wrote: »

Hi,

I've got a bit of a problem regarding my work history. I left school in 2007 and got a job straight after the leaving cert in a warehouse, I worked at this warehouse for a few months and things were starting to get bad with the economy so I was let go.

I was suffering with depression that began in early 2007 and my dad was diagnosed with cancer about two months before my leaving cert began and he was in a very bad way thankfully he has survived. Needless to say with the stress of nearly losing my dad I did crap in my leaving and didn't repeat as I thought I would have my job long term and was going to save up some money and return to do a FETAC course.

I've suffered with deep depression the last few years and it has lifted in the last months and am thankfully feeling alot better, The problem now is that I only have a few months work experience in the warehouse and I got a job with a security company in 2010 who ****ed me over big time with pay so after the first 2 months I quit as I was basically working for free! So I've omitted it from my CV.

I've a fairly sizeable gap on my CV apart from September 2010-May 2011 when I returned to college to do a FETAC level 5 I got 10 distinctions and was the student of the year. I'm 22 now and feel that I've wasted alot of time and dont want to give a sob story to any future employers about being depressed etc.

The only other experience I have is as a volunteer firefighter which is my passion and something I hope to do on a professional basis one day, I know it's not exactly work but its something at least.

I dont know how to market myself and I know people my age who have degrees and plenty of work experience and have a life they're meeting new people and forming friendships and the likes and I feel left out.. I want to have a life and start accomplishing my goals.. I want to be get a job return to college to get a degree as I dont think any fire service in they country will accept a fetac diploma in lieu of the minimum requirements and I want to start meeting people again.. I have some friends but they're all into weed and hallucinogenics and there lives revolve around procuring weed.

I hope someone can give me some practical advice as I feel like a bit of a waster lately.. I have a wonderful girlfriend who supports me and hasn't left me even though I cant provide for her the way I should be able to and I feel guilty about that also. I dont want to wake up in a few years and realise I'm screwed, I start freaking out when I think about the time that has elapsed and my experience or lack thereof.. So any advice is much appreciated.

Cheers.

First of all get yourself down to your local library take out some CV and interview books and check out the internet - lots and lots of great websites that tell you how to create a great CV.

Ditch the friends who are into weed. They are complete losers and you don't want it rubbing off on you by hanging out with them. Let them rot while you move on with your life.

You really have to relentlessly upbeat and ruthless with your time now. Cut out any time wasting or anything that holds you back. Enjoy life but have an ambition and a goal. Write down your goals for the future and be determined to fulfill them. You aren't a kid anymore so be assertive and go for what you want.
You have a girlfriend and family who love you and support you through thick and thin.

saa

You have experience which is better than a huge amount of people your age finishing degrees who have no work experience because they left school when the recession hit and those weekend entry level jobs vanished.

you started working when things turned down, plenty of people have a patchy cv in the last 4-5 years everyone understands that you just need to present what you have really well and no dont give a sob story but if you ever come into a situation where you have to explain something like that there are phrases that are vague like family circumstances or that there is a gap because you were searching for a position that would be x and y.

You are NOT SCREWED!!! you have no failed, you are young, if you can get a free fees degree go for it.