Newbie...

Kaibutsu

Hey there bordies. I've known the Boards since before I was even in Ireland and finally I've created an account . I'd like to ask you guys some help job-wise.

I'm an English student. I've been here for a couple of months or so and I'm about to pause my course and get a job. I'm not made of money so it's really important for me to save some money while working full-time and then come back to college without being worried if I'm even going to be able to pay the rent... I would be on holiday leave for about half a year and I also intend to continue working, part-time, when I get back to college.

So I'd like some tips on how to find jobs in the country, specifically Dublin. I've found CV samples on the web and I hope you guys can tell me if that's the way to go. But any suggestions, anything at all, is very welcome. It's my first time visiting Ireland or anywhere else, actually. I do believe I already have a descent grasp of the English language and that has been very useful till now. Finding a place to live and things like that turned out to be easier than I originally thought, even though some times it's pretty hard to understand some accents XD.

I live in the city centre. I keep hearing everybody saying that the market is way too competitive right now specially around this area. I've also heard that commuting to nearby towns can be a good way to avoid this and the "dreaded minimum wages". I wonder if these statements are true? To be honest, I don't mind doing "menial" jobs and I doubt I would get anything better than that without having a higher education level and no working experiences in the country, am I right? Having an opportunity to work at McDonald's probably would be heaven for a guy like me. One has to be realistic I guess.

Also, where do you guys usually search for vacancies? I've been taking a look at fas.ie and jobs.ie, any other suggestions? The costs of public transportation around here are scaring me a bit as well. I recently got my Student Travel Card and a 30-day Rambler ticket for €91.50. It seemed to be the best value to travel long distances searching for a job. But I'm now considering buying a cheap bike after seeing those prices.

Thanks in advance.

ABajaninCork

From your OP, English is your second language - right? If that's the case, language skills are in very short supply, right now. You should be able to get a job utilising your mother tongue quite easily.

Whereabouts are you, BTW?

Kaibutsu

ABajaninCork wrote: »

From your OP, English is your second language - right? If that's the case, language skills are in very short supply, right now. You should be able to get a job utilising your mother tongue quite easily.

Whereabouts are you, BTW?

Mountjoy Square.

I haven't seen any jobs for Portuguese speakers till now. Do you think they are common?

ABajaninCork

Is that Dublin?

Yes.

Kaibutsu

ABajaninCork wrote: »

Is that Dublin?

Yes.

Yes, Dublin 1. City centre.

Thanks for this, mate. I would prefer to avoid speaking my mother language while living here since I'm trying to practice English but this advice might come in handy.

Mrs OBumble

Working in semi-legal conditions, often for less than minimum wage (yes it's illegal, but it happens to immigrants), but able to speak English.

vs

Working in a call-centre environment. Boring work, possibly micro-managed, but paid better, nicer environment (desk, chair, computer, generall air-conditioning) , no illegal stuff from the employer - but having to speak your native language (or another one that you know).


Your call but to me, it would be a no-brainer.

Kaibutsu

Semi-legal conditions? O.o

Is it THAT hard to find a job around here nowadays? I mean, I've seen people at my college in similar situations and many have legal, English-speaking jobs... Is that uncommon?

If it is as you described it would obviously be a no-brainer for me as well, I just didn't expect things to be that tough... Are they?