Cant get work, depressed, want to leave....

joblesslad

I wasted my teen years and now Im fresh out of jail and cant get a job. im trying hard to turn things around but its not easy.

Im 27 and never had a job before. ever. not even after school part time work.

I had few interviews in the last month or two and when ask what have I been up ta since leaving school 15 and why is my cv blank I tell them 1) I was in jail for last few years 2) before jail I was drug dealing and partying all day and thought I had life figured out but now I copped on a bit and want a chance to start again. employers are too fussy.

I dont know what to do I feel so **** and depressed every day my life is pretty much wasted.

I just want to pack up and move country to somewhere that there is lots of work the lads say there is loads of work in austrailia and canada working in the mines but where do I even apply for that.

and I have another few years left on my driving ban too so thats another reason I want to move. Half the jobs I see on fas youd need a car to get to them.

I just dont know how or where to start to get out of here

I have my leaving cert by the way so its not all bad

ABajaninCork

Don't beat yourself up, OP. It's not all bad for you. I commend you for trying to turn your life around. I also big you up for being so honest about your past. By all means tell prospective employers you were in prison, but you shouldn't tell employers about the drug-dealing and partying! For some strange reason it tends to have employers running for the hills...

But I'm afraid leaving for the US, Canada, Oz and NZ is out of the question as you have criminal convictions. You know there's no point lying about them, as it'll be far worse when the authorities find out.

How about applying for the BTEA so that you can go back to college and try for further qualifications? Or you could apply for a Jobbridge. That'll fill up some of the spaces on your CV and you start getting used to the routine of going to work.

If you're so intent on leaving, then I'd look for something a little closer to home. Like London. Much easier to get to, and you'll stand a much better chance of getting work.

Are you still under the probation services? Get in touch with your probation officer and tell them about your difficulties in restarting your life. They're there to help, so make use of them.

I'm probably not much help, but I want to wish you the very best of luck. Hang in there man, and don't give up. You're gonna make it. I know you will!

LegacyUser

I'm not saying this to be judgemental, you know why your life ended up the way it did and your trying to put it right, fair enough. But saying employers are "too fussy" is a cop out and sounds like your feeling a bit sorry for yourself. Open you eyes, there's people out there who've broke their backs working and studying, with degrees, masters and they end up working in McDonalds with the job market the way it is. OP if your feeling defeated already you are going to have a long and frustrating road ahead. It's not easy for anyone out there, you are just going to have to soldier on. Maybe you could go abroad but I know Australia are very strict with criminal behaviour, visas etc. Unless you can plead your case and prove you have changed and really want to get your life on the straight and narrow. Maybe go and see a career guidance counsellor or even a life coach, someone who might be able to give you some direction. Best of Luck OP

emmabrighton

Hi Joblesslad,

I am sorry to hear you are finding it tough. Especially now that you want to make a fresh start of things.

I really can't give you any advise but I think you are doing great even getting out looking for work.

I am thinking how you could get your foot on the employment ladder. My OH is not working at the moment and he doesnt have any of your problems and is still finding it difficult to get work.

You are right to be as honest.

Could you get a third level cert, diploma, degree? that would really stand to you. Colleges will be accepting soon for their Access courses... UCD/TCD that i know of. Not sure if youre in Dublin but UL also do something similar. The more qualifications you have, the better chance you will have of 1) getting a job 2) being interested in the job you will get 3) stay on the straight and narrow.

Perhaps being poor but volunteering for NGO's will look good on your cv and make you look more like a reformed character?

Thats if you want to stay in Ireland.

I do know that it is difficult to get a work visa with a criminal conviction and you can kiss getting a driving job goodbye in ireland with an endorsement on your license.

ABajaninCork

I think the idea from emmabrighton about volunteering is a great idea too.

LegacyUser

There are specific services which can try to assist ex offenders find employment, Business in the Community being one of them. Ask your local Citizens Information Centre for details. If you are based in Dublin there is a service based on Pearse Street called Job Care which runs work programmes for ex offenders or people who have become marginalised due to previous involvement in criminal or anti-social activity. Also call into Employment Services (FAS) or Local Employment Service (LES) in your local area and find out if you are eligible for a Community Employment scheme. You will only be entitled to a payment similar to the Job Seekers Allowance but at this stage you need to start concentrating on building experience and a work history first.
Best of luck.

upsidedown forklift

What do you like to do in your spare time OP? Any areas of interest like sport? Some cause?

You could look to contribute to what you like and maybe something might open up later.

syklops

Its an unfortunate fact, but the modern job interview is a seduction. The interviewer knows that and the switched on interviewees know that. If you tick the boxes in their eyes, then you get through to the next interview, or you get the job. Sometimes that means telling bare-faced lies. I remember a chat with a friend of mine who worked in HR. She was raging because she had spent a lot of time with someone who was trying to get a job in her place, and in the interview when the candidate was asked what his weaknesses were he said 'punctuality and absenteeism'. While he got credit for being honest, needlessly to say he didn't get the job.

While you're to be commended for being honest about your past, telling them that before prison you were drug dealing and partying is not going to win anyone over. If I were you, I would tell them you dropped out of school to look after an elderly relative. Follow up by mentioning that while it was hard, it gave you a lot of time to focus on <insert a thing of interest here>. Bonus points if that thing of interest is somehow connected with the role you are applying for.

If you are getting interviews then obviously employers are interested in you. An awful lot of people out there are not even getting that far. If asked about the reason for you going to prison, tell them what you did was meant to be a one off, you were young and naive(or desperate) and that you have learnt from your mistakes.

joblesslad

I took your advice an have gotten voluntary work I talked to a girl in the town hall about it and she told me that since its only small town not like a big city or like dublin there isnt as much voluntary groups and that gaa and the hurley and scouts is what normall recomdneds but said it mightend because people know i was in jail so she recommend something for the enviroment instead and not have to answer to anyone and be my own boss and employers will have more respect for a person that can work on there own

so i bought a load of black bags and i cleaned the river out, i got 17 black bags of rubbish since sunday and prams and all sorts out of it. im gonna buy some daffodils now and plant them all along the side of the river and I was watching a youtube video on trees and how good they are for wildlife so Im gonna be planting trees every where i can. I have a few months of work to do i just wish i was getting paid for it. maybe the counsel will give me a job at the end of all this lol

ABajaninCork

I knew all wasn't lost!! Fair play to you, OP and well done!

There's an idea - you obviously like the outdoors. Why don't you get some more horticultural experience (maybe college?) and set up as a landscaper? OK, it'll be a while until you get back your licence, but while you're waiting, the wheels are in motion!!

Keep going - you're gonna make it.

upsidedown forklift

Fair play dude, just make sure to keep the momentum going. You could also start a blog on the side about trying to rebuild your life. Put up some pics of your voluntary work, explain what you are doing every day and what your plans are for the future. It would be interesting for others to see your progress and you might even inspire others in similar situations.

Blisterman

I think the blog's a great idea actually. You never know, somebody looking for an employee could read it and be impressed by you.

Be sure to document it either way. Take some good quality before and after photos, so you'll have something to show at job interviews.

This might inspire you:

http://www.guerrillagardening.org/

StillWaters

That's a great start. Fair play to you. You might find it better to be part of a team though, and of course by widening your circle of friends you can increase your networks and chances of employment. Most Towns and villages have a tidy towns committee, get in contact with them too.

Look up guerilla gardening forums, you will get good ideas about making your town a brighter place.

Basil Fawlty

You say you have a year left on a driving ban, have you appealed this? If not I suggest you do as it is possible to get it reduced if you have good reason, I could make all the difference to your situation.

kylith

I can't offer any more advice, OP, sorry, but maybe some encouragement.

A few years ago a guy started where I was working. He'd joined us after really impressing the boss on a Fás scheme. After a couple of years he rose to the position of general manager. He was an early school leaver and former dealer and addict, who had wanted to start again out of prison.

Go on Fás schemes, get experience, there are people out there who are willing to give you a chance if you can demonstrate aptitude and reliability.