How Do I Get Employed?

LegacyUser

I've been on the Dole since finishing college in 2011. Last year I did a Springboard college course just to give myself something to do, as I wasn't finding any work. I spend about two or three hours a day (or every two days if I'm getting fed up with no hearing anything back or just receiving negative responses) going through every job site I can find (LinkedIn, irishjobs.ie, jobs.ie, adverts.ie/jobs) and daily checking the JobBridge website (which is an absolute scandal, but that's another story).

I have a pretty good degree (a 2:1 honours), but I have absolutely no experience, which seems to be holding me back completely. I just don't know what to do about it, but what I do know is that I can't go back to having a terrible dead-end job; I've had those for most of my life and I just want to feel like I'm working towards something - in my late 20s, I know it's about time that I do. The other reason I can't is that I'm in a relationship with somebody that I get to see only on weekends, as they work during the week. We live a small distance from each other, but big enough that it makes midweek visits difficult.

It's just so irritating hearing nothing but negative responses. I know it only takes just one person to say, "hey, maybe this person is worth a chance" and that's it, but I haven't received that yet and it's really starting to affect me.

What can I do?

homemadecider

Have you done any volunteering in your 2 years of unemployment to gain experience in a work environment?

username123

Whats your degree in and what about doing something to further it like a post grad or masters?

Why not take any old dead end job and continue to look for the "real" job in the meantime, shows a bit of get up and go?

What about going abroad for work?

What about pestering FAS and trying to get a work placement from them?

dellas1979

I dont know what area you have your degree in, or what you ideally want to do, but a few options (ive been interviewing people):

- Think laterally, as in yes you have a good degree, but I think of a degree as like the center of a wheel, with spokes coming out of it. Thats just the starting point. Its using the degree to move on somewhere else.

- You must be willing to relocate.

- You need to make yourself stand out from the crowd, and interesting. As in a "we want to know more about this person". Skill set-wise most definitely, experience-wise, even if its little, tailor it to the need of the company. Even unpaid experience (these are things you need to do to get your head above the crowd). I (love) looking down on a CV and having the imperfections (as youd see them) hop out. Because m'dear, none of us have the perfect timeline for a CV. Its the quirks and how you handled them...a "that didnt work...what I did next" scenario. I want to know that you have the ability to do the job and more importantly fit in.

- Your CV must be aimed particularly at the company you are targeting. I would go so far as to research a company, and tailor (truthfully) why you think you can do the job, your skill set (and why the company would be lucky to have you), and why you are interested in them.

- Interview-wise, if you get to this stage, figure out what type of company it is. Is it a young-ish company (and colleagues will be young/younger/same age?). They will be looking for a fresh, good attitude, and probably (yes) sense of humour. Dont ever be afraid to bring out a bit of humour again in an interview, if that is how the interviewers are coming across. There is nothing worse than someone sitting across from you (nerves or not) telling you they can work in a team, and there is no eye contact, or approachability to the person.

- Lastly, whether people realise this or not, from the moment you enter a building for an interview, you are effectively being assessed (and your attitude). There is no point in sitting infront of an interviewer telling them how great you are, and you havent been one bit friendly to other members of staff while waiting (no matter how insignificant they are to you). Those people also have mouths too .

Best of luck.

StillWaters

It's hard to top Dellas advice, but as an employer I would say I want to see something on your CV. I don't care if it's paid or unpaid. Volunteering or jobbridge. I just want to see you are motivated and reliable.

In your late 20s you are in a tough situation. Employers will want to see qualifications and Experience. Get yourself down to your local volunteer centre. Volunteer.ie

LegacyUser

I can't say much more than the excellent advice given, but just to reiterate:
- you need to create a proven track record of work: that could be volunteering, or taking a 'dead end job'. Having a 'dead end job' is looked on a LOT better than someone who sits around waiting for the 'right job for them' to fall in their lap - harsh, but true.
- you need to stop cutting off your potential opportunities so that you 'can see' your BF/GF. I've rarely heard anything so ridiculous. You are effectively taking yourself out of the job market. And the longer you persist on this behaviour, the less attractive you are to employers.
- you say that you want someone to take notice/take a chance on you: what are you doing to make yourself noticeable? I'm sorry, but as far as I can see, all you are doing is fading into the crowd - and into the back of the crowd at that. You need to get active: get a 'dead end job', volunteer, teach kids in something related to your degree, be prepared to go for interviews and jobs wherever the opportunity takes you.

You really need to change your attitude, or else nothing will change for you

Curry Addict

you should emigrate imho. the job market is very tough here you probably dont stand a chance.

cypressg

Curry Addict wrote: »

you should emigrate imho. the job market is very tough here you probably dont stand a chance.

This is the reality unfortunately.

surewhoknows

Is there really nothing worth spending some time on on Jobbridge. Yea its not ideal but I know close to a dozen grads who have got a foot in the door successfully by proving themselves in this programme. It's far better than nothing on your cv. Also as others have suggested volunteering.
These things will give you something to put on your cv and to talk about at interview.

Also have you got professional guidance with your cv and cover letters. Ive seen numerous grads with dire cv efforts that no business would be enticed towards but when a proper job is done on the cv it makes a major difference.

You need to prioritise and be your own hero here, your frustration is very evident but only using that as motivation will be of use to you.

dd972

Learn German and give it a shot over there, that's where I'd be if I had youth and education on my side, ridiculously superior nation to Ireland and the UK on all levels.