not working but...

jamesr123

I'm not working but have been doing a fetac college course for nearly the last year or so.

I was wondering though. Will it look bad that i'v not worked and only attended college to employers? I suppose if anything college gives me a reference as to where and what i'v been doing instead of no explanation.

I'm thinking of starting a course next year aswell and to be honst i'd rather stay in college as it lets me focus on my studies..

maroon

Depending on a career you want to pursue it is beneficial that you have practical hands on experience as well. Speaking from a point of view of college graduate there is no company in Ireland that would hire me without any experience.Consider some form of Internship or part time work at least to accompany your chosen course...

keithc83

I was in similar circumstances up until last year when i finally got hired. I would recommend doing some volunteer work. This is what I did and in the interview they looked at this as very positive initiative that I had taken. In reality I did it to keep busy initially but it became much more than that. I would recommend doing something like that if you can. Even if it is just weekends. And its also a great feeling to volunteer for something and feel like you are helping others too.

The Diabolical Monocle

Lie.


But do it bloody well. And dont even speak of it for a few years.

Paddy Cow

jamesr123 wrote: »

I'm not working but have been doing a fetac college course for nearly the last year or so.

I was wondering though. Will it look bad that i'v not worked and only attended college to employers? I suppose if anything college gives me a reference as to where and what i'v been doing instead of no explanation.

I'm thinking of starting a course next year aswell and to be honst i'd rather stay in college as it lets me focus on my studies..

Of course not. If you have been attending college it means that you are interested in developing your skills. It would look worse if you were unemployed for the year and had nothing else to show for it, which is the unfortunate position that a lot of people find themselves in. Stay in college if you think the course will give you better skills. Could you try and find part time work that would be relevant to your course?

sopretty

Sell the idea in any letter of application you send out, that rather than sitting on your hole for a year, you decided to up-skill. Put it more politely in the letter though.
Something along the lines of:

'While continuing to actively seek work during the past year, I also took on an additional full time course, to increase my knowledge of X and to ensure I remained up to date with all my qualifications. I have now achieved X qualification, which will add to my skill-set'.

sopretty

Unless of course that you took up a knitting course and are now back to trying to get a job in IT...

jamesr123

Well I was already unemployed for 2 years previous to my course. However, in that time I completed 3 separate computer courses so it's not to bad I suppose.

I worked for 3 years in a retail store during secondary school. I suppose I have that bit of experience.

I'm doing a police and security studies course btw.. hoping for the gardai or army in the long run..

lau1247

Definitely get some experience. Based on the course you said, why not try part time with the crowds that does security for concert events (not sure of the name, maybe someone here may know) to complement your course??

Don't get stuck with academics side too permanently. I know a guy who is in his mid thirties and to this day have a business degree, a master, and is on his second phd. Sounds impressive but did SFA career wise.

Good luck