The 'little' jobs

Jellybaby1

I'm a bit embarrassed to be putting this here as everyone seems to have lots of qualifications. Could anyone tell me how you go about getting a 'little' job, the ones the civil service don't seem to advertise. They have campaigns to recruit IT specialists and engineers, and professors of this and that, but I never see them recruiting for these ordinary jobs. How would you go about getting jobs like canteen worker, cleaner etc. Do they use agencies or can you just send in a CV and ask?

dpofloinn

No need for embarrasment not everyone has qualifications and if they do its for specialised work, and personally I have found in the past having loads of qualifications can be a hinderance.If I had a euro for everytime I got the 'your overqualified for this job' line I wouldnt need a job.

As for getting entry level type jobs you could: (Remember It Does'nt hurt to ask so be brave the worst that can be said is no)

1 Think of all the nation wide shops that are in your area like Tesco,Penneys,Dunnes,Lifestyle sports,3mobile etc.Go to their websites and see if they have a recruitment section and keep a regular check for positions or leave in a speculative application

2 Think of service companies like Campbells catering,OCS, check their websites

3 I have noticed that a lot of smaller local business's advertise positions in store so it might be no harm to read any notices posted on windows you see around town

4 Register yourself with as many recruitment agencies as possible not just the big ones like CPL, there are lots of small local agencies around the country

5 Regularly check national and local media newspapers, radio they will have regular job vacancy ads and State bodies usually advertise positions in the local and national newspapers

6 Search for local community websites and facebook. I know of several facebook pages that are set up as 'regular jobs for regular people' I dont think there is a county that doesnt have one

Piriz

Hi, if you have any particular places in mind or local just give them a call, ask to speak to someone about future job vacancies and ask them if there is any openings coming up as you would like to work there and can drop in a cv... you might be surprised how effective this approach can be... good luck..

Jellybaby1

Thanks for the encouragement. I will check out Facebook as you said. What FB pages should I search for? I already get emails from jobs.ie and the civil service but my age is against me (early 60's). I've had no luck over the last few years with admin jobs, that's what I used to do, can't even get data entry even though I could do it blindfold. No replies to any applications over the last two years. Just trying other avenues. I know young couples with mortgages and children are more important, but hubby now supporting a family of unemployed people and another salary would be a great help. Thanks again.

Mrs OBumble

Take the first 20 years of experience off your CV, and dye your hair. Then re-register with agencies etc.

Sounds harsh but ... there's another thread here about it.


Also, lots of "little" jobs are contracted out. So the civil service doesn't employ its own cleaners, it uses a contracting company. Etc. Its these contractign companies you would need to get in to.

Lastly, forget the websites and work your network. Figure out who do you know who might (know someone) who hires. Then explicitly tell them what you're looking for, and ask to them for help. Don't assume that just 'cos your neighbour etc knows you are looking for work means they will think to tell you that their office is looking for someone - you need to specifically ask them to. (Poeple can be incredibly thick .. or incredibl helpful if you catch them at the right time.)

blindsider

As Mrs OB says, work your network.

Someone suggested to me recently that this might be worth a go:

Don't ask people directly about jobs - it puts them under pressure and it's easier for them to say "No" immediately. Unfortunately, this can be the end of the opportunity.

If you tell someone you're looking for work, and ask them to let you know if they hear of anything, then you're asking a very different question. You're asking for help (and most people like being asked for help), and you're making it easy for them to say "Yes".

Might be worth trying.....

Jellybaby1

All good stuff everyone, thanks. Except the hair-dye - did it once, I looked ridiculous!