Ever a good time of year to be looking for a job?

Tarzana

I'm on the lookout for a new job. I'm just coming to the end of a postgrad and had a part-time job during the year. I asked if there was full-time going and got it and I'm really grateful for this. Better than going on dole. But it's unbeliveably mind-numbing work, and I'm getting paid a grand total of €7.30 an hour. I'm lucky I can work over 40 hours a week and therefore work up to a decentish wage each week, but at 30 years old, I have ambitions to earn more in the near future. (I don't know as of now what advancement opportunities there are in my company, even though it's going well). I have had sooooo many rejections in the last few weeks, and of course haven't heard back from a lot either. I'm just wondering, is this a bad time of year to be looking? Is there ever a good time of year to be looking? I'd be happy enough to stay in this job for a while until conditions improve. I'm just very jaded at trying myself up on endless application forms and cover letter. I'm in Dublin.

Stheno

Depends on the industry ime.

What area are you looking to work in ?

Tarzana

Stheno wrote: »

Depends on the industry ime.

What area are you looking to work in ?

Well, I would love to get some accounts admin experience but it really is impossible to break into. A little background. My undergrad was in biology and I did a PGDip in accounting this year. But I'm fast learning that there are things going against me. It's frustrating but I know I have a head for numbers. First up: for grad programmes, my age IS an issue. With a few years work experience behind me, I'm not wet behind the ears enough for grad programmes. My degree results are chequered, despite getting a good result in the end. That has ruled out accounting traineeships. They have no interest. Accounts receivable/payable always requires experience. I also would like to do more varied admin than I'm doing now.

Tarzana

Incidentally, does anyone know if many places would take someone on to do unpaid accounts admin/receivable/payable work experience? My job is quite flexible for the next few months in that my five days a week can include the weekends, meaning I can free up a few weekdays. But I dunno if that'd be more of a hassle than a help to companies.

kaki

Very much depends on the industry.
In a lot of multinationals budget and headcount is assigned for each financial year, and a lot of hiring/training/onboarding would be done in the late summer so that any new hires are ready to go for September/October.

kaki

Tarzana wrote: »

Incidentally, does anyone know if many places would take someone on to do unpaid accounts admin/receivable/payable work experience? My job is quite flexible for the next few months in that my five days a week can include the weekends, meaning I can free up a few weekdays. But I dunno if that'd be more of a hassle than a help to companies.

I found it quite difficult to find companies willing to take me on unpaid (Graphic Design) unless it was a full-time Jobbridge-style arrangement.

Maybe you could look at volunteering in admin/clerical/accounting? They may be more flexible in letting you contribute a few hours a week.

No Pants

If the economy is functioning properly and there aren't a huge pile of people unemployed and people have confidence to move jobs, then January is a good time for it.

Tarzana

kaki wrote: »

I found it quite difficult to find companies willing to take me on unpaid (Graphic Design) unless it was a full-time Jobbridge-style arrangement.

Maybe you could look at volunteering in admin/clerical/accounting? They may be more flexible in letting you contribute a few hours a week.

Yes, I would definitely consider that! I realise I'm quite fortunate to be a flexible (albeit awful paying) job.

Tarzana

No Pants wrote: »

If the economy is functioning properly and there aren't a huge pile of people unemployed and people have confidence to move jobs, then January is a good time for it.

To start in January or advertising in January?

InReality

Back in the old days , Jan was a good time as lots of people decided to changed jobs over xmas.

Stheno

InReality wrote: »

Back in the old days , Jan was a good time as lots of people decided to changed jobs over xmas.

And the budget for headcount was approved in the previous quarter

Tarzana

These day... no time is a good time? I'm sure other jobseekers here can vouch for how jaded you can get writing cover letter after cover letter. They all need to be tailored.

Stheno

Tarzana wrote: »

These day... no time is a good time? I'm sure other jobseekers here can vouch for how jaded you can get writing cover letter after cover letter. They all need to be tailored.

Generally coming into Summer is not a great time, as too many people go on vacation.

Same with end of year, budgets have been spent and approval cant be gotten for new staff

Outside of that it's up to each industry

Tarzana

Oh, another thing. Pretty much every entry-level admin and accounts position is being advertised as a jobbridge internship. I have NO intention of quitting my job to go on the dole just to in with a shot of getting an internship. What a country.

No Pants

Tarzana wrote: »

To start in January or advertising in January?

Advertising in January as lots of people made new year resolutions to get a new job, etc.

Tarzana

Just got a PFO from a job I applied for. I usually read nothing into these at all but this one is worded differently:

Dear Tarzana,

Thank you for the interest you expressed in the position of X with Y Company.

We wish to advise you that we have now identified a candidate who meets the requirements of the role. You possess a very good career resume and there may well be opportunities for you in the future with our firm. Consequently we would be happy retain your details on file. However, if you do not wish us to do so, you might please let me know.

Kind regards.

Yours sincerely,

Ms. HR Person

The bolded bit, I've never seen something like that on a PFO. They usual just mention the "other people more closely matched our requirements" spiel. Is that just a standard generic thing or something more?

Stheno

Tarzana wrote: »

Just got a PFO from a job I applied for. I usually read nothing into these at all but this one is worded differently:



The bolded bit, I've never seen something like that on a PFO. They usual just mention the "other people more closely matched our requirements" spiel. Is that just a standard generic thing or something more?

No it generally means that they are not interested in interviewing you for the role you applied for, but will keep your details and contact you if a more suitable role comes up

Tarzana

Stheno wrote: »

No it generally means that they are not interested in interviewing you for the role you applied for, but will keep your details and contact you if a more suitable role comes up

No, I know, I've got tonnes of those kind of emails, but they generally come across a lot more uninterested than that. I think the different wording might have thrown me, most others seem to be worded identically as if from the same template. Saying the same thing, I guess, just in a slightly different way. Grand anyway, was a fairly throwaway application I did late one day.

Delira

Have you looked into fund accounting? It seems to be a huge area in Dublin atm and would certainly pay more than what you're on. Ive a friend who just graduated and has started on €12.75 in one of the well known companies in Dublin with zero experience. If you want to work with numbers it might be worth having a look at..?

Tarzana

Delira wrote: »

Have you looked into fund accounting? It seems to be a huge area in Dublin atm and would certainly pay more than what you're on. Ive a friend who just graduated and has started on €12.75 in one of the well known companies in Dublin with zero experience. If you want to work with numbers it might be worth having a look at..?

Yeah, it's something I would definitely consider. Though everyone I know who works in funds hates it! :-D Did your friend do accounting in college?

Delira

Tarzana wrote: »

Yeah, it's something I would definitely consider. Though everyone I know who works in funds hates it! :-D Did your friend do accounting in college?

Nope not straight accounting, they've a business degree.

Tarzana

Well, after losing out on a job today after an interview for an internship that was very hard to get and would give me just the experience I need, where I was only one of two candidates, where I was told they though I was an excellent interviewee but the other person had more experience, I feel like giving up. Those were the most favourable interview conditions I'm likely to get, and I still couldn't seal the deal.

So, I'm beginning to think I need to quit Ireland. But that might mean having to quit my relationship as my boyfriend is happy where he is.

Any advice for looking in the UK?

kaki

Nuts - sorry to hear that Tarzana.

Can't offer any advice on the UK, but chin up!

My partner is going through something similar at the moment.

I'll tell you what I tell him - keep on trying and applying, as much as you want to give up right now.

The more times you apply, and the more interview experience you gain (so so crucial) the closer and closer you get to the day where you will have the edge on the other candidates - for your qualifications, experience, unique selling points, whatever it may be. Let's face it, a lot of job hunting is down to luck, odds, probability and perseverance.

I know it's so tough to keep up the faith in the face of constant rejection... wishing you well

starlit

It is a typical PFO I have often got whether it after an application or after an interview.

I would suggest a jobbridge. I know a few that are currently doing Accounting jobbridges in order to get the experience. Is there anywhere that do short contract work or maternity cover maybe look into them on irishjobs.ie. GradIreland is another website to have a look at if you recently done a postgrad. The graduate programmes might restrict you but no harm trying if you got good results.
If you have a head for numbers then go with accounting but if you come from a biology background you could easily try get into a company in that industry but work in accountancy. I know someone who has an accounting background did an IT course and now working in an IT company doing accounting.

The UK or going up North might be an option for accounting jobs to get the experience. Maybe apply few more jobbridges see how you get on. Get in contact with a job coach or recruitment agent. I be in favour of a professional career adviser they might help you.

Sorry to hear about that. You get experience and learn from interviews. Best of luck in your search!

Tarzana

doovdela wrote: »

I would suggest a jobbridge. I know a few that are currently doing Accounting jobbridges in order to get the experience.

I have a job (low paying but still better than dole + 50), and to me it's utterly absurd to give up a job to go the dole to just be in with a chance of getting a Jobbridge internship.

I'm living in Dublin and the maximum you make on Jobbridge (I'm not even sure I'd get the full amount) would not be enough to cover my costs, including high Dublin rent.

My rent is 525 per month. I live with my boyfriend and we're not about to move into a house share. Good luck finding one to take a couple in any case. Say I did do Jobbridge and got the full amount. That's 1030 a month. Minus rent = 505. Out of that, I'd need to pay for food, bills, public transport and loan repayments, with little left for any unforeseen costs that might arise. And if I didn't get a Jobbridge for a while, it'd be ~815 a month. And that's assuming I'd get the full amount.

It's depressing though, nearly every entry level accounts position is being advertised as a Jobbridge internship.

I'm not sure if it was a standard PFO though, maybe I'm delusional but I've got all the usual post-interview feedback down the years and this was much better than usual.

Short contracts are usually the things that require the candidate to have lots of experience because they need someone to just be able to step into the job and need no training.

I'd had no luck with graduate programmes. Basically, I'm too old.

Oh, and the internship was in a clincial research company. I knew so much about how they work and demonstrated that in the interview and still no luck.

starlit

It wouldn't be feasible to do a Jobbridge in Dublin. You wouldn't try outside of county Dublin counties near it? It would be alright.

That was still positive feedback but I suppose. I say hold out until you could get something short term even that is paid.

Delira

Tom Deane -
Good afternoon everyone, I have an urgent requirement for a finance or business related graduate who is looking to become an accountant. The role will be very well paid at €25K - 28K and is with a well known multinational. If you or anyone you know is an ambitious, academic team player, please call me on 016698515 or mail me on tom.deane@markssattin.com

Just saw this on LinkedIn. Might be worth a shot?

Tarzana

doovdela wrote: »

It wouldn't be feasible to do a Jobbridge in Dublin. You wouldn't try outside of county Dublin counties near it? It would be alright.

It just isn't feasible, my BF had a decent job in Dublin but isn't massively well-paid either and then as I outlined above, I can't live on the amount less the Jobbridge 50. Not with loan repayments to make.

And I'm not averse to internships at all, but usually they're either paid or if they're not paid, they're part-time so you can work too.

Giving up a job to sign on just seems so crazy to me.

Tarzana

Delira wrote: »

Just saw this on LinkedIn. Might be worth a shot?

Must be industry if the salary is that high! Cheers.