How to find my first job?

ubisoft5

Hello guys.


I am 20 years old moved in Ireland 5 years ago.I live 20 km from Dublin Centre.I finished my Leaving Cert and was a student in Trinity for one year. I didn't like the course,failed one exam twice,therefore I can no longer attend the college,unless I repeat the year and pay my tuition fees. I am looking for a full time job.


I did a CV which contains nothing else than my name,address and education. I couldn't add anything else because I have no job experience whatsoever.

I did not odd reference,do I have to? What could I put there? Should I go to my principal/former college tutor and ask them if I could use their name? I am unsure what their role would be (would they just say :yes he was a student,didn't get in trouble)

I live with my mother and step father. My mother is unemployed,step father is. I am not in a good relationship with him and I'd rather not ask him for help. He also gave me some sort of ultimatum- I need to find a job or I should move out of Ireland and live with my real father,which I don't want.

I wasn't sure where to ask this type of question,that's why I posted here.I was thinking about going to customer information but I had a bad experience 1 and a half year ago with them. I think I came right before they had their lunch break and they were a bit rude with me when I asked them some question-this was when I wanted to fill out my SUSI information,they also gave me some wrong information a couple of times before,but I won't like to go off topic.

I did German for my Leaving Cert and did it as a module in my first year of college.I applied for a few customer jobs requiring German some days ago,haven't received any reply.

My real father who lived in Ireland over 10 years ago told me that many of the low level jobs are not advertised on the internet, e.g. pizza maker... they are advertised on the window of the restaurant etc.. and I should walk around the city and apply indoors.

Is that true?

I got 500 points in the leaving cert,would that help me in any form? If I am called in an interview would they ever ask about my results?

I probably posted to much detail in this thread.Anyway,if you have any advice for me,please post it here:)

ubisoft5

Seems the edit button doesn't work-

Just wanted to add that I would like pretty much any jobs as long it doesn't include construction,kitchen porter and few more of this type of jobs

hfallada

Would you consider going back to education? Getting 500 points in the LC indicates you are an intelligent person and just because the first year of college didnt work out, doesnt mean education is not right for you. Its going to be very difficult to find a job without any experience So you might consider volunteering in a charity shop to get retail experience. You could work for free in a coffee shop to gain barista skills.

Another opinion is to go to Germany for a year. In cities like Munich you will find a job no issue at all. You can improve your German, gain skills/experience and possibly save enough money for college fees for next year again. But your best opinion is go back to education

ubisoft5

hfallada wrote: »

Would you consider going back to education? Getting 500 points in the LC indicates you are an intelligent person and just because the first year of college didnt work out, doesnt mean education is not right for you. Its going to be very difficult to find a job without any experience So you might consider volunteering in a charity shop to get retail experience. You could work for free in a coffee shop to gain barista skills.

Another opinion is to go to Germany for a year. In cities like Munich you will find a job no issue at all. You can improve your German, gain skills/experience and possibly save enough money for college fees for next year again. But your best opinion is go back to education

Thanks for your reply,hffalada.

I must say I would like to follow a different course but I don't have the finance required to do so.My parents don't want to pay the tuition fees for me. Last year I got in college due to the SUSI grant,without it I wouldn't even be a student there in first place.

I don't see how I could go in Germany right now as I don't have the finance required for travel,accommodation etc.

hfallada

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ubisoft5 wrote: »

Thanks for your reply,hffalada.

I must say I would like to follow a different course but I don't have the finance required to do so.My parents don't want to pay the tuition fees for me. Last year I got in college due to the SUSI grant,without it I wouldn't even be a student there in first place.

I don't see how I could go in Germany right now as I don't have the finance required for travel,accommodation etc.

If you go to college you will earn a substantial amount more money in your lifetime, than if you dont go to college. Although college fees will seem like a lot now, they will pay themselves back many times over in the future.

I got a €25 flight with Ryanair to Munich West and around about now hostels get Super cheap in Germany as the tourist season is over(its generally about a third of the normal summer rates). Its really cheap to buy food and everything else in Germany. Although rent is kinda pricey in Munich. I got a job in a few days and although my wage wasnt amazing. I still saved a fair amount of money. I know lots of people that never had a job before, got fairly well paid jobs.

You could spend the next 6 months looking for a job in Dublin and probably not find one. I know people with 15 years retail experience struggling to find retail jobs. Your best hope is finding a christmas job and hoping they keep you on after Christmas. Or saving enough money that you could move to Germany, to find a job that you can work until you hopefully go back to college

ubisoft5

hfallada wrote: »

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If you go to college you will earn a substantial amount more money in your lifetime, than if you dont go to college. Although college fees will seem like a lot now, they will pay themselves back many times over in the future.

I got a €25 flight with Ryanair to Munich West and around about now hostels get Super cheap in Germany as the tourist season is over(its generally about a third of the normal summer rates). Its really cheap to buy food and everything else in Germany. Although rent is kinda pricey in Munich. I got a job in a few days and although my wage wasnt amazing. I still saved a fair amount of money. I know lots of people that never had a job before, got fairly well paid jobs.

You could spend the next 6 months looking for a job in Dublin and probably not find one. I know people with 15 years retail experience struggling to find retail jobs. Your best hope is finding a christmas job and hoping they keep you on after Christmas. Or saving enough money that you could move to Germany, to find a job that you can work until you hopefully go back to college

How well did you speak German?

hfallada

ubisoft5 wrote: »

How well did you speak German?

Like I wasnt amazing. Like at first there was a lot of "wie bitte" and "kannst du Wiederholen". But after a few weeks you will be fine. I spoke to my non-native German speaker friends and they all said the biggest struggle you will have with any language is the barrier in your head. You might know every verb and all the vocab, but the barrier in your head will be the thing, that will stop you speaking German. Once you over come the barrier you will be fine. Like I might people who went from weak German to near fluent in about 3 months. So its very manageable

desbrook

hfallada - well done for being so positive and sharing that positivity with others!

ubisoft5

Guys,do you think it would be better if I go to the premise and I give the CV to the secretary or maybe I am lucky enough to handle to the employer...

Might sound silly,but wouldn't it be better if I try to make a physical contact with the employer it might help to get called to the interview,instead of having all Cv's sent online.

@hfallada

I consider going to Germany this year if somehow I won't get a job here,in a short amount of time. I got around 600 euro available,enough for travel and affording food.
My mom knows somebody living there and I might share house with him for a few days in Stuttgart.

From what you described me you found "milk and honey" in Germany.Not sure how lucky you were at that time,what the economic conditions were,how old you were. I just hope I won't be delusional and find myself without a job,but I will probably try.Even if I don't find anything ,well at least I tried.
....

I will still follow third level education. Although I failed an exam ,I am allowed to repeat it next year but I'm not allowed to go college.

Mrs OBumble

ubisoft5 wrote: »

My real father who lived in Ireland over 10 years ago told me that many of the low level jobs are not advertised on the internet, e.g. pizza maker... they are advertised on the window of the restaurant etc.. and I should walk around the city and apply indoors.

Is that true?

Yes, that is true. You should walk around places, looking for signs on the window, and if there is one, go in and speak to the manager.

I think that ahough you should not abandon the idea of third level study, some work experience would be a good thing to get, too. If you take another 3-4 years to get a college qualification, and still have no work experience, it will be a lot harder to get a job then.

Have you played any sports, or joined any clubs when you were at school / college? Have you done any unpaid work experience or volunteer work? If so, put these onto your CV too. If not, you might like to do some volunteer work.

ubisoft5

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Yes, that is true. You should walk around places, looking for signs on the window, and if there is one, go in and speak to the manager.

I think that ahough you should not abandon the idea of third level study, some work experience would be a good thing to get, too. If you take another 3-4 years to get a college qualification, and still have no work experience, it will be a lot harder to get a job then.

Have you played any sports, or joined any clubs when you were at school / college? Have you done any unpaid work experience or volunteer work? If so, put these onto your CV too. If not, you might like to do some volunteer work.

In college I done boxing,but this was the first time,haven't done before and never went in a boxing competition or something related.I went the first college term,twice a week,but that's all.
Should I add this on CV?

When I try to speak with the manager how should a conversation be like?

Hello... I saw the advertisement etc.. I have a copy of my CV,perhaps you might want to take a look and call me to an interview if you like?

That's the only thing that crosses my mind.

Mrs OBumble

ubisoft5 wrote: »

Hello... I saw the advertisement etc.. I have a copy of my CV,perhaps you might want to take a look and call me to an interview if you like?

Ideally you want them to interview you there and then. Managers are often busy people, they won't be wasting time phoning you up for you to come back again.

"Hello, I see you are looking for a XXX. I am looking for a job and would like to work here."

Then had them the CV and answer any questions they have.

Even better, try and make conversation about some aspect of the place / job.

eg "My friend (name-him) used to work here" or "I love your pizzas" or something.


Hint - don't go in when it's busy, wait 'til a quieter time.