Recently unemployed and stuck

LegacyUser

Hi all,

I've recently become unemployed and have had to move back home, although I'm the only one in the house as nobody lives here during the week so that side of things is fine.

I'm absolutely cracking up! I finished my MA in September 2014 and am starting a PhD in September of this year so there's light at the end of the tunnel.
I haven't been able to find work since moving home though. I have even applied for several jobs abroad - so many I've lost count, but still, no luck. I'm starting to find things exceptionally tight financially. I've been living off what little bit of money I had put aside. It's really starting to get me down too, not to mention it being quite stressful. My family aren't in a position to help me, nor should they as I'm a bit long in the tooth for that. (I'm in my late 20s) I've been thinking of applying for Social Welfare but the idea of going into their office fills me with a sense of dread so I keep putting it off. I feel like such a failure. The thought of going into the post office to collect the money that I've done absolutely nothing to deserve is an absolute nightmare. I'd feel so ashamed. At the same time, I can't live on air.

I could really do with some perspective on the issue. If anyone has any advice, I'd appreciate it.

Thank you.

dd972

unemployedindenial wrote: »

The thought of going into the post office to collect the money that I've done absolutely nothing to deserve is an absolute nightmare. I'd feel so ashamed.

I'd reappraise this aspect of looking at things for a start, do you seriously believe that the c**ts who bankrupted this country and laughed all the way to the bank deserve their money or feel any shame?

Meathlass

Definitely apply for social welfare, you will also be building up your PRSI contributions as well which you need for medical/pension entitlements later on. There's absolutely no need to feel embarrassed about it.

Can you do some local charity work to get out and about and make contacts? Depending on where you live there might be summer work available.

Dutchess

If you were working before, you paid PRSI contributions. So you do deserve to get some of that money now in Social Welfare payments.

And to feel useful, maybe try volunteering. You have prospects lined up already. It speaks to your character that you don't see Social Welfare as an entitlement, but don't be ashamed you need it now. It won't be forever, you know that already.

Stavro Mueller

I can understand the shame thing. I was unemployed years ago and I used to feel mortified having to queue up in the post office to collect my dole. I hated every minute of that - having to go talk to the patronising man in FAS, dealing with the surly staff in the Social Welfare office. In hindsight that embarrassment was nothing but my own pride. While we all know about the people who've not worked a day in years and are happy to just keep taking the money, most people who are unemployed are as unhappy as you are about it. When it came to my signing on and collecting the money, I doubt anyone noticed or cared. I'm glad I swallowed my pride and took the money - it wasn't a lot but it kept me afloat.

You would be utterly daft not to apply for Social Welfare. If you worked before, it's what your taxes have been paying for. While I utterly resent the feckers who only want to take the money and never work again, I'm glad it exists. It's there for people like you who genuinely want to work but have fallen on a tough time in their life. You're cutting off your nose to spite your face by dipping into your savings.

Also what I think is cracking you up is being at home alone all day. I'd say that's making you feel even worse about your situation. Definitely look into volunteering locally and see if you can help. For your own sanity you need to be getting out of the house and meeting people. It'll also look better on your CV if you say you're currently doing something constructive.

little lady

I know how you feel about collecting job seekers allowance, I have always been employed, I went away for a year to work and when I came home I had to look for a job. The idea of collection benefit made me feel awful BUT I was entitled to it. I paid PRSI for almost 20 years so I was just reclaiming some of the money I'd given them.

You are the same, it's not money for nothing, you worked previously and paid this money to the government. Look on it as a savings scheme that you had no choice but to pay in to and now you need to draw some of the money down.

Don't be ashamed, we all go through hard times, and throughout your life, for all the tax you pay, it's probably the only time you'll get anything back.

MrWalsh

I was made redundant and was worried about going to the social welfare office and then collecting the money at the post office. I was mad to be worried. It was grand, and I actually liked having something to get up early to do on a Wednesday!! It turned out to be not for too long as I got another job but I look back at the time it did last affectionately, I had a lot of nice walks and generally enjoyed life when Id done my daily job hunt.

Jamaican Me Crazy

The others have pretty much covered the main point here. You had been working and because you paid PRSI you are only getting back some of what you put in. There is no shame in that.

Job hunting is tough and the jobs market is also tough. Keep applying and try to make yourself stand out with your cover letters (I'm a HR manager and I love a good cover letter).

Volunteering would be a good way to get out and keep yourself sane plus maybe your can apply your skills from your MA / PhD to it (I'm thinking teaching adult education or something).

Best of luck and keep the chin up.

SPM1959

I'll reiterate what has been posted above.

Claim YOUR social welfare payments.

happysunnydays

unemployedindenial wrote: »

I could really do with some perspective on the issue. If anyone has any advice, I'd appreciate it.
.

This is easy, get down to your SW centre first thing on Monday and sign on. Check before hand to see what you need to bring with you.
Second, you could be in for a long wait, I can't imagine any employer is going to be too keen to employ someone for 6 months (Sept) so you might need to be conservative with what you let employers know about your future plans.
Third, get out of the house more, I can imagine you're watching your pennies right now, once you start getting the SW, this will give you a bit more peace of mind.

cloudatlas

I'm with others on this, don't feel ashamed about taking the dole, your situation is exactly why the dole exists. You are a job seeker and you are in financial difficulties. When you queue up in the post office nobody knows what your business is there; you could be exchanging money, getting a postal order etc, you just hand your letter in and your I.D. and they get it for you.

I didn't like the actual social welfare offices particularly the atmosphere but everyone there is in the same boat and I didn't stand around judging others.

LegacyUser

Op here

Thank you all for your supportive replies. I feel a bit better about facing it and getting it sorted out now. I'm really down to the wire so I've little choice in the matter. I walked the town today handing out cv's so maybe I'll hear something back, but in the meantime I've got to survive.

It helps knowing that the judgement is more in my head than it is based in reality...if these replies are anything to go by at least

Taltos

You'll meet the odd prat, but as a poster above pointed out this is just some of the money that will be taken from you in the course of your career and already has...

I know it feels rotten standing in that queue but see it as a means to an end. Funding more CVs or travel to interviews. Best of luck with the job hunt.