How to help my partner get a job?

Felix Culpa

Looks like Ireland is uppity-uppity, the economy's on the rise, jobs are practically given out like McDonald's vouchers. At least for skilled workers. Only for skilled workers?

The situation is as such, I've started a new job where I won't receive full commission for six months; but I'd like to get an apartment with my girlfriend (and holy crap they are expensive). So she needs to get a job asap.

Two weeks later and hundreds of applications sent out, no responses of any kind. She had no previous experience bar quick bits in transition year.

Any advice on getting her a full time job in literally anything (That pays at least 8.65 gross per hour)? We've agreed that she can focus on getting a certification or career after I'm bringing in enough to carry us both.

Do any agencies place entry level candidates? Maybe a government programme like jobsbridge or momentum?

Thanks!

Mrs OBumble

Felix Culpa wrote: »

(That pays at least 8.65 gross per hour)? We've agreed that she can focus on getting a certification or career after I'm bringing in enough to carry us both.

Do any agencies place entry level candidates?

How old is she?

If she does not have two years work experience after turning 18 then the minimum wage is not 8.65.

An employee who is under 18 is entitled to €6.06 per hour (this is 70% of the minimum wage)
An employee who is in the first year of employment since the age of 18 is entitled to €6.92 per hour (80% of minimum wage)
An employee who is in the second year of employment since the date of first employment over the age of 18 is entitled to €7.79 per hour (90% of the minimum wage)

(source: http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/employment/employment_rights_and_conditions/pay_and_employment/pay_inc_min_wage.html)

The other thing to be aware of is that lots of low wage jobs don't offer 40 hours/week. It's more like 35 (at best) - or 20 hour contracts (only 20 hours a week guaranteed, can be spread at any time during the week) - or less.

Does she have any languages? Has she been to college / 3rd level and got any qualifications?

If not, then you may be better off overall if she focusses on that for a couple of years, before you get an apartment together.

And no, there are no agencies for entry-level workers. Even JobsBridge is for people with qualifications but no experience - and it does not involve getting a wage, either.


Personally I don't usually encourage young women to buy into arguments about "you can get your career started once I'm established" - because so often it just doesn't happen.

Felix Culpa

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

How old is she?

If she does not have two years work experience after turning 18 then the minimum wage is not 8.65.

An employee who is under 18 is entitled to €6.06 per hour (this is 70% of the minimum wage)
An employee who is in the first year of employment since the age of 18 is entitled to €6.92 per hour (80% of minimum wage)
An employee who is in the second year of employment since the date of first employment over the age of 18 is entitled to €7.79 per hour (90% of the minimum wage)

(source: [.h

The other thing to be aware of is that lots of low wage jobs don't offer 40 hours/week. It's more like 35 (at best) - or 20 hour contracts (only 20 hours a week guaranteed, can be spread at any time during the week) - or less.

Does she have any languages? Has she been to college / 3rd level and got any qualifications?

If not, then you may be better off overall if she focusses on that for a couple of years, before you get an apartment together.

And no, there are no agencies for entry-level workers. Even JobsBridge is for people with qualifications but no experience - and it does not involve getting a wage, either.


Personally I don't usually encourage young women to buy into arguments about "you can get your career started once I'm established" - because so often it just doesn't happen.

That's both good to hear, and bad news.

She has two years of college, but she failed last year and decided repeating wasn't worth it as she had no real interest in it. It wasn't a practical skill based subject either, (science). We've pretty much been living together for the last eight months anyway (I originally had a place, and while I've been looking for work I've been staying with her parents).

€7.79 per hour? After tax, how the he'll is anyone supposed to live off that?

Does anyone recommend any certification courses that are definite paths to entry level employment?

Edit: I'm 21, she's 20. In six months my income will be around 43,000; pro rata before that time it's only 23,000. Hence an extra €300 a week being so crucial short term.

Diziet

A science degree is not irrelevant! My advice is that she repeats and finishes her degree. Then she has a proper qualification she can build on. In some ways giving up on a degree looks worse than not doing one at all.

Felix Culpa

Diziet wrote: »

A science degree is not irrelevant! My advice is that she repeats and finishes her degree. Then she has a proper qualification she can build on. In some ways giving up on a degree looks worse than not doing one at all.

I wanted her to go back, but she has no interest in it whatsoever; she'd prefer to redo first year in something she prefers than spend three more years in something she hates.

boobar

To be honest, there's not too much to go on here.

Your partner has no experience or qualifications.

As another poster has said, she won't get the minimum wage.

Apart from failing the science course, and not wanting to repeat, we don't really know what area she wants to get into.

What about something in retail? I know some people don't like the idea of a job in McDonalds but it is a job and perhaps they'll take on your partner even though she has no experience.

Felix Culpa

boobar wrote: »

To be honest, there's not too much to go on here.

Your partner has no experience or qualifications.

As another poster has said, she won't get the minimum wage.

Apart from failing the science course, and not wanting to repeat, we don't really know what area she wants to get into.

What about something in retail? I know some people don't like the idea of a job in McDonalds but it is a job and perhaps they'll take in your partner even though she has no experience.

And what would be the best avenue to get a retail role? Applying direct to chains lie McD, Pennys etc? We've had no luck with job boards.

Greenmachine

Not good news op, but has she ever held a job? Is she receiving job seeker payment and the moment. Sounds like she will need to be means assessesed, best speak to citizens information.

boobar

Felix Culpa wrote: »

And what would be the best avenue to get a retail role? Applying direct to chains lie McD, Pennys etc? We've had no luck with job boards.

Here's a link to McDonalds.http://www.mcdonalds.ie/iehome/careers.html

But there's nothing like walking in, well dressed, CV in hand and ask to speak to the manager.

Greenmachine

Word of mouth too. Let friends and family know, you she is looking you never know where a lead may turn up. Most jobs are still in the hidden market. What about a national internship scheme. Not sure if that would entitle her to €150 pw or €238, then then are TUS schemes etc.

Wabbit Ears

Tell her to get a degree If she is that close, not doing so is something she will regret forever. Seriously.

It doesn't matter what degree you have, having any degree is a basic entry criteria to so many jobs.

Having a degree does , in no way, tie you to the area you have a degree in.

Like I do, just leave out the college info if she hasn't completed the degree on any CV. Not completing college looks absolutely terrible and leads to awkward interviews.

Lastly, firing cvs everywhere doesn't work. You need to work to get a job and that means dressing up every day, cv in hand, and calling into businesses, restaurants, shops etc and ask in person.

whatawaster81

There are numerous postgraduate qualifications out there, lots of choices.

Loads of people do a degree in one thing postgrad in another. That's only one year full time or two part time which is probably less time than it would take to do a new degree.

My ex did a science degree, 1 year masters in business and is director of an investment bank in London.

At least once you have the degree it opens opportunities.

thegreatgonzo

You probably won't like to hear this but in my opinion you should forget about moving in together for a while. You seem to be in two different places at the moment.
She needs to find what she wants for herself and if she is dead set against completing her science degree then it may take a lot of soul searching for her to find what she really wants to do. What if there is a course in another country that would be perfect for her?

MrWalsh

She would be better off getting her qualifications in order before she moves in as financially dependent on you. Every year that passes in an minimum wage job at her age is a year that makes it harder to get a qualification.

I think she should concentrate on getting her education sorted out first.

Otherwise she could end up in her mid to late 20s, no education or qualifications and worried about her biological clock so not willing to commit to college.

Xenji

I would like to know what county you are in if you think jobs are as plentiful as McDonald's vouchers?

mrmen345

Diziet wrote: »

A science degree is not irrelevant! My advice is that she repeats and finishes her degree. Then she has a proper qualification she can build on. In some ways giving up on a degree looks worse than not doing one at all.

Do you have any specific cases to illustrate the above? If she came clean to the employer, I don't see why this would go against her. People drop out for reasons that may or may not be related to academic concerns. the fact she completed two years counts for something at least.

Besides, some colleges won't let you repeat the course again if you fail the year and leave. Once she leaves, she does not have a right to readmission to the course without faculty approval. If happened to somebody I know.

As regards people saying she has no qualifications, while it is true that she does not have a degree, her transcripts will detail the work she completed over two years, which still counts, degree or no degree. That is two thirds of an Ordinary(Level 7) degree. Not to be sniffed at, despite non completion.

Time to get experience in a job, which can count for more than a degree in certain cases, unless you want to be a doctor etc.

Diziet

mrmen345 wrote: »

Do you have any specific cases to illustrate the above? If she came clean to the employer, I don't see why this would go against her. People drop out for reasons that may or may not be related to academic concerns. the fact she completed two years counts for something at least.

It came up in interviews I have held and not completing a degree does not come across well unless there are very good reasons. The worry on the employer's side is that here is a person who is not focused and gives up easily (but as I said, there may be good reasons). It has less to do with academic concerns and more to do with consistency. This is why I would advise to finish the degree if possible.

thegreatgonzo

mrmen345 wrote: »

As regards people saying she has no qualifications, while it is true that she does not have a degree, her transcripts will detail the work she completed over two years, which still counts, degree or no degree. That is two thirds of an Ordinary(Level 7) degree.
.

If she failed 2nd year I don't think she can rightly be said to have completed 2 years.

MouseTail

mrmen345 wrote: »

As regards people saying she has no qualifications, while it is true that she does not have a degree, her transcripts will detail the work she completed over two years, which still counts, degree or no degree. That is two thirds of an Ordinary(Level 7) degree. Not to be sniffed at, despite non completion.

I'm afraid it counts for nothing, and she would be wise to leave it off her CV for the reasons Diziet gave.
If there is any way for her to complete her degree, I would strongly advise that she does.