What do you do when not in full time employment?

Loanshark Blues

Over the last few years I have found myself intermittently on the dole (yes I know, I am scum). I've mostly been in full time education, then did a Springboard course last year and a JobBridge this year and then finished my masters over the summer.

Now, I'm hoping to become self-employed in the next month or two. The nature of the work will mean I'll most likely be working part-time ish hours, quite sporadically, at least initially.

So, I ask you, the good people of AH, what kind of projects have you found yourselves involved in when not subscribing to the 9-5 existence? Charity work? Event organisation? Online courses? Come on now, don't be shy..

Old Perry

Loanshark Blues wrote: »

Over the last few years I have found myself intermittently on the dole (yes I know, I am scum). I've mostly been in full time education, then did a Springboard course last year and a JobBridge this year and then finished my masters over the summer.

Now, I'm hoping to become self-employed in the next month or two. The nature of the work will mean I'll most likely be working part-time ish hours, quite sporadically, at least initially.

So, I ask you, the good people of AH, what kind of projects have you found yourselves involved in when not subscribing to the 9-5 existence? Charity work? Event organisation? Online courses? Come on now, don't be shy..

nice cv op.

zl1whqvjs75cdy

Drinking cans of Dutch while lying in bed obviously. If I'm feeling energetic I'll pop down the bookies to have a flutter on the nags. Repeat until dole day when I buy 60 fags with my hard earned dosh and go on a bender down the local.

FlickBean

Hey Loanshark Blues!

I found myself in a similar situation and used the extra time to get fit and concentrate on getting a healthy lifestyle in place

Darragh

Rubberlegs

Full Time Mammy to my little angle

Aisling(",)

I had a while where I was only working 3/4 days a week and I volunteered in a local community radio station,jogged,read a lot and because I'd other friends on shift work I'd meet up with them.

It's good to keep busy.

Banjo String

In before someone says "pull the bar off my self".

Baron Kurtz

Dangerous thread. Pitchforks on the way..

endacl

73Cat wrote: »

Full Time Mammy to my little angle

How little? Not everything less than 45 degrees counts as a little angle.

bobbysands81

73Cat wrote: »

Full Time Mammy to my little angle

fleet_admiral

Become a full time mad bastard @ being a full time mad bastard

coolbeans

Start learning a new language.Very easily done in the internet age. I was on dole for four months and started @ French during that time. It's important to challenge yourself when on the social otherwise it can get very dark very quickly. After I got a job I kept it up rigorously for an hour five days a week. Now two and a half years later I'm told that I'm damn close to fluent by French speakers. Great sense of achievement.

magicmushroom

When I was unemployed a about 4 years ago I volunteered for a local charity 2/3 days a week. I done it out of sheer boredom to be honest, I was living in a tiny apartment and couldn't afford Sky/internet so my days were very long!

It was great, I got to help them out but was also allowed to use the internet and phone as much as I wanted to help with my job seeking.
Had a great laugh with the people there and when the time came that I finally got a job, I was given a fab reference.

A couple of years later my boss told me that I'd got the job over someone more qualified, because he was impressed that I'd done charity work whilst unemployed.

So if I ever find myself out of work again, I will definitely be volunteering!

Buckfast W

The last time I was on the dole a few years ago I had a bit of money put by from my previous job(not loads maybe a few hundred) so I just went to the gym and walks on the beach in Portmarnock and a few long weekends down the country.

Hande hoche!

Attend protests.

RayM

Set my alarm clock for 6:30 on a Monday morning and then roll over and go back asleep again, before eventually rising at the crack of noon. When you're on the dole, the pay might be crap, but the hours are great.

Loanshark Blues

coolbeans wrote: »

Start learning a new language.Very easily done in the internet age. I was on dole for four months and started @ French during that time. It's important to challenged yourself when on the social otherwise it can get very dark very quickly. After I got a job I kept it up rigorously for an hour five days a week. Now two and a half years later I'm told that I'm damn close to fluent by French speakers. Great sense of achievement.

Cool! Any links to decent online stuff?

coolbeans

Loanshark Blues wrote: »

Cool! Any links to decent online stuff?

Loads. Pm me and I'll send them to you.

HalloweenJack

Stress about money.

Mother Brain

I did a degree, worked in a charity during the summers then did two internships after I graduated and still couldn't get work.

So I eventually decided to set up a business and am in year one at the moment.

Oh, and I did a fetac course in business planning first!

Diemos

Panic.

2 years ago I found myself between contracts for the first time and I was shocked at how much I validated myself through my work.
I was not a happy bunny, luckily I've a few good people I could turn to.
I basically went to the Library (to get out of the house) and treated it like a 9 to 5 job. I job hunted, brought my linkedin up to date. Made sure I was displaying all the necessary attributes for each position I applied for.
It did not last long and when I was offered a new contract it did not start for 3 weeks, then, I switched off then and enjoyed my time off. Went abroad and chilled at home.

Old Jakey

Learning an instrument is a good way to pass the time when you find yourself being a gentleman of leisure.

the evasion_kid

Smoke weed everyday...

Old Jakey

the evasion_kid wrote: »

Smoke weed everyday...

420 blaze it....

Kiwi in IE

I'm in half time employment. Spend rest of the time being personal assistant, cook, shopper, cleaner, teacher, nurse, animal carer, gardener, stylist, taxi driver, events organiser, social trainer, health promoter, interior decorator etc. Title of role is usually shortened to Mother and Partner.