How do I get a 9-5 office job in Dublin?

Hodges1993

Hello there, a bit about me first. I'm a 22 year old male living in Ireland, I just graduated from university in England where I studied music. I have worked a lot of bull**** jobs in my life to date (bar jobs, picking up litter at Blackpool pleasure beach, commission only door to door sales jobs, one with 55 hour weeks and dreadful pay) and I'm at a point where I want a 9-5 job doing something dull and tedious. I have read a lot of posts about warning people of the drudgery of office jobs on here and I understand that a 9-5 job could be very dull and depressing but I don't look t work for my joy, I look to my friends and hobbies for that. I am only young and I want to be able to spend my efenings and weekends living and doing things I want to do. Working a ****e job in a office suits me to the ground if I can have some personal freedom. I intend to go and study something that can lead to a "real job" next year.
So my question is how do I in this position? I have lots of sales experience but I want a more secure job in regard to pay ( getting away from sales targets and commission). I saw a lot of people saying data Entry and administration. That all well and good but could people explain what it is they do?
Also I wish to undertake a few online courses ,preferably free, on excel and other Microsoft office program's so I can have te certificates on my cv. Anybody know any sites or places I could go to get this done? Like I work at the moment 12-9.30pm everyday and on Saturdays 9-7 so I am not free for evening classes.
Any information or help desperately wanted!

December2012

Contact a large office based temp agency. Get some experience under your belt.

goz83

So you worked for Cobra/DS Max?

It should have at least given you the cojones to make a few phone calls. Try ring around a few places

Stheno

Hodges1993 wrote: »

Hello there, a bit about me first. I'm a 22 year old male living in Ireland, I just graduated from university in England where I studied music. I have worked a lot of bull**** jobs in my life to date (bar jobs, picking up litter at Blackpool pleasure beach, commission only door to door sales jobs, one with 55 hour weeks and dreadful pay) and I'm at a point where I want a 9-5 job doing something dull and tedious. I have read a lot of posts about warning people of the drudgery of office jobs on here and I understand that a 9-5 job could be very dull and depressing but I don't look t work for my joy, I look to my friends and hobbies for that. I am only young and I want to be able to spend my efenings and weekends living and doing things I want to do. Working a ****e job in a office suits me to the ground if I can have some personal freedom. I intend to go and study something that can lead to a "real job" next year.
So my question is how do I in this position? I have lots of sales experience but I want a more secure job in regard to pay ( getting away from sales targets and commission). I saw a lot of people saying data Entry and administration. That all well and good but could people explain what it is they do?
Also I wish to undertake a few online courses ,preferably free, on excel and other Microsoft office program's so I can have te certificates on my cv. Anybody know any sites or places I could go to get this done? Like I work at the moment 12-9.30pm everyday and on Saturdays 9-7 so I am not free for evening classes.
Any information or help desperately wanted!

Firstly get your c.v. together. Going on this post above, you should check your spelling and grammar and have someone else check it as you've multiple typos in your post.

Secondly, what qualifications do you want to get? A good typing speed and attention to detail can get you a decent temping job in data entry tbh.

You will want to rein in the 'work-to-live' thing if you get to interviews. I'm sure you know that.

I also don't think many jobs are strictly 9-5 these days, you are generally required to be a bit flexible

Hodges1993

December2012 wrote: »

Contact a large office based temp agency. Get some experience under your belt.

What sources are good to get hold of these temp agencies? Will they take on people with less experience?

Hodges1993

goz83 wrote: »

So you worked for Cobra/DS Max?

It should have at least given you the cojones to make a few phone calls. Try ring around a few places

I did some googling after I left and found out that they were related to Cobra in some way, it was all very vague, they were a marketing "company" under Appco.

Hodges1993

Stheno wrote: »

Secondly, what qualifications do you want to get? A good typing speed and attention to detail can get you a decent temping job in data entry tbh.

Certificates in Microsoft products, typing skills and any other skill that would fit his job type.

Fukuyama

OP, I've worked jobs like this in the past. They can be dull and boring but given the right crowd in the office then can be okay too as everyone is "in it together".

They're a good way to save up some funds and keep occupied as you plan your next move, career-wise. And there can often be a chance for progression if you want.

They're easy to get. However, I have screened CV's in the past and most people fall down in the cover letter for these jobs. Seriously. They're not expecting even a degree. All you'll be doing is data-entry, manning email inboxes, phones etc.... the grunt work.

For you cover letter come across as so enthusiastic it hurts. Actually, f*ck it. I'll PM you my cover letter I have saved for these boring type jobs. Mention that you'd love to work in X industry at the "ground level" and would take any opportunity to work overtime. This is important.

I'll PM you my cover letter.

These jobs may be boring but at least as an hourly employee you get to turn off your PC at 5pm and walk out the door.

cbreeze

The OP has a few good things going for them:
*Educated
*Not afraid of hard work but is looking to get going on a career
*Young and with a whole life ahead of them

As mentioned above, the cover letter is a vital introduction and it is the first thing to be scrutinised. Some employers will refuse to accept a CV without one. Also, check the CV and cover letter for typos - it is amazing that so many CVa have simple typos even if the author has a degree! Many employers request applicants to log in and register with their recruitment offices and provide for uploading of both the CV and the cover letter.

Apart from offices in major companies, there are also public places (Universities, ITs, Health Boards) vacancies sections on their websites, as well as public.jobs.ie

There's a couple on their website now, with closing dates this week:
http://www.publicjobs.ie/publicjobs/jobsearch.htm

Very few people at age 22 really know what they want to do, and it is not the end of the world, but the beginning

Happy hunting!

5rtytry56

Deleted User wrote: »

I also don't think many jobs are strictly 9-5 these days, you are generally required to be a bit flexible

or maybe a little more than just "a bit".

gothic_doll

-Fix your attitude. The people working there certainly don't think it is a '****ty office job.' Especially during a recession.

-9-5 sure, unless you work somewhere that it is customary to stay later at. If you are doing anything other than data entry there will be some pressure.

-Have you worked in any shops? Shops are not commission based. A lot of the office jobs available are still commission based, as they are phone jobs.

-Have you researched the market? Generally, those '****ty office jobs' want two years experience. If it's a phone job you may be required to speak another language fluently. Many require customer service ability. You have some with your bar experience.

-By no means are they easier than a shop job, however of course they are easier than door to door. Often there is a lot of pressure, which actually makes it more difficult than a shop job. However the pay is the same. I'd honestly suggest you get an ordinary shop job over an office job if you want no pressure and a fixed leaving time. Plus you will actually get to hang around with fun people your age in a shop job, and have a laugh on occasion. You may find this lacking in the office job.

-You may not be sitting down all day. As part of the job requirements, you may be going to different departments, getting up to get printouts, collecting information from elsewhere, and so on. You might have to get up every 5 minutes, or maybe every 20, depends where and what you work as.

-You may find it extremely hard getting an office job in this market.

-Temping agencies are a nightmare to deal with, bearing in mind they're usually populated by young people as yourself with a similar attitude. Again, if you work there, there is a lot of pressure.

So in summary, for what you want, and your age group and experience, a shop job is actually more fitting to what you're looking for, actual working environment in a 9-5 and current job markets taken in mind.

Hodges1993

Fukuyama wrote: »

OP, I've worked jobs like this in the past. They can be dull and boring but given the right crowd in the office then can be okay too as everyone is "in it together".

They're a good way to save up some funds and keep occupied as you plan your next move, career-wise. And there can often be a chance for progression if you want.

They're easy to get. However, I have screened CV's in the past and most people fall down in the cover letter for these jobs. Seriously. They're not expecting even a degree. All you'll be doing is data-entry, manning email inboxes, phones etc.... the grunt work.

For you cover letter come across as so enthusiastic it hurts. Actually, f*ck it. I'll PM you my cover letter I have saved for these boring type jobs. Mention that you'd love to work in X industry at the "ground level" and would take any opportunity to work overtime. This is important.

I'll PM you my cover letter.

These jobs may be boring but at least as an hourly employee you get to turn off your PC at 5pm and walk out the door.

Thanks for the response! this is really helpful.

Hodges1993

gothic_doll wrote: »

-9-5 sure, unless you work somewhere that it is customary to stay later at. If you are doing anything other than data entry there will be some pressure.

-Have you worked in any shops? Shops are not commission based. A lot of the office jobs available are still commission based, as they are phone jobs.

-By no means are they easier than a shop job, however of course they are easier than door to door. Often there is a lot of pressure, which actually makes it more difficult than a shop job. However the pay is the same. I'd honestly suggest you get an ordinary shop job over an office job if you want no pressure and a fixed leaving time. Plus you will actually get to hang around with fun people your age in a shop job, and have a laugh on occasion. You may find this lacking in the office job.

-You may not be sitting down all day. As part of the job requirements, you may be going to different departments, getting up to get printouts, collecting information from elsewhere, and so on. You might have to get up every 5 minutes, or maybe every 20, depends where and what you work as.

-You may find it extremely hard getting an office job in this market.

-Temping agencies are a nightmare to deal with, bearing in mind they're usually populated by young people as yourself with a similar attitude. Again, if you work there, there is a lot of pressure.

So in summary, for what you want, and your age group and experience, a shop job is actually more fitting to what you're looking for, actual working environment in a 9-5 and current job markets taken in mind.

I understand the current job market, I've done my research. I understand a lot of places want people to work overtime and want people to be flexible however I also know that jobs do exist where people work reasonable 40 hour weeks and so I want to find them. A majority of the people I know work these types of jobs in various different sectors. I work as a door to door salesman at the moment as previously mentioned, we work 12.30-9.30pm - I know when people are getting home from work! whether they have or don't have kids 70% of people are home from work by 6pm. Working in a shop not something I will pursue, after working door to door I want to minimize the amount of interaction I have with the public. I'll happily work on a customer service line if need be though.

-You may not be sitting down all day. As part of the job requirements, you may be going to different departments, getting up to get printouts, collecting information from elsewhere, and so on. You might have to get up every 5 minutes, or maybe every 20, depends where and what you work as.

Well of course... I am very aware of that, I'm more bothered about my life-work balance, I am a hard worker, I'm not bothered by how much I'll have to get out of my seat! haha

on_my_oe

1) Join LinkedIn - it can be a waste of time as such but a) most recruitment agencies check it as a matter of box ticking and b) you can 'reconnect' with people you dont actually want on your facebook but who might have a lead for you
2) Lock down your facebook e.g. use the privacy settings - if you are having too good a time socially that can go against you
3) Get your CV in line - aim for short, sharp/on point and not too cluttered, but dig out any experience you can as every little bit helps to make you shine (little fish, big pond). If you've been doing assignments, then you've got report writing and research skills etc you want to try and include all the key terms within your CV so when the agency software skims over the CV database, it picks yours out to be read by the recruitment agency
4) Work on your cover letters, really tailor them for each role
5) Register with some agencies, and be willing to take the crappy temp assignments first as often they are a test - pass with flying colours and you'll get the good stuff. I took a couple of low paying general admin roles (and I know this is a matter of perception!), and then got a juicy contract paying double what the admin roles were paying

If you want, you are welcome to send me your CV via PM and I'll try to tidy it up for you.

Kato74

Well going by that post you`d want to change your attitude.
There is no employer out there that will offer you a job emptying the bins with an attitude like that.

gothic_doll

Hodges1993 wrote: »

I understand the current job market, I've done my research. I understand a lot of places want people to work overtime and want people to be flexible however I also know that jobs do exist where people work reasonable 40 hour weeks and so I want to find them. A majority of the people I know work these types of jobs in various different sectors. I work as a door to door salesman at the moment as previously mentioned, we work 12.30-9.30pm - I know when people are getting home from work! whether they have or don't have kids 70% of people are home from work by 6pm. Working in a shop not something I will pursue, after working door to door I want to minimize the amount of interaction I have with the public. I'll happily work on a customer service line if need be though.



Well of course... I am very aware of that, I'm more bothered about my life-work balance, I am a hard worker, I'm not bothered by how much I'll have to get out of my seat! haha

Understanding the market does not mean 'I know people who have office jobs' or 'most people get home by 6pm'.
Some of those people home by 6pm might be studying, spending the day at the shops/library/cafe, or have any sort of job- An Post, Greyhound bin/recycling, Tesco, anything. Don't think that everyone has an office job, because that patently isn't the case.

Understanding the market means: -Looking at hundreds of available vacancies on job sites for various related keywords, admin, data entry, customer service, and so on.
-Seeing what the requirements are, which as I said may be 1-2 years experience (but not always) and I suspect are more complex than you anticipate.
-Seeing which employers are high recruiters (e.g Apple, Amazon, IBM, SKY etc)
-Assessing how to get to the offices which are often out of the way in Dublin (inaccessible by public transport)
- Assess length of contract (temporary/seasonal or permanent?)
-Remembering salaries are often base level/min wage.

Hilariously some door-to-door companies advertise the job as an office job (on gumtree or other less official sites primarily) so watch out for that. I can't remember the exact keywords, but you'll get used to picking up on them.

I think that looking for another type of job than door to door is a great idea. But don't limit yourself to your perception of an office job (be open minded). I don't think it will be what you're expecting.

While I was writing this, I remembered I went for an interview for an online customer service (typing responses to customers mainly) type job in Paddy Power, and I think that kinda environment would suit your personality (it was an extensive group interview including having to make up songs, etc.) It looked like a fun environment to be working in IMO.

They tend to hire energetic, confident young guys from what I could see and those people were the ones doing the interview, and also the ones who seemed to do well that day.
So consider that kind of thing! Use what you have in your favour (youth, character and drive) rather than going straight for the most dull thing you can think of

Otherwise I think you'd be recruited for a commission-based phone job as they also tend to go for young guys (more stamina.) Some recruiters are looking for people like you, but as I have stressed many times, they are by no means jobs without pressure.