Having no experience is pretty much killing me. Please help :/

pokkii

Hey guys,

I have been unemployed for a year and honestly this whole situation has seriously affected my mental health to the point where I attempted suicide over this so I thought it was time I'd ask for some advice as I don't know what to do anymore. Forgive me if its the wrong forum.

I graduated in September with a 2.1 in Politics and International Relations from UCD after which I moved back home to Cork. My parents are very low earners our income all put together (counting my Jobseekers allowance) is less than 20k per year and we're a family of 5. So as you can imagine I am under pressure from my parents to get a PAID job, which has been hell.

First of all, I have had my C.V. reviewed by a few different people and they all told me that it's great. I especially got complemented on my achievements. The downside, they said, is the lack of experience. (which I already knew) Despite this, I have not gotten a single call back from anything I applied for including jobbridge.
Also, I was lucky enough to get letters of recommendation from my professors but Idk if I should include them on my application or send them only upon request?

Anyway I am my wits end. I would love to do voluntary work but I cannot afford to go on any kind of program or anything like that. I would be interested in working with sick children but I don't know if that's a thing here in Ireland. Also I do not have Irish citizenship even though I grew up here. So I can't even go teach English abroad.
I thought of applying for an Internship with the EU as I speak a few languages but sadly I cannot afford that either. Basically I can't afford to go anywhere outside of Cork. (if you are wondering how I studied in UCD its because I got a grant and I'm good at budgetting). In case anyone recommends saving up my JSA, I spend it helping out my parents otherwise we would likely have no food to eat

I will leave it at that because this is quite long (sorry) but if anyone out there can offer any advice I would greatly appreciate it.

livedadream

I graduated in September with a 2.1 in Politics and International Relations from UCD

what languages do you speak? these are necessary for a degree specific role these days.

First of all, I have had my C.V. reviewed by a few different people and they all told me that it's great. I especially got complemented on my achievements. The downside, they said, is the lack of experience. (which I already knew) Despite this, I have not gotten a single call back from anything I applied for including jobbridge.

what people? professionals or friends? in general most lay people only look for what they would like to see in a CV compared to what a recruiter wants to see.

Also, I was lucky enough to get letters of recommendation from my professors but Idk if I should include them on my application or send them only upon request?

don't send them, one they only speak for your academic achievements not work related and two its not common practice these days to include references, say available upon request at the end of your CV.


can you elaborate a bit more in regards to what work experience you do have,

tbh from a recruitment point of view your achievements on a CV unless they are work related are fundamentally irrelevant, its nice to see people ya know getting a gaisce or being head boy/girl etc but doesnt really assist with getting a job.

Withering

there are several multinationals based in Cork seeking EU language speakers. Have you tried those?

Epicbutterfly

I know Abtran in Cork are always recruiting. Not the best pay or even applicable to your courses qualifications however it would be at least one step on the ladder. Apple also based locally.

Withering

Btw - can your parents get Family Income Supplement or Child Benefit or rent assistance?

Withering

Ok. I'm guessing it's maybe Russian/Lithuanian/Polish you speak?

Jesus - your skills (if so) are incredibly employable.

Can you confirm the languages you speak and the fluency in each?

P_1

Your language skills will be your foot in the door OP. Have a look to see what GEOs the large multinationals in Cork cover (there are quite a few) and get yourself a customer support job. It will be un-glamorous for a while but slog it out and having a big name on your CV will give you a great leg up.

intheclouds

pokkii wrote: »

My parents are very low earners our income all put together (counting my Jobseekers allowance) is less than 20k per year and we're a family of 5.

There is something wrong with the numbers here, your parents have got to be entitled to more than that to support a family of 5. I think your parents need to contact Citizens Info about their entitlements because if you dont include your Jobseekers (which is probably only 100 per week if you are under 25?) that means that 2 adults with dependants are only getting (under) 15k a year? If thats from earnings they would actually be better off to go on social welfare because thats not enough to support a family even with you trying to do a bit to help out.

On your own prospects - if you speak other languages, given that your degree is in politics and international relations - what about looking for work abroad?

Also - what about looking for work that is not related to your degree? Or not directly related?

What about social welfare, what are they suggesting? Dont they follow up with people after a period of time and offer supports?

Do you have any work experience at all, i.e., have you ever had a job?

You could contact companies directly and ask if they would consider hiring you for 3 months for free just for experience - it shouldnt affect your jobseekers if you are still available and seeking paid work (ie, ditch the free work if you get something) but there is a cost involved in working so it may not be financially feasible.

pokkii

livedadream wrote: »

what languages do you speak? these are necessary for a degree specific role these days.



what people? professionals or friends? in general most lay people only look for what they would like to see in a CV compared to what a recruiter wants to see.


don't send them, one they only speak for your academic achievements not work related and two its not common practice these days to include references, say available upon request at the end of your CV.


can you elaborate a bit more in regards to what work experience you do have,

tbh from a recruitment point of view your achievements on a CV unless they are work related are fundamentally irrelevant, its nice to see people ya know getting a gaisce or being head boy/girl etc but doesnt really assist with getting a job.

I speak English, Portuguese, French and Spanish.

Sorry I should have specified, I got professional people to look at them as most of my friends are in the position I am in anyway and I thought professionals would be better capable of advising me.

To be honest pretty much nothing, I did LCVP in school and had a one week work placement but nothing relevant. When I went to college I was in there almost all day and I had to deal with illness too so employers back then kept turning me down because I was in full time education.

I was told to include them because apparently they're really great for my age. But I do see your point.
Thank you so much for your reply!

Elemonator

A family friend of ours is the director of the Irish arm of a multinational technology company. He told me "Bulls*** them about your experience and learn on the job".

It's worked for me.

pokkii

Withering wrote: »

there are several multinationals based in Cork seeking EU language speakers. Have you tried those?

Hello thank you so much for your replies!!

I speak Portuguese and English fluently and a good level of Spanish and French (CEFR B1 and B2 respectively)
I'm also learning Korean and Japanese but that's not relevant for now I'm afraid.

Also my parents only get child benefit for my little sister as per rules, me and my other sister are above 18. Furthermore, welfare office refused FIS, I cannot remember why but I think it has to do with the fact she works 5 days a week or something. She's very low paid however...

pokkii

Epicbutterfly wrote: »

I know Abtran in Cork are always recruiting. Not the best pay or even applicable to your courses qualifications however it would be at least one step on the ladder. Apple also based locally.

I applied to the two of them and they rejected me, didn't even give me a reason why. But I think I will try again, to be honest I'm not too worried about the pay I just want a chance! Thanks for your help!

pokkii

P_1 wrote: »

Your language skills will be your foot in the door OP. Have a look to see what GEOs the large multinationals in Cork cover (there are quite a few) and get yourself a customer support job. It will be un-glamorous for a while but slog it out and having a big name on your CV will give you a great leg up.

Thank you so much for taking your time!
I know of Abtran, Apple and Starwood but can't think of anyone else. If it isnt too much to ask do you know any other multinationals based in Cork?

Withering

Are there not a few software companies down there?

livedadream

pokkii wrote: »

Thank you so much for taking your time!
I know of Abtran, Apple and Starwood but can't think of anyone else. If it isnt too much to ask do you know any other multinationals based in Cork?

https://www.jobs.ie/ApplyForJob.aspx?Id=1108037

https://www.jobs.ie/ApplyForJob.aspx?Id=1525321

https://www.jobs.ie/ApplyForJob.aspx?Id=1525307

https://www.jobs.ie/ApplyForJob.aspx?Id=1490721

https://www.jobs.ie/ApplyForJob.aspx?Id=1523819

https://www.jobs.ie/ApplyForJob.aspx?Id=1501592

https://www.jobs.ie/ApplyForJob.aspx?Id=1310685

https://www.jobs.ie/ApplyForJob.aspx?Id=1523706

if you wanted to PM me your CV i will be more than happy to have a look.

pokkii

intheclouds wrote: »

There is something wrong with the numbers here, your parents have got to be entitled to more than that to support a family of 5. I think your parents need to contact Citizens Info about their entitlements because if you dont include your Jobseekers (which is probably only 100 per week if you are under 25?) that means that 2 adults with dependants are only getting (under) 15k a year? If thats from earnings they would actually be better off to go on social welfare because thats not enough to support a family even with you trying to do a bit to help out.

On your own prospects - if you speak other languages, given that your degree is in politics and international relations - what about looking for work abroad?

Also - what about looking for work that is not related to your degree? Or not directly related?

What about social welfare, what are they suggesting? Dont they follow up with people after a period of time and offer supports?

Do you have any work experience at all, i.e., have you ever had a job?

You could contact companies directly and ask if they would consider hiring you for 3 months for free just for experience - it shouldnt affect your jobseekers if you are still available and seeking paid work (ie, ditch the free work if you get something) but there is a cost involved in working so it may not be financially feasible.

My parents are both sick and were advised to quit work and go on illness benefit, but when I started receiving JSA (100 pw as you said) they upped our rent and decreased my parents pay as apparently they don't count myself and my sister who is in college as dependants since we are over 18. As a matter of fact they even removed our medical cards but our Dr made a special appeal considering my parents both have serious health problems and we go them back. My dad did tell the welfare officer that we are struggling because we have bills etc to pay, they told what we have is more than enough. So now my mom has gone back to work and my dad is seeking work but we still have barely left. Last week for example we only had 20 euro to do us for food for the whole week.

Unfortunately I cannot afford it, furthermore since I don't have Irish citizenship I can't do the 1 year abroad programs offered by places like Useit etc...

I am totally open to that, the only reason I stated what my degree is in was just in case I'd get asked

I did go to all my welfare appointments to talk with my officer but tbh they don't help much, I was simply advised to keep applying really.

No, nothing relevant, during college nobody hired me because I was a full time student!

Thank you for all your help, I think thats a great idea! To be honest I just don't really know how to approach them or really who to approach. So I'm gonna have to research that!

pokkii

Elemonator wrote: »

A family friend of ours is the director of the Irish arm of a multinational technology company. He told me "Bulls*** them about your experience and learn on the job".

It's worked for me.

Hahaha isnt there a big risk of getting caught and suffering serious consequences though? :P

P_1

pokkii wrote: »

Hahaha isnt there a big risk of getting caught and suffering serious consequences though? :P

Once you're in the job and doing it well then sacking you and recruiting and training in someone new is often not worth the hassle from an employer's perspective.

livedadream

pokkii wrote: »

Hahaha isnt there a big risk of getting caught and suffering serious consequences though? :P

yes, you get fired.

pokkii

Withering wrote: »

Are there not a few software companies down there?

There are but although I have good PC skills its nothing in line with Computer Science grads etc..

Withering

pokkii wrote: »

There are but although I have good PC skills its nothing in line with Computer Science grads etc..

They usually need administrators/receptionists/multi-linguists etc?

intheclouds

I think its probably still worth speaking to someone in Citizens Info in case there are some other entitlements that can be claimed.

I understand the fact that you are an adult child on your own payment means there is no increase for you, although if your sister in still in college they may be able to? Anyway, its getting off topic - but do some investigation in case there are things your family can claim that they are not already claiming.

I am surprised that you have never had a job at all, you could "invent" a summer job in a different country on the CV? Maybe I am just getting old but I have worked since I was 16 and full time in all summers/xmas/easter, I would think that to get as far as finishing a degree without ever having worked is unusual - how did you manage for pocket money in school for example?

What about pounding the pavements and calling into businesses like bars/restaurants/supermarkets/chain stores and asking them if they need anyone part time? This is just to get you out into the workplace so you at least can show you can turn up on time and do a job. Good for the mental health and while working you can keep looking for a new job that you are better suited for.

Advertise yourself as a dog walker, baby sitter, cleaner, languages tutor, translator, typist etc and basically try to sell any skill you have just to make a few quid and so that you can list it as something you have worked at.

All you need is to break the cycle and get 1 job - from there you look for another job.

Withering

pokkii wrote: »

There are but although I have good PC skills its nothing in line with Computer Science grads etc..

Bare with me here (I'm going to be a little bit goady).

So - what exactly DO you have to offer?

livedadream

intheclouds wrote: »

I am surprised that you have never had a job at all, you could "invent" a summer job in a different country on the CV? Maybe I am just getting old but I have worked since I was 16 and full time in all summers/xmas/easter, I would think that to get as far as finishing a degree without ever having worked is unusual - how did you manage for pocket money in school for example?

All you need is to break the cycle and get 1 job - from there you look for another job.

its surprisingly common now a days for people of that age to not have worked,

yes people of my generation would have had the odd summer job or Saturday job in a shop but its happening now that kids raised during the boom wernt 'encouraged' like we were to get a job, pocket money was more prevalent where as i had to work for mine.

im coming across more and more graduates who have little to no work experience.

livedadream

Withering wrote: »

Bare with me here (I'm going to be a little bit goady).

So - what exactly DO you have to offer?

4 languages,

a degree- transferable skills- research, writing, etc etc

wants a job so separates her from some of her peers who are waiting for it to fall into their lap

willing to graft.

an excellent CV.. even if i do say so myself

Withering

livedadream wrote: »

4 languages,

a degree- transferable skills- research, writing, etc etc

wants a job so separates her from some of her peers who are waiting for it to fall into their lap

willing to graft.

an excellent CV.. even if i do say so myself

Gah! I was trying to probe out a bit of self confidence in the poster! Then you came in .

intheclouds

livedadream wrote: »

its surprisingly common now a days for people of that age to not have worked,

Yes, thought I was showing my age a bit alright, but certainly in my own circles peoples older teenage and early twenties kids still do some bits of work in the local shop, bar, pizza delivery, whatever...... J1 visas or a year in Australia or Canada as well.

Bad idea to get to 22+ without ever having worked imo - in for a right shock!

Withering

OP - I'm going to ask you again.

What DO you have to offer?

syklops

pokkii wrote: »

Thank you so much for taking your time!
I know of Abtran, Apple and Starwood but can't think of anyone else. If it isnt too much to ask do you know any other multinationals based in Cork?

Alienvault
McAfee
VMware
Tyco
Bord Gais - Not an MNC I know but they do have an office in Cork.
Amazon
IBM
Solarwinds
Red Hat
EMC

Solarwinds and Red Hat though technology companies, their Cork office is Legal, finance, HR and sales, with no engineers onsite. I'm sure you could find an office admin type job where some of your languages might come in handy.

livedadream

intheclouds wrote: »

Yes, thought I was showing my age a bit alright, but certainly in my own circles peoples older teenage and early twenties kids still do some bits of work in the local shop, bar, pizza delivery, whatever...... J1 visas or a year in Australia or Canada as well.

Bad idea to get to 22+ without ever having worked imo - in for a right shock!

exactly and its something i work with everyday.

i think with the way the economy was going that people who are 26 and under now didnt have a hope of getting a job when they needed it and wernt encouraged during the boom because they didnt need to and parents wanted to spoil them a bit, (IMO anyway for what its worth)

you need money for a J1...

its unfortunate because there is a whole generation or two who are now arriving into employment post degree and expect a job paying 50 grand without ever having worked for minimum wage de bearding mussels for a summer (like i did still have the scars too)

livedadream

Withering wrote: »

Gah! I was trying to probe out a bit of self confidence in the poster! Then you came in .

i jumped in because she's having a tough enough time as it is without people asking her to justify herself, she outlined what she can offer in her first post.

read that and pretend she answered you.

OU812

Do a search on job sites by language you speak rather than a field you wish to work in. See what's available for those skills. Also contact the airlines. You'd be a great asset to anyone with your languages. I'm full of admiration for you.

Withering

She is well able to answer for herself. I was addressing the OP, not you.

intheclouds

Check out software tester jobs too, sometimes they need someone to test that all the error messages have been translated correctly.

I remember dating a Norwegian who had a job playing computer games and reporting if the error messages were an accurate translation from his language to english.

redbel05

I know of someone who was in a similar situation as you, with regards to qualifications coming out her ears but no real work experience. She ended up getting on the Back to Work Enterprise allowance, and getting help from the local development in starting up her own wee business. Now (2 years later, with a lot of hard work) she is doing really well. I know its a scary thought, but would being your own boss in any way interest you?

Deep Six

Withering wrote: »

OP - I'm going to ask you again.

What DO you have to offer?

Can I just say I hate this question in interviews? You wouldn't ask them that if you've read the CV properly in advance, and by the point you ask this question you already have your own idea of how they would integrate in to the role you're offering. Personally if you ask me that, I'm going to give you any old paragraph of fluff bull**** I've learned off in response. I'm looking for a job to earn money to pay bills, benefits or proposed benefits that my doing so could bring to your company is of no relevance or concern to me.

corcaigh07

OP, you have amazing language skills, I think you'll be able to get a job! Keep a look out at the airport for jobs, entering peak season now.

Get that first job and then work towards the better second job. Maybe see if you look into citizenship too.

Withering

Deep Six wrote: »

Can I just say I hate this question in interviews? You wouldn't ask them that if you've read the CV properly in advance, and by the point you ask this question you already have your own idea of how they would integrate in to the role you're offering. Personally if you ask me that, I'm going to give you any old paragraph of fluff bull**** I've learned off in response. I'm looking for a job to earn money to pay bills, benefits or proposed benefits that my doing so could bring to your company is of no relevance or concern to me.

I also hate the question. However, I suggested software companies and the OP immediately put herself down by saying she hasn't computer engineering experience. This wasn't even an interview. This is on her thread!
The OP needs to learn to stick her head in the air and SELL HERSELF.

uck51js9zml2yt

OP whats you CV like regarding layout and readability? has anyone looked at it for you?

Do you have a Linked IN profile and are you connecting with people in the industry and applying for jobs from there?

OU812

Also, look into localisation & translation.

marketty

livedadream wrote:

its surprisingly common now a days for people of that age to not have worked,

livedadream wrote:

yes people of my generation would have had the odd summer job or Saturday job in a shop but its happening now that kids raised during the boom wernt 'encouraged' like we were to get a job, pocket money was more prevalent where as i had to work for mine.

livedadream wrote:

im coming across more and more graduates who have little to no work experience.

I think you are being a little harsh on young people, like yourself I have always worked since I was in school, but my younger brother is flat out at the moment looking for part time work and can't even get people to look at his CV.

With the state of the economy (recovery apparently!!) it is an employers market, especially for unskilled jobs, and the prevalence of low/variable hour contracts mean that employers insist you are 'flexible' (i.e. always available for work when I call you at short notice).
This is not practical when you are at college 50km away 5 days a week and looking for evening/weekend work, so employers just aren't interested.

pokkii

intheclouds wrote: »

I think its probably still worth speaking to someone in Citizens Info in case there are some other entitlements that can be claimed.

I understand the fact that you are an adult child on your own payment means there is no increase for you, although if your sister in still in college they may be able to? Anyway, its getting off topic - but do some investigation in case there are things your family can claim that they are not already claiming.

I am surprised that you have never had a job at all, you could "invent" a summer job in a different country on the CV? Maybe I am just getting old but I have worked since I was 16 and full time in all summers/xmas/easter, I would think that to get as far as finishing a degree without ever having worked is unusual - how did you manage for pocket money in school for example?

What about pounding the pavements and calling into businesses like bars/restaurants/supermarkets/chain stores and asking them if they need anyone part time? This is just to get you out into the workplace so you at least can show you can turn up on time and do a job. Good for the mental health and while working you can keep looking for a new job that you are better suited for.

Advertise yourself as a dog walker, baby sitter, cleaner, languages tutor, translator, typist etc and basically try to sell any skill you have just to make a few quid and so that you can list it as something you have worked at.

All you need is to break the cycle and get 1 job - from there you look for another job.

To tell you the truth we feel a lot of shame in having to rely on social welfare payments so its not an area we are well versed in.

My parents have never given us pocket money not even for getting good grades, even because we're all straight A students so they'd go broke very quickly ahaha. During my degree I tried many times to get a job but would be turned down because of being a student. The way I managed through college was because of my grant. Basically because of my parents income I was given 3k per year so I had to live in Dublin on that because I knew I couldn't rely on my parents and nobody woukd hire me. I would get up at 3am on Mondays to travel to Dublin and attend classes for the day and would stay in a hostel until Thursdays (when my lecture week finished). I didnt go out with my friends or spend money on amy luxuries or whatever. I ate a sandwhich monday and wednesdays and that was my only food until I got home on thursdays. I also only purchased textbooks that were required, anything else I'd get on the library etc.. Basically I only spent money if I really had to.
And thats how I got my degree ahaha

I have done that in the past but was told nowadays they only accept applications online, so I mostly round up various websites...

sareer

Not sure if you mentioned it but are you an EU citizen or visa-wise legally allowed to work for any employer in Ireland? I have seen with friends that some forget to mention that on their CV and their foreign names on top of the CV means they got rejected more frequently. Worth mentioning, along with your visa category (if any) and a brief one liner that it allows you to work here like any EU citizen (you would be surprised how many local HR or recruiters are clueless about the categories!).

pokkii

syklops wrote: »

Alienvault
McAfee
VMware
Tyco
Bord Gais - Not an MNC I know but they do have an office in Cork.
Amazon
IBM
Solarwinds
Red Hat
EMC

Solarwinds and Red Hat though technology companies, their Cork office is Legal, finance, HR and sales, with no engineers onsite. I'm sure you could find an office admin type job where some of your languages might come in handy.

Thank you so much! I'll certainly be taking a look at them

livedadream

marketty wrote: »

I think you are being a little harsh on young people, like yourself I have always worked since I was in school, but my younger brother is flat out at the moment looking for part time work and can't even get people to look at his CV.

With the state of the economy (recovery apparently!!) it is an employers market, especially for unskilled jobs, and the prevalence of low/variable hour contracts mean that employers insist you are 'flexible' (i.e. always available for work when I call you at short notice).
This is not practical when you are at college 50km away 5 days a week and looking for evening/weekend work, so employers just aren't interested.

if you read my next post i point out how hard it was for people to get jobs during the recession the typical student job was taken by people who would usually be in more sneior roles or more skilled roles.

pokkii

livedadream wrote: »

i jumped in because she's having a tough enough time as it is without people asking her to justify herself, she outlined what she can offer in her first post.

read that and pretend she answered you.

My apologies for causing an argument, I suppose I did not explaing myself well. When I said there are people out there with Computer Science degrees who would be better suited for software enterprises it was because I didn't consider the fact they offer jobs not related to programming etc.. So really I just meant that I don't have the skills required for those kind of jobs not that I don't have any skills.

pokkii

OU812 wrote: »

Do a search on job sites by language you speak rather than a field you wish to work in. See what's available for those skills. Also contact the airlines. You'd be a great asset to anyone with your languages. I'm full of admiration for you.

Thank you very much! And also thats a great idea I'll look into it!

pokkii

intheclouds wrote: »

Check out software tester jobs too, sometimes they need someone to test that all the error messages have been translated correctly.

I remember dating a Norwegian who had a job playing computer games and reporting if the error messages were an accurate translation from his language to english.

Thank you! I didnt know they actually still offered software testing positions. Funnily enough I considered becoming a test subject but not a tester ahaha

pokkii

corcaigh07 wrote: »

OP, you have amazing language skills, I think you'll be able to get a job! Keep a look out at the airport for jobs, entering peak season now.

Get that first job and then work towards the better second job. Maybe see if you look into citizenship too.

Thank you very much! I want to get citizenship when I start working as its pretty dear but I am not sure if I am elegible for it!!

pokkii

Reginald Hundreds Bedbug wrote: »

OP whats you CV like regarding layout and readability? has anyone looked at it for you?

Do you have a Linked IN profile and are you connecting with people in the industry and applying for jobs from there?

Hello,

Yes I had my CV looked at before and some recruiters on this board were kind enough to look at it too

I made a LinkedIN profile but I have yet to add a photo and make connections

pokkii

sareer wrote: »

Not sure if you mentioned it but are you an EU citizen or visa-wise legally allowed to work for any employer in Ireland? I have seen with friends that some forget to mention that on their CV and their foreign names on top of the CV means they got rejected more frequently. Worth mentioning, along with your visa category (if any) and a brief one liner that it allows you to work here like any EU citizen (you would be surprised how many local HR or recruiters are clueless about the categories!).

Thank you, you make a great point! I've lived here for so long I forget I'm not Irish aha
I do have an English name but I dont add it to my CV because my country does not allow me to legaly change my name. I'll have to add to my C.V. That I'm an EU citizen!