How can I get help for a smart & qualified friend who canot seem to get a job?

lg01

Without going into detail, there is a person connected to my family who is clearly a very smart person - has a decent work history of working in the financial services sector in some pretty impressive sounding jobs - but has been unemployed for several years and seems to be totally unable to get another job. He does have quite a specific niche, but I'm guessing he should be able to get something else in the industry. I've no doubt there are other issues there, maybe a lack of confidence or something coming across badly in interviews. It's got to the stage now where he really needs to get a bloody job - anything. Genuinely I'd pay someone a serious chunk of cash to take him under their wing and guide him, coach him and do whatever is necessary to get him a job.

Genuinely he's smart, personable, presentable, creative - the type you'd think he'd fit in no problem at a host of things and I'm sure once in a job he'd be fine. Would anyone have any suggestions of what I could try to give him a bit of a helping hand?

Stheno

Career coach?

lg01

Was hoping for something a little more hands on...

Jimbob1977

Would he be amenable to opportunities abroad in Financial Services... like the United Arab Emirates, Canada, Hong Kong or Luxembourg?

Perhaps age or family circumstances are against him.

I know Kilkenny (State Street) and Limerick (Northern Trust) are always seeking to hire people with Financial Services Experience. The pay outside Dublin might be less, but the cost of living in cheaper. The gap in employment may raise questions, but if the interview goes well and the references are strong, it's a great start

Mrs OBumble

How old is he?

lg01

Sorry for the late reply. He's in his mid 30's. I may go down the career coach line - can anyone suggest where to start?
Or any other ideas?
Thanks

jackofalltrades

lg01 wrote: »

Without going into detail, there is a person connected to my family who is clearly a very smart person - has a decent work history of working in the financial services sector in some pretty impressive sounding jobs - but has been unemployed for several years and seems to be totally unable to get another job. He does have quite a specific niche, but I'm guessing he should be able to get something else in the industry. I've no doubt there are other issues there, maybe a lack of confidence or something coming across badly in interviews. It's got to the stage now where he really needs to get a bloody job - anything. Genuinely I'd pay someone a serious chunk of cash to take him under their wing and guide him, coach him and do whatever is necessary to get him a job.

Genuinely he's smart, personable, presentable, creative - the type you'd think he'd fit in no problem at a host of things and I'm sure once in a job he'd be fine. Would anyone have any suggestions of what I could try to give him a bit of a helping hand?

How well do you know the guy?
Could there be something going on behind the scenes with him that you don't know about?
Could he be struggling with things?

It would seem strange for someone who is qualified and has experience in a sector where they're crying out for people to be unemployed.
Do he enjoy the job when he was doing it?
Also if he's been unemployed for several years then the DSP should be all over his case.
They'll probably be getting him to talk career advisers or trying to send him on courses or work placements.
Has he talked about any of that to you?
Sorry if it looks like I'm bombarding you with questions.

neonsofa

May seem like a silly question but are you sure he is actually applying for jobs?

the_syco

lg01 wrote: »

Without going into detail, there is a person connected to my family who is clearly a very smart person - has a decent work history of working in the financial services sector in some pretty impressive sounding jobs - but has been unemployed for several years and seems to be totally unable to get another job.

Will he work anywhere, or only in a specific area?

A2LUE42

Are they getting to interview stage? If not they need to get their CV sorted out and have a proper LinkedIn profile and contacts.

livedadream

same as above, career coach, or life coach depending on the issues.

Johnmcgee97

One of the most important things is a CV, of course the interview too, but with a good CV it's over half the battle.. Get someone who has a business degree or something along the lines to do up a really impressive CV and take it from there

A good CV is essential. It needs to be like a good skirt. Long enough to cover the important parts but short enough to keep things interesting. Apply apply apply.... that's what I did and it finally paid off.

One thing that bugged the crap out of me was seeing not so decent jobs through agencies and then when I actually applied it had said something along the lines of "5 years verifiable work experience, no gaps allowed" 5 years for a junior admin role, really?

I wish him luck in his search

Snow angel

I've a friend in a similar position... unemployed for a number of years continually applying gotten a couple of interviews but always pipped to the post by someone more experienced. Dap in fairness are no use - just send you on computer courses or to jobbridge schemes!

My friend has returned to college try moving into a new sector.... it's hard to see someone who is genuinely trying there best and just keep missing out.

jimmycrackcorm

Snow angel wrote: »

I've a friend in a similar position... unemployed for a number of years continually applying gotten a couple of interviews but always pipped to the post by someone more experienced. Dap in fairness are no use - just send you on computer courses or to jobbridge schemes!

My friend has returned to college try moving into a new sector.... it's hard to see someone who is genuinely trying there best and just keep missing out.

If someone is like this, who has been out of a position for a while then then they literally need to start from the beginning, i.e. by starting at a lower position and working themselves back up again.