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Can't find a job anywhere... Help?

  • 12-04-2017 07:09PM
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 33


    Alright so I'm 23 and currently looking for a job in bartending or office/call centre work. I've been applying online constantly and most of the time, my applications just get ignored. Its so frustrating. I'm broke as hell and I want to get my own place and money. But there's not many jobs in Dundalk, unfortunately.

    I've been offered jobs in Dublin but I can't take them cause I have no accommodation and they're bar jobs so I'll be working really late.

    I've been considering working abroad in a call centre or something like that. Does anyone know how I'd go about doing this?

    And what would you do in my situation? College is not an option this year as I haven't got the qualifications and the signup dates was February. I'm enrolled in a Security Guard course in the next few weeks so I should have my certificate by May. Is this a good start or am I wasting my time?

    Thanks.


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Comments

  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,478 ✭✭✭eeguy


    Thej693 wrote: »
    Alright so I'm 23 and currently looking for a job in bartending or office/call centre work. I've been applying online constantly and most of the time, my applications just get ignored. Its so frustrating. I'm broke as hell and I want to get my own place and money. But there's not many jobs in Dundalk, unfortunately.

    I've been offered jobs in Dublin but I can't take them cause I have no accommodation and they're bar jobs so I'll be working really late.

    I've been considering working abroad in a call centre or something like that. Does anyone know how I'd go about doing this?
    And what would you do in my situation? College is not an option this year as I haven't got the qualifications and the signup dates was February. I'm enrolled in a Security Guard course in the next few weeks so I should have my certificate by May. Is this a good start or am I wasting my time?

    Thanks.

    What have you been up to since your leaving cert?
    Also have a look at Springboard courses. Probably not many up this time of year, but it's a college course, free for jobseekers and sign up is usually in August


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 33 Thej693


    eeguy wrote: »
    What have you been up to since your leaving cert?
    Also have a look at Springboard courses. Probably not many up this time of year, but it's a college course, free for jobseekers and sign up is usually in August

    I need money now. I can't really afford to wait.

    Plus I find those courses don't do anything. I completed a Call Centre one and was promised work placement in SalesSense and we didn't get it. I had to go out and get the work placement myself and that was in a local bar.

    I also wasn't getting paid for this course. So overall a complete waste of time. I also didn't do my leaving cert although my CV states otherwise.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,549 ✭✭✭jcd5971


    Thej693 wrote:
    I also wasn't getting paid for this course. So overall a complete waste of time. I also didn't do my leaving cert although my CV states otherwise.

    I get how hard it is to get something 8 really do its tough right now, but I don't recommend this, in the end it will only come back to bite you.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 307 ✭✭gavindublin


    Would you work nights in Dublin and travel back home during the day? Travel home in the morning and back in the evening


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,478 ✭✭✭eeguy


    Thej693 wrote: »
    I need money now. I can't really afford to wait.

    Plus I find those courses don't do anything. I completed a Call Centre one and was promised work placement in SalesSense and we didn't get it. I had to go out and get the work placement myself and that was in a local bar.

    I also wasn't getting paid for this course. So overall a complete waste of time. I also didn't do my leaving cert although my CV states otherwise.

    Unfortunately you're on the back foot. If you've no formal qualification and little work experience then you're going to be outclassed by a lot of people based on CV alone. Added to that, Summer is coming, so there'll be thousands of students looking for work in the next few months too.

    Short term, I can't help you with finding a job. Only luck or knowing someone will get you there.

    My long term advice would be to think hard about what you want to do with your life. You're 23, so you're a mature student. Which means the usual CAO application may not apply to you. Which means you may be able to get BTEA. So you MAY be able to get into a course by interviewing.

    Education may not appeal to you when you're 23 and working minimum wage, but when you're 28, or 32 and all your friends have good jobs, are going on holidays and your boss is 10 years younger than you, you'll really regret it.

    Look at BTEA.
    Look at the courses offered in Dundalk.
    See if one appeals and call the office and ask to speak to the course co-ordinator. Plead your case and see what happens.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 33 Thej693


    eeguy wrote: »
    Unfortunately you're on the back foot. If you've no formal qualification and little work experience then you're going to be outclassed by a lot of people based on CV alone. Added to that, Summer is coming, so there'll be thousands of students looking for work in the next few months too.

    Short term, I can't help you with finding a job. Only luck or knowing someone will get you there.

    My long term advice would be to think hard about what you want to do with your life. You're 23, so you're a mature student. Which means the usual CAO application may not apply to you. Which means you may be able to get BTEA. So you MAY be able to get into a course by interviewing.

    Education may not appeal to you when you're 23 and working minimum wage, but when you're 28, or 32 and all your friends have good jobs, are going on holidays and your boss is 10 years younger than you, you'll really regret it.

    Look at BTEA.
    Look at the courses offered in Dundalk.
    See if one appeals and call the office and ask to speak to the course co-ordinator. Plead your case and see what happens.
    My CV is entirely lies so that's not why I'm not getting calls. I have had tons of interviews with no success.

    Back to Education is not an option for me right now. Maybe down the line. Like I said, I can't afford to not be getting paid for another 2-3 years. I need money now.

    I am extremely skilled with computers. I can type on average 82 words per minute and know if I get the chance to work in an office, I'll nail it.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 33 Thej693


    Would you work nights in Dublin and travel back home during the day? Travel home in the morning and back in the evening

    Where would I go during the AM? I can't drive and roaming around the streets of Dublin at crazy hours in the morning is risky. Unless anyone has a good idea of where I could go, like a hotel lobby or something.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 33 Thej693


    jcd5971 wrote: »
    I get how hard it is to get something 8 really do its tough right now, but I don't recommend this, in the end it will only come back to bite you.
    That might be the case but its my only option right now. I have an "honest" CV and it gets me nowhere. My false CV gets me interviews the odd time.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,478 ✭✭✭eeguy


    Thej693 wrote: »
    My CV is entirely lies so that's not why I'm not getting calls. I have had tons of interviews with no success.

    Back to Education is not an option for me right now. Maybe down the line. Like I said, I can't afford to not be getting paid for another 2-3 years. I need money now.

    I am extremely skilled with computers. I can type on average 82 words per minute and know if I get the chance to work in an office, I'll nail it.

    If you're not getting the jobs then you may as well be not getting interviews.

    You'll get the usual 188 per week or whatever that is on BTEA and as you live in a college town that could definitely work for you. You won't come out better if you get a job you need to travel to, especially in Dublin. I'd see it as an investment where you'll earn much more in a professional job in 3/4 years than working in a bar or on the door.

    If you're good with computers then maybe you could go for certs to get an IT job? I've never seen an office job with high WPM as a main requirement.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,409 ✭✭✭✭jimmycrackcorm


    Thej693 wrote:
    I've been offered jobs in Dublin but I can't take them cause I have no accommodation and they're bar jobs so I'll be working really late.


    Look to room share. You seen to be in a bit of a chicken and egg situation, need money to move but need to move to Dublin to get money. Would family not help you? Are you not entitled to anything from the DSP?


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 33 Thej693


    eeguy wrote: »
    If you're not getting the jobs then you may as well be not getting interviews.

    You'll get the usual 188 per week or whatever that is on BTEA and as you live in a college town that could definitely work for you. You won't come out better if you get a job you need to travel to, especially in Dublin. I'd see it as an investment where you'll earn much more in a professional job in 3/4 years than working in a bar or on the door.

    If you're good with computers then maybe you could go for certs to get an IT job? I've never seen an office job with high WPM as a main requirement.
    I'll be 26 in 3 years. I need more than 188 per week.

    I don't really care much about professional growth or whatever. I just want a reasonably good job that pays at least 300-400 per week.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 33 Thej693


    Look to room share. You seen to be in a bit of a chicken and egg situation, need money to move but need to move to Dublin to get money. Would family not help you? Are you not entitled to anything from the DSP?
    I've been heavily considering that. But how would I go about doing it? I only get paid 100 per week. That's why I'm so desperate to get a job.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 543 ✭✭✭fleet


    Good at computers?

    Get a Cisco CCNA cert. in a FETAC college.
    This will take you from Sept - May.

    Put the work in, get the certs. and nobody will look twice at your lack of Leaving Cert. You'll start at 23k and be on 40k inside of 5 years if you keep your head down.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,949 ✭✭✭✭Tell me how


    Thej693 wrote:
    I also didn't do my leaving cert although my CV states otherwise.
    Thej693 wrote:
    My CV is entirely lies so that's not why I'm not getting calls.
    Thej693 wrote:
    My false CV gets me interviews the odd time.

    Seriously. What do you expect? What is going to change if you've gotten to 23 and don't have a formal education or a cc shows that you're willing to work.
    Thej693 wrote:
    I don't really care much about professional growth or whatever. I just want a reasonably good job that pays at least 300-400 per week.

    40 hrs a week in McDonald's will get you 300 to 400 a week.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,868 ✭✭✭✭_Brian


    Thej693 wrote: »
    My CV is entirely lies so that's not why I'm not getting calls. I have had tons of interviews with no success.

    Back to Education is not an option for me right now. Maybe down the line. Like I said, I can't afford to not be getting paid for another 2-3 years. I need money now.

    I am extremely skilled with computers. I can type on average 82 words per minute and know if I get the chance to work in an office, I'll nail it.

    I'm sorry but you mews to listen to the advice being given above.

    The days of someone with no qualifications getting work are essentially over unless you know someone which I get the feeling you don't.

    I interview a lot and I expect that when you start the interview it quickly becomes obvious that your cv is a load of lies and so your automatically dead in the water. People don't like being lied to and are very weary of hiring liars, they don't make good employees.

    Training is your key to getting a job, you need to be able to demonstrate that you can complete something that someone has tested you on.

    You can keep blindly going on lieing if you wish but your only wasting your time and that of those seeing you.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,478 ✭✭✭eeguy


    Thej693 wrote: »
    I'll be 26 in 3 years. I need more than 188 per week.

    I don't really care much about professional growth or whatever. I just want a reasonably good job that pays at least 300-400 per week.

    300-400 a week is grand when you're single, no kids, no car and living at home.

    Trust me, if any of those things change you'll be lost.

    My last word on this is that I was in your position. 22, no meaningful qualification and working minimum wage. 330 a week goes quickly when you're commuting and running a car.
    I got on a Springboard course, did 2 years of college, and by age 27 I was just shy of 50k a year and I love my job.
    It was a sh*t three years of poverty and stress, but I'm so happy I did it, because I'd still be working in that f*cking shop earning my 330 a week.

    It's up to you to make the best of your life, put in the effort while you have the time.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,283 ✭✭✭✭Sleeper12


    Sky TV are always hiring for their Dublin call centre.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 11,220 ✭✭✭✭m5ex9oqjawdg2i


    Thej693 wrote: »
    My CV is entirely lies so that's not why I'm not getting calls. I have had tons of interviews with no success.

    Back to Education is not an option for me right now. Maybe down the line. Like I said, I can't afford to not be getting paid for another 2-3 years. I need money now.

    I am extremely skilled with computers. I can type on average 82 words per minute and know if I get the chance to work in an office, I'll nail it.

    If you are extremely skilled at computers then definitely look into doing a course.

    Check out the Comptia A+ course for a start. It's been updated recently and with some study, you should be fine ;) I found the second exam a little harder than the first, I don't work with computers in that manner but I really wanted to get certified in something I enjoy doing.
    fleet wrote: »
    Good at computers?

    Get a Cisco CCNA cert. in a FETAC college.
    This will take you from Sept - May.

    Put the work in, get the certs. and nobody will look twice at your lack of Leaving Cert. You'll start at 23k and be on 40k inside of 5 years if you keep your head down.

    Cisco CCNA is also fantastic, but they have changed their exams over the past years, I think it's quite difficult now and probably not the best starting point? I am not 100% sure about that though.

    If you are analytical then advanced EXCEL courses would be great. Companies are cracked for data and macros and all the fancy stuff you can do with EXCEL. In my previous roll there was a "reporting specialist" role open for the guts of a year, pay was pretty awesome too and only entry level.

    You could also check out Microsofts certificates or windows servers if that tickles your fancy.

    A lot of companies do background checks, so lying on your CV may not be the wises thing to do. If your CV doesn't check out, they won't take you on.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 543 ✭✭✭fleet


    If you are extremely skilled at computers then definitely look into doing a course.

    Check out the Comptia A+ course for a start. It's been updated recently and with some study, you should be fine ;) I found the second exam a little harder than the first, I don't work with computers in that manner but I really wanted to get certified in something I enjoy doing.



    Cisco CCNA is also fantastic, but they have changed their exams over the past years, I think it's quite difficult now and probably not the best starting point? I am not 100% sure about that though.

    If you are analytical then advanced EXCEL courses would be great. Companies are cracked for data and macros and all the fancy stuff you can do with EXCEL. In my previous roll there was a "reporting specialist" role open for the guts of a year, pay was pretty awesome too and only entry level.

    You could also check out Microsofts certificates or windows servers if that tickles your fancy.

    A lot of companies do background checks, so lying on your CV may not be the wises thing to do. If your CV doesn't check out, they won't take you on.

    Comptia A+ is grand as a foundation, I have it, Network+ and Security+.

    The CCNA (and later CCNP) are what had the offers rolling in though.

    My present employer would kill for a CCNA that had been through a Cisco Academy (like many FETAC colleges are)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 33 Thej693


    Seriously. What do you expect? What is going to change if you've gotten to 23 and don't have a formal education or a cc shows that you're willing to work.



    40 hrs a week in McDonald's will get you 300 to 400 a week.
    They THINK I have the qualifications and I still don't get hired. So what difference will it make if I go back and get a leaving cert for real? I'll still be looking for work when the 2 years is up!


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,482 ✭✭✭Hollister11


    Stop moaning that you don't have qualifications and get some.

    I'm going to be brutally honest here. Unless you start a business or get a job through nepotism, with a leaving cert or college qualifications you in their going to spend the rest of your life working in a unforfilling, **** paying job, or on the dole.

    How your life pans out is in your hands. So go to college and get a qualification. Or learn a trade such as plumbing, electrician ect. Do something proactive and stop moaning on boards ffs.


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    Thej693 wrote: »
    They THINK I have the qualifications and I still don't get hired. So what difference will it make if I go back and get a leaving cert for a real? I'll still be looking for work when the 2 years is up!

    Has someone ever given feedback on your cv?
    Do you have a good cover letter?
    I had been working in the same place for 7 years, wanted a change, sent loads of cvs off, no replies. My cv was really good, but my gf had a look and asked why I had no cover letter. I made one up, next job I applied for got a response straight away.

    You just need to get your foot in the door. Call centre is a good idea as you won't need good qualifications, but can be a good gateway to other office jobs if you are a good employee. I know lots of people on amazing money who started in call centre or similar jobs, and have no 3rd level qualifications. And I know a lot of people with 3rd level education who have not made any use of it

    Good solid experience with good references has served me very well

    Whatever job you get, just be amazing at it. I know that sounds corny, but have any other attitude and you are just wasting your time.

    get someone to have a look at your cv
    Do a cover letter, and slightly amend it for each job you apply for to show how suited you would be to the role

    Good luck


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,262 ✭✭✭kirving


    Lying on your CV will get you absolutely nowhere, and will be clear as day to the interviewer within 5 minutes.

    I'm a couple of years older than you, and at 22 I probably would have been quite happy to work for 300-400 per week. The problem is that once you need to pay rent, save for a mortgage deposit, run a car, food, health insurance, tax, have kids, or want to go on a holiday, you're really going to find it extremely difficult.

    You're only 22 and have plenty of time to study. Remember, the employer to an extent doesn't care what the study is, what you're doing is proving that you can be responsible for your own work, and have a desire to do it properly. Unfortunately, the days of getting a job out of school are over, and you need to prove yourself.

    The best thing you can do right now is a level 5, 6 or 7 course in an area you're interested in, with a view to getting up to level 7 eventually.

    In the meantime, work in a shop in the evenings, a bar at weekends, clean windows, whatever you can to get some money in to keep you going.

    Good luck!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,599 ✭✭✭✭CIARAN_BOYLE


    Thej693 wrote: »
    They THINK I have the qualifications and I still don't get hired. So what difference will it make if I go back and get a leaving cert for real? I'll still be looking for work when the 2 years is up!

    No they don't think that you have qualifications. They think you are a lie in sack of ****e. they may believe you about the leaving but other than that?

    Honestly get qualifications.

    if you want to go without qualifications go down the recruitment agency route. There's always a chance someone needs a job for a bit above minimum wage and they just don't know where to get someone. unfortunately for many of these jobs knowing someone on the inside is important.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,807 ✭✭✭Jurgen Klopp


    fleet wrote: »
    Comptia A+ is grand as a foundation, I have it, Network+ and Security+.

    The CCNA (and later CCNP) are what had the offers rolling in though.

    My present employer would kill for a CCNA that had been through a Cisco Academy (like many FETAC colleges are)

    I'm curious lad, did you just do the CISCO exams or did you have a IT degree from a college to go with it?

    I always heard a lot of companies didn't give a toss over you lack of degree once you done the CISCO exams


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9 erpmeis


    Thej693 wrote: »
    That might be the case but its my only option right now. I have an "honest" CV and it gets me nowhere. My false CV gets me interviews the odd time.

    Any tips for this false CV making mate?

    I've two degrees in Science and have even offered to work on unpaid internships only to be ignored completely.

    *Sorry for hijacking thread*

    I have no advice for the OP as with qualification to Level 9 I still can't find work.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,868 ✭✭✭✭_Brian


    Thej693 wrote: »
    They THINK I have the qualifications and I still don't get hired. So what difference will it make if I go back and get a leaving cert for real? I'll still be looking for work when the 2 years is up!

    There's no point coming on asking for advice from people and then banging on the same tune over and over..
    Its pretty obvious at this stage that the combination of a CV full of lies and your lack of any qualifications is shining through when you go to interview, or maybe its the same attitude your showing here that's coming through at interview..
    Unless you've connections your not going to walk into a job without doing proper qualifications, if you believe that's possible then your deluding yourself and wasting the time of everyone who is responding here giving reasonable advice..

    Choose a field you think your strongest in and get some qualifications, thinking your going to succeed doing anything else is just madness.

    People have given great advice above on what IT type qualifications may yield good results, ignore it at your peril.


  • Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators Posts: 10,758 Mod ✭✭✭✭Jim2007


    Thej693 wrote: »
    They THINK I have the qualifications and I still don't get hired. So what difference will it make if I go back and get a leaving cert for real? I'll still be looking for work when the 2 years is up!

    Most likely they see through you and are too polite to call you out on it. Put you in a room with a couple of educated young people and you'll stand out like a sore thumb! The only one you are fooling is yourself!

    BTW working abroad is not an option if you have no savings. You need at least enough money to live on while you are searching for a job, pay a deposit on a flat and possibly buy some furniture as well depending on the country. On top of that the Europeans you will be competing against will have the equivalent of the leaving cert or completed trade school and speak a couple languages, so it is not going to be any easier than Ireland.

    You saw you are good at computers but all you mention is typing speed. So what do you mean by being good at computers?

    You have time on your hands, so you have time for education! If you are good with computers then look at freecodecamp.com, work your way through the training material, build the portfolio site, do the charity project and come away with something to show that you are good at computers. Depending on how well you do one of the project managers there might even be willing to offer you a remote job.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,172 ✭✭✭FizzleSticks


    This post has been deleted.


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  • Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators Posts: 10,758 Mod ✭✭✭✭Jim2007


    This post has been deleted.
    The difference between you and the  OP:
    I don't really care much about professional growth or whatever. I just want a reasonably good job that pays at least 300-400 per week.


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