What to do when it doesnt work out.

engiweirdo

So longish story but after struggling to get work during the recession, went back to college towards the end of it to upskill. Eventually obtained a degree in Engineering, did a placement in the middle of it, have a little one in school, some medical issues but supports in place, had housing issues in final year of college but sorted now and in secure housing, things were looking good, got a 2.1, felt like life could start now at last after college.

And. It . Just. Didnt. 2 interviews straight after exams, not the type of experience we wanted, fair enough. Another 3 interviews in a week in early Autumn, nothing, zip, zero, is it me? sought out career coaching, CV done, Interview techniques refined, and nothing. Radio silence.

Finally an invitation to interview, make that 2 but both on same day and cant attend both, I make a decision and the result is...nothing.

So what now? Nobody preps you for this. In all the spiel constantly fed about our "booming" economy, fabulous tech sector, there is precious little regard given to the "lepers", that statistical anomaly hidden in the "96% of graduates are employed in x months". What now when you're the statistic everyone wishes would go away?

Always Tired

first, plenty of people have been struggling for at least as long and have attended more than that amount of interviews. you're still in a great position having an engineering degree.

i have a fine art degree and can't even get a retail job. the northwest is still dead. i work part time now in a bloody takeaway at 38 years old.

you might need to seriously think about leaving Ireland. I was just in the US, the amount of help wanted signs i saw everywhere... and huge houses for less than what a shack goes for here. this malarkey about the recovery is only true for those who the recession didn't hurt that much. those of us that had our lives destroyed, many of us are stuck in a rut still.

engiweirdo

Always Tired wrote: »

first, plenty of people have been struggling for at least as long and have attended more than that amount of interviews. you're still in a great position having an engineering degree.

i have a fine art degree and can't even get a retail job. the northwest is still dead. i work part time now in a bloody takeaway at 38 years old.

you might need to seriously think about leaving Ireland. I was just in the US, the amount of help wanted signs i saw everywhere... and huge houses for less than what a shack goes for here. this malarkey about the recovery is only true for those who the recession didn't hurt that much. those of us that had our lives destroyed, many of us are stuck in a rut still.

The worst part is I'd love to go. I really have no attachment to this place at all and wouldnt miss a thing about it. But cant afford to leave either(the irony) and would be terrified of the effect a new place would have on the daughter too.

I dont feel particularly lucky with the engineering degree as its only of any use if you get to use it. Another few months now unemployed or taking up some ****ty min wage job and it will be obsolete or as good as.

Farfromhome02

engiweirdo wrote: »

The worst part is I'd love to go. I really have no attachment to this place at all and wouldnt miss a thing about it. But cant afford to leave either(the irony) and would be terrified of the effect a new place would have on the daughter too.

I dont feel particularly lucky with the engineering degree as its only of any use if you get to use it. Another few months now unemployed or taking up some ****ty min wage job and it will be obsolete or as good as.

Try not to get too down,I know that's easier said than done,was in same place myself,although with a different career
Got the job I wanted in the end and quickly hated it,tryed several different places and was underpaid and lied to in every one of them

Always Tired

same here, ie: no jobs where i live, can't save enough to go to a better location because the better locations are so expensive. it's a catch-22, need a job to get to a place that has jobs.

your daughter will be fine, in fact much better off if you are working, happier, financially secure. families move all the time, if they can manage so can ye.

find out what supports could be there for relocation, i know there is something for parents who are returning to work, ask the dole about it. ask any relatives who could help if they would be willing, join the credit union and ask for a loan if you get a job offer somewhere.

keep applying, get CV advice, get in touch with recruitment agencies, consider taking a crap job as a stepping stone if it means you can save. i only work part time and so am on the x and os dockets and get part time dole. it isn't a big jump income wise but an extra 50 quid a week makes a difference - and i absolutely hate my job, my manager is awful. i just have to suck it up and hope i can get saved up so if an opportunity arises elsewhere i can take it. i know it won't happen in Donegal it's a total deadzone for employment.

it isn't easy i know. people will tell you just to move like it's so easy - we don't all have rich parents who can finance an overseas move.

OMM 0000

Are you actually a weirdo?

Do you like people, or at least, are you not painfully shy?

If so, you could go to Asia and teach English for a bit. Adventure / save cash / get out of Ireland.

Lots of schools will pay for your flights.

professore

Always Tired wrote: »

first, plenty of people have been struggling for at least as long and have attended more than that amount of interviews. you're still in a great position having an engineering degree.

i have a fine art degree and can't even get a retail job. the northwest is still dead. i work part time now in a bloody takeaway at 38 years old.

you might need to seriously think about leaving Ireland. I was just in the US, the amount of help wanted signs i saw everywhere... and huge houses for less than what a shack goes for here. this malarkey about the recovery is only true for those who the recession didn't hurt that much. those of us that had our lives destroyed, many of us are stuck in a rut still.

If the OP has health issues they should steer clear of the US.

professore

OMM 0000 wrote: »

Are you actually a weirdo?

Do you like people, or at least, are you not painfully shy?

If so, you could go to Asia and teach English for a bit. Adventure / save cash / get out of Ireland.

Lots of schools will pay for your flights.

A lot of engineers are weirdos. Par for the course.

professore

OP just keep trying. Sounds trite but that's all you can do. It's like anything else in life, if you're not in you can't win. You don't know who you are competing with in interviews.

Tefral

What type of Engineering degree did you get OP and what region are you in?

engiweirdo

Tefral wrote: »

What type of Engineering degree did you get OP and what region are you in?

Mechanical & Manufacturing and in Waterford.Am from there but disaster of a place and doesnt look like inproving anytime soon either. Even the careers office from the college seem to have kinda given up and the last few positions they contacted us about have been in the Netherlands

engiweirdo

professore wrote: »

OP just keep trying. Sounds trite but that's all you can do. It's like anything else in life, if you're not in you can't win. You don't know who you are competing with in interviews.

Id say now local recruiters and companies are sick of the sight of my cv at this stage. Anything that looks even half relative gets a bash.

Tefral

engiweirdo wrote: »

Mechanical & Manufacturing and in Waterford.Am from there but disaster of a place and doesnt look like inproving anytime soon either. Even the careers office from the college seem to have kinda given up and the last few positions they contacted us about have been in the Netherlands

Suir Engineering and Dornans are always looking for Mechanical Engineers. Its actually a very sought after trade. I work in the construction industry and practically every single tier 1 contractor are looking for M&E co-ordinators. They all are telling me they have given up advertising because no-one responds. Id get on to the likes of BAM, JJ Rhatigan, Sisk etc and tell them your situation.

Theres a crap load of work coming up in Cork which is commutable from Waterford.

You'd walk into a job in Vistakon in Limerick.

Theres no excuse for being out of work with your degree because I know first hand how sought after Mechanical and Electrical Engineers are.

Diziet

There is work out there but: it still takes a lot of applications to get a good fit for you and the employer. And you need to keep improving the CV, your interview technique, keep thinking of how to do better.

Martin John Yates' book 'Answers to tough interview questions' is very good in this regard, really well written and I highly recommend it.

If you can expand into Cork, there is lots happening (you may need to move?). Do you have a LinkedIn profile? Are you following companies, linking with recruiters, have alerts set up? If not, get onto that now.

It takes *a lot* of work getting a job! Best of luck, you'll be fine.

engiweirdo

Tefral wrote: »

engiweirdo wrote: »

Mechanical & Manufacturing and in Waterford.Am from there but disaster of a place and doesnt look like inproving anytime soon either. Even the careers office from the college seem to have kinda given up and the last few positions they contacted us about have been in the Netherlands

Suir Engineering and Dornans are always looking for Mechanical Engineers. Its actually a very sought after trade. I work in the construction industry and practically every single tier 1 contractor are looking for M&E co-ordinators. They all are telling me they have given up advertising because no-one responds. Id get on to the likes of BAM, JJ Rhatigan, Sisk etc and tell them your situation.

Theres a crap load of work coming up in Cork which is commutable from Waterford.

You'd walk into a job in Vistakon in Limerick.

Theres no excuse for being out of work with your degree because I know first hand how sought after Mechanical and Electrical Engineers are.

The work is nearly all Dublin and Cork though Id say thats the reason for lack of interest. Ive had the cv with Suir now a good few times, never a word back or any interest, they all want at least 3 years experience without thinking where the bloody experience is supposed to come from.

Wanderer78

Have you tried for general operative jobs in factories around Waterford?

Ruraldweller56

engiweirdo wrote: »

Mechanical & Manufacturing and in Waterford.Am from there but disaster of a place and doesnt look like inproving anytime soon either. Even the careers office from the college seem to have kinda given up and the last few positions they contacted us about have been in the Netherlands

Great money there. It'd set you up nicely.

You should try Suir, Radley Engineering, Schivo (if the manufacturing thing is more your bag).

Prochem in Kilkenny.

Are you good on AutoCAD? Go and knock on the door it's better than using agencies and explain to them that you want experience.

Suir have people in Intel and will, I imagine be looking for people soon enough.

engiweirdo

Wanderer78 wrote: »

Have you tried for general operative jobs in factories around Waterford?

No. Because I'll be honest with ya. I was a general operative in a factory for years, constantly being let go at the drop of a hat to start again. I spent 4 years working me arse off to get away from it. It would represent as much of a failure to me as unemployment to end up back in the same position now after trying to better myself.

redcup342

Why not try Holland or Germany ? Many jobs there and companies offer relocation packages

I'd take a job as an operative for a while anyway and try and work towards some kind of tech position.

It's always easier to look for a job when your already working and looks better in the interview too.

We advertise looking for experience in our ads too but I've seen the managers take on grads fairly often if the interview goes well and they get the right vibe from them.

Wanderer78

engiweirdo wrote: »

No. Because I'll be honest with ya. I was a general operative in a factory for years, constantly being let go at the drop of a hat to start again. I spent 4 years working me arse off to get away from it. It would represent as much of a failure to me as unemployment to end up back in the same position now after trying to better myself.

can completely understand that, done factory jobs for a few years myself, soul destroying

engiweirdo

Topgear on Dave wrote: »

I'd take a job as an operative for a while anyway and try and work towards some kind of tech position.

It's always easier to look for a job when your already working and looks better in the interview too.

We advertise looking for experience in our ads too but I've seen the managers take on grads fairly often if the interview goes well and they get the right vibe from them.

Id always apply anyway if it stated anything up to 3 years experience and try use non-engineering but related experience if I get to interview. Rarely ever get a response email though.

I'm tied to Waterford pretty much is the problem. Wouldnt have anywhere near the funds to re-locate even if it was simple(child has special educational needs so any move presents extra challenges).

Its tough to even get them to let you in the door to talk to them. Ive had 6 interviews but they came from maybe 150+ applications.

It has been expressed to me quite often by dutch lads that the Netherlands is pretty much wide open if I'm interested but again it's not ideal with the daughter.

Dunno what to make of it tbh. I know its probably just me whinging at this stage but I thought things had changed and the days of having to up sticks were gone. 4/5 years ago before I started Dublin and Cork would have been expensive but not impossible. Now you'd be lucky to get a cheap enough poky apartment and cover the bills on a grad salary. Couldnt do it. Would feel like punishing my family for the sake of a job.

Wildly Boaring

When you say in the OP that employers were of opinion that you had wrong type of experience.

Were you not applying for graduate jobs?
ie You've just graduated and cannot be expected to have experience.

Try Glan Agua.
Have an office in Cahir.
Appreciate bit of a spin but they have work on all over Munster for Irish water.

Suir not more elec than M&E?
Or is there a Suir mechanical too?
Dealt with them on a massive elec fit out alright.

Try Ward and Burke they now own Response.
Try EPS may have work starting that direction.

mikep

Hi there

if there are operator jobs around in an industry that suits I think you should go for it as it's always easier to find a new job when you are in work. By going and getting your degree shows prospective employers that you are interested in upskilling and that is very positive.
Pehaps you need to get some help on ensuring your CV emphasises what you have achieved to date.

I know Dornan engineering have plenty of work at the mo and things are still ramping up in the bio pharma/pharma industry.

best of luck!

AlmightyCushion

engiweirdo wrote: »

Id always apply anyway if it stated anything up to 3 years experience and try use non-engineering but related experience if I get to interview. Rarely ever get a response email though.

I'm tied to Waterford pretty much is the problem. Wouldnt have anywhere near the funds to re-locate even if it was simple(child has special educational needs so any move presents extra challenges).

Its tough to even get them to let you in the door to talk to them. Ive had 6 interviews but they came from maybe 150+ applications.

It has been expressed to me quite often by dutch lads that the Netherlands is pretty much wide open if I'm interested but again it's not ideal with the daughter.

Dunno what to make of it tbh. I know its probably just me whinging at this stage but I thought things had changed and the days of having to up sticks were gone. 4/5 years ago before I started Dublin and Cork would have been expensive but not impossible. Now you'd be lucky to get a cheap enough poky apartment and cover the bills on a grad salary. Couldnt do it. Would feel like punishing my family for the sake of a job.

Usually, for these types of grad roles, you can expect big salary bumps once you get a few years experience under your belt. You could be earning an extra 10-15k after just 2-3 years. And once you get a few years experience it opens up a lot more job opportunities including places outside of Dublin/Cork. So, it would be a couple of years of toughing it but after that you'd be in a much, much better position.

Tefral

engiweirdo wrote: »

I know its probably just me whinging at this stage but I thought things had changed and the days of having to up sticks were gone. 4/5 years ago before I started Dublin and Cork would have been expensive but not impossible. Now you'd be lucky to get a cheap enough poky apartment and cover the bills on a grad salary. Couldnt do it. Would feel like punishing my family for the sake of a job.

Unfortunately in Construction you always have to follow the money (Projects).
You could look at maybe talking to a Mechanical and Electrical Consulting Engineers office. They are always looking at juniors to do "the donkey Work" CAD'ing drawings, doing calculations etc etc.

engiweirdo

Tefral wrote: »

engiweirdo wrote: »

I know its probably just me whinging at this stage but I thought things had changed and the days of having to up sticks were gone. 4/5 years ago before I started Dublin and Cork would have been expensive but not impossible. Now you'd be lucky to get a cheap enough poky apartment and cover the bills on a grad salary. Couldnt do it. Would feel like punishing my family for the sake of a job.

Unfortunately in Construction you always have to follow the money (Projects).
You could look at maybe talking to a Mechanical and Electrical Consulting Engineers office. They are always looking at juniors to do "the donkey Work" CAD'ing drawings, doing calculations etc etc.

Main bump I'd hit with the construction firms is they're AutoCad/Revit and we used Solidworks exclusively, they do the same thing in very different ways. Have used Ansys too which sits somewhere between and wasnt too bad. Theres a short Revit course starts in the new year I'm going to do to keep doing something at least. Most annoying thing is the licences for drawing packages are so expensive, when they expire you cant even keep skills up to scratch.