Newly unemployed and very down and lost

newrecruit2

Hi all,

I'm not sure am I even on the right topic. But basically I've recently found myself unemployed. Had been working in the same company for the past 10 years. It's the only form of employment I've had since leaving college. I'm 32.

There's no other jobs in that field that are commutable from where me and my partner live. She can't move either because of her job. This is the first time I've been in this position but I'm feeling awful down and depressed about it all. I really feel so lost and don't know where to turn.

I know it might not seem like a big deal but I'm due to get married at the end of this year and we were about to apply for a mortgage. Now I'm out of work and have no idea what I want to do with the rest of my life.

All my firends are doing really well, have huge savings and I know it doesn't even seem logical but I feel like right now there's no way out and I genuinely feel like such a loser.

miamee

Sorry to hear about your job, newrecruit. Ten years is a long time to be in any job so it must have come as a shock to be let go and find yourself unemployed. Is there any possibility of you picking up something temporary locally just to fill the gap while you hunt for another more permanent role?

You can still get married but may have to wait a while for a mortgage - but that will give you more time to save a deposit in the meantime (I'm trying to find a silver lining, it probably doesn't sound very comforting at the moment)

NSAman

First of all you are not a loser.

This happens to many people. There have been times in my life that I have been without work, BUT you just pick yourself up and get on with trying to make the best of it.

Things change in life and can change on a dime (sorry about the americanism).

Couple of things here.

1. Don't get down and depressed (easier said than done). Think of this as a time to organise yourself for the future. Evaluate what you ultimately want out of life and go for it. Use this time as an asset and think of it as such, and not being a liability.
2. Your friends may appear to be doing very well, but never compare yourself to anyone else, you do not know what is going on in their lives.
3. You have a future wife, someone to support you in all of this. Don't think that life has passed you by, it hasn't. If she is a "good-un" she will stand right beside you through all of this and make that relationship stronger.
4. Get out there and do what you need to. IF the job isn't exactly what you want, use it, get what you need from any job that comes along. In time something else will come up and then you are back on track again with life, mortgage, marriage etc. Just DO NOT get overwhelmed with other peoples expectations of you. Live for you and your missus not for everyone else.
5. Have a little faith in yourself. Challenge everything you know about yourself. So life has given you a curve ball, use it and make the change necessary to see where exactly you want to be.
6. Change is good.

Sorry if this sounds preachy, it is just something I have found out in my own life. Change if viewed as a terrifying prospect makes you down. IF viewed as an opportunity, can be a catalyst for self betterment.

Hope it all works out man.

Poly

Do you mind me asking what you do or your trade?

newrecruit2

Thanks for the responses. I know you are right, that it's important to stay positive. But I've been searching online and there isn't any job that appeals to me. The only work that seems to be available is night shift factory work. It's just really got me down in a way I've never felt before. I barely have an appetite I'm so stressed about it, which doesn't seem normal but I can't shake it.

Poly wrote: »

Do you mind me asking what you do or your trade?

My degree was in business but I never went into this area. My job was pretty much the only comapny (less than 10 employees) in Ireland operating in that field, the skills aren't really transferrable.

NSAman

newrecruit2 wrote: »

Thanks for the responses. I know you are right, that it's important to stay positive. But I've been searching online and there isn't any job that appeals to me. The only work that seems to be available is night shift factory work. It's just really got me down in a way I've never felt before. I barely have an appetite I'm so stressed about it, which doesn't seem normal but I can't shake it.




My degree was in business but I never went into this area. My job was pretty much the only comapny (less than 10 employees) in Ireland operating in that field, the skills aren't really transferrable.

Obviously, this is a specialised area. If the company went through the wall was there enough business to build this company again? Was it badly managed or was there purely not enough business to sustain this company? (get where I am going with this?)

lurker2000

Hi OP. It's very understandable why you are feeling the way you do. It's crazy scary being suddenly out of a job, especially when you feel your options are limited. The best thing to do is not dwell on the negatives. Firstly, your OH has a job, secondly, you are entitled to the dole so you will not be on the streets. Thirdly, you have a degree under your bent, so you are ahead of a lot of other people. Have you visited your dole office yet? There should be good advice on upskilling, a business degree is a great starting point. You could sharpen up your skills in that direction again, night class or even distance learning. This would make you more employable locally. Like the other poster said, don't dwell on how great other peers seem to be doing, they may well struggle in other important areas. You are still young and can turn this around. i wish you all the best.

newrecruit2

NSAman wrote: »

Obviously, this is a specialised area. If the company went through the wall was there enough business to build this company again? Was it badly managed or was there purely not enough business to sustain this company? (get where I am going with this?)

There is no scope for this business in Ireland anyone. I'd love to try set up my own business but the stress and hardship I'm feeling now has made me realise that what I actually want is security.

I don't care about money really. As long as I have enough to pay a mortgage, cover what my children need, car etc then I'm happy. But it's finding a job that you can tolerate that also gives you a decent wage, that's the hard part.

Avatar MIA

You may be surprised with the amount of transferable skills you've learned, even if it was a niche role/industry.

What interests have you got? Office, trade, professional, sales?

igCorcaigh

There certainly are transferable skills, I'm sure. Even the loyalty alone for a whole decade says a lot. That's winning.

This is a great opportunity to skill up in new areas and see life from a new vantage point.

There must be avenues that you would have liked to explore but were too busy in your previous job?

NSAman

newrecruit2 wrote: »

There is no scope for this business in Ireland anyone. I'd love to try set up my own business but the stress and hardship I'm feeling now has made me realise that what I actually want is security.

I don't care about money really. As long as I have enough to pay a mortgage, cover what my children need, car etc then I'm happy. But it's finding a job that you can tolerate that also gives you a decent wage, that's the hard part.

Hate to say it NR, there is no such thing as security.

You obviously have many good skills learned over the past 10 years. Please don't say you have no transferable skills, that is downplaying what you have learned.

If I may ask, what type of business would you like to create for yourself?

I can give you personal experience, I was working and also setting up my own business at night time. It is not easy and takes hours of work and complete dedication. However, if it works (thankfully it has) the rewards are worth the risk.... yes risk... no security..;)

Please do not put yourself down over this, it is not your fault and think of all the positives as people have mentioned above. It is just a change in life and something you will look back at in time and think, why the hell did I worry so much?

the whole year inn

Did the OP get redundancy money ,after 10 years would be enough to get by espically with the wife working.

On your friends savings take that with a pinch of salt, just concentrate on your own work/getting work.
Would you consider taking a few weeks rest and decide what would like to do and working towards that .
There is loads of ways now to up skill good luck with it .

newrecruit2

NSAman wrote: »

If I may ask, what type of business would you like to create for yourself?

I can give you personal experience, I was working and also setting up my own business at night time. It is not easy and takes hours of work and complete dedication. However, if it works (thankfully it has) the rewards are worth the risk.... yes risk... no security..;)

I'm not certain on what business exactly but I have a few ideas, would have to look into it and develop a business plan to see if it would even be viable.

That is great regarding your own business, I can appreciate how difficult that must have been so fair play.

Outside of that I was thinking something in the public sector, it's about as secure as they come. I've looked on public jobs etc but nothing really available in my locality.

I just can't help but feel like I've really let my other half down. She now has to put her whole life on hold while I try and sort my mess out.

CandyCane_81

newrecruit2 wrote: »

I'm not certain on what business exactly but I have a few ideas, would have to look into it and develop a business plan to see if it would even be viable.

That is great regarding your own business, I can appreciate how difficult that must have been so fair play.

Outside of that I was thinking something in the public sector, it's about as secure as they come. I've looked on public jobs etc but nothing really available in my locality.

I just can't help but feel like I've really let my other half down. She now has to put her whole life on hold while I try and sort my mess out.

There is an executive officer campaign, open until the end of January. The recruitment process takes some time.

You can contact public service appointments to check how many they recruited for your area, in the last campaign (2016).

NSAman

newrecruit2 wrote: »

I just can't help but feel like I've really let my other half down. She now has to put her whole life on hold while I try and sort my mess out.

You have let no one down, how could you, it is out of your hands.

Onwards and upwards me olde son....put that thought out of your head.

She is probably more worried about you.... have a talk to her... I am damned sure she is equally worried about you.

Harika

Welcome to my world, having been made redundant after 10+ years with the only company I worked during my professional career was devastating and far more than expected.
I updated my CV, uploaded it to portals and waited. Got job offer, went for interviews, half my last salary offered. Deeper it went
Then activated my network and applied to positions and suddenly it looks I get at least matched to what I earned before and loads of interest.
Anyway, it's not your fault, happens. My suggestion would be: Update your CV, (maybe invest some bobs in someone who works with you to pull your talents that you are not aware that you have them out of your nose and puts it in writing, I bought one at fiverrr.com and man this guy wrote a CV for me that totally described me but I would have never described myself, #tapontheshoulder). Upload it, apply for jobs, use your network.

CraftySue

If your not sure what jobs out there would suit, would going back to college be an option with springboard courses?https://springboardcourses.ie/eligibility

HamSarris

Emotionally this is a horrible time to be unemployed because it’s hard to go out without someone bragging about how busy they are or how much they are earning. Everywhere you go you’ll see software developers earning €90,000k and you’ll think why the hell didn’t you didn’t do that in college besides business. So your feelings of status anxiety will be quite intense.

On the other hand, because everyone else is so busy, the labour market is tightening and it gives you a chance to get into jobs that you wouldn’t have got a few years ago. You may think of yourself as having no skills or experience in a certain area, but an employer may just choose you and your potential over an incompetent-looking experienced person – and there’s plenty of incompetent people turning up to interview because of how tight the labour market is.

One piece of warning is to be very careful of re-training in a profession that seems good now. These things always go in peaks and troughs. I hear of so many people re-training in IT, legal & accountancy chasing big wages. There’s a global recession coming and these new graduates will be the first to lose their jobs or get relegated to unpaid interns. The private sector is the most rewarding during economic expansion but the most punishing during recession. Keep your eyes open for public sector jobs that may not require much re-training.

Other than that, zoom out and look at the bigger picture. The race is long and your life is not going to be defined by a couple of months off work. You’ve obviously strengths that kept you consistently employed for last ten years, you just might not see them yet.

TommyGun2017

Daydreamer94 wrote: »

There is an executive officer campaign, open until the end of January. The recruitment process takes some time.

You can contact public service appointments to check how many they recruited for your area, in the last campaign (2016).

Was also going to suggest this. It’s an entry role to management in the Civil Service. Given you’ve been employed for years I’m sure you’d have plenty to offer in terms of skills. The process can take a long while doing aptitude tests, interviews etc. But no harm applying and something might come up in the meantime. Chin up

https://www.publicjobs.ie/en/index.php?option=com_jobsearch&view=jobdetails&Itemid=263&cid=101376

newrecruit2

Thanks all for the advice and concern. It's really a great place to vent and also get some solid advice and suggestions.

After this experience, I never want to be in this situation again (if at all possible).

As Harika said, I'm shocked with how much this has affected me. Genuinely never thought my life would be turned upside so much. Can't eat, can't sleep.

CelticRambler

newrecruit2 wrote: »

I don't care about money really. As long as I have enough to pay a mortgage, cover what my children need, car etc then I'm happy.

If you're worried about your family, don't be: there's a video somewhere on YouTube where the (probable) next president of the USA shows how single-income families are actually much more resilient in the long term than those with both parents working.

Sit down with your fiancée and discuss ways in which you can make her life easier by the fact that you've suddenly got all this free time. Whatever about the mortgage, you can still plan your wedding; see this an opportunity for you to do a lot of the legwork on that, and cherry-pick the best things to do together when your fiancée has time off.

As far as looking after yourself is concerned, and the feeling of being worth something: have a look at local charities and volunteer organisations to see what skills you could offer them. This isn't just a "get yourself out of the house" strategy, but a way to make new contacts (you'd be surprised at the range of "useful" people that you end up chatting to) and also to ensure that you have an interesting answer to the question "why the gap?" if a future interviewer asks about the missing year(s) on your CV.

Sir Oxman

igCorcaigh wrote: »

There certainly are transferable skills, I'm sure. Even the loyalty alone for a whole decade says a lot. That's winning.

This is a great opportunity to skill up in new areas and see life from a new vantage point.

There must be avenues that you would have liked to explore but were too busy in your previous job?

Bit in bold.
You have a treasure trove of skills which are transferable.


Sit down and list everything you did, what tools you used (MS Office etc)
Customer skills, supervisory skills, even being a key holder is something you can highlight as it shows an employers trust in you etc


You'll find you have underestimated your skill set and that this "niche" job you had has given you many skills for opportunities outside.


PS Please don't get into debt due to a planned wedding either - tell me to mind my business on that one but maybe if you can have a good honest chat with your OH about expectations on that one



#

Retrain as a chef or a health care assistant you will never be unemployed again.

Wanderer78

mariaalice wrote:

Retrain as a chef or a health care assistant you will never be unemployed again.

Every chef I've met ran from it or is in the process of running, maybe health care is a better option, best of luck op, and look after your physical and mental wellbeing

Cyrus

newrecruit2 wrote: »

Thanks all for the advice and concern. It's really a great place to vent and also get some solid advice and suggestions.

After this experience, I never want to be in this situation again (if at all possible).

As Harika said, I'm shocked with how much this has affected me. Genuinely never thought my life would be turned upside so much. Can't eat, can't sleep.

the best thing you can do for your partner is meet this head on, i can understand that this is a massive shock and hard to comprehend, but take a few days, week whatever to feel down about it etc and then move on, get your head right and look forward.

As others have said just because the industry was niche it doesnt mean that your experience is, if you can give a little more colour on what you were doing exactly maybe we can help fill out your experience and give an idea of what other roles mau suit etc.

Wanderer78

Wanderer78 wrote: »

Every chef I've met ran from it or is in the process of running, maybe health care is a better option, best of luck op, and look after your physical and mental wellbeing

Wanting to get out of a careered is not the same as saying they will always have a job in the said careere, liking it is a different thing. Half the people, if not more in every job/ careered want to get out of them.

Wanderer78

mariaalice wrote:

Wanting to get out of a careered is not the same as saying they will always have a job in the said careered, liking it is a different thing. Half the people in every job/ careered want to get out of them.

It just seems that chefing is not a particularly nice career for the average person with a family, generally poor pay and conditions, in particular working hours, I advise people not to bother with it, particularly if you have a family

mariaalice

mariaalice wrote: »

Retrain as a chef or a health care assistant you will never be unemployed again.

I find myself in a similar position as the OP.

When I look at recruitment sites two areas that I have noticed where there seems to be a lot of work at the moment is Chef and Healthcare Assistant.

Im not that great of a cook so I guess becoming a chef is out, but I am physically strong and caring so I think that I could be a good Healthcare Assistant.

I am worried that I might find it hard to find work in that area though because I am a male.

Do you and others think that a Healthcare Assistant is a girls job? Would being a male work against me if I trained and looked for jobs in this area?

Thanks in advance for any genuine feedback/responses

eagle eye

My first bit of advice is to go for a nice long walk. It has a way of clearing the mind and giving you a bit of perspective.

Let's be clear here, you are still a young man and the world is your oyster.
You have many options from getting a simple enough job to finding something that you really like and going back to college and setting yourself up in a career that you would like to work on.
My advice would be to think long term when you make that decision. Think about your future and what will make you happy and more importantly will keep you happy in the longer term.
You could get a job now earning 25-30k per year and in the short term get yourself a mortgage and get on with your life. Alternatively you could look at the longer game and either do an apprenticeship or go back to college and have very little money for the next seven years but be earning 60k+ for the rest of your life.
So get out for that walk and you'll see that you have loads of options.

brianblaze

I've been where you're at Op, but without the business qualification. I'm now self-employed, and while stressful and not entirely secure, it is much more rewarding than any previous employment I've had.

Losing a job is depressing and does totally annihilate your self worth at times. Applying for jobs and not getting anywhere, questioning your own abilities and motivation slipping are all too common at this stage.

It might be worth booking some time with a career counselor, or someone in the field of business you want to get in to. Equally, maybe some counseling in general to deal with the depression, which can be very beneficial.

If you do want to rant or vent, feel free to PM me and I'm happy to chat with you!

Wanderer78

Kace Icy Rifle wrote:

Do you and others think that a Healthcare Assistant is a girls job? Would being a male work against me if I trained and looked for jobs in this area?

Uncle retrained as health care assistant couple of years ago, has had steady enough work since, seems to really enjoy it to, as he's very outgoing, money isn't great though, but it's keeping him going

thomil

Oh boy, do I ever know how you feel, OP. I've had to run that particular gauntlet a few times, and it really hits you like a kick to the stomach. Not letting the situation get to you is probably the hardest part, I know that's what I struggled with a lot, but in the end losing your job is just something that can happen to anyone in the current turbulent times. The fact that it happened to you does not make you less of a person, your skills any less useful, or your achievements any less noteworthy.

I can't give you much advice with regards to re-skilling, sprucing up your CV, there's other posters in this thread who've done that far better than I could. In fact, I'm taking notes myself here.

There is one bit of advice I would like to give you: Structure your day. View your job search and any re-skilling as a job in itself. Set time for searching for jobs, applying, training, interviews, and the like. Equally important, set times where you're not going to do any of that, time for your family or hobbies, etc. Otherwise, there's a risk you might go down a rabbit hole.

And most importantly, don't rush into the job search immediately after losing your job. Allow yourself a few days to process the whole thing, it is a significant change no matter how you dice it.

Noo

Kace Icy Rifle wrote: »

I am worried that I might find it hard to find work in that area though because I am a male.

Do you and others think that a Healthcare Assistant is a girls job? Would being a male work against me if I trained and looked for jobs in this area?

Thanks in advance for any genuine feedback/responses

Nope. My dad retrained as one in his early 50s. Loves it, has all the nurses wrapped around his finger (so my ma says :-D). As long as you have the right attitude then being male or female doesn't make a difference.

The money for a Health care assistant is not great but you would always be employed and it can lead to other areas that are better paid it is one of those love it or hate it type of job though as you are dealing with people all the time. Its not a girls job by any means its also popular with those who retrain.

I think its easy to feel a bit lost and left behind this day and age when people are constantly bombarding you with images of their perfect lives on Instagram, but it could also be a lot worse.

You're still young. You're healthy. You have 10 years of experience under your belt. You have a fiancee. The doll will cover your food and housing expenses.

If you found a job 10 years ago when the country was in the gutter you'll find work again, especially now since you have a lot of experience under your belt

steamsey

Less career / job advice than mental health advice but I'd say it's crucial to get out and do some exercise, eat well - do things, even small things that create a positive feeling. Give yourself things to feel positive about - for example - I ran the full 5K last night, or I've eaten really well for a whole week now. Create opportunities to give yourself a clap on the back - it's simple but effective. Set some goals - do them - feel slightly better - and so on.

Also remember that you are not your job. Jobs come and go. You will get to a better situation so keep in mind that this is temporary.

newrecruit2

Thanks again for all the responses.

It just feels like right now there is no job out there for me.

I've never felt like this before but it genuinely feels like there's a fog over my head and I can't even think about anything other than finding a job. I've knots in my stomach thinking about it and have absolutely no appetite. It's a serious low point.

I suppose it comes down to value system. What I ultimately want is a job thats somewhat bearable, that allows me to spend time with family and not have to worry about money. I'll work very hard at any job that affords me those two things. That's what is ushering me towards the public sector. Firefighter would be ideal but it comes up so seldom, the Guards would also interest me but I wouldn't be placed somewhere that's commutable from where me and my fiancee live now.

Cork2015!

newrecruit2 wrote: »

Thanks again for all the responses.

It just feels like right now there is no job out there for me.

I've never felt like this before but it genuinely feels like there's a fog over my head and I can't even think about anything other than finding a job. I've knots in my stomach thinking about it and have absolutely no appetite. It's a serious low point.

I suppose it comes down to value system. What I ultimately want is a job thats somewhat bearable, that allows me to spend time with family and not have to worry about money. I'll work very hard at any job that affords me those two things. That's what is ushering me towards the public sector. Firefighter would be ideal but it comes up so seldom, the Guards would also interest me but I wouldn't be placed somewhere that's commutable from where me and my fiancee live now.

Hi OP,
Felt like I couldn't read without posting. I know exactly how you feel and through no fault of my own I have been through four (yes FOUR) redundancy situations.

I am in my early 30's, I guess I came out of college (business) at the wrong time. Each time I was getting somewhere within a company things went wrong and offices closed/teams were outsourced etc.

In my current company for 8 years and now there are whispers of redundancies again.... everyone is in a panic and I am giving my friends/colleagues this advice - Just relax, nobody is going to die. When you are older looking back at your life as a whole this time will seem like a stepping stone into whatever is next - It wont be relevant as a milestone in life.

Also want to add the the job I am in now is amazing, with amazing money to match. I have received payrises that I deserved for working so hard all these years, however I do still have friends from each 4 of my old workplaces...... who are still sitting at home down in the dumps because they lost their job. I always remind them that you need to get back out there, because everything happens for a reason and things will get better if you put the work in.

If you are looking at large multi nationals I believe temporary roles are a great way to get in the door (not secure I know, but can lead to it). We had to fill some temporary roles recently and we could not fill them, literally no applications from anyone experienced. So we took people straight out of college with zero experience but had a good attitude, and with a lot of hard work some of them are now with us permanently.

There is light at the end of the tunnel and I'm sure if you speak to your other half about how you are feeling she will tell you not to worry.

Keep telling yourself (and her), "As long as you are together the rest will fall in place"

KeithTS

Sorry to hear you're having trouble OP.

For what it's worth my approach in your situation would be to split your problem up a little/
#1 - you want/need work
#2 - you ideally want/need security

There's no need to look at these two things as having to come in one go.

Step one is to get some work, if it's temporary or in a sector you have no interest in that's not too important.
Just get something in a shop, delivering pizzas or whatever, it doesn't matter.

Once you have this, hopefully that fog will be lifted somewhat as at least you have something with some money coming in.

Once you have this sorted, then there's less pressure on your shoulders and less urgency to get your life plans all sorted immediately.
Then you can assess your situation, spend time on your CV and thinking about what you actually want.

If you have the time, I highly recommend listening to David Goggin's latest audiobook. The guy is insanely driven. It's helping me immensely to follow my goals. It sounds like something you need right now.

https://www.amazon.com/Cant-Hurt-Me-Master-Your/dp/B07KKP62FW/ref=tmm_aud_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

newrecruit2

Thanks to everyone for the thoughtful responses. It really does make a big difference.

I realise everything people are saying makes complete sense. It’s just my perception at the moment is so down in the gutter. I feel like such a failure. At my age, to be unemployed and now having to start all over again, at an entry level position with small wages when all my friends and even my fiancé are in jobs they love.

I’m looking online and have yet to find a job that I think I’d love and even if I do, I feel like I won’t be good enough for it.

It’s scary because I know lots of other people feel down and can’t get out of it, I just never realise how much it can consume you.

Again thank you everyone, the thoughtful responses really mean a lot.

NSAman

Keep the faith and have more faith in yourself Mate....

Harika

newrecruit2 wrote: »

I realise everything people are saying makes complete sense. It’s just my perception at the moment is so down in the gutter. I feel like such a failure. At my age, to be unemployed and now having to start all over again, at an entry level position with small wages when all my friends and even my fiancé are in jobs they love.

Your mindset is in the wrong place, instead of this defeatism ask yourself "What is the opportunity?" It is to find a well paid job, that I love with a future. Look for that instead of a low level job you don't like.
And you haven't been in a job for 10 years being useless, than your job would have been gone very quick.
You can always use free tests like MAPP, Myers Briggs or other career test to find yourself and what you want, where your talents and strengths are and continue there.

OMM 0000

newrecruit2 wrote: »

There's no other jobs in that field that are commutable from where me and my partner live.

newrecruit2 wrote: »

we were about to apply for a mortgage.

Please tell me the mortgage is not for a property in the same area.

If so, you need to seriously reconsider things. Losing your job should be a wake up call that you should not buy a property in an area where there are no jobs within a commutable distance.

I agree with the other people that you are not unskilled. You have 10 years employment and a business degree. You have value.

Avatar MIA

OMM 0000 wrote: »

Losing your job should be a wake up call that you should not buy a property in an area where there are no jobs within a commutable distance.

But there was when he bought it, or should everyone (that hasn't already) move to Dublin... where they MIGHT be able to afford to rent.

OMM 0000

Avatar MIA wrote: »

But there was when he bought it, or should everyone (that hasn't already) move to Dublin... where they MIGHT be able to afford to rent.

I understand your point.

Personally I feel it is high risk to get a mortgage in an area with no jobs within a commutable distance.

I would be fine with things if he said "I have a two hour commute each day", but he's saying there is nothing.

Obviously I would have a different opinion on this if he was a programmer who can work from home, or something like that.

For the record I believe there probably are jobs for him within a commutable distance. I think he is (understandably) feeling a bit negative about things.

newrecruit2

OMM 0000 wrote: »

I understand your point.

Personally I feel it is high risk to get a mortgage in an area with no jobs within a commutable distance.

I would be fine with things if he said "I have a two hour commute each day", but he's saying there is nothing.

Obviously I would have a different opinion on this if he was a programmer who can work from home, or something like that.

For the record I believe there probably are jobs for him within a commutable distance. I think he is (understandably) feeling a bit negative about things.

Sorry, I should have been more specific. There are jobs in my area, just none in the same niche as my last job. Dublin is a 2.30hr one way commute without traffic.

Newrecruit,

I found myself in a similar position at the end of November, made redundant due to restructuring. It came completely out of the blue and for the first week I felt exacrty as you have described.

December naturally was not a good month to search for a new job, not many people hiring just before Christmas period. So I used that time to get out walking, running and cycling and to completely forget about work. While there were times that I felt I should be working immediately, I soon realised that I needed to wait for the job i really want to present itself and that it wouldn't be a good idea to panic and take a role I don't really want.

There won't be too many times in your working life where you have a couple of months to yourself. As others have said, use this time to plan your wedding, do some online training using Udemy or similar, or take up a new hobby. Embrace this time, it is rare. Also visit your Intreo centre to understand what financial assistant might be available to you.

There were days and nights where I had no appetite or could not sleep but I have come through it merely weeks later, and am still not back at work yet as I am taking my time and being picky about my next role. I am now thoroughly enjoying this time where I can reflect and reset.

Most importantly, you will get a new job. Unemployment is at an extremely low rate in Ireland. There is work for those who want to work. But take your time and analyse what you want to do next. Maybe this is an opportunity to do something new. And even if you worked in a niche area for the last 10 years you will have so many skills and excellent experience that will be applicable to a range of roles. Irishjobs.ie, LinkedIn and recruitment agents are available to you, use them.

Keep the head up, you will get through this. And in a few months you will look back at this time and realise it wasn't as bad as you currently think it is. Best of luck!

OMM 0000

newrecruit2 wrote: »

Sorry, I should have been more specific. There are jobs in my area, just none in the same niche as my last job. Dublin is a 2.30hr one way commute without traffic.

Why do they have to be the same niche as your last job?

When you graduated with your degree, you knew little about your job, right?

So if you could do it then with no experience, you can definitely do it now with 10 years experience.

TheQuietFella

The same s**t happened to me in 2009 and I assumed that I would get work
with my experience but I unfortunately didn't and I stagnated!

I eventually went to Dublin where I did get work which proved very successful
so DON'T hang around waiting for something to happen because it won't happen.
You have to make things happen FOR YOURSELF and your future.

It took me a number of years to realise this so don't make the same mistake!

Best of luck!

newrecruit2

OMM 0000 wrote: »

Why do they have to be the same niche as your last job?

When you graduated with your degree, you knew little about your job, right?

So if you could do it then with no experience, you can definitely do it now with 10 years experience.

They don’t, it’s just I’m now facing into looking for a new job at an entry level position, on poor money when I should be getting a mortgage, married and moving on to that stage of my life.

I know there’s opportunities out there, I suppose I’m just down about the fact I allowed myself be out in this position. I loved my last job, obviously there was bad days there too but I’m afraid I won’t find anything like that again.