Having a hard time finding work

irish life

Sorry about the length, I just kept rambelling on but anyway.

I'm a male, 19, I finished my first year of a computer science degree last week and have been looking for summer work on the internet since then. I have applied for a few jobs ranging from retail to porter but haven't even got a reply yet. I worked in retail in Christmas 2003 for 3 or 4 months but haven't had a job since (well I was on and off working for my father but nothing to put on the CV).

Anyway, I'm living in Dublin south-city centre and the closer the better when it comes to work.

I'm not too fussed about the type of work tbh. Obviously I don't want to be working in places with bad reps like the world famous fast food restaurants around town. Actually, come to think of it, I wouldn't be too keen on working with food or fashion. I would only work in a pub if it was basically afternoon work.

One of the main things is I really want a 9-5, Monday to Friday job although would probably take anything that allows be to go out once or twice a week and not have to go to work with a hangover.

Even though I worked in retail I'd still prefer to work behind the scenes and away from the public but not too fussed about that either. I have a feeling someone will recommend customer service with Eircom or something but I doubt I'd even get past the interview as I have a typical Dublin accent you hear around the working class area's and believe me, that is a huge handicap when looking for a job.

What I basically want to know is if you were in my situation how would you go about getting a job? Its all well and good listening to my family telling me they'd have a job in a couple of days but I just can never seem to get one. I went around a few months ago handing my CV into shops (some with ads up) but didn't get one reply. Shops like Game, Debenhams, Spar, etc, etc.

I'm not exaggerating when I say that I've probably had around 15 interviews in my life for crappy jobs like kitchen porters, etc. I was offered my job in retail and accepted it. A couple of days later I was offered another job, 9-5 in a warehouse. I would have loved it but wasn't leaving another job after 2 days. It basically sums up how unlucky I am though.

Can I just ask aswell, I got 100% in software technology in college which consists of assessments Word, Excel, Frontpage and Access. How would I fit this on my CV?

Cheers.

the_syco

"summer jobs" are rarely 9-5. And the good ones are usually gone by now. Get a job, any job, and do it for the summer.

Oh, and ensure you try very f*cking hard for the next few weeks, because once the Leaving Cert ends, a hugh amount of people, willing to accept minimum wage, will appear on the market, and even those sh|tty jobs will be gone.

Its a 2 or 3 month job. Not life. So it doesn't have to tie in with your "grand scheme" of things.

cuckoo

maybe try temp agencies and push the fact that you're v computer literate to them? they might be able to find you something like data entry (i know it's a drag, but it's only for the summer).

edited to add: dress up big time calling into the agencies, i've heard that from friends of mine who've gone in dressed casually and given the 'we'll keep you on file', then gone back a week later, shoes polished and office clothes ironed, to get a different response to the same CV.

tribulus

yeah just hand in cv's left right and centre. I'm in the same boat as you, just finished the 1st year of my degree(science) but i don't have enough experience for industrial placement/internship etc.

I've been applying for jobs since the 19th and only today got a call from an agency... and the best they could offer me was factory work but f*ck it a job's a job and money's money

bottom line just keep trying and something will come up

good luck

damnyanks

Don't bother applying over the internet. Most of the time it takes months for them to get back to you. Try call centers as well they are always looking for people. Check Bank of Ireland out they have a pretty big center up in Tallaght.

kermit_ie

Clientlogic in Swords are always looking for people, and will allow you to work part time when you're in college

irish life

cuckoo wrote:

maybe try temp agencies and push the fact that you're v computer literate to them? they might be able to find you something like data entry (i know it's a drag, but it's only for the summer).

That actually sounds ideal. How do i go about finding/contacting these agencies?

I've been applying for jobs since the 19th and only today got a call from an agency... and the best they could offer me was factory work but f*ck it a job's a job and money's money

What agency was that? Or Factory?

Clientlogic in Swords are always looking for people, and will allow you to work part time when you're in college

Thanks for that. I was hoping for something closer but I've sent an e-mail to their specific careers address anyway.

Repli

tribulus apply for those intern positions, you would be surprised, it's all about the CV

Moonbeam

Client logic can be compared to hell in more ways then one but as staff turnover is so high they are always hiring,and it would be 3 months tech support exp as well as a part time job on your cv aswell.

tk123

IrishLife if you're looking for call centre work don't worry about your accent - there's people from all over Ireland and the world working in different departments in our place!!! As long as you have a good phone mannor and pc skills you'll get a call centre job no probs!!! Actually I think our place is hiring csrs if you're interested?

BuffyBot

I have a typical Dublin accent you hear around the working class area's and believe me, that is a huge handicap when looking for a job.

Very unlikely to be honest

tribulus

irish life wrote:

What agency was that? Or Factory?

noel recruitment, the links in the thread at the top of the forum
I'll update soon, the interview is tomorrow

sorry, being a bit lazy :rolleyes:

link

tribulus

ok well it went alright yesterday
basically it was just filling out forms - kind of a cv thing, experience etc. then a liitle aptitude test along the lines of dangerous is to safe as slow is to ...

the interview as such only took about three minutes - it was just asking about my previous employment, education etc. the usual.

i got a decent impression from the place then again i guess that doesn't count for much unless i actually get some calls so we'll see.

repli: i have been aplying for them!!! no luck though. Most of the offer say "students must have completed the second year of their degree and have experience with x, y, z machines.."

to be fair though i don't have any experience with the analytical techniques/equipment that you need, not 'till 2nd/3rd year