tips for American looking for work in Ireland

trixie_bee

First, my apologies if something like this has already been asked...

My situation is thus:

I'm in Dublin right now, looking for a job. I have 10 years of experience in marketing communications/business development, 7 of which is in the design/construction industry. I have some experience in assisting project managers and have a US accreditation in assisting on sustainable design/green projects. I don't believe that I qualify for any of the positions that are on the shortages list.

I have been to some recruiters who have said that an employer may be interested in me, but would not hire me through them.

Some people in the design/construction industry have said that I can get hired, but I need to approach firms directly.

All the Americans I have met here have qualified for the shortages visas, been married/engaged, been students, or have Irish parents.

Has anyone on the boards found an employer willing to sponsor them, or heard of this happening? I'd love to hear some success stories!

AARRRGH

Are you saying you DON'T have a visa?

If so, I don't think I can give you any good news. I work in recruitment, and we have (literally) millions of Eastern Europeans who want to work here (and can, legally.) Not to mention the other 100 million or so other Europeans who are considering working here and who have good English.

I can't actually see you getting a job TBH. I'm sorry.

Would you consider restaurant work or something like that?

OrangeOranges

I disagree.

I worked in recruitment for a good while also. If there is one thing you learn is that 99% of people find work eventually.

Take out the golden pages and start targeting employers directly. Find out who is the correct person in the targeted company to send your CV to.

Send it and follow up after 2-3 days with a phone call trying to get and interview to discuss the situation. Tell them you are willing to work on a temporary pay for performance basis for 6 months if necessary.

Thats the approach which works. Not just sending you CVs to agencies who know they cant place you.

AARRRGH

But I think she has no work Visa so she can't work at all. How will an employer explain why they need to employ her over an unemployed European? Could they be bothered even trying??

trixie_bee

dublindude wrote:

How will an employer explain why they need to employ her over an unemployed European? Could they be bothered even trying??

I do have some qualifications that a European may not have, especially in terms of sustainability projects in the US. I think your question is valid though, and may be the issue. Would they bother trying?

I met with a former HR person for an IT company, who said that her firm did it frequently. It would take her a few weeks to interview people brought to her by FÁS, plus €500. But as long as the person without a visa was still the preferred and more qualified candidate, there were no problems. So I guess I just have convince whatever firms I meet with that I'm worth that.

AARRRGH

Good. I hope it works out for you. An ex-girlfriend of mine was from the US, and it was highly annoying that she had to work illegally here (in a cafe) rather than be able to get a job suitable for her qualifications.

Best of luck!