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Why is it hard to get even a minimum wage job?

mr_fegelien

In my early 20s and I've applied to about 40+ places but no response. Don't have any previous experience so that's probably working against me but even then, it seems way to difficult.

Is this a common theme now in Ireland? Are we going back to the recession?

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is_that_so

ToddyDoody wrote: »

Is that so?

I knew I should have gone with the question mark!

fryup

Ubbquittious wrote: »

It is too easy to send cv's on indeed and Irishjobs so a lot of the time you get no response. Loads of ppl wake up in the morning and fall out of bed around 11 or 12 then click 'apply' a few times thinking they have their good deed done for the day but employers want to avoid those people.

well why do employers advertise on indeed and irishjobs in the first place?

vriesmays

It's hard to get a minimum-wage job because about 90% of jobs aren't minimum wage.

Yer Da sells Avon

Just keep trying, OP. And ignore the unhelpful people who tell you that there are loads of jobs out there. The more jobs you apply for, the more chance you have of getting lucky, even if it takes a while. I was in a similar situation last year - applied for hundreds of jobs and never even received an acknowledgement from 99% of them. And then, when I had pretty much given up hope (and was on the verge of literally giving up altogether), I was offered two good jobs within the space of a week.

As the IRA said, when they tried to assassinate the entire British government back in the '80s, "We only have to be lucky once". I like to apply the philosophy of the IRA to lots of things in life - job-seeking, dating, the national lottery, minor disputes with neighbours...

mr_fegelien

And if I get the job, will it be as horrible as people say? Rude customers, unmanagable hours?

Not try to be at all pessimistic but I always hear so many people from college talk about their ****ty jobs.

ToddyDoody

mr_fegelien wrote: »

And if I get the job, will it be as horrible as people say? Rude customers, unmanagable hours?

Not try to be at all pessimistic but I always hear so many people from college talk about their ****ty jobs.

Oh god yes but like many things, you start at the bottom.

mr_fegelien

fryup wrote: »

well why do employers advertise on indeed and irishjobs in the first place?

It actually works for people qualified.

One of my friends in college applied for two jobs only in Dundrum at the start of the week. By Friday, he got a response from one of then next week did an interview and got the job.

But then again, he's the same lad I was talking about in another thread who got 600 points in his LC, 10 A's in his Junior, and is now a successful jewish trainee lawyer

in Trinity. And only 21. Look at where I am at that age.

Dial Hard

BDI wrote: »

Why are you applying for minimum wage jobs. They pay crap. I wouldn’t apply for anything less than 40 k starting with a renegotiation after one year.

Yes, because that's realistic for someone who has literally never worked a day in their life.

mr_fegelien

Dial Hard wrote: »

Yes, because that's realistic for someone who has literally never worked a day in their life.

lol

Ubbquittious

LirW wrote: »

Yeah unless it's the hospitality industry most companies tell you to look on their homepage.
When I was looking a while ago I got my physical CV (that I got checked professionally) to 25 offices in a 50km radius and believe me that was tough work. I heard back from a single one saying that they don't have vacancies.
There is a reason companies with non-physical work have a HR department that's partly automated.

Plus don't underestimate the laziness of companies. I've been chatting to people that don't think it's cool to just show up and wanting to speak to a manager. Their application process suits them just right, so they don't have 10 people a day showing up in the foyer wanting to talk to a manager practically begging for a job.

That dropping in and asking for vacancies only really works in small companies and certain fields. Every Aldi tells you to apply online because they literally can't hire you otherwise.

A lot of the big companies want to cover their arses if someone comes after them over discrimination and the like and want everything on file. But the official application process never stood to me really. Even for the job I am doing now despite applying to the company through indeed they didn't give me the job I applied for and wouldn't have given me anything if I didn't keep ringing them. This place has a few 100 working there and nothing resembling a HR department

I was lucky in that they were wanting to give some fella the boot and I arrived at the right time. Never went into a place looking to speak to a manager but there are more discreet ways of finding where the jobs are. Had to do 2 years of volunteering for my sins when i had 0 days experience but that was during the recession should be easier now for OP

is_that_so

mr_fegelien wrote: »

And if I get the job, will it be as horrible as people say? Rude customers, unmanagable hours?

Not try to be at all pessimistic but I always hear so many people from college talk about their ****ty jobs.

Depends on the job and the people. I have done a number of them myself and it's really what you make it. Mostly not too *****y!

Fr_Dougal

mr_fegelien wrote: »

In my early 20s and I've applied to about 40+ places but no response. Don't have any previous experience so that's probably working against me but even then, it seems way to difficult.

Is this a common theme now in Ireland? Are we going back to the recession?

Right, here’s a more serious response.

First thing I’d do is have someone look at your CV, check for spelling mistakes, grammar etc. How many pages is it? Should be two pages maximum. What sort of language are you using? Is it energetic, friendly?

Have you been attaching cover letters with your CV? A good cover letter, tailored for the role you’re applying for, outlining why you want the job and why you feel you’re a good candidate should be attached. Enthusiasm can make up for a lack of experience.

You say that you’re using Indeed.com to apply? That’s a very passive way of applying for roles. You need to apply directly to the companies/businesses, in person if you can. Dress smarty, have your CV and cover letter prepared and in a crisp clean envelope. If you can do that much you’re already ahead of other candidates.

I think in your situation you have two choices, feel sorry for yourself that you feel that there are no roles, or up your game and try harder/smarter. Sending out 5 CVs each day? Send 10 instead. But make sure they’re tailored for the role and include that cover letter.

When you’re dropping in your CVs, make sure you smile and come across as a friendly individual.

LirW

vriesmays wrote: »

It's hard to get a minimum-wage job because about 90% of jobs aren't minimum wage.

Ah you mean the good old "we pay a competitive rate for the field aka 10 quid an hour" joke?

frosty123

Well I'm a man in my 40's with plenty of experience and I'm finding it very hard to get even a reply to my applications..so all this talk of "loads of jobs" is a myth to me.

Maybe when you reach a certain age no one wants to know.

mr_fegelien

What are some skills you guys have put down on your CV?

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

mr_fegelien wrote: »

What are some skills you guys have put down on your CV?

Totally irrelevant. What skills have you? They are what you put on your CV.
Nowadays just dumping CVs on companies not actively recruiting is pointless. Those CVs general get filed in the bin.

I thought you were a student. Are you looking for part time work or a full time?

Richard Hillman

frosty123 wrote: »

Well I'm a man in my 40's with plenty of experience and I'm finding it very hard to get even a reply to my applications..so all this talk of "loads of jobs" is a myth to me.

Maybe when you reach a certain age no one wants to know.

When I finished college as a mature student this became very real to me and I was only in my early 30s. Graduate roles are for energetic people in their early 20s that will work mad hours, especially in finance.

I look young for my age and was asked about my leaving cert in one interview a couple of years ago. I told them I sat my leaving cert 14 years ago and their faces dropped. The tone of the interview changed drastically after that.

Even minimum wage type employers are wary of anyone over 30. And if you have a degree, they are of the view that you're just looking for something for a couple of months whilst you're looking for a specialized job.

mr_fegelien

Gannon Swift Ferret wrote: »

Totally irrelevant. What skills have you? They are what you put on your CV.
Nowadays just dumping CVs on companies not actively recruiting is pointless. Those CVs general get filed in the bin.

I thought you were a student. Are you looking for part time work or a full time?

Part time, I've failed the LC twice (did it this year) and I'm starting a course in journalism.

beejee

mr_fegelien wrote: »

What are some skills you guys have put down on your CV?

Ability to deflower buxom maidens at will
De-plucking chickens at legs length
A true go-getter, proven many times by getting the go when the go couldn't be gotten by other getters
Fully dressed Monday through Monday
An orgasm face that can un-sink ships
Polydactylic
An in-depth, infallible knowledge of information

Just think about what an employer NEEDS, and get that go, you can do it

BDI

Just grab the boss man by the arm when he is coming out of the office and say cmere to me I’ll see ye first thing in the morning about the job. Then stay there overnight to make sure you are there when he arrives.
Tell him when he gets there that he will have to start getting up earlier or you will have his job in no time. Smack his arse when he walks by you and call him princess.

BuboBubo

If you are in college is there any career support provided for students? Someone who could help you to re-write your cv maybe? Interview skills?

(I haven't a clue about colleges tbh, but I presume there are some student supports available?)

Redneck Reject

If you have any kind of experience being around horses and not afraid to get your hands dirty. There are quite a lot of equestrian centers and private stables always looking for extra hands. Most equestrian centers here prefer taking on students part time, so you could always go that route for work experience.

Fr_Dougal

mr_fegelien wrote: »

What are some skills you guys have put down on your CV?

Did you ask someone to have a look at your cv?

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

mr_fegelien wrote: »

Part time, I've failed the LC twice (did it this year) and I'm starting a course in journalism.

Part time availability is mostly in retail or hospitality. Don't just send in CVs. Call to stores, cafes and restaurants and ask about the possibility of part time/student hours. I don't know one student who looked for part time who didn't get some hours somewhere.