To those who don't have a job

greenmachine88 · 30-11-2011 09:03PM #1

I'd really like for mods to keep this in after hours please even if it would be suited to somewhere else, it could also help people in similar situations!

I'm lucky to have a job right now but it's a real possibility that I could lose it in the coming months. Basically I'm asking how you prepare for job loss and intrigued to know how those who are unemployed fill there time and make constructive use of their time when they essentially have nothing to do. I want to be tactical about this and waste no time If I am laid off.

I'm still living at home so having no income would be a lesser concern, It's more about how it could effect me down the line.

I'm conscious of the fact that if I were unemployed I would have to make account of that fact to a prospective employer and it's not going to look good on a resume that I did nothing when I was unemployed.
So I want to keep myself busy if the worst happens.

I would almost certainly go to college but September is still a long way away.

LighterGuy · 30-11-2011 09:08PM

greenmachine88 wrote: »

Basically I'm asking how you prepare for job loss and intrigued to know how those who are unemployed fill there time and make constructive use of their time when they essentially have nothing to do. I want to be tactical about this and waste no time If I am laid off.

Dont be worrying about what may happen. Just take things as they come.
You could make plans now and for them to be out of the question if you got the sack down the line. You could and should look into getting another job if the writing is on the wall. But from the sounds of it, its not like you have been officially told you're gone in 4 weeks. Ride it out and see what happens.

mackg · 30-11-2011 09:09PM

Put away money each week and start looking for other jobs now.

sinjin_smythe · 30-11-2011 09:11PM

greenmachine88 wrote: »

I'd really like for mods to keep this in after hours please even if it would be suited to somewhere else, it could also help people in similar situations!

I'm lucky to have a job right now but it's a real possibility that I could lose it in the coming months. Basically I'm asking how you prepare for job loss and intrigued to know how those who are unemployed fill there time and make constructive use of their time when they essentially have nothing to do. I want to be tactical about this and waste no time If I am laid off.

I'm still living at home so having no income would be a lesser concern, It's more about how it could effect me down the line.

I'm conscious of the fact that if I were unemployed I would have to make account of that fact to a prospective employer and it's not going to look good on a resume that I did nothing when I was unemployed.
So I want to keep myself busy if the worst happens.

I would almost certainly go to college but September is still a long way away.

Do you want a medal for that or somethin? This is AH ffs!

TheMilkyPirate · 30-11-2011 09:12PM

greenmachine88 wrote: »

I'd really like for mods to keep this in after hours please even if it would be suited to somewhere else, it could also help people in similar situations!

I'm lucky to have a job right now but it's a real possibility that I could lose it in the coming months. Basically I'm asking how you prepare for job loss and intrigued to know how those who are unemployed fill there time and make constructive use of their time when they essentially have nothing to do. I want to be tactical about this and waste no time If I am laid off.

I'm still living at home so having no income would be a lesser concern, It's more about how it could effect me down the line.

I'm conscious of the fact that if I were unemployed I would have to make account of that fact to a prospective employer and it's not going to look good on a resume that I did nothing when I was unemployed.
So I want to keep myself busy if the worst happens.

I would almost certainly go to college but September is still a long way away.

Make sure your saving that's the most important thing. I'm unemployed and i fill most of my time with my son and watching tv on internet, It's extremely boring and i'd give anything for a job i've nearly run my printer out of ink printing CVs.

I did a fas course a month ago which passed sometime nicely. I suppose you could do things like that

hondasam · 30-11-2011 09:13PM

greenmachine88 wrote: »

I'd really like for mods to keep this in after hours please even if it would be suited to somewhere else, it could also help people in similar situations!

I'm lucky to have a job right now but it's a real possibility that I could lose it in the coming months. Basically I'm asking how you prepare for job loss and intrigued to know how those who are unemployed fill there time and make constructive use of their time when they essentially have nothing to do. I want to be tactical about this and waste no time If I am laid off.

I'm still living at home so having no income would be a lesser concern, It's more about how it could effect me down the line.

I'm conscious of the fact that if I were unemployed I would have to make account of that fact to a prospective employer and it's not going to look good on a resume that I did nothing when I was unemployed.
So I want to keep myself busy if the worst happens.

I would almost certainly go to college but September is still a long way away.

Worry about it when and if it happens. You are living at home so you will not be homeless or worried about paying bills.

You could look into helping out with some charities or stuff in the community.

Look into doing a short course before college if possible.

boobar · 30-11-2011 09:13PM

greenmachine88 wrote: »

I'd really like for mods to keep this in after hours please even if it would be suited to somewhere else, it could also help people in similar situations!

I'm lucky to have a job right now but it's a real possibility that I could lose it in the coming months. Basically I'm asking how you prepare for job loss and intrigued to know how those who are unemployed fill there time and make constructive use of their time when they essentially have nothing to do. I want to be tactical about this and waste no time If I am laid off.

I'm still living at home so having no income would be a lesser concern, It's more about how it could effect me down the line.

I'm conscious of the fact that if I were unemployed I would have to make account of that fact to a prospective employer and it's not going to look good on a resume that I did nothing when I was unemployed.
So I want to keep myself busy if the worst happens.

I would almost certainly go to college but September is still a long way away.

Agree with the other person who said don't worry.

But here are some things you could do.

Start saving some money to be on the safe side.

Look at vacancies in your field (if you are still interested in that field) and look at training that will make you stand out from other candidates. Even better if you can get your current employer to pay for it.

Look at other areas that you might like to work in.

Start networking, set up an account on Linkedin etc. Some pal might know about a job that would suit you.

My name is URL · 30-11-2011 09:15PM

Do some voluntary/community work while you're between jobs.

phasers · 30-11-2011 09:16PM

It's very easy to get into a rut when you have no real purpose OP, so if I were you I'd start looking into night courses or a new hobby. Do it now while you have momentum.

Teach yourself a language or learn to play an instrument, improve your computer skills, exercise, anything to help pass the time.

wolf moon · 30-11-2011 09:22PM

greenmachine88 wrote: »

I'm lucky to have a job right now

And that's it for me in this thread.

mickrock · 30-11-2011 09:25PM

It's a great opportunity for loafing and pottering about.

Sleep in late, read, go for a stroll, watch tv, meditate, sit and watch everyone else rushing around in a state of anxiety.

If you don't have a job you'd might as well enjoy it.

Dudess · 30-11-2011 09:26PM

Look into setting up a small business - e.g. giving lessons in an instrument if you play one etc. Dog-walking or dog-sitting? Get involved in literacy programmes for kids/adults.

badgerbaiter · 30-11-2011 09:26PM

Take up weed?

LighterGuy · 30-11-2011 09:33PM

- Look into creating a charity. Give yourself a wage :P Or look into getting some plastic bin bags made up. use the words "donate" but never mention charity. Also works with "donate your mobile phone" :P
- Do a nixer. anything you can do. :P

XORAND · 30-11-2011 09:35PM

move out of the country while you can.

Stained Class · 30-11-2011 09:38PM

If don't have a Driver's Licence, look into getting one soon.

Having one will broaden the range of jobs you can apply for if the worst happens.

Logical Fallacy · 30-11-2011 09:39PM

You gotta be careful if you lose your job, boredom can be a serious killer and a good few folk who end up jobless have a tough time dealing with it.

Add in the fact that more than a few pricks will actually try and make you feel bad about it and the territory can be a bit dicey.

I'd suggest keeping a solid structure to your day, getting up and going to bed at a decent hour. Don't fall into the trap of letting things slide and feel like an extended weekend.

Find some stuff to do in the form of hobbies, set aside a part of each day to look for other employment, maybe start something which you have always wanted to try.

Find a way to make yourself feel valuable.

knotknowbody · 30-11-2011 09:45PM

Dudess wrote: »

Look into setting up a small business - e.g. giving lessons in an instrument if you play one etc. Dog-walking or dog-sitting? Get involved in literacy programmes for kids/adults.

+1,

perhaps try something related to your line of work that is easy to get into and has a small start up cost, if your in I.T for example you could learn HTML, PHP and MySQL(all not to difficult) and something like drupal and then, stick an add in your local paper advertising your services as a web developer. You learn new skills and if you get work you have earned some cash, if you don't get work you still have the new skills to talk about to any potential employer.

I done exactly the above when laid off two years ago and have got enough out of it to just about keep the lights on, luckily I will be starting a new role after Christmas, my new employer was impressed by the fact I was willing to make things happen for myself and my self taught skills will be beneficial in the new role.

Use every resource you can think of to learn new skills, I went to the Library in my local I.T most days and read books there even though I was not a student, it was a cheeky thing to do but so what.

Napper Hawkins · 30-11-2011 09:49PM

Being unemployed must be a living hell for people with no imagination or interests outside of watching television.

I've been living the dream for a few months now and do you know what?
I ****ing love it. Never in my life have I had so much time to practice and improve my guitar playing, practice my drumming, come and go as I please, sleep in, stay up late, and just generally do what the **** I want, when I want. I have sod all cash which is the downside but I'd rather this than go back to the soul destroying nightmare that was my last job. **** that.

Take up an instrument or a sport. Join a class doing whatever, learn a language. Exercise.

See what it's like to be free for once before you get a new job and just enjoy it.

Plumpynuter · 30-11-2011 09:50PM

In the AH spirit......

Save up every penny and just before you leave then blow it all on coke and hookers like a millionaire. Pay extra so that you can record the fun as its the last for a while.

Judge Judy, Dr. Phil and Jeremy Kyle can pass an hour.

There are good deals on beer in supermarkets.

Maybe hang around the methadone clinics and try and score a bird. Yea you don't have a job but you are clean from the gear.

You could also consider breaking into the neighbours houses after staking them out and keeping accurate records of their comings and goings.

Become an expert on antiques by watching the beeb. Or a chef after watching all the cooking programs. Or a bollox by listening to the Pat Kenny show.

Talk to FAS :pac:

Look in the paper for senior executive positions 150k + and apply for them all. Then when you are asked you can throw the rejection letters at the welfare in floods of tears and shout TER ARE NO JABS!!!

Cheap seats at the flix.

Crime.

Spend your days responding to random stuff on the AH thread.

couldntthink · 30-11-2011 10:12PM

Napper Hawkins wrote: »

Being unemployed must be a living hell for people with no imagination or interests outside of watching television.

I've been living the dream for a few months now and do you know what?
I ****ing love it. Never in my life have I had so much time to practice and improve my guitar playing, practice my drumming, come and go as I please, sleep in, stay up late, and just generally do what the **** I want, when I want. I have sod all cash which is the downside but I'd rather this than go back to the soul destroying nightmare that was my last job. **** that.

Take up an instrument or a sport. Join a class doing whatever, learn a language. Exercise.

See what it's like to be free for once before you get a new job and just enjoy it.

Where I live right now people who don't work beg at the traffic lights for food. You're lucky Ireland is so soft.

Napper Hawkins · 30-11-2011 10:27PM

couldntthink wrote: »

Where I live right now people who don't work beg at the traffic lights for food. You're lucky Ireland is so soft.

Aren't I just? I should probably throw in there that I worked my ass off for years so I'm guilt free, thanks.

Where do you live?

Logical Fallacy · 30-11-2011 11:38PM

couldntthink wrote: »

Where I live right now people who don't work beg at the traffic lights for food. You're lucky Ireland is so soft.

I was waiting for a post like this.

Yes, yes. First world problems etc etc.

Molloys Clondalkin · 30-11-2011 11:48PM

Well first off you better start saving because some people in the politics section believe that everyone has savings this will ensure when your on rent allowance it can be cut for them enableing you to move out.

Second drink drink and drink some more some other people in said section believe easing the licencing laws is a good thing and wont affect the alcohol problem in this country.

Then get ready for hours of boards until your brain is melted with posts about dead celebrities.

But seriously enjoy the spare cash while you have it have a good christmas and dont get too stressed theres half a million others just like you,

Oh theres always Slavery/Jobridge you could learn to stack a shelf or two
that will keep you busy!!

Dudess · 30-11-2011 11:57PM

Napper Hawkins wrote: »

Being unemployed must be a living hell for people with no imagination or interests outside of watching television.

I've been living the dream for a few months now and do you know what?
I ****ing love it. Never in my life have I had so much time to practice and improve my guitar playing, practice my drumming, come and go as I please, sleep in, stay up late, and just generally do what the **** I want, when I want. I have sod all cash which is the downside but I'd rather this than go back to the soul destroying nightmare that was my last job. **** that.

Take up an instrument or a sport. Join a class doing whatever, learn a language. Exercise.

See what it's like to be free for once before you get a new job and just enjoy it.

I'm into music - play an instrument and sing; volunteer on community radio; writing, film, reading, I've recently taken up running... but I would not fare well unemployed. I need that structure, that thing that makes me get up early and value time off. I'd be fine if my job was even just part-time, but no job at all... I'd hate it.
But it varies for us all.

Napper Hawkins · 01-12-2011 12:08AM

Dudess wrote: »

I'm into music - play an instrument and sing; volunteer on community radio; writing, film, reading, I've recently taken up running... but I would not fare well unemployed. I need that structure, that thing that makes me get up early and value time off. I'd be fine if my job was even just part-time, but no job at all... I'd hate it.
But it varies for us all.

For enjoyment or to get good? Because if I don't get at least 5-6 hours practice in I'm not satisfied. Last job (and being in a relationship) didn't allow for that in the slightest. I'd have been lucky to get a couple hours a week to jam.
Fair play you can find the time as well as have a job. The other stuff I've bolded I do too, as well as drawing, cycling and playing football and a couple of other sports. Then there's making time for friends and socialising etc. No time for most of it when I was working.

krudler · 01-12-2011 12:15AM

Napper Hawkins wrote: »

Being unemployed must be a living hell for people with no imagination or interests outside of watching television.

I've been living the dream for a few months now and do you know what?
I ****ing love it. Never in my life have I had so much time to practice and improve my guitar playing, practice my drumming, come and go as I please, sleep in, stay up late, and just generally do what the **** I want, when I want. I have sod all cash which is the downside but I'd rather this than go back to the soul destroying nightmare that was my last job. **** that.

Take up an instrument or a sport. Join a class doing whatever, learn a language. Exercise.

See what it's like to be free for once before you get a new job and just enjoy it.

no no no you dont get it, rotting at a desk is how you're meant to spend your working life, people who make use of the time they have when unemployed are like the devil around here, now get cracking looking for a meaningless job like the rest of us and stop living your life you scrounger.

As much flack as I'll get for this, I'd take redundancy right now if it was offered to me, I loathe my job, been looking for another one, anything remotely the same wages that doesnt fill me with a murderous rage every day. I'm way more productive and creative when I dont have to go to work in a soul sucking job for 40-50 hours a week.

It seems the done thing is to live to work these days, and thats absolutely insane, work should (unless you have an awesome job you love) be to pay the bills, and thats it.

krudler · 01-12-2011 12:17AM

Dudess wrote: »

I'm into music - play an instrument and sing; volunteer on community radio; writing, film, reading, I've recently taken up running... but I would not fare well unemployed. I need that structure, that thing that makes me get up early and value time off. I'd be fine if my job was even just part-time, but no job at all... I'd hate it.
But it varies for us all.

I'm the opposite, when I have loads of time off work I actually do stuff with it instead of squandering it lazing about, whereas when I finish work all I do is sit on the net at home all evening and its a chore to even go shopping or clean the house, if I didnt have work tomorrow I'd be up at 7am and go for a jog, instead I'll try squeeze every last second out of staying in bed until I have to get up for another groundhog day 8 hrs in that ****hole.

ThinkAboutIt · 01-12-2011 12:23AM

Not sure if its been said because I couldn't be bothered to read the whole thread but EXERCISE.

1) It gets you out of the house.
2) It makes you feel healthy.
3) You'll definitely have a shower, change of clothes, every day without thinking (you'll be surprised by unemployed).
4) You'll look better.
5) It can kill 2+ hours a day and break up the day, most likely too you'll be knackered in the evening too so lying on the couch watching a movie will feel good, rather than just lying there thinking 'Oh I've no money, I've nothing to do, I'm a lazy bugger.'

May I suggest as a side, stay away from Boards, its full of ****e really and serves only to put you in bad humor. You won't be getting the interaction from work so it might be easy to start thinking the opinions from Boards are real life. They aren't. Very far from it.

Good luck! Live the dream man!

Mr Trade In · 01-12-2011 12:24AM

Set up a vigilantly group that targets Bankers/Former Politicians; aka the basterds who got us in this mess.

whydoibother? · 01-12-2011 12:30AM

While I'm sure it's important to stay occupied, don't just fill your time with random stuff in order to do this. Think about what job you want next and put some of the time into doing specific stuff for your CV that will make you a good candidate - courses/skills/languages/work experience.

To those who don't have a job

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