Need some advice! (non-european science graduate)

Sabrushi · 20-05-2016 04:14PM #1

Hi all!

First post here.. hope I'm doing it right! (if not, please move where appropriate).

I'm a non-european recent science graduate (graduated last year from a NZ university), and I've recently moved to Ireland with my Irish husband (we've been here for just over 3 months).
Since we got married in Ireland not too long ago, I have seriously started jobseeking for about a month (grad/associate and entry-level positions).. and so far, nothing has happened; no calls, no replies.. just 2 or 3 unsuccessful emails. I've completely tailored my cv and cover letters for the intended positions, and just in case, I have a stamp 4 and pps, so no issues on the legal side.
I understand that since I have no work experience in my field (and no local connections!), things are obviously going to be harder in my case.. and although I did work before, it was in totally unrelated positions (call centers, hotels, retail, etc). So I am very willing to take unpaid positions, internships, etc, just to gain experience! Someone mentioned jobbridge, but since I'm not on welfare (and I don't need to be; my husband has a good job, so that's not the issue), I am ineligible.

Then my question is.. what can I do to make myself more 'attractive' to possible employees? I don't want to go back to uni right now (still heaps to pay on my kiwi loans!, and I don't even think I qualify for EU fees anyway), but it does seem that only honours or postgrad would help at this stage..

Are there any short-courses or training which will offer some sort of work placements or similar??

Thanks in advance!!

Mrs OBumble · 20-05-2016 04:27PM

Science is a very broad field - what specific kind of jobs are you looking for?

And where are you based?

Sabrushi · 20-05-2016 04:52PM

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Science is a very broad field - what specific kind of jobs are you looking for?

And where are you based?

Thanks for replying!

I live in Tipperary.. and my degree is on life-sciences; neuroscience to be exact (heavy on biology, pharmacology, chemistry, psychology, etc.. but I've also taken compsci papers, like java programming, so I know a bit of coding too).
I'm honestly interested in industry positions, like QA, QC, validation, regulatory affairs, lab analyst, drug/product development, etc.. I love academia and research, but I'm not that young (28 y.o), so I would like to secure a decent position asap, gain experience, move up in the company.. and eventually form a family. But wouldn't we all? ha.. well, that's my ideal plan.

Sabrushi · 23-05-2016 03:00PM

.

Mrs OBumble · 23-05-2016 05:05PM

Ahh, yes.

I'd forgotten about your post. Partly because it's a very tough question: you've moved to the equivalent or Hawera / Oamaru, so it's not really surprising that you're finding the job hunting is hard, and career possibilities are limited.

Firstly - are you prepared to relocate, or to live elsewhere Mon-Thurs and return home at weekends? If either of these was an option, then it would widen the circle of places where you could look. (I'm guessing you're in Clonmel becuase the husband has work there, at that this stage you want to be living together - but had to put it out there).

Or would you be prepared to commute for up to 1.5 hours each way? That would open up jobs on the outskirts of Limerick or Cork

In either case, you need to make sure that both your cover letter and CV very clearly state your visa status and your willingnness to travel/relocate.

If neither is an option, then you need to start working on a network: you simply cannot afford to have "no local connections".

The obvious first step is your husband: where is he working, are there any possibilities of jobs there? Or if not there, does he have any colleagues who have connections in places where you might get work? Ditto for any family members he has locally.

After that - you need to join some local organisations. Do some volunteer work. Pretty much anything to get you meeting people.

Also check out the possible local employers on LinkedIn. Find the people who work there locally - figure out what you need to to do make a connection with them.

I wish I could be more encouraging - but your location is really going to work against you.

Need some advice! (non-european science graduate)

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