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

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  • 26-08-2019 11:23am
    #1
    mr_fegelien
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 1,483 ✭✭✭


    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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    #2
    Fr_Dougal
    Registered Users Posts: 9,167 ✭✭✭Fr_Dougal


    It’s just you.


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    #3
    Deebles McBeebles
    Registered Users Posts: 5,752 ✭✭✭Deebles McBeebles


    They keep telling us there are jobs everywhere, just look around the back of your couch, there will surely be an old one lying around there.


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    #4
    questionmark?
    Registered Users Posts: 3,071 ✭✭✭questionmark?


    Where do you live OP? If it's Dublin I would say you need to take a good look at your CV if it's Leitrim I would say take a good look at moving out of the place!!


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    #5
    banie01
    Registered Users Posts: 16,513 ✭✭✭✭banie01


    Fr_Dougal wrote: »
    It’s just you.

    Agreed.
    If the OP's interview style is anything like their posting style, they may well be a burden on the state for quite a while yet ;)


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    #6
    Franz Von Peppercorn II
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,398 ✭✭✭Franz Von Peppercorn II


    banie01 wrote: »
    Agreed.
    If the OP's interview style is anything like their posting style, they may well be a burden on the state for quite a while yet ;)

    Ad hominem.


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    #7
    Ray Palmer
    Registered Users Posts: 8,360 ✭✭✭Ray Palmer


    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?
    It really isn't hard to find a job especially a minimum wage one. Expecting to get a response as some form of encouragement is your own issue which you need to get over. You keep applying, I applied for 40 jobs in a week when looking. I called into businesses about my applications and kept looking.

    It is difficult to change your mindset from where you seem to be. It is what it is and if you think it is "way too difficult" why do you think it would be easy?


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    #8
    Tails142
    Registered Users Posts: 2,105 ✭✭✭Tails142


    Someone running a business would be wary of a person in their early twenties with no previous work experience. You might have to do some volunteer work to get going otherwise people will have you marked as a liability. Or do a bit of networking through family and friends to see if you can find work that way.


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    #9
    oLoonatic
    Registered Users Posts: 375 ✭✭oLoonatic


    Go to a recruitment agent, apply for short term / temporary work. go back to education and upskill. You have plenty of options even though your post was very vague.


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    #10
    Richard Hillman
    Registered Users Posts: 12,033 ✭✭✭✭Richard Hillman


    Companies are projecting a recession. So employers are getting very wary of who they are taking on.
    The company I work for is looking for 3% growth this year, which is very, very modest. Working Hours are down on last year too. I have noticed this for other retail companies of a similar genre too that I share space with.

    Recessions only get reported on after the growth period. So we're probably in the recession now and it will be made official at the start of next year.

    House prices are coming down too. All the signs are there.


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    #11
    banie01
    Registered Users Posts: 16,513 ✭✭✭✭banie01


    Franz Von Peppercorn II wrote: »
    Ad hominem.

    Hardly.
    The OP is relating their experience of struggling to find a job.
    How one appears and is perceived at interview is integral to securing employment.

    If the OP is presenting themselves or being perceived IRL in the same manner as their boards persona.
    They are unlikely to be a 1st choice at an interview process.


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    #12
    touts
    Registered Users Posts: 6,437 ✭✭✭touts


    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?

    1. If you are getting no response then perhaps your CV, letter etc are an issue. Take a look online at the many sites that advise how to structure these.
    2. If you have no experience at all then there are many ways to fix that. Approach a charity and ask to do some volunteer work for them. Sure you won't get paid for it but at least it is some experience.
    3. Consider really bad jobs. For example meat processing companies often struggle to recruit people because the work is unpleasant and the pay is basically minimum wage. Many of these will take pretty much anyone. All you have to do is stick it out for 6 months and then start to look elsewhere.
    4. Consider doing something yourself. Working online or doing deliveries etc. Something that allows you put into down on the CV.

    And on your last question. Are we back to recession? No. But in a year we will be after Brexit. You need to act NOW to get the experience you need. For example many of those meat processing companies I talked about will be in big trouble after Brexit. They may not exist in early 2020. So you need to get in there now and get something on that CV because in 6 months you could be competing against 100k+ new unemployed people who do have some experience.


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    #13
    Reviews and Books Galore
    Closed Accounts Posts: 964 ✭✭✭Reviews and Books Galore


    It is hard to get a job tbh and I think I hate the term 'plenty of jobs'. You know, if you have to volunteer for experience, take temp work or go back to education for minimum wage then there is not plenty of jobs :P


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    #14
    mr_fegelien
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 1,483 ✭✭✭mr_fegelien


    questionmark? wrote: »
    Where do you live OP? If it's Dublin I would say you need to take a good look at your CV if it's Leitrim I would say take a good look at moving out of the place!!

    I live near Drogheda/Meath


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    #15
    mr_fegelien
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 1,483 ✭✭✭mr_fegelien


    banie01 wrote: »
    Hardly.
    The OP is relating their experience of struggling to find a job.
    How one appears and is perceived at interview is integral to securing employment.

    If the OP is presenting themselves or being perceived IRL in the same manner as their boards persona.
    They are unlikely to be a 1st choice at an interview process.

    How exactly?

    Nevermind my persona though, I'm still applying for jobs daily. Sending around 5 CV's to employers every day.


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    #16
    kneemos
    Registered Users Posts: 20,410 ✭✭✭✭kneemos


    Reviews and Books Galore wrote: »
    It is hard to get a job tbh and I think I hate the term 'plenty of jobs'. You know, if you have to volunteer for experience, take temp work or go back to education for minimum wage then there is not plenty of jobs :P


    He's applied for over forty jobs. Obviously no shortage.


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    #17
    SteM
    Registered Users Posts: 6,566 ✭✭✭SteM


    mr_fegelien wrote: »
    How exactly?

    Nevermind my persona though, I'm still applying for jobs daily. Sending around 5 CV's to employers every day.

    So are you applying for jobs or sending CVS on spec in the hope that there's something going? If you're applying for actual jobs and getting no replies at all then it's an issue with your CV or cover letter.


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    #18
    Fr_Dougal
    Registered Users Posts: 9,167 ✭✭✭Fr_Dougal


    Richard Hillman wrote: »
    Companies are projecting a recession. So employers are getting very wary of who they are taking on.
    The company I work for is looking for 3% growth this year, which is very, very modest. Working Hours are down on last year too. I have noticed this for other retail companies of a similar genre too that I share space with.

    Recessions only get reported on after the growth period. So we're probably in the recession now and it will be made official at the start of next year.

    House prices are coming down too. All the signs are there.

    There needs to be 2 quarters of negative GDP for a recession. Economy grew by 2.4% GNP in Q1, and estimates are 2% for Q2. We’re not in a recession, but I understand the UK are.


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    #19
    LirW
    Registered Users Posts: 4,825 ✭✭✭LirW


    In fairness, some companies take the absolute cake with their attitudes towards applicants. I live further away from Dublin and job options are somewhat limited, and every job that's not niche has hundreds of applications. And instead of just sending out an generic thanks but no thanks - email you hear nothing and see the job re-listed every 4 days for the next 6 weeks.

    Anyway, OP consider some generic field sales role. They suck but you can make money with it if you really want to and they don't need experience. There are a few companies around in the greater Dublin area.


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    #20
    Ubbquittious
    Registered Users Posts: 6,188 ✭✭✭Ubbquittious


    You have to contact companies that have no vacancy listed, land into places that might be interesting to work and ask if there might be something going, head down to the pub and ask there. Show some interest in wht you will be doing

    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.

    Put up a few ads in the local shop offering to do something you are good at if all else fails


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    #21
    CrankyHaus
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,281 ✭✭✭CrankyHaus


    Drogheda has a fair few employers in and around it that should suit. Failing that temp work for construction companies is always going, often through recruitment agencies, and most outfits will take you permanent if they like how you work on site.

    In my experience a lot of stuff advertised online is dubious nonsense from recruitment sharks. Get past them and in touch with one of the many, many people with work coming out of their ears who need bodies yesterday and you won't be long getting hired. Whether it's work you like will be another matter.


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    #22
    BDI
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,005 ✭✭✭BDI


    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.


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    #23
    bcklschaps
    Registered Users Posts: 1,060 ✭✭✭bcklschaps


    OP, as others have said, the lack of work experience on your CV is probably holding you back....and I know its only minimum wage jobs, but also for the jobs you are applying for, do have all of the required stuff they are looking for Eg. Full driving License, language skills, Educational/certification qualifications, etc. don't waste their time and yours, by even applying, if you don't.

    Even for jobs with no real entry requirements, an employer will be loath to take on somebody for their 'first' job, especialy when they might have a choice to take on more experienced people at the same wage cost as you.

    You will likely need to take some pretty crap job(s) just to get a bit of work experience, under your belt...then the worlds your oyster. Also use your Family and friends as a kind of a 'jobs network' ... it might surprise you, what/who they know. An employer is always more likely to take on somebody who they have a connection with, even if its only friend of a friend of a friend kinda thing ...it marks you out from the competition.


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    #24
    LirW
    Registered Users Posts: 4,825 ✭✭✭LirW


    Ubbquittious wrote: »
    You have to contact companies that have no vacancy listed, land into places that might be interesting to work and ask if there might be something going, head down to the pub and ask there. Show some interest in wht you will be doing

    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.

    Put up a few ads in the local shop offering to do something you are good at if all else fails

    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.


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    #25
    is_that_so
    Registered Users Posts: 32,136 ✭✭✭✭is_that_so


    mr_fegelien wrote: »
    How exactly?

    Nevermind my persona though, I'm still applying for jobs daily. Sending around 5 CV's to employers every day.
    What kinds of jobs are you looking at? Do any of them match what you've done or studied? Have you contacted any agencies on this? There's at least one in Drogheda. There's the CV in the hand and knocking on doors approach. I'd also ask someone to look at your CV.


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    #26
    ToddyDoody
    Registered Users Posts: 4,421 ✭✭✭ToddyDoody


    mr_fegelien wrote: »
    it seems way to difficult.

    You're right, they should have employed you at this stage.


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    #27
    vriesmays
    Registered Users Posts: 1,570 ✭✭✭vriesmays


    Because you're Irish.


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    #28
    whisky_galore
    Registered Users Posts: 15,808 ✭✭✭✭whisky_galore


    Many minimal or non skilled jobs paying peanuts still look for at least 1 years experience in similar roles.
    *rolls eyes*


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    #29
    Zascar
    Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators, Music Moderators Posts: 12,778 Mod ✭✭✭✭Zascar


    Experience is a Catch 22. Employers only want to hire people with experience, but you can't get a job without any experience. Only thing you can really do is offer to work for free for a while to get experience. Talk to family and friends and find someone with a business who's willing to show you the ropes on something, in exchange for free labour. Us this to then get a new job. Or they may hire you in the existing job if you are good. It's not ideal we all know but if you want to get ahead these are the things you need to do.


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    #30
    is_that_so
    Registered Users Posts: 32,136 ✭✭✭✭is_that_so


    ToddyDoody wrote: »
    You're right, they should have employed you at this stage.
    40 applications and no job raises a whole lot of questions about the person, the CV and who those applications are being sent to.


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    #31
    ToddyDoody
    Registered Users Posts: 4,421 ✭✭✭ToddyDoody


    is_that_so wrote: »
    40 applications and no job raises a whole lot of questions about the person, the CV and who those applications are being sent to.

    Is that so?


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