Chit chat Thursday #2: Work

Hey friend

In today's economy many of us are face with the prospect of unemployment which can be hard on our confidence and self esteem. So this chit chat Thursday I wanted to share with you what I'm currently going through with trying to gain a full time job.

In 2005 I went to college as I wanted to be a nanny, so for two years I studied Childcare. Towards the end of my second year I was starting to lose my love of wanting to be a nanny, so I decided to take a break from Childcare and took a course in computers. Unfourtany this course was too easy for me as I had learnt it all while in secondary school. But I stuck it out for the year and after that I had had enough of studying and decided to leave college and get a full time job

It's now 2008 and the world has gone into recession so I have no other choice but to sign on and get unemployment benefits, it was not something I wanted to do but was left with no choice as I was unable to find work and needed to eat. I was signed on for two years and in that time I attended a 13 week course which by the end of it you are suppose to have a job. Which is bullshit because all you did for 13 weeks was sit there and do nothing which was highly frustrating when you just want a job.

Fast forward to 2010 and I was lucky enough to get a part time job working in a school with children who have special needs. So before I started my first day I signed off the dole system for the last time and set about earning my own money by working. Unfortunately it's only an hour a day but three years later and I'm still there.

In the three years I have been at that school I feel I've done everything possible to gain full time work. Being a nanny is no longer something I want. I'm now looking to be a teaching assistant either with special needs children or in a mainstream school. I have the qualifications to do this since I left college but was lacking experience.

So in 2011 I joined a agency that specialises in getting people that wish to be teaching assistant to do supply work in schools. This didn't seem to apply to me as I was told that because I didn't have experience they were unable to place me in any schools (that was really upsetting as to get experience you need a job, but to get a job you need experience it's a catch 22) throught 2011 and into 2012 I lived in hope of getting some supply work but with no luck I thought I would take matters into my own hands.

In March 2012 I applied to a local school and asked if I could do some voluntary work twice a week for a couple hours in the morning. I did this for 4 months, I had a lot of fun and gained some much needed experience and was something else to add to my CV. For the rest of the year I continued to apply for jobs but was always turned down which is horrible and leaves you feeling worthless and like you're not good enough.

In 2013 my luck turned and was finally given a chance to do some paid supply Teaching Assistant work it was only every now and then but it was what I needed and added to my experience. We are now in October and since being back at work since September I've only had one afternoon of TA work. I'm still applying for work but I'm losing hope and wondering if it's worth starting over and trying my hand at something else.

If you are going through this or something like it. I urge you not to give up even though you most probably want to. Make sure you've done everything you can think of to increase your chances of gaining work, like joining an agency they are normally free to join so join as many as you can, Try voluntary work and updating your CV. You could even try ringing up and asking if they would give you a trial. You are not the only one out there who are going through the same thing you are, just be patient and hang in there because your time will come.

My attempt in getting a full time job is on going but I hope I get a job soon. I hope this has been some help to you and has made you see that you're not alone and hope that I have provided some tips that maybe you didn't think of before. Sorry this was so long.

Just remember don't give up.

Till next time 

XOXO

Debbie. 

P.s if you have any questions then feel free to contact me via the contact section above :)