Taking the plunge

The year gone has brought many memories forward: most of which we would like to forget. 09 dragged with it the aftermath of tremendous weather and, to add fuel to fire, despite us being told that we are straddling the border between the recessions revival and deterioration, the economic conditions are still dire. In December of last year, the Economic and Social Research Institute predicted that the economy would show signs of recovery, despite the gloomy prediction that a further 76,000 people would lose their jobs this year.

The ESRI also predicted that 40,000 people are expected to migrate in search of work. In 2009 the ESRI was quoted as saying On employment, we expect a fall of 170,000 in 2009 and of 76,000 in 2010.Unemployment is forecast to average 11.75 per cent this year and to peak at close to 14 per cent in the latter part of 2010. We expect net outward migration to be 40,000 in the year ending April 2010.” The ESRI suggested that while the economy will sruggle, it expects that we should exit recession by the summer. Cynics, however, and those still hard done by, particularly those on lower income, will undoubtedly refuse to hold their breath on the basis of such a prediction. The feeling being: We have been told this again and again; we will believe it when we see it.

Students and former graduates are among the exodus of Irish people taking the plunge in search of work. The phrase overqulaified and unemployed is the motto being toted. So, instead of sitting around waiting on the economy to jolt, people are going where the work is where their skills will be aknowledged and recognised.

In the past people generally opted to move abroad for career progression purposes and career breaks, but in current times, it is a life choice due to lack of choice in Ireland. People are now more committed to moving abroad, less hasty on uprooting, and better armed educationally. The more qualified one is before embarking on any career move, the more of a chance they will have at being employed. It is important to have a solid idea of what you want to do, especially in the sense of interviews with prospective employers, as this is more attractive on your front. According to online threads dedicated to oversea employment, the following points are worth noting:

Renumeration: Ensure that there is a reasonable wage for the job that you are applying for, and dont confuse foreign currencies outside of the eurozone with your own in most cases it will disapoint., It is necessary to bear in mind that in some places the rate of living is much cheaper compared to Ireland.

Research: Discover prospective markets and research exactly what they are looking for. Ask questions such as: Do I have enough experience for that particular role? Is it possible to set in stone a role before arriving into the country of my choice? Is the company that I am applying to reputable and genuine? There have been horror stories whereby people have applied for jobs online, only to arrive at their destination and discover that they are the hell of the heavenly description they read beforehand. The old rule applies: If its too good to be true, then it most likely is.

Location: Online threads and personal accounts cite location as being a number one factor. They mention the importance of calculating the distance from a prospective job with the distance of accommodation which is also another factor worth taking into account. Secure accommodation is vital to surviving overseas.

Culture: Okay, so we all know that not everywhere runs as smooth or as awkward as it can in Ireland. Every country has its own ethics, morals and legal system. Example: Death by execution is still common in China. Tribes really do exist in Africa, and, yes, there are scarier bugs out there than daddy-long-legs. It is essential to have an open mind when visiting foreign countries; ignorance can get you into hot bother, just as much as those pesky language barriers. The key? Educate yourself as much as possible at least learn the bare basics where language is concerned, and dont be afraid to self-assess; it will paint a more detailed picture of the true you.

Networking: Are you familiar with the annoyingly effortless phrase Its not what you know, its who you know? This is true in the context of working abroad. The more people you know, the bigger chance you have at sustaining a career. Word of mouth is one of the strongest forms of communication, and an employer would rather take the less risk route by hiring somebody worthy of praise and repute. The jammy opportunist is the person with the sources and contacts. According to author Tim Leffel, who is also a columnist for transitions abroad magazine, the worst thing to do is be a wallflower. He advises people to Get out, meet people, and be open about your skills and the type of work you are looking for. Make yourself top of mind with people who can help you and dont be afraid to ask stupid questions.

Leffel cites the obvious: Go where the jobs are. He says: This seems obvious, but it is surprising how many travellers ignore this advice. For the most part, you will have better luck in big cities; business centres, and places where a lot of transactions are done in English. This can include resort areas, but only if thousands of foreigners are coming through at all times: an idyllic little island with two hotels is going to be much tougher.

On the Irish front, Canada and Australia appear to be the popular port of call; however, according to a recent article in the Irish Times, the splurge for visas to Canada is limiting the amount on supply. Australia offers a sweeping array of professions from computing professionals to quality surveyors. Western Australia has a long list of demands, says Edwina Shanahan from Visafirst.com. People with mining experience, locksmiths, metal fabricators, tilers, painters and toolmakers will all get migrant visas over there. According to Edwina, New South Wales, and the areas where there are the big cities like Melbourne and Sydney, its very hard to find work in order to settle down unless you have contacts.

Reports have dashed the hopes of people looking to travel to Canada but according to USIT, first time applicants are being put on waiting lists in the hope that the Canadian government will agree to increase the number of visas to Irish participants. The waiting list is still open but we dont want to create false expectations for people, said USIT spokeswoman Seona Mac Reamoinn, who cited the recession as being a blatant factor in Visa demands. In light of high visa demand, Canadas ambassador to Ireland, Patrick Binns, advised unsuccessful applicants for working holiday visas to apply to other visa programmes, while hinting at the possibility of additional visas later on as compared to an increase in visas for students and under 25s last year. It has also been indicated that successful applicants while working in Canada will increase their stay to permanent by applying for a resident visa.

The visas on offer to Canada range from Canadian family visas to Canadian work permits. According to a leading Canadian visa website In most cases, students wishing to study in Canada will need to obtain a Canadian Student Visa, although in some circumstances such as those candidates studying for less than six months, a Canadian Study Visa will not be required. It should be noted that the range of visas on offer should be carefully fine-combed to rule out what does and does not apply. The online Canadian and Australian recruitment websites detail the litany of prospective jobs on offer to students and other interested parties; they are highly recommended as a form of premeditative briefing.

Students are advised to look into the specifics of the country that they are applying to. Some countries offer a minimum three-month stay without having to require a visa, however this subject is ever changing and requires 100% attention to detail. Settled adults in there 30s and 40s often sigh in wonder of what could have been had they not settled into careers or had children so early on. Most have a tendency to advise the younger generation to take up on their travel dreams and live their youth with no regrets within reason of course. It is important to have a health check before embarking on any trip abroad and ensure correct vaccinations are received. So, should you be overqualified and unemployed, there is no better time than now to take the plunge and see the world. Things will inevitably move forward toward recovery in the years to come, but this is economic limbo, and sadly it is the younger generation bearing an unfair percentage of the brunt. Remember: Pack lightly, dont trust too easily and, most importantly, guard your PASSPORT and WALLET. In the end, these two precious items are your gateways to freedom, well the passport anyway. Travelling as a whole is an experience that will change you forever. Dont be afraid to take risks and enjoy your time, but do be careful. Were dead longer than we are alive, as the morbid saying goes. Live for the now. Life is a journey worth travelling.

Useful websites:

USIT.ie, Globalvisas.com, Citizensinformation.ie, Revenue.ie, seek.com, graduatecareers.com, positionsvacant.com.

Other useful websites include Irish government sites, recruitment agencies, and websites based on the country you are interested in. Certain countries have Irish embassies and direct contacts with the Irish government.

Martin Flanagan