A message of hope to all spouses of CSEP holders seeking employment...

 

 

If you are reading this then like me you have supported, encouraged and motivated your spouse in their journey towards obtaining CSEP and like me you also know the reality, realization and fear of eventually leaving your job in SA. More so if you have spent years at university and are doing very well In your career and now the realization has set in of either not being able to continue, as you are, or you are not appropriately qualified or there simply are no jobs in your field or work... 
 
I'd like to share my journey in job seeking to give advice or hope perhaps, in what worked for me.. 
I started my job search looking for a position as a teacher- I teach engineering and technical education- I'm qualified enough to work in Ireland but have had little to no success in getting even a response from any schools... thus deciding a career change might be necessary! In no way was I lazy in my approach I had after all complied my file for teaching council- paid all the fees etc. 
 
Firstly I started by giving myself as much confidence as I could- I got my Cv redone by Lyndon (totally worth it) I then downloaded the jobs.ie app 
 
Their keyword search option stumped me... teacher wasn't an option so what am I looking for? What can I do with the skills I have acquired over the last 13 years of working (I'm only 33) 
I had a list of 5 skills I felt I had and started searching these as my key words... I was absolutely stumped to see that many jobs that came up don't specifically ask for a specific degree but specified many skills I had! 
 
So off I went and applied- I decided to commit to three vacancies. I studied and downloaded the skills required- compared them with my skills and abilities and wrote down talking points and examples of where I'd encountered the specific skills for each of the positions I applied for. 
 
I only got an interview for one position. I researched the hell out of the company, their website, their social media, the LinkedIn profiles of all those who worked in the company- who cares if they see me looking at them- I wanted them to look at me too, I wanted them to know who I was and what skills I had- basically I wanted to stand out from my other "competitors". 
Just a side note- at this point I am still in SA. 
 
Eventually my interviews (yes I got a second round) came and went- I threw up after both 45min interviews. 
Also couldn't stop being embarrassed after round 2 at how many times I must've said the word "ja" during both interviews! 
 
The second interview was on a Friday- the whole weekend I visualized myself in the role, I visualized myself getting ready for work- who I would meet in the day, what I would do, the clothes I'd wear etc...
 
Monday afternoon I received a call, unfortunately I didn't get the job- as I would need to travel around Ireland and they were worried as I'd never been to Ireland before, but.... They had a better position to offer me- I'd seen it online but didn't have quite that much confidence to apply. They thought I was a perfect fit!! 
And it is a perfect fit... for me too. Remote working and no traveling needed. I have a 5 year old so this makes total sense! The salary offered is also really great. 
 
I am by no means writing this to brag or boast but I want to give all those Saffas who like me- maybe or are already heading down the rabbit hole of anxiety and fear of going into the unknown and not having a clue who your are or who you are about to become! Even though Covid has had given me a slight "social anxiety" I absolutely love people and talking and getting to know individuals- staying at home was not an option for me from a mental well-being in a new country with no family -point of view. 
 
We already know WHY we as Saffas are making the move and we are already sacrificing so much by leaving our family and friend behind- leaving our careers and years of hard work behind just makes it all a little harder... 
 
I'd like to offer the following points as useful tips that totally helped me and I pray might motivate or encourage you too... 
 
1. Get your CV up to Irish standards (I used Lyndon and they mentioned how creative my cv was laid out in my interview) 
2. Decide on your strengths and what you want from your career and mostly what you love doing  (Money alone  isn't a good enough reason to want the job) also if you love your job you won't work a day In Your life... 
3. The Irish are amazing- I was interviewed by 4 people and am excited to work with all of them! They were compassionate, personable and completely relaxed. ( I was the one who vomited after my interviews remember) 
4. Be confident and proud of being from SA- we are made of some very tough stuff! I used some of my experience here in SA in my interview talking points- they were shocked and amazed at what I'd dealt with ( remember I'm a teacher- worked for government for a few years) resilience, forward thinking, able to work independently etc
5. Visualize, manifest your future and also pray- imagine yourself in the role, ask GOD (whatever you conceive him to be) to help you fulfill his plan for your life and I absolutely believed this role/job was mine before I even got the call back. 
6. Be patient and also don't expect too much from the Irish during summer break (August) it's Dezemba vibes, folks are enjoying the warmer weather (we will also get our turn to enjoy the summer next August- hopefully, maybe ????) 
7. Finally when you feel all hope is lost and your heart and soul are no longer at peace take a moment to read... The Desiderata by Max Ehrmann. It's both inspiring and sobering and an all round perfect "recipe" for life. 
8. Lastly and most important of all, be gentle with yourself and ALWAYS remember WHY we are making this move. (Inserting a mental image of my 5 year old here)
 
 

 
Important links: 
 

  #MapMyMove- Our coaching Services - Confused or lost and need some direction, book a session with us to help untangle the confusion and work out your route of immigration

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