Job Hunting In Ireland as an American Student

When there's an exterior force (the overwhelming situation within the United States) breathing down your neck, it becomes a bit of an interesting endeavor to be a job seeker in the Irish market.

One hurdle at a time, let me address some of the struggles I've faced as an American trying to find a job in Ireland.

The beginning: Student

First and foremost, I should address the fact that I first came to Ireland as a student. I applied to an Irish university for my master's degree. I received good grades throughout my undergraduate and it showed through on my application. By being a student in Ireland, you go onto what is called a Stamp 2 visa.

Stamp 2 visa is a visa mainly meant for studying. But you can work on it. During the university term, you can work/volunteer up to 20 hours a week and off the university term you can work/volunteer the full 40 hours.

There's a bunch of key words in that idea of course. Volunteering counts - and if you work or volunteer overtime than there can be consequences. Maybe not often, but I at least am wary enough about being That One Person In The Stories that I've avoided getting anywhere near that rather religiously. But that's where we come to the first secret, hidden rule of employment in Ireland.

No job is less than 20 hours.

Now that might be a touch of an exaggeration, but during my time here, I've looked and it is often so common to see a part-time position for 22 or more hours. Just past that cusp of allowance. And they stick to that 'or more.' It isn't less. A lot of locals have mentioned that everyone is looking for employees, so of course it would be easy to find something, but that really hasn't been the case. At least not for me. I've managed to pick up a brief contract work for three days, but otherwise didn't manage anything of note. Now that the term has ended however, and Summer is here, it is possible to try and attempt something a little more pointed. But the competition will be stiff.

Often, particularly in an area with a university, you're fighting tooth and nail for the same position as another university student. Depending on the sector you're getting a degree in, you can aim for slightly less stiff completion, but you may run into another issue.

Jobs only being offered to EU/EEA members. Or some note at the bottom of an application specifically saying students can't apply. A right to work in Ireland means very little when you can't even turn in the application.

Getting application burnout when half of the applications have to be trashed is rather an obvious hitch in the system.

So, what's the plan? Particularly if a Student visa only works as long as you are a student.

Well, as soon as my final grade comes in, I'll be applying to a different visa.

Stamp 1G:

Sometimes it's called the Stay Over Visa, but that's been a while since it has been called that. It's a very sweet deal, all things considered. It's a no restrictions (big block of fine print at the end of that) visa to work for those who get a degree in Ireland. The fine print includes you can't work for yourself, you have to be employed in Ireland, and you have to pay 300 euro for each time you apply. As a Master's student, I can get up to two years (an application each year) so long as I can prove I've been looking for a job. And boy can I prove that.

It also adds some extra incentive to a company to hire me, as they don't have to commit to me the same as they would if I was on a Stamp 4 (the work visa). And at the end of the 1 or 2 years, I can always apply for the Stamp 4 visa under the same restrictions as anyone else. It's just with a slight leg up.

I won't get into Stamp 4 here. I've got enough chaos on my plate. But it isn't all tough. It at least affords a better chance than it might otherwise.

So what advice can I give to those in a similar position, trying to break into the job market in Ireland?

Keep it up. If you need help, reach out to your university. But also reach out to others. We're in this together.

Within your friend group or within your field, set up some sort of group that shares job postings. You might feel that you shouldn't be helping your 'competition' - but you'll appreciate the friendships at the end of the day, because you're all trying for the same thing and will watch each other's backs in an effort to get as many of you over the finish line as you can.

I'll close this off by saying that Ireland is an amazing place with one of the easiest processes for immigration for the student route that I've found and I really appreciate the chance it has offered me to give back to the place that took me in when my home country started to turn sour.

Here's to future success!

Disclaimer: This has just been my personal experience in Ireland, relayed as best I can through the year that I'm attempting it. If you're reading this some point in the future, don't take my word on everything here. Things change. Fast. And I may have misunderstood something even at this current point in time. Please look at the main Ireland government website for any specifics related to visas for the most current information.