AFTER putting out in the region of thirty CVs to businesses in town, a young Tralee woman is having no luck finding employment because she says everyone is looking for previous experience.

On Friday, an exasperated Shannon Holden Ward from Gallowsfield posted on the ‘Tralee Do You Know’ Facebook page to see could she make any inroads to the job market online.

The post, expressing her frustration, got a huge response and drew the attention of Radio Kerry ‘Talkabout’ presenter Deirdre Walsh who had Shannon on the show and this drew a massive reaction from listeners.

Continued below…

Shannon says she has covered the town with her CVs, calling into pubs, hotels and retail businesses in her quest to find work but to no avail as previous experience is the criteria for any job.

The former student at Presentation Secondary School finished up last year and enrolled in IT Tralee doing a social care course, but felt it wasn’t for her. She now has her sights firmly set on employment but the 18-year-old is finding the going difficult.

“How am I my supposed to get experience if there is no place willing to take me on?” said Shannon. “My friends are kind of in the same situation, but most of them are in college so they are just looking for summer jobs. But it’s the same with them, they are handing out CVs and getting nowhere. I would prefer to work as a waitress, or in retail, anything really,” she said.

Shannon wants to remain at home where she lives with her parents Marina and Thomas. “I’m a bit of home bird so I’ve not thought of moving, it’s tormenting,”  she said.

Since appearing on Talkabout, Shannon was approached by a local charity shop and she is waiting on one other to get back to her about coming on board and gaining experience. Many charity shops encourage people to volunteer in store with them as it helps young people gain experience in retail and dealing with customers.