Maybe it’s time for a job hunting update for people who are not in the loop on a daily basis with me. I have my 6th interview coming up on Tuesday the 29th. That’s 5 months to the day after being let go from Gruen Marketing. I was pretty much in shock the whole month of May, getting kinda down in June and really starting to feel almost depressed by time July hit and I’m not gonna even talk about August. But now in September, I’m feeling a little better… still hunting for that job, but I’m feeling a little more confident after each interview. Here’s been the run down over the last few months:
1) Cumberland Enterprises
2) Life Touch Photography (Seasonal)
3) Elite Marketing Promotions
4) Metro Marketing
4) Michael's Craft Store (Part Time)
6) Security Products Company (But, it's a design job)
I have been babysitting too, for my Ex Lane Bryant manager... kind of counts as work, right?
I have also been trying to keep busy with a lot of projects, like to keep my mind occupied, because I don't get cable, have seen all my movies a million times and have a few number of friends still in the cities. Some projects include:
1) Getting my Portfolio Site up and running
2) I made Jewelry for two of my gal pal's weddings
3) Working on RYZ.com shoe competitions
4) Working on my own Birds of a Feather Jewelry Co. logo/identity and products
5) Getting BoaF up and running on Etsy
6) Helping my Sister in planning her wedding to Mike (I'm a MOH!)
7) Networking (Twitter, FB, LinkedIn) and going to events like the Temp Retired.
8) Making a logo for Meredith, a photography friend
9) Working on some simple designs for t-shirts (1) (2)
10) Adding more Digital Illustration to my website
11) Send some design work to a student in Berlin for a publishing project
12) Random logo designs, like a spec logo for Locks of Love
13) I'm currently working on a logo/blog design for a Twitter Follower of mine
Busy is good, it’s keeping my mind of other things I would be thinking about. The only thing to worry about is time vs money, but even people with jobs have that problem too.
So, if you’re looking for a designer for FT work or freelance I’m happy to provide my services… Advertising, illustration and photography too, of course! I like having multiple interests. I can bake too and cook too, but I doubt people want to pay me for that, but cooking for friends always makes me happy.
At the end of April of 2009, I lost job. It's heart breaking, scary and stressful. You do feel like you're the only one it is happening to, no matter how many people tell you, you're not. I had no clue what I was going to do, but from my mom, resources and personal experience I created a list of steps to help others in the future who come across a similar situation.
1. Cry and call your loved ones (Maybe men might skip the crying part).
2. File for Unemployment (the next day). (UIMN, if you live in Minnesota)
After all the paper work and setting up stuff online is done, be sure to copy your ‘approved’ papers for loan deferments. There is a one-week waiting period and if you have any kind of severance package they take that into account. I went the first 3 weeks of May with NO money, thank goodness for parents.
3. Graduates call your loaners and look into deferments and/ or forbearances.
Well Fargo – Private Loan
Direct Loans – Federal Loan
4. Call HR from ‘said’ employer and inquiry about COBRA for your health benefits.
What to ask:
- Can I COBRA my health, dental and/ or other kind of insurance?
- Would it be the same level of benefits I have now?
- What is the price per month for this policy?
- How many months can I carry it?
- Does this reflect the new stimulus package, which usually lowers the costs?
You don’t have to agree on the spot, you can call back with your decision. I learned the hard way, I just COBRA my insurance, because I was denied when trying to get back to my parent's or previous insurance, do to a ‘previous condition.” Yes, all insurance companies are jerks, in my opinion.
5. Update/ Delete/ Edit any online media listing ‘said’ lost job.
Email Signatures
LinkedIn
Facebook/ MySpace
Twitter
Etc.
6. Find/ Edit/ Re-Vamp/ or Create a New Resume’
7. Prepare a list of references.
8. Fill out/ post your resume’ on job search websites:
Monster
Career Builder
MN Works
MN WFC
Hoovers
Indeed
9. Prepare a general cover letter as a starting point and remember to customize it for each job application.
10. Start your list of Job Offers and Contacts to keep track of whom and when you make contact and apply for job offers.
11. Network/ Contact/ Reach Out to who ever is listening, you never know who could help or offer and idea/ suggestion/ or even a job.
12. Have a part time job, anything, so while you are looking, it benefits your character as a hard, dedicated worker.
13. Apply, Apply, Apply!!!
14. Keep track of all applications to document for Unemployment, things like:
- Completed Applications
- Sending Employment Resumes
- Attend Job Seeking Seminars
- Do Networking. Research, Etc.
15. Remember ‘Thank You Letters/ Emails’ and/or ‘Call Backs.’
16. Freelance work, competitions, or even just new work for you book if you're a fellow artist, keeping busy helps.
17. I considered going back to school, but I learned that loans cannot be deferred again once they have been consolidated.
*This is all my opinion after losing my job, I am not guaranteeing that this is a sure fire way to get a new job, just how I went about doing it. I am not responsible for your path in life, you are. I'm just trying to help.
