Fresh Start

I got a call at the beginning of February.
My response..."Sure, I'd love to set up an interview."
I cleaned up my portfolio and dropped a few spotless samples in the pockets. Off I went, scared out of my mind over what might happen if my current part time job found out I went to an interview AND if I didn't get the job where I interviewed. I'd never been in a spot like that before. I'd only left jobs due to graduation or because of a lay off. Never had I felt I was in such control.

Laughing as we wrapped up, I felt great about the position and the people I could be working with. It was also nice to know that while I graduated from the school that was this employing location's rival, it wouldn't completely be held against me...

A week and a half later, after my references had been verified and contacted, I got the call with an offer. I pondered it for a few days with my husband.
Factors and questions that weighed in most heavily were:
- unknown status of a potential graduate assistant position and its funding at another university that would eventually provide tuition reimbursement for an MBA
- unknown job location of soon-to-be graduated husband as he begins his career
- relative emptiness of savings account + bills coming due
- potential to remain on the board of my local AIGA chapter
- deeply rooted school rivalry
- potential to commute within a 45 min radius if husband finds job

All of that was dissected and analyzed, and my husband and I decided that this was an opportunity not to be missed. The economy said so. An available job, with included benefits, that I was specifically qualified for would have been a blessing in normal economic times... right now it was nothing short of a miracle.

The job is in the city that I currently reside, unlike my past 2 jobs where I commuted up to 2 hours one way daily. I can gain close to 16 hours of my life back every week. I can't wait for my start date of March 2 to come. Applying for tons of positions in November and not really hearing back from any was difficult, and common from what I hear. But it all seems to fade into necessary white noise after accepting the new job.

I'll be working at a University in the department dealing with student housing and dining services. Serving as graphic design specialist, I hear I'll get to hit the ground running.

I courteously let my part time employer know that this job opportunity had arisen and a decision had been made. They let me know that they didn't need me the rest of the two weeks. Only 5 days later, I was done... with a week and a half between employers.

In the mean time, I'm updating my LinkedIn, Careerbuilder.com, Monster.com, AIGA, Twitter and Facebook accounts to reflect that I'm no longer readily available for full time employment opportunities. I'm still open, just not immediately available. That's the one thing I learned from this process. ALWAYS seek employment, whether you can take it or not. You never know when you may need an option or several.

Wrapping up freelance work I'm currently under contract for, and launching my own website for design services and goodies related to weddings and new babies, ten days should evaporate quickly.

More to come as design gears shift!
CM

Creative Layoffs in a down economy

(Editor's Note: December 2, 2008 was my last day at my previous job. I was laid of mid-November due to budget cuts in a company that even at this date can't get the cash to pay the bills and risks closing it's doors after 30+ years of success. I've hopped on the emotional roller coaster that everyone's talking about and never seemed to even remember getting in line to ride. The wait is growing and we're all praying that the train malfunctions and the ride shuts down.)

Of all the people to lose their jobs, creatives have to have the easiest time bouncing back. It's what they do. We tailor our work for our clients and sell our selves and our product constantly. Now while we may not land a job that's a perfect match, we can still fit into the description pretty well. Everyone can use marketing help, sign design, a little product development...

But paying the bills may not go hand in hand with employment. It's been 2 months since I was given my notice that my position was eliminated and hours upon hours of job applications later, not a nibble. I've found 40 hours with a previous part-time job I had on the north side of Indianapolis. The owner is a doll and has a drive to grow. It's a fine art portrait studio specializing in a combination of techniques to create digital oil and water color paintings. It's the only place like it in America. Nifty! I have moved from a sales associate position (which I knew was a temporary fix until a full time option came along) to an artist in training spot. Excited as all get out about learning this technique of imagery, I fear that it will not pay the bills. It sure would be a fantastic skill to add for illustration and visual communication but the minimum wage part of training will not support a newly wed couple with the other spouse student teaching, banned from taking a job during that semester.

Reality: I'm earning 44% of what I had at my last job and savings is trickling out the door. I have to keep looking for other full time work as this new version of my position develops.

But with all the locations that are killing their marketing departments and outsourcing, creatives are ravenous and employers have the creme de la creme to pick from. Lost in a pile of resumes from extremely qualified executives, every day I try to stand out with my humble but solid experience. It's just that when it comes down to it, if some former art director applies for a graphic design spot because there's nothing else out there, I can't compare on paper to their qualifications.

Wheels spinning, my objectives shift. Relocate? Apply to grad school? Launch a business?
Luckily, a new President should be easing my transition shortly and I look forward to deciding where I'm going, and fast.

For now, Careerbuilder, Monster AIGADesignJobs and LinkedIn, show me the way.
CM