Unemployed Designers How's The Job Search Going?

Core77 Discussion Groups

Design Employment

Unemployed Designers How's The Job Search Going? (Page 1)

profile | register | preferences | faq | search

UBBFriend: Email This Page to Someone!
This topic is 2 pages long: 1 2

next newest topic | next oldest topic

Author	Topic: Unemployed Designers How's The Job Search Going?
Ruthie unregistered	posted 03-05-2002 01:25 PM To date: from 2/12/02 - 3/5/02 sent out 147 resumes. Only one bite so far. It's not a real bite, only send us specs kind of bite. But the search goes on! IP: Logged
rstrelow1 unregistered	posted 03-05-2002 07:04 PM It's TOUGH out there...especially in the Denver/Boulder area. Hopefully, things will change for the better soon! IP: Logged
I know unregistered	posted 03-06-2002 07:23 AM if you are a wewbie fresh out of school is a tought market out there. If you have some experience, at least 2 years things are not bad actually. Hang in there people, geta night job at a bar (pretty fun by the way) Learn some serious software (I mean ****ingmasterit!) There is too many people that know a little of everything, but too few that know a lot of everything. Ask yourself: DO I sketch like god? Do I surface like a virtual sculptor? do I run photoshop like some sci-fi movie artist? if you answer not to any of these questions and are unemployed you know where to put your time into. Gotta tell you folk I know people they are soooo good at their shit, they are never out of work, if a gig dies, they get another right away (no matter how the economy goes). YOU and only you can put yourself in that situation. IP: Logged
creflo dolla unregistered	posted 03-09-2002 09:58 PM I'm with "I know"...but I'll be more blunt. If you suck...then it's rough out there...but if you're really talented at one thing or another...you're set..it's not exactly bumpin'...but there's work.. hallelujah! my brothers and sisters IP: Logged
to ruthie unregistered	posted 03-10-2002 08:34 PM do you send a 3 page sampler with your resume? i always send images. i was always taken back at how many designers send in a resume and no samples of their work. 147 resumes with 3 pages of inkjets is a lot of dough. IP: Logged
hello unregistered	posted 03-10-2002 10:38 PM Got a job offer last week and I'm moving to LA. IP: Logged
Ruthie unregistered	posted 03-11-2002 11:59 AM Sent the cover letter and resume in HTML or if they ask for it in ASCII. Resume has links to the website where all the info and knowledge of programs are. The bite said they received the mock and will get back to us after the 18th, but I suspect later. We all know how they make us squirm! BTW, supposedly the recession is over, but today I'm not seeing a whole load of jobs out there. However, I do know the economy is better bc a friend of mine works door at a 4 star hotel here in SF, and says he's making the big tips again. So, my mood: hopeful!! IP: Logged
Oh really? unregistered	posted 03-11-2002 12:04 PM Granted, Greenspan is optimistic and things are "slowly" beginning to turn, but who said the recession is over? My findings tell me it has a ways to go yet. And yes, I'm still employed. IP: Logged
picasso unregistered	posted 03-11-2002 12:18 PM just starting to get my feet wet. i'm keeping my hopes high, though. IP: Logged
Hairy Gumdrops unregistered	posted 03-11-2002 01:23 PM I'm thinking about getting something else "wet".....you know what I'm saying. ( . ) ( . ) /\ IP: Logged
Ruthie unregistered	posted 03-11-2002 05:28 PM Oh Really: Well, I think that since my friend the door guy at the hotel is making almost $100 in tips alone, works 4 days a week ($1600 CASH per month - $400 per week CASH no taxes), on top of that gets $12 an hour (taxed), he's doing really well. He's like my barometer of the economy, seriously. He said it's been going on for about the last two weeks, interestingly coinciding with Greenspan. Granted, my friend isn't making designer wages, but, he's still (to me) a good indicator of the economy. IP: Logged
Oh Really unregistered	posted 03-12-2002 08:12 AM Ruthie- Re-read the posting. I said it's beginning, not over...geez. Isn't that what you've attempted to correct on? Think... IP: Logged
supasta unregistered	posted 03-12-2002 04:02 PM I am so excited that I graduated and joined the world of unemployed designers and resume senders. This really sucks. IP: Logged
Nosy girl unregistered	posted 03-13-2002 01:55 PM Nothing...the recession isnt over yet! the water is almost at my neck! IP: Logged
Ruthie unregistered	posted 03-14-2002 10:20 AM Just wanted to tell people, hang in there. We'll make it , we WILL find jobs! IP: Logged
Hubba Hubba unregistered	posted 03-14-2002 10:28 AM I was laid off last April and searched for a job for almost five months and finally found one in October. It turned out to be a better job, with better advancement opportunities, although a small paycut. You gotta keep trying, there are jobs out there. You just have to be more creative, use your connections, and may be even be willing to make some sacrifices. True, things may not be as good as they were two years ago, but the world is still spinning last time I checked. IP: Logged
Rejection Letter unregistered	posted 03-14-2002 03:28 PM Ruthie, Are you following-up on each of your 147 resumes with a telephone call. You need to be assertive and persistent. Also, have you tried sending out a PDF version of your resume? You can make a nice PDF promotional piece showing your design work and thought process. It's a nice low-cost way of showing your work to a wide variety of folks, no matter what computer OS they have. Also, spend the money to join a prof. design society. Very helpful. Are you a IDSA member? Where do you want to work? Good luck! IP: Logged
Ruthie unregistered	posted 03-14-2002 04:03 PM Looking in the Bay Area, and yeah have a pdf file of the work. But Hubba Hubba, OY, it took you FIVE months? Wow! That's a bit scary.... Okay, I'm going to stay positive about finding a job IP: Logged
rross unregistered	posted 03-14-2002 04:05 PM if you know say 5 places where you really want to work. try to arrange a meeting with the Creative Director. If you are confident in your work let them have a look. Use this meeting to build a relationship. Even if their not hiring they may throw u some freelance work. Even if they don't do that keep in touch with them you'll be a leg up on all the other schmucks when the firms of your choice start hiring again. A focused approach to your job hunt will be more rewarding. IP: Logged
tco unregistered	posted 03-14-2002 04:08 PM i'd hate to say this, but there are still some people out there that don't have a clue as to what a pdf is. seriously. safe thing to do is assume the worst and have your resume formatted in several version. that way, you're covered. IP: Logged
utopia by bandit unregistered	posted 03-14-2002 05:29 PM Hey?! So many unemployed designers who want to get started... Why do not all unemployed designers spend their time on a cool-team desingproject... 1. having a good time 2. getting to know some 'design-friends' 3. doing something useful (instead of browsing and writing letters). 4. get famous, thanks to the great website we made about this project... 5. companies and desing-portals are impressed 6. your portfolio looks even better 7. they know where to find us now (instead of crying in our little room), and can start to pay FAT CASH when they need us. Then you could consider to choose a place for starting your job... possible / not-possible ??? IP: Logged
rross unregistered	posted 03-14-2002 05:39 PM hehe sounds like utopia alright. a bunch of designers getting together to work on a design project ego >---/\/\/\----< train wreck. how bout just getting together for some beers it would at least take care of point 1 2 and 3 ok maybe not 3 Seriously, nice thought though. IP: Logged
Hubba Hubba unregistered	posted 03-14-2002 05:46 PM Ruthie, They say the average time for a job search takes about six months, so five months wasn't bad at all, especially considering it was right at the same time the recession was starting to set in. Another figure being tossed around is that you'll probably spend about a month searching for every $10K you'll make. So don't give up, keep trying. Good luck. IP: Logged
OrangeBanana unregistered	posted 03-15-2002 06:48 AM RUTHIE: You sent out 147? Take a lesson from design...the more people you are trying to reach, the more generic your work becomes. I have had the most success in my job searches (I am employed) targeting my resume. As new jobs were posted, I plugged them into a spreadsheet database, prioritized them and began adjusting (not fabricating) the content as to highlight the skills that were requested. I have resumes on my desk with pages telling me about high schools, pizza delivery jobs and summer labor jobs. Use you best judgement, but if the 'fish ' aren't biting, try wiggling one of your 147 poles. IP: Logged
Ruthie unregistered	posted 03-17-2002 11:10 AM Actually, we're up to 211 resume's sent out. The place that asked us for spex said they'd get back to us after the 18th. Pray for us!!! Have a good day everyone Ruthie IP: Logged
looking too unregistered	posted 03-25-2002 12:26 PM 10K/month is an accurate estimate of how long it takes to find a job. I don't agree with the people who said if you're really good, you'll always have a job. The market has changed the past year. I never looked more than a month without having a new job opportunity. I am now entering my 8th month of search. The industry is just bloated from the hiring frenzy over the past few years. IP: Logged
Kind of... unregistered	posted 03-25-2002 12:59 PM sad, Ruthie. IP: Logged
Done it unregistered	posted 03-25-2002 05:47 PM Ruthie, Go into business for yourself. No one will ever pay you as much as you can make if you have your own company. You should expect to get a 2% to 3% reply (new projects) for all cold calls which are made to qualified, potential clients (and leads) which are followed up with a mailer and a second followup telephone call. IP: Logged
sottsass unregistered	posted 03-25-2002 07:33 PM I agree with the banana fellow (or lass). You cant just send out bulk resumes and mailers. waste of time and money. Know who you want to work for and let them know it and why. If you have sincere passion for it its gonna shine through. Dont just tkae steps, take steps towards your goal. I graduated in may 2001, have had a design job since september and am now switching to potentially my dream job in boston. This is after probably 10 or so interviews since september. Have passion and gear your work towards the potential employer. Its absolutely possible. IP: Logged
lets see what you got! unregistered	posted 03-25-2002 08:18 PM sottsass, you must have some amazing stuff. would you mind giving us your portfolio link so that we can see what abilities you have that many of us unemployed industrial design recent grads are lacking! IP: Logged
Alex unregistered	posted 03-26-2002 03:42 AM looking for work www.uniplusmures.ro - html & flash www.suzuki.com.ro www.tosainu.ro www.s-concept.net www.atsea.com www.capartners.tv www.clearstonevp.com www.crossatm.com www.globalcontactcenters.net www.interlockco.com www.prestigeconcierge.com/company http://www.s-concept.net/demo/VAYGC/home.shtml www.orizont.net www.stes.net www.amslot.com www.orbak.nl www.enbw.nl - dhtml work http://www.robeco.com/en/topnav/index.html - menu from the top of the page IP: Logged
Professional? Org.s unregistered	posted 04-02-2002 03:39 PM I disagree with joining a professional organization. My experience with IDSA and SEGD is that they want your money and in return, they will give you a pretty mediocre magazine and a chance to meet other unemployed designers. Why spend a couple hundred dollars just to view listings that are available for free? IP: Logged
asfuller unregistered	posted 04-08-2002 03:29 PM I've been searching for work since October. left a design job at a university/state educational tv/multimedia job, where the work was sporadic, but the benefits were great. Last count, I have sent out over 80 resumes, mostly in PDF format, with a URL of my online portfolio. So far this has gotten me 2 informational interviews. I don't really find this surprising, since I have acquired a huge pool of job search resources that I check daily, weekly, regularly. It's quite evident that next to no design jobs are being offered, that many places had to let their design staff go in the last 2 years, and we are all out there scrounging for anything that might open up. A few positions are gradually becoming available, but it's still quite rough. It seems many places that once had design staff still cannot afford to hire a full-time person, and that they are contracting out design projects. So, in my local market at least, I'm tryinbg to promote myself more as available for freelance work. That's my experience, anyhoo. IP: Logged
Marriage unregistered	posted 04-08-2002 04:08 PM Ruthie- Tell Asfuller what you think of his work. He's trolling for opinions just like you. IP: Logged
Hacksaw... unregistered	posted 04-08-2002 06:42 PM Quit my job months ago...it sucked...right as all this bullshit started....did nothing...loved it...then started looking about 2 months ago...had plenty freelance...just accepted a better position...better firm...mo money if you have nothing to offer...then you will not get a job during crunch time...that's the bottom line. Learn to market your skill/experience and you will be succesful -hack out- IP: Logged
asfuller unregistered	posted 04-08-2002 07:49 PM is there an easy way to find portfolios on Coroflot? most other forums i've been to provide a direct link to a registered user's profile. i'd rather like to view the work of people responding (especially the terse and cryptic ones) to our messages. IP: Logged
Ruthie unregistered	posted 04-09-2002 03:59 PM Hacksaw, do you have any tips on free lancing? IP: Logged
john d unregistered	posted 04-12-2002 01:21 AM I feel a design revolution coming about! get your asses off the couch! couse Im headed full force! IP: Logged
Hacksaw unregistered	posted 04-15-2002 12:05 AM dear Ruthie...you want tips on freelancing...here's my tip of the day...start getting drunk with design people.....I know sounds stupid...but you have no idea...go to Core events...IDSA...whatever...and get drunk...don't carry resumes in your back pocket....just go have fun and meet and talk...and the work will come Hack on... IP: Logged
slippyfish unregistered	posted 04-16-2002 12:37 PM Get drunk with design people. They are all in the same boat, all dream of re-inventing the world (funny how we've all been doing this since the late 1800's but still haven't got it quite right), and even though nobody has real money to do anything, looking at pretty multimedia videos and feeling like a black-clad designer with the rest of us FEELS right. You won't get a job out of it, but it feels good to commiserate. Invite some CEO's and then we all can play ball. Check out that offsite thing, you'll see. IP: Logged

This topic is 2 pages long: 1 2 All times are ET (US)	next newest topic \| next oldest topic
Administrative Options: Close Topic \| Archive/Move \| Delete Topic
	Hop to:

Contact Us | www.core77.com