You wouldn't believe...
I'm beginning to think that I really need to do something different with my life! Portland seems like such a great place, but I need to take off my happy glasses and see the reality in these city-folk.
In August, the 27th, I started my new job with a social media firm downtown. Took the train every morning and afternoon, learned the accounts, did AWESOME, got compliments from my coworkers, and worked on some huge stuff. Actually helped manage one of the biggest stories in fashion history (hint: Native Americans and Fashion's Night Out LA). I also managed the company account, promoting jobs and the goings on in the office. I was pretty excited to work each day!
But last Thursday, I was told that although I was great, did wonderful work, have a great background and education, and haven't done ANYTHING wrong, that they had to let me go because it wasn't a good fit. They then told me that they've been doing this a lot, hiring someone then letting them go a few weeks later because they can't find that perfect person.
I'm thinking that they really were just using me. I was promoting a job post for my replacement, I was on hand to take on all of the extra work and give my ideas, and they're all about new ideas and being fun.
I hate to jump to these conclusions, but after the shock had worn off (after my first camping trip ever, that weekend), I realized that I was kind of conned. The day they let me go, I was complimented, given more tasks, and was included in conversations about insurance plans and the future of the company. "You'll be taking this over eventually..." Only for that same person to let me go in the next hour. It makes no sense, and I can't even trust those kinds of companies anymore. It's a small agency of a tight-knit group of vegan hipsters, only 6 people. I know I stood out, as a short person who wore loud colors, and with a crazy history. But I did great work, was excellent. They offered to give me any recommendation I needed, said I'd do well anywhere else, specifically in a big company with departments.
Have any of you worked in a small agency? I posted on Facebook that I think creative agencies treat their creatives (graphic designers, writers, marketers) worse than non-creative companies. The agency that I was just let go from pays very little during the introductory period, and the same with a different Portland agency of designers. I mean, dollars above minimum wage. And with small agencies, you know how much work it is--the responsibility, the many hats, the "I'm on top of it!" attitude and the nonexistent training period. Seth's company, on the other hand, is a large engineering firm that pays Tech Writers double with benefits from the start, with plenty of training time, opportunities to grow, parties and bonuses left and right. I know this because I've been wanting to work there for months.
Right now, I'm buckling down, and holding out for a job in a big company that won't drop me because I'm GREAT at what I do. I don't care if I'm in a basement folding papers 'cause it seems like I'd have better job security that way!
In August, the 27th, I started my new job with a social media firm downtown. Took the train every morning and afternoon, learned the accounts, did AWESOME, got compliments from my coworkers, and worked on some huge stuff. Actually helped manage one of the biggest stories in fashion history (hint: Native Americans and Fashion's Night Out LA). I also managed the company account, promoting jobs and the goings on in the office. I was pretty excited to work each day!
But last Thursday, I was told that although I was great, did wonderful work, have a great background and education, and haven't done ANYTHING wrong, that they had to let me go because it wasn't a good fit. They then told me that they've been doing this a lot, hiring someone then letting them go a few weeks later because they can't find that perfect person.
I'm thinking that they really were just using me. I was promoting a job post for my replacement, I was on hand to take on all of the extra work and give my ideas, and they're all about new ideas and being fun.
I hate to jump to these conclusions, but after the shock had worn off (after my first camping trip ever, that weekend), I realized that I was kind of conned. The day they let me go, I was complimented, given more tasks, and was included in conversations about insurance plans and the future of the company. "You'll be taking this over eventually..." Only for that same person to let me go in the next hour. It makes no sense, and I can't even trust those kinds of companies anymore. It's a small agency of a tight-knit group of vegan hipsters, only 6 people. I know I stood out, as a short person who wore loud colors, and with a crazy history. But I did great work, was excellent. They offered to give me any recommendation I needed, said I'd do well anywhere else, specifically in a big company with departments.
Have any of you worked in a small agency? I posted on Facebook that I think creative agencies treat their creatives (graphic designers, writers, marketers) worse than non-creative companies. The agency that I was just let go from pays very little during the introductory period, and the same with a different Portland agency of designers. I mean, dollars above minimum wage. And with small agencies, you know how much work it is--the responsibility, the many hats, the "I'm on top of it!" attitude and the nonexistent training period. Seth's company, on the other hand, is a large engineering firm that pays Tech Writers double with benefits from the start, with plenty of training time, opportunities to grow, parties and bonuses left and right. I know this because I've been wanting to work there for months.
Right now, I'm buckling down, and holding out for a job in a big company that won't drop me because I'm GREAT at what I do. I don't care if I'm in a basement folding papers 'cause it seems like I'd have better job security that way!