Christmas season not so joyous for me
I was really looking forward to the holiday season. In a way I've not completely lost interest but, I've been rather distracted by a recent and serious event. Last week I was laid off from my job at the printing co. Ben, my bf whom I met at the co. and worked in my dept., was also laid off which was the real shocker of all. He had been there for 3 1/2 years and knew how to do everything in our dept.! Me I had only been there for 1 1/2 years but still felt my job was safe as I knew how to operate a certain small printer. The only thing was that both he and I had basically no printing work at all anymore, on our respective machines. The only work that we had been doing mostly for the past month or so was just icky production stuff.
The cause of this, like so many co's right now, ours was so slow due to lack of business in these hard times. All our clients are cutting back on advertising expenses as they are all pinching pennies, therefore no work for us. It happened back in May too, as our hours were reduced, then our 20% of our pay was taken out. Even then I was worried but after a month or so we managed to pull ourselves out of it. We had a bit printing job done from Wendy's Corp. which saved our butts. We were refunded our 20% pay and given our regular pay and hours back. Everything seemed to be fine. But in Nov. we started really slowing down and a few times we went home early. Then right after Thanksgiving break, we came back and that's pretty much when they told a big group of us, that they had to let us go. However they left it at, "We'll call you if things pick up."
Of course I can't wait around for that to happen. I've already started applying and gotten my unemployment benefits started up (never enough though - thank God I have Savings!). The only trouble is even though is everyone and their brother is looking for work now, and to get any employers to notice you is tough. I realize that trying to land my dream graphic arts job is gonna be even harder. They still want 2-5 years of experience and I'm still at the "junior/internship" level.
Instead I'm looking into getting another printing or possibly repographics job, since I do have 1 1/2 years experience. But I worry if that'd be a smart move, knowing how the printing industry is right now. Worth a try I suppose. Otherwise I'm looking at getting an office/clerical job but the trouble there is some of the temp agencies want you to have 1-2 years office experience which I don't have. I dunno how you get that experience either, if they all have that attitude. However I'm applying for entry level clerical jobs thru job sites too, maybe I'll have more luck that way.
My goal with any clerical work is to just try to get into the co. at their lowest level if need be, then move up. Also I'm hoping that my technical, desktop publishing, and customer service skills will pique their interest. There are some clerical positions I've seen that want the candidate to do many different tasks. One of them is doing light graphic design, which is where I'd come in. It'd be a good professional experience that's for sure. I have been careful and taken the advice to make my resume reflect more on my skills and abilities, and put in a good objective, as I lack the office experience.
My other idea I have is maybe get a job as a web content editor. I've met some people thru some of the meetup groups I go to, and one lady I met works at Amazon.com. She sort of suggested if I have any graphic/web skills, that maybe when Amazon has more jobs open up, that she could put in a good word for me, and get me on a lower-level position in there. But it's kind of a "Yeah right," kind of thing in my mind. It may still require working experience. I have looked elsewhere though for this type of work on Craigslist.com and etc.
Point of all this is, I'm just reevaluating my skillset and what I can bring to the table at various types of co's and jobs. I'm only applying to jobs that I think I have a chance with. I've also gone to CampusPoint, which is a regional job placement place but more specifically tailored to recent college grads. Meaning, entry level positions. You can use them up to six years out of college, so that's good. I'll keep trying with them also. I think more jobs will open up in the new year though. That's when I'll really be hitting it! But till then, I'll keep my eye open.
Lastly, I'll be going home to visit friends and family in Indiana for Christmas. I had purchased my air ticket before my lay off though. I'll be gone from Dec. 19th - Dec. 26th. It's fair this way. I get Christmas with my family and then my birthday (27th) and New Years with my bf. Of course I'll likely celebrate my birthday with my family early, and celebrate Xmas with bf late...so it all works out, :)
The cause of this, like so many co's right now, ours was so slow due to lack of business in these hard times. All our clients are cutting back on advertising expenses as they are all pinching pennies, therefore no work for us. It happened back in May too, as our hours were reduced, then our 20% of our pay was taken out. Even then I was worried but after a month or so we managed to pull ourselves out of it. We had a bit printing job done from Wendy's Corp. which saved our butts. We were refunded our 20% pay and given our regular pay and hours back. Everything seemed to be fine. But in Nov. we started really slowing down and a few times we went home early. Then right after Thanksgiving break, we came back and that's pretty much when they told a big group of us, that they had to let us go. However they left it at, "We'll call you if things pick up."
Of course I can't wait around for that to happen. I've already started applying and gotten my unemployment benefits started up (never enough though - thank God I have Savings!). The only trouble is even though is everyone and their brother is looking for work now, and to get any employers to notice you is tough. I realize that trying to land my dream graphic arts job is gonna be even harder. They still want 2-5 years of experience and I'm still at the "junior/internship" level.
Instead I'm looking into getting another printing or possibly repographics job, since I do have 1 1/2 years experience. But I worry if that'd be a smart move, knowing how the printing industry is right now. Worth a try I suppose. Otherwise I'm looking at getting an office/clerical job but the trouble there is some of the temp agencies want you to have 1-2 years office experience which I don't have. I dunno how you get that experience either, if they all have that attitude. However I'm applying for entry level clerical jobs thru job sites too, maybe I'll have more luck that way.
My goal with any clerical work is to just try to get into the co. at their lowest level if need be, then move up. Also I'm hoping that my technical, desktop publishing, and customer service skills will pique their interest. There are some clerical positions I've seen that want the candidate to do many different tasks. One of them is doing light graphic design, which is where I'd come in. It'd be a good professional experience that's for sure. I have been careful and taken the advice to make my resume reflect more on my skills and abilities, and put in a good objective, as I lack the office experience.
My other idea I have is maybe get a job as a web content editor. I've met some people thru some of the meetup groups I go to, and one lady I met works at Amazon.com. She sort of suggested if I have any graphic/web skills, that maybe when Amazon has more jobs open up, that she could put in a good word for me, and get me on a lower-level position in there. But it's kind of a "Yeah right," kind of thing in my mind. It may still require working experience. I have looked elsewhere though for this type of work on Craigslist.com and etc.
Point of all this is, I'm just reevaluating my skillset and what I can bring to the table at various types of co's and jobs. I'm only applying to jobs that I think I have a chance with. I've also gone to CampusPoint, which is a regional job placement place but more specifically tailored to recent college grads. Meaning, entry level positions. You can use them up to six years out of college, so that's good. I'll keep trying with them also. I think more jobs will open up in the new year though. That's when I'll really be hitting it! But till then, I'll keep my eye open.
Lastly, I'll be going home to visit friends and family in Indiana for Christmas. I had purchased my air ticket before my lay off though. I'll be gone from Dec. 19th - Dec. 26th. It's fair this way. I get Christmas with my family and then my birthday (27th) and New Years with my bf. Of course I'll likely celebrate my birthday with my family early, and celebrate Xmas with bf late...so it all works out, :)