Further notes from the trenches

[youngraven]

To better illustrate why the 99% aren't merely laying about doing effall when they should be out working as decent folk do...here are a few of the responses I've got from applications I've submitted in the past few days:

13 October 2011
Dear Leah,

Thank you for your interest in the position of Graphics Assistant - Requisition 998603 for RadioShack

Comments

[cgronlund]

It's rough out there, and I hate hearing about friends having a rough time. I've been there myself in recent years. I found my last three jobs through LinkedIn. (One permanent job that ended up closing down a month in, a temp job that lasted for several months, and my current job, which I've had since last March.) I had no luck with the usual things like Monster, CareerBuilder, and some other sites that used to work for me. But by answering questions on LinkedIn and staying more active there (as well as blogging and hitting some tech user groups), I've been fortunate enough to not be unemployed too long, even though I jumped to several places during my last unemployment.

It's so damn frustrating seeing talented people who are serious about what they do having a rough go. I see people say, "Freelance, or do your own thing," but that's not as easy as it sounds. One of my gigs was a freelance gig, and it was good while it lasted, but determining when that was going to end and finding a new gig while working more than full time...it's all much easier to say, "Do this," that doing those things is in reality.

There are always exceptions. Hell, not being unemployed too long and finding things when I really started looking...I was an exception and would never expect others to repeat the luck I've had when out of work.

You're smart, talented, dedicated...so many things. Right now, there's nothing where I work, but I've been keeping an eye out for a couple other people I know, so I'll keep an eye out for someone with your skills.

I hope something comes along soon, 'cause it's all so damned frustrating and you're too cool a person to be ground down by a crappy situation.

[youngraven]

'Freelance, or do your own thing'
The Creative Group and Creative Circle are largely geared towards freelancers. How it works is they send email blasts with freelance opportunities, and designers fight it out to be considered. It's no different than going for a permanent position someplace. You've got to be vetted, and even if you've made it that far, there are easily five (if not more) other people vying for the same three-month gig. The successful freelancers I know are people who've been at it for years (decades in one woman's case) - well before It All Frothed Over. They've got brand equity and regular clients and that's how they make it work.

Thanks very much for thinking of me. :) I'll keep poking about at LinkedIn. I've not been paying that much attention to that site, 'cos it seemed that all of their graphics work required a relocation.

And furthermore, thanks for alerting me to that Q&A bit - I didn't know it was there. I'm just after answering my first question, so hurrah. I'm going see what else I think I know. XD