Job search time again... <sigh>

[morea]

6 months in to my new job, and it's clearly time to start looking again. As if it weren't painful enough last time.

There are not words to describe this, but I realize that I can not be this angry for any length of time without making myself sick. And I don't care for a 2nd ulcer. The first was one bad enough.

- I took the job on the condition that I could cover incoming calls until a permanent receptionist was hired. I have customer service in my background, although I do NOT enjoy it.It has been 6 months, and we have not advertised for a new receptionist.

- My "design" work involves someone saying "we need to send something out about commercial washers" or something I am equally CLUELESS about... and I have to write all the copy for the letter, design the stupid thing, and present it to the manager who then says something like "oh, well that's not what we want it to be about... we wanted to target fire houses, not laundromats"...http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/DesktopModules/dotNetBB/emoticons/violent.gif

- I am expected to field 100 phone calls a day, in addition to all sorts of clerical responsibilities (managing mailing lists and customer databases, sorting invoices and filing for rebates, mailing 400 piece marketing campaigns, etc) IN ADDITION to designing all marketing pieces and managing the website.

- 5 people have quit in the 6 months I have been here... we are down to about 10 employees. The last girl who quit was responsible for filing damage claims with our manufacturers. I have been given that responsibility. Since she quit without notice, there is no one to show me how to do this... I'm expected to "figure it out".

- One woman is out on maternity leave... I have been given her responsibilities for the next 3 months in additionto my own.

NOW, mind you, I am receiving NOadditional compensation for the extra responsibilities, and I am paying an extra $10+ a week for gas now, because the prices have gone up.

The final straw? All of the customer service and sales reps are being sent out on the road to handle service issues... so there is NO ONE available to take phone calls. The customers scream at me all day every day that they are not able to get problems resolved.

TODAY a customer called me - FROM INSIDE OUR SHOWROOM - because she couldn't find anyone to help her.This is just totally ridiculous. http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/DesktopModules/dotNetBB/emoticons/shakehead.gif






We are one, our cause is one, and we must help each other if we are to succeed. ~ Frederick Douglass

Post Edited (morea) : 4/7/2005 2:26:39 PM GMT

[Bear]

i'll give you a design job hun, the draw back is the 6 hour commute, but we are friendly people /DesktopModules/dotNetBB/emoticons/thumbsup.gif

C*** Designer

[morea]

aw, thanks Bear but unfortunately, the 60+ mile commute is already too much for me.

Sorta ticks me off that my EXTRA efforts have recovered more in the 6 months I have been here than I make over the course of a YEAR, but I don't see a dime of it in my paycheck.

We are one, our cause is one, and we must help each other if we are to succeed. ~ Frederick Douglass

[wienerdog]

Morea, that's gotta be one the typical, ridiculous 'Do everything and do it well' positions that designers seem to fall into when they can't find a decent gig. Career advice is always one of these hopes others have answers for your troubles, but no one really does, other than generic ideas you've heard before.

How many years experience do you have? What Metropolitan area are you living/working?

I spent a year doing mutiple part time jobs, one of which was as a CopyMax desktop publishing/print production for a lousy $9/hr. I learned InDesign on-the-job, but was expected to spend occaisonal Saturday nights until 11PM helping count the OfficeMax inventory. Not that I should be 'above' that, but man was it terrible. I don't think I could do the retail thing again unless I had no other options and a threat on my life.

wiEnerDog
Weinerdog Graphics - My portfolio site! (http://www.wienerdoggraphics.com)

[morea]

6 years experience in print and design, living in Upstate NY where there are not any worthwhile jobs to be found, which is why I commute an hour each way just for this.

We are one, our cause is one, and we must help each other if we are to succeed. ~ Frederick Douglass

[Tyger]

Well, you definitely should be getting more money, but that situation sucks. With your experience I think if you would be able to find another job. Sounds like the company is abusing you which is common practice these days. I feel for ya morea, i'm in kind of a similar situation at my job, however the pay is decent.

I wish you the best in whatever you decide. Remember you create what is around you, if you are unhappy it's your choices that you make that are key to changeing your reality.

GDF Contributor
http://img237.exs.cx/img237/6410/sig1sy.jpg
Visit My Blog: Tyger's Den (http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabindex=17&amp;tabid=211)

[GrfxGawd]

This is likely not an option, especially when money is already an issue, but if literally you can't find anything in the area - move. You have to make a living, and if there are no resources available to let you do that where you are, you need to go someplace you can.

I know that isn't likely to be helpful, but the issue can really be boiled down to this - resources. I can do X to get food and shelter. Can X be done here? Can it be done to support my needs? Yes = stay. No = leave and find a place that does. Humans have been driven by this over the face of the planet since the time before time. (It's not likely to change any time soon...)

The other option is to find a different resource, another means to make a living. It's the only two options open aside from simply doing without.

Good luck Morea. I'm sorry your situation is so untenable. :(

ALL generalizations are BAD.

[morea]

I have actually been talking to neuro about moving out of this area for a while now... it's certainly something that we will keep in mind.

Thanks for the support guys!

We are one, our cause is one, and we must help each other if we are to succeed. ~ Frederick Douglass

[greyghost]

Aw, morea, that sucks!

Maybe you can send out your apps with the 'I intend to move to wherever you are' thing.

Hang in there! :)

when it comes to certain clients, remind yourself:
You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink.

I'm an ARTIST, not a MAGICIAN!

[paulrandfan]

Have you looked into the University sector, great benefits, and not all the heaping of additional responsibilities found in small/independents...I'll probably never leave.

I did have to move, it came down to that...I was competing with 100 applicants for every job, and just because there were a few desperate people willing to work for 6.50 an hour (or some crazy poo like that) I never had a job after the magazine in STL...

'To Design is much more than simply to assemble, to order, or even to edit; it is to add value and meaning, to illuminate, to simplify, to clarify, to modify, to dignify, to dramatize, to persuade, and perhaps even to amuse.' --Paul Rand

[wienerdog]

I'm in Philadelphia, and it seems you find the same trends in every city. Some jobs are real design, some are print production, and some are just whatever the manager of the area needs you to do for them to justify that 'not-enough check', you're it!

wiEnerDog
Weinerdog Graphics - My portfolio site! (http://www.wienerdoggraphics.com)

[wienerdog]

Is there a thread on this board for resources to finding work? I know we don't post jobs, etc., but what about links to those that do?

wiEnerDog
Weinerdog Graphics - My portfolio site! (http://www.wienerdoggraphics.com)

[morea]

there is a classified section at the top of the page where jobs can be listed, or job searches can be listed.

We are one, our cause is one, and we must help each other if we are to succeed. ~ Frederick Douglass

[Randy1]

Morea,

Sorry to hear your jobs sucking. It sounds like no amount of money would be worth staying there! I had a similar job that was just god awful. In fact, when I got to my new job it was so much better I didn't know how to react. I felt like a rape victim.

Good luck in finding a new job. I wish I could help you considering all the times you've helped me. We may be looking for someone here in the next couple months but it'd be entry level and all the way in St. Louis.

Party at the Moon Tower.</font>

[EC]

Morea,

I think we've all been there at one point or another. I had a pretty good job at an ad agency right out of school, it gave me such stress that I decided that my health was more important than putting up with it. I, too, was commuting long hours and it was not worth it!

I tend to do things impulsively, but I tend to trust my gut. I quit, then went and got a job at a coffee shop (that pays benefits for part-timers) right across the street. No, I wasn't on my career path, but I was in the end probably making the same amount of money (subtract the cost to commute and fancy ad agency attire, etc.). And? I was HAPPY. Slept well, enjoyed my days. It was a nice stop-over until I could figure out the next step.

I know that you have a desire to branch out on your own. Nothing says you have to pay the bills with a job that's in a related field, perhaps you could find a 'fun' job that will allow you flexible hours to do some freelancing on the side until you are ready to move closer to your goals?

It's just a thought. I guess what I am ultimately trying to say is, we know when a situation is tolerable and when it is unhealthy. Sacrificing health and happiness for a job ... is it worth it?

[morea]

thanks guys... I appreciate the kind words.

I have considered the freelance route, with something part time to help bridge the gap. (I certainly would not mind giving up my commute, either!) But before I try something quite that daring, I want to try to hold out another few months and get some bills caught up - I am still slightly buried under some debt that built up while I was unemployed last year (when the print shop where I worked closed its doors).

It never hurts to keep your eyes open though. Unless, of course, someone is poking at them...

We are one, our cause is one, and we must help each other if we are to succeed. ~ Frederick Douglass

[morea]

sorry... just need to vent a little...

damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it
damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it
damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it
damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it
damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it
damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it
damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it
damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it
damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it
damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it

/vent.

We are one, our cause is one, and we must help each other if we are to succeed. ~ Frederick Douglass

[Patrick Shannon]

Edmond Dantes of 'The Count of Monte Christo' believed that in order for a person to find nirvana, one has to go through great suffering first. My previous five years has been all about this, but I have a GREAT feeling my time is about to come next week (I'm about to discuss this in a seperate thread).

The point is, something WILL come along for you if you work hard enough (not saying you haven't, of course ^_~). And maybe a move is in order.

By the way, losing that many employees in that period? That says something about the business right there. My business went through three different printers (they were there about a week or two each) before finding the current one (he really is a saint for putting up with what he does on his salary).

Patrick Shannon

'Dear valued customer, go home and die. Signed, your friendly graphic artist.'

http://www.patrickshannon.com/mwwc_sm.gif
My War With Culture (http://www.mywarwithculture.com)
Political incorrectness reinvented.

[greyghost]

I agree with EC.
My last corporate job was making me physically ill. I was pulling over with dry heaves on the way to work.

I may not make oodles of money, but I am happier on my own. And I have time to do fun things, like tear out walls in the new house.

when it comes to certain clients, remind yourself:
You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink.

I'm an ARTIST, not a MAGICIAN!

[EC]

Greyghost, I used to get dry heaves in the shower before I even left the house. It was THAT BAD. I was young, and I will never do that again. It's surprising how we 'figure things out' when we make the choice to be in control of our happiness.

I, too, would rather make less money and be happy. Money is nice, but man ... I don't ever want to go back to the dry heave days.

[greyghost]

Amazing how awful a bad place can make you feel, huh? And how it can affect your health too.

I had to be up at 4am in order to make it to work by 6. I can't function that early - my sleep patterns work fine with mornings, but no earlier than 5am. I just felt cheated, and the whole environment was so backstabbing. It was awful. Yeah, I was younger then too (24).

I think that experience made me realize that I have to be in control of my life - I won't let my comfort level (salary) be decided by some witch who likes to sneak up behind artists like a cat (really!). I won't be forced to let good people down and work hard for arsholes that don't like anything. And I will not let someone else dictate my happiness.

I decided no money was enough for that kind of treatment.

Funny part now is? After subtracting what I had to pay for the wardrobe, gas, food, etc. : I make the same amount of money now as I did then.

And the one thing I so wish I had done before leaving? I wish I had told that cat in charge of us artists what a horrible manager she was. And I wish I had taken the backstabbing b!tch out back and slapped her.

Oh well. :)

when it comes to certain clients, remind yourself:
You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink.

I'm an ARTIST, not a MAGICIAN!

[morea]

I hear you, guys... talk about incentive to get that freelance going!

For heavens sake, he is asking me to falsify dates on claims now so we can redeem the rebates. I don't like that at all.

We are one, our cause is one, and we must help each other if we are to succeed. ~ Frederick Douglass

[greyghost]

OMG, Morea, that's awful!

when it comes to certain clients, remind yourself:
You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink.

I'm an ARTIST, not a MAGICIAN!

[UmmYeahOK]

we have 2 graphic design job openings
but we're in nyc...

This life is a test. It is only a test. Has this been an actual life you'd have received better instructions.

[UmmYeahOK]

oh i know! i'll quit and u take my place!

This life is a test. It is only a test. Has this been an actual life you'd have received better instructions.

[morea]

I'm going to confine my bitching to this one thread.

I absolutely <sarcasm>LOVE</sarcasm> the way that we play 'musical phone calls' and 'pass the buck' around here. Essentially, no customer can get through to a sales/service rep at any time, so they leave voice mail.

Then they call back a day or two later, since no one returned their call, and end up having to leave voice mail again.

If the second time hasn't pissed them off enough, the 3rd time they call they are screaming hysterically at me and threatening to call their lawyers and the better business bureau.

80 of these calls a day are contributing nicely to my second ulcer.

'They say time is the fire in which we burn.'
- Dr. Tolian Soran</font>

[morea]

ah, and then we have the joys of my design work here.

don't tell me 'design something for our showroom' and expect me to be able to take it from there. I asked you 7 rimes what sort of copy you wanted included because I can't pull this crap out of empty air.

Yes, I understand that you want photos from our showroom. When I ask if you want me to pull the info from our old marketing sheet and include directions, hours, and a brief history and you say YES, that is what I will do.

Don't turn around after I've done the layout and tell me that we will be sending this NEW flyer with our old marketing sheet, because now we have two sheets listing the same information and are going to look like morons.

You're the one who has 10 years experience in appliance and commercial laundry equipment, not me. Graphic design is NOT magic, and try as I might, I cant spontaneously just 'know' what the hell you want on your flyer.

'They say time is the fire in which we burn.'
- Dr. Tolian Soran</font>

[Patrick Shannon]

That's part of the reason I left Western Union, it had a high turnover rate in the operator pool and many people were just flat out rude or didn't know what they were doing, then the customer phones back angry and takes it out on me.

Patrick Shannon

'Dear valued customer, go home and die. Signed, your friendly graphic artist.'

http://www.patrickshannon.com/mwwc_sm.gif
My War With Culture (http://www.mywarwithculture.com)
Political incorrectness reinvented.

[morea]

well, I believe that my liberal arts degree also qualifies me to say 'would you like fries with that'... but that's about it.

Isn't it lovely that a few moments of indecision at age 17 have completely ruined the rest of my life's career path?

'They say time is the fire in which we burn.'
- Dr. Tolian Soran</font>

[morea]

As a matter of fact, maybe I won't even use InDesign anymore. Publisher is on my computer... hmm...


why the hell do I even bother.

'They say time is the fire in which we burn.'
- Dr. Tolian Soran</font>

Post Edited (morea) : 4/18/2005 6:55:01 PM GMT

[paulrandfan]

Woh, that's crazy talk

'To Design is much more than simply to assemble, to order, or even to edit; it is to add value and meaning, to illuminate, to simplify, to clarify, to modify, to dignify, to dramatize, to persuade, and perhaps even to amuse.' --Paul Rand

[greyghost]

Morea, you bother because you are an artist. You have to have that outlet for creativity.

Hang in there.

when it comes to certain clients, remind yourself:
You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink.

I'm an ARTIST, not a MAGICIAN!

[Ulysses]

Geography ... indeed, it can be the difference between a happy life, or an unhappy one. Personally, I feel that home is where the heart is, and if your heart is not where you are morea ... you really need to find somewhere that is deserving of you, and you are deserving of it.

Think of it is as great sex morea; it is all the more fantastic and entoxicating when you hold out as long as you can, for something you truely desire ... then you can explode when the right opportunity arises.

[Vikia]

Definitely time to put your foot down.

Don't assume you have no recourse. With the rats abandoning ship left and right...your boss needs you! But he needs to know that you have limits to your flexibility even in the face of so much change.

I would seriously ask for a face to face and let the boss know that they have overstepped. But be prepared. This does not have to be a showdown, it really can be a meeting for solution. Write down your list of grievances. Write down a list of possible solutions. Ask for your bosses input and ideas. Ask for your bosses input as to what can be implemented. Ask for a timeline for implementation of solutions. Ask for a followup meeting to see how things are going at a later date. Any boss worth his/her salt will be open to real solutions.

Of course if this is not possible with your current management and you are completely unhappy and cannot commit to trying for solutions, then I am sending my good wishes and hopes that you can find that perfect place.

With your talent, you will get there.