Click to See Complete Forum and Search --> : So I went on an interview at a print-shop
wienerdog
07-05-2005, 03:50 PM
I had time off from temping and went on an interview at a franchise printer service about 45 min. away from my house. I am pretty torn, because I could probably get the job. I tested well, and the interview went well, but I feel like it may be a step down by taking a job at a service printer, fixing customer Publisher files and designing dinky stuff after temping at a Fortune 100 company. Not that it's very good where I'm at (I'm often responsible for non-design related work like trying to figure out why two printers the firm has don't print the same color on a PowerPoint file, and get nowhere with it).
My resume is littered with short 6-month to 1-year design positions or freelance gigs, so I'm concerned it looks bad I can't stay in one place. But my moves have been for better opportunity because I can't find a decent place to work.
Would it be a downgrade for future mobility to have Firm Fortune 100 on my resume, and then Graphic Pritner Place? I'm hoping being at a larger firm would open up more opportunity for me.
Eraser Nubbin
07-05-2005, 03:58 PM
Having that big company on your resume looks better, but you would be surprised how many more contacts you would meet at a printing place.
It's not necessarily a step down... especially if you are able to describe the duties at each place. For example: temping at the fortune 100 company is ok, but following that with a position of greater responsibility at a service bureau can be seen as a definite progression. Perhaps you'll be able to suggest or implement some cost-saving or efficiency-increasing procedures at the smaller company that could be described in your cv.
It's probably not the place of employment, but rather what you accomplish there which is most significant.
jimking
07-05-2005, 07:13 PM
I have been in printing for decades. I would never work for a FRANCHISE printer. Be VERY careful. It could turn into a nightmare. They tend to use you up and spit you out with very little pay. Watch out for the promises!!!
Mynock
07-05-2005, 09:26 PM
^ Second that, but the nine months experience got to me to the job where I am now. It is a good stepping stone. They are a secure job, that you can use as backup until you find something you like more.
wienerdog
07-06-2005, 04:18 AM
Thanks for the advice! I think I'm better off continuing to temp until I find something I can see myself at for years instead of months.
Patrick Shannon
07-06-2005, 03:39 PM
Read my posts about my previous job very....veeeerrryy carefully ;)
Mynock is right that the printing experience is a good thing, but really, it all depends on the hiring employer. I got ignored right and left for working for a dinky printshop, but on the other hand, one of the reasons my current employers brought me in was because I could bring prepress/printing to the table, something the other staff doesn't necessarily have. So it can work for and against you, but don't stay any longer than you need to.