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Topic: How to keep spirits up when 9 mo. into job search
| Author | Message |
| ny or bust | Posted – 8/16/2007 2:20:39 PM | show profile Well, after 9 months of fruitless searching and more interviews than I care to recount, I'm at the point of feeling like I'm never going to find work again. I have more than 6 yrs of experience in the editorial field which at this point I feel like might as well be none. How does everyone else keep plowing forward when faced with never-ending rejection? |
| Ima Putz | Posted – 8/16/2007 2:33:38 PM | show profile I hear you, ny or bust! I'm also 9 months in, with countless interviews and second interviews--but no job offers. I'm so discouraged and frustrated with the whole process that I feel like I'll never get a job. I guess I don't really have any advice to offer, but it helps to know that there are other talented, hard-working people out there who are all in the same boat. Just keep applying! We'll get there. |
| ZeldaMedia | Posted – 8/16/2007 2:42:15 PM | show profile Rx for low spirits Hello all. I have been in the same boat sporadically for close to seven years. I have been laid off three times and have gotten some freelance gigs that have built up my portfolio. TO DO: Surround yourself with supportive friends and family Contact your local dept. of unemployment and see if there are support groups you could join Make a list of your career successes. It doesn't matter how old, no one can take that away from you and it could be used as a source of strength Go outside for a brisk walk Read books or stories about people who fought and beat the odds Watch documentaries about survivors and thrivers Don't Do Don't compare yourself to your employed and seemingly successful friends Don't think that your last chance to make a career happen, was six years ago. . .ever hear of the term "late bloomer"? I hope this helps. You are not alone. |
| ZeldaMedia | Posted – 8/16/2007 2:45:34 PM | show profile Oh, and another thing Remember you did get called in for first and second interviews. That means you have something they liked. |
| mad fingers | Posted – 8/16/2007 2:49:47 PM | show profile Three's a charm? I've been unemployed for 9 months, too. Almost no opportunities where I live, but then, I'm in a very geographically challenged part of the country for this business. Finally had an interview last week that I know won't work out, and one this week I'm hoping will. The hardest thing for me is structuring my days. I think others have said this, but maybe look at your skills and see if there's anything you could brush up on, then invest some time in that. Otherwise, try to be good to yourself and if applicable, have a donut. |
| inkblot | Posted – 8/16/2007 3:33:07 PM | show profile I'm going on three months unemployed and counting. I am (was?) a newspaper reporter and have gone on one good interview. But they took two months to call me after I submitted a resume and clip package. So I interviewed and they said they'd call me back for a second interview. That was two weeks ago. No word. I don't know about you, but what gets me down is here we are, desperate for work in our field, but have you noticed that a lot of publications out there are really bad? That is, there are fewer and fewer quality places to write for. There's two places in particular that I applied at (not including the one where I interviewed), and I'm like, I can't believe I'm so desperate for them to hire me. Their story writing and editing is so lacking. But, they are among only a handful of options within commuting distance. |
| Kay123 | Posted – 8/16/2007 3:35:16 PM | show profile | email poster Been there.... For 6 months of 2006, that was me jobless. Over 10 years of great, solid experience, 6 years working for one of the top media companies - then suddenly fired. I went on over 20 interviews, several 2nd interviews and a couple 3rd interviews. I was seriously contemplating moving to CA. Thought of the most outlandish ways I could find money to pay my rent (including the ever-famous 'selling all my worldly possessions on eBay'). Started volunteering and found THAT was the answer. Just take the focus off of yourself, do something for someone else and good things will happen for you. As the year changed from 2006 to 2007....everything got better - and better yet, got a job! |
| Ahppy1 | Posted – 8/16/2007 4:04:03 PM | show profile I am in the same boat..although it's not been 9 months..3 months of being unemployed and it is very frustrating. I have had a few interviews one went half way decent but they went with someone else the others I didn't get a good feeling about and they didn't call back anyway. And worse because it's summer most companies want interns for jobs that I totally would go for if it was full time position. I hope things pick up soon. |
| ny or bust | Posted – 8/16/2007 4:19:36 PM | show profile Thank you all for your kind words and advice. There really does need to be a support group for unemployed media types :) I spent the first 6 months of my job search interviewing in the Philly area, which is truly dreadful for jobs in the field, and the past few interviewing in NY. I've already gotten a number of second interviews in NY, and then... nothing. I have been freelancing in the meantime to provide a modicum of income and prove I haven't been sitting on my ass doing nothing all this time :) I've also been trying to improve my skills and am considering taking some computer courses since I see so many postings for online editors. Kay123, good idea about volunteering, will look into that. madfingers - donut not applicable, but cannoli was :) Good luck to everyone with your job search. |
| Chamsah | Posted – 8/16/2007 4:20:27 PM | show profile I'll join in It's been almost 8 months for me... looks like we were all laid off around the same time Dec/January. I've been freelancing since I lost my staff job. Not all of it has been fun stuff but I find it's a way to keep my hand in the industry while I look for a staff job. It helps keep my resume current, I am meeting people and trying to get my name out there. I recommend it: work as a copy editor, fact checker, proof-reader, pitch stories, etc. I also agree that a lot of what's out there lacks in quality. It's scary... this is definitely not the business I started in back when. I am extremely nervous because I am not getting all the interviews many of you are talking about.... few jobs advertise for somone with my years of experience. I am trying not to think that I might have been forced out of the industry but it could be the case. Either way, I will be giving this a certain amount of time before I walk. Not exactly what I dreamed of back when I applied to J-school but the world has changed a lot since then. Anyway, welcome to this crappy club! Remember, hundreds of people were laid off at the beginning of the year. And several magazines have folded since then. We are all in good company. Hiding, but in good company. I've long encouraged people to come out and say hello. I hope they continue. |
| Lizard Breath | Posted – 8/16/2007 4:38:03 PM | show profile 8 months and counting for me! I've been lucky enough to at least have non journalism work (waiting tables/temping etc) so I can pay my bills, but it is discouraging nonetheless. To be honest, lamenting with others in the same boat on this board has helped me through it, because I don't feel so inferior. I figure, if there are this many talented people right here that are out of work, I'm not so bad. Keep at it. Use this time of flexibility to do stuff you won't get to do when your schedule gets hectic again (because it will!!) |
| writesonwater | Posted – 8/16/2007 4:52:12 PM | show profile Lots of great advice here. You need to know many of us have been there -- and there are others who still are and will commiserate. After quitting my job suddenly 2 years ago I was faced with a slim local market. Thrown in the deep end, I swam like crazy. My answer was freelancing and book writing, and I'm going for it full tilt. Another thing that can help is choose an area of research to become and expert at. You think in six months you can learn enough about something to become an expert journalist on it, or maybe even an author? You bet. Also, look for skills to upgrade to keep up with the market -- internet, whatever. Read books about authoring, if that's a new thing for you, and book promotion etc. When I left my last job, I told my husband I was going to put myself through my own MFA, and I'm living up to it. If you can afford them, books and courses. If not, the library and online. And if you need to embrace working at Starbucks to make ends meet, tell yourself it's research and make the most of it. |
| writesonwater | Posted – 8/16/2007 4:52:39 PM | show profile Lots of great advice here. You need to know many of us have been there -- and there are others who still are and will commiserate. After quitting my job suddenly 2 years ago I was faced with a slim local market. Thrown in the deep end, I swam like crazy. My answer was freelancing and book writing, and I'm going for it full tilt. Another thing that can help is choose an area of research to become and expert at. You think in six months you can learn enough about something to become an expert journalist on it, or maybe even an author? You bet. Also, look for skills to upgrade to keep up with the market -- internet, whatever. Read books about authoring, if that's a new thing for you, and book promotion etc. When I left my last job, I told my husband I was going to put myself through my own MFA, and I'm living up to it. If you can afford them, books and courses. If not, the library and online. And if you need to embrace working at Starbucks to make ends meet, tell yourself it's research and make the most of it. |
| adeleh. | Posted – 8/16/2007 4:53:19 PM | show profile I hear you! Although I do not have the experience you do, I am in the same boat. I completed my master's from one of the big three j-schools in March and it is going on six months of unemployment! I have three incredible internships, good clips, freelance experience, I am bilingual blah blah blah and still nothing. I have had a few interviews, but they end up going with someone else. Most of the time I just feel like I am sending CVs that nobody is actually reading. Worse, the refrain I keep hearing is I am overqualified for an entry level position (mostly EA jobs), yet I am not qualified enough for the next level up. So frustrating! I can only reiterate what everyone else is saying and tell you not to give up, surround yourself with positive people and freelance as much as you can. Exercise helps me too -- endorphins are a great way to beat back depression. A nice glass of chianti helps too. Stay strong. Adele |
| writesonwater | Posted – 8/16/2007 4:55:53 PM | show profile I have a mug I got at Coolstuff4writers that says "I AM working. I'm doing RESEARCH." Helps to find a better thing to say than the deer-in-headlights "I'm unemployed." "I'm working on a novel" sounds great - especially if it's true! ;)_ |
| digital.storyteller | Posted – 8/16/2007 5:37:17 PM | show profile | email poster Bait & Switch But above all don't take it personally. If you're over 40 and want to REALLY get depressed, read Bait and Switch by Barbara Ehrenreich. She enters " another hidden realm of the economy: the shadowy world of the white collar unemployed. " Do a blog. It's amazing if it' s professional how it connects you to the world out there. It's better than a resume. Be careful not to personalize too much however... Go to www.blogger.com and get a free account and get going. And there's always freelance work while you're job hunting. As Billy Holiday once crooned, " God help the child that's gots its own." I've been freelancing for most of my life and am always one step away from being unemployed until the next gig comes in! But I have survived. |
| Chamsah | Posted – 8/17/2007 3:06:25 PM | show profile | email poster Suggestion Long ago I offered to create a group of sorts for people who got laid off this year, and unfortunately I didn't hear from anyone. Now that we are 2/3 through the year, maybe people have changed their minds? I am willing to do something informal, whether it's a yahoo group or helping us all connected via Linked In? Do you all know about that site? It's pretty fantastic. I have turned on my email capabilities. Feel free to write to me if you are interested, even those people who have read this thread but are reluctant to post. There are many of us out there. Thanks and good luck! |
| writesonwater | Posted – 8/17/2007 3:23:21 PM | show profile Chamsah, maybe we need a special unemployed support group subsection of threads on Mediabistro? |
| Chamsah | Posted – 8/17/2007 5:04:15 PM | show profile Good idea! Sounds good to me... at this point I am willing to try anything that helps all of us feel less disconnected, more hopeful and perhaps help others with job leads. But ultimately it's up to Laurel and the moderators. Something I can look into. Thanks. |
| melody | Posted – 8/17/2007 9:39:14 PM | show profile all i can say is.. no matter what dont let this city force you to WORK FOR FREE |
