Unfortunately, as is the case across the country, cuts usually come in the form of layoffs forcing thousands into unemployment lines and job banks across the country. Also unfortunate is that many businesses see the creative department as an ideal place to make those job cuts. While creatives - including myself - can spend countless hours arguing the merits of design and why good design is especially important when every advertising dollar counts, this post is more about how to recover from a layoff and how to find a new job.
- First things first: FILE FOR UNEMPLOYMENT.
- Yes, I know this sounds obvious, but it’s important to make sure you have some income while you’re searching for a job. Also, it’ll be easier to concentrate on job hunting with this out of the way.
- Update & reprint/repost your resume.
- Again, fairly obvious, but having a current resume is vital. Invest in a decent paper stock to print your resumes & cover letters. I know it sounds trivial and unnecessary, but the paper says as much about you as your resume does.
Post your resume on as many job sites as you can (especially Monster & CareerBuilder). Maximize your exposure by placing your resume on networking sites such as LinkedIn and Coroflot. Put your resume in as many places as you can - the more people that can find and view your resume the better. - Treat job-hunting as a full-time job.
- Expect to devote at least forty hours per week to sending out resumes, phone calls, searching, etc. Send out as many resumes as possible, even if you’re over/under qualified for the job - in a severely repressed economy any job is a good job.
In the nine months I was out of work, I sent out resumes for everything from office work to janitorial jobs, and worked a couple part-time contract positions while I kept looking for full-time work. I averaged around 25 resumes sent out per week, and kept that pace up for the nine months I was out of work. It wasn’t easy, but it did get results. - Put your portfolio online.
- Behance is one of the most-well known portfolio sites, and it’s (currently) free to use. They operate on an invite-only basis; you’ll need to request an invitation from the site - use their form, say what creative field you’re in, and they’ll send an invite/activation to your email. If you have your own domain, definitely use that; however, there’s nothing wrong with displaying your work through sites like Behance or Coroflot. Wherever your work is online, make sure to include the URL on your resume, cover letter, and email signature.
Another good idea is to make mention of your online portfolio in your cover letter, stating something along the lines of “...examples of my work can be found in my portfolio at [URL].” - Be polite and professional be it over the phone, through email or in person.
- Email will most likely be your first contact with quite a few potential employers; therefore, it is imperative that you use proper grammar, punctuation and sentence structure. Avoid slang and colloquialisms, and never use “textspeak” abbreviations (i.e. OMG, IIRC, etc.). This is your first opportunity to grab their attention, and professional language will go a long way in keeping you in the hunt. Also, while you can and should describe your qualifications in a cover letter, bear in mind that the person reviewing your information may not be a fellow creative. Be descriptive, but try to keep the technical terms to a minimum.
Because companies are receiving hundreds of applications for the same job, many of them are using phone interviews to “thin the herd”. Usually these interviews are with an HR representative who asks a couple questions, then uses your answers and their impressions to decide whether or not to continue the process. Speak eloquently - no slang - and remember that the person on the other end of the line may or may not have a similar background. Detail your qualifications, but be prepared to simplify your answer if needed.
Once you get an in-person interview, take the time to prepare. Print extra copies of your resume; organize your portfolio; make sure you know where you’re going and plan to arrive a bit early for the interview. Your resume and portfolio may get your foot in the door, but how you dress and carry yourself will ultimately decide how far through the door you get. Business casual at the least - even if it’s a casual environment, you don’t work there yet. Presenting yourself professionally in the way you dress and how your present yourself and your work will go a long way in making yourself a likely hire. - Follow up after the interview.
- Remember when your parents would make you write a thank-you note to show your appreciation for a gift? You hated doing it then, but now it may help you land a job.
After your interview, send an email to the interviewer(s) thanking them for their time. This is also a perfect time to restate your interest in the position as well as your qualifications. Again, professionalism counts.
I was out of work for nine months, in Michigan, a state with an unemployment rate continually higher than the national average. Through an incredible amount of work, I was able to find another job in what is now considered to be a short period of time. It can be done. Jobs are out there. All you have to do is work for it.
