These days as I hear the lovely g-mail chime I can already read the messages looming in my inbox.
"We have no available positions at the moment but we will keep your resume on file should something become available in the future. Love, Kisses, and Rainbows - HR"
Okay so I made the last part up, but really in this drowning economy those automated responses tend to flood my inbox these days. Sometimes I sit around and wonder if those filing cabinets truly exist or if it is HR's friendliest and most professional form of rejection. What has become even worse than the typical automated rapid-fire responses are silent rejections. Those are the ones that simply refuse to dignify your inquiries with a response.
I believe my favorite rejection email to date is from Skirt Magazine in Memphis that stated "We have filled the position. - Skirt"
Wow. Down to one sentence. That's a keeper because of it's blunt honesty. I have enjoyed the emails from various places across the South East that try to sugar coat their messages with "We liked (or enjoyed) your work, but we aren't looking to add anyone to our team". That's basically like saying "Hey at least you have a cute personality..."
I have to warn you - it's not smart to pray dangerous things like "God close the doors you don't want me to walk through". I think sometimes we forget that God will actually DO what we pray for! Well, I forgot and now He's reminding me in His own way.
So for now, I will continue my quest. If you have any suggestions of what I should do while being here in Auburn until...well...who knows how long, I'd love to hear 'em. As always, thanks for stopping by.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Friday, January 23, 2009
Want Ad
In recent weeks most of my job leads have turned up as dead ends. I have quickly realized just how unfriendly the economy is right now, especially if you just graduated college.
So consider this a want ad.
I am a graphic designer, searching for employment, preferably in the South East. If you know of ANYONE with a business or church or hot dog stand (ew I hate hot dogs, but you get my point) that would be interested in hiring someone for their design needs PLEASE contact me at meforrester@gmail.com
In the meanwhile, I will be searching for some kind of part time employment here in Auburn so I don't begin to "crawl the walls" or go "stir crazy" as my Dad puts it.
Also, even more than contacts of people you might know that are hiring, I would like to ask for your prayers. It never hurts to petition the one who created the idea of "work".
Thanks again, and I will be sure to keep you posted as the search progresses.
So consider this a want ad.
I am a graphic designer, searching for employment, preferably in the South East. If you know of ANYONE with a business or church or hot dog stand (ew I hate hot dogs, but you get my point) that would be interested in hiring someone for their design needs PLEASE contact me at meforrester@gmail.com
In the meanwhile, I will be searching for some kind of part time employment here in Auburn so I don't begin to "crawl the walls" or go "stir crazy" as my Dad puts it.
Also, even more than contacts of people you might know that are hiring, I would like to ask for your prayers. It never hurts to petition the one who created the idea of "work".
Thanks again, and I will be sure to keep you posted as the search progresses.
Monday, January 12, 2009
The Job Hunt Continues
Hey everyone!
Well I feel that it's way past due for an update around here. Yes, I did officially graduate from Auburn. I have the paper to prove it! Since then I have begun my epic quest for employment which continues to be a rather elusive entity. Last week I visited Memphis, TN and had a few interviews.
The first was at Speak Creative. Unfortunately they are not hiring, but I had an "informal introduction" which went well. I think if something should develop there I would learn quite a lot about the industry. They did advise me to continue to learn as much as I could about web design because that is where they are growing the most.
The second interview was for a part-time design job with White Station Church of Christ. It went very well from my perspective and I was very comfortable answering the questions that they had for me. I am not sure how this one could work out seeing that it is part-time, but you never know!
The third interview was with Harvest Creative. I have to say out of my other interviews (including the one in Birmingham in September) this one was the most enjoyable. I really clicked with the staff there, and they were very complimentary of my work. I am expecting a follow-up call at the end of the month after they decide where their new location is going to be.
Since returning to Auburn I have continued to apply for various openings in the South East and have yet to hear back from anyone else. I know that the economy isn't very friendly right now, especially if you're new to the "real world", but something will turn up.
So you might be wondering what I have been doing in my spare time. Well to answer that inquiry, I have taken up several freelance projects. I am in process with the following: Map design for the Alabama Historical Association through the University, t-shirt design for the site Politics4All (I actually have a meeting with them tomorrow morning), t-shirt series with the organization called Loveless based on India (I'm SO excited about this one, I love their apparel!), edits for the Sound of Hope so it can go to print soon, a logo design for a consignment shop in Tampa called "Fresh Threads", and a few others that I can't recall at the moment.
Through my interviews I have decided to listen to the advice of those in the industry. Web design is growing and the need for web designers is becoming very essential to secure employment. I have decided to sit in on a web design class while I am still in Auburn. Granted I did take this class in the past, but I need it again because I didn't catch everything the first time through.
So that's where I'm at for the moment. I want to go ahead and apologize if I twitch a little should you ask me the question "Do you have a job yet?" because I don't have a solid answer for you. I appreciate the inquiry though and I will be sure to keep you updated as I continue to search for work.
If you know of anyone in need of a graphic designer please contact me at: meforrester@gmail.com! Thanks so much for stopping by!
Well I feel that it's way past due for an update around here. Yes, I did officially graduate from Auburn. I have the paper to prove it! Since then I have begun my epic quest for employment which continues to be a rather elusive entity. Last week I visited Memphis, TN and had a few interviews.
The first was at Speak Creative. Unfortunately they are not hiring, but I had an "informal introduction" which went well. I think if something should develop there I would learn quite a lot about the industry. They did advise me to continue to learn as much as I could about web design because that is where they are growing the most.
The second interview was for a part-time design job with White Station Church of Christ. It went very well from my perspective and I was very comfortable answering the questions that they had for me. I am not sure how this one could work out seeing that it is part-time, but you never know!
The third interview was with Harvest Creative. I have to say out of my other interviews (including the one in Birmingham in September) this one was the most enjoyable. I really clicked with the staff there, and they were very complimentary of my work. I am expecting a follow-up call at the end of the month after they decide where their new location is going to be.
Since returning to Auburn I have continued to apply for various openings in the South East and have yet to hear back from anyone else. I know that the economy isn't very friendly right now, especially if you're new to the "real world", but something will turn up.
So you might be wondering what I have been doing in my spare time. Well to answer that inquiry, I have taken up several freelance projects. I am in process with the following: Map design for the Alabama Historical Association through the University, t-shirt design for the site Politics4All (I actually have a meeting with them tomorrow morning), t-shirt series with the organization called Loveless based on India (I'm SO excited about this one, I love their apparel!), edits for the Sound of Hope so it can go to print soon, a logo design for a consignment shop in Tampa called "Fresh Threads", and a few others that I can't recall at the moment.
Through my interviews I have decided to listen to the advice of those in the industry. Web design is growing and the need for web designers is becoming very essential to secure employment. I have decided to sit in on a web design class while I am still in Auburn. Granted I did take this class in the past, but I need it again because I didn't catch everything the first time through.
So that's where I'm at for the moment. I want to go ahead and apologize if I twitch a little should you ask me the question "Do you have a job yet?" because I don't have a solid answer for you. I appreciate the inquiry though and I will be sure to keep you updated as I continue to search for work.
If you know of anyone in need of a graphic designer please contact me at: meforrester@gmail.com! Thanks so much for stopping by!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
IT'S A CELEBRATION!
This is the song I'm singing because...
I'M DONE WITH COLLEGE!
I completed my final final today.
Celebrate good times come on!! Yahooo!
I'M DONE WITH COLLEGE!
I completed my final final today.
Celebrate good times come on!! Yahooo!
Sunday, December 14, 2008
A New Chapter
Hey there everyone!
I apologize for the lack of posting for the last month or so. Due to my slacking, I have plenty of updates to relay so here we go!
"Ahhhh" - that my dear friends is a sigh of relief for I have, indeed, successfully completed my Senior Project. If you don't believe me, because I had doubts myself, then visit this page to view my project in its glorious entirety. I was very pleased with the end results as were my professors and Ericka Bennett from Adventures in Missions. They are planning to use the materials and begin printing them as the funds become available! It's very exciting to see my work be put into use instead of collecting dust in a portfolio.
With that said, I am graduating on the 19th which would be in exactly 4 days and 12 hours. To go ahead and answer your question I would like to state "No. I do not have a job yet." I have applied and inquired with several places such as: Speak Creative in Memphis, TN Harding Creative in Memphis, TN Harvest Creative in Memphis, TN Midtown Church in Atlanta, GA to name just a few. Obviously I would like to end up in Memphis but I'm pretty open so, if you know of anyone in need of a Graphic Designer, please keep me in mind!
In the meanwhile I will be in Auburn until I secure some form of employment. Thankfully there's a grace period with my parents ha ha! To be honest it is slightly overwhelming trying to find a job and the state of the economy isn't exactly working toward anyone's favor who just graduated college. Even so, something will work out.
Also to update from previous posts I was accepted to be a Roadie for Invisible Children. Crazy, I know! But after several days of consulting about a dozen different individuals wiser than myself and plenty of prayer I concluded that being on the road for 6 months just simply wasn't where I needed to be. Of course it was very difficult to turn down, but I didn't have a peace about accepting the position. I also thought that I have been working for four and a half years on this degree and I am ready to put it into practice which I would not be able to do while on the road. Regardless of my decision, I still greatly support this organization and who knows - maybe some other opportunities will come my way that involves IC. You never know!
I have one more final left on Tuesday then I am officially finished with my college education. Wow. It feels like I just started my Freshman year and in other ways it feels like I have been in college for 10 years. Either way, a new chapter is opening up in my life and I have no idea what the pages hold. Really. No. Idea. Thankfully God knows and He has a plan which is a great relief even when I feel the pressures after answering "Do you have a job yet?" about 20 times.
In the meanwhile, I plan to enjoy some time during the holidays here in Auburn. I will also be traveling to Louisiana shortly after Christmas so I am very excited about that time we have planned. I will be sure to keep you in the know concerning my job quest!
As always, thanks for stopping by!
I apologize for the lack of posting for the last month or so. Due to my slacking, I have plenty of updates to relay so here we go!
"Ahhhh" - that my dear friends is a sigh of relief for I have, indeed, successfully completed my Senior Project. If you don't believe me, because I had doubts myself, then visit this page to view my project in its glorious entirety. I was very pleased with the end results as were my professors and Ericka Bennett from Adventures in Missions. They are planning to use the materials and begin printing them as the funds become available! It's very exciting to see my work be put into use instead of collecting dust in a portfolio.
With that said, I am graduating on the 19th which would be in exactly 4 days and 12 hours. To go ahead and answer your question I would like to state "No. I do not have a job yet." I have applied and inquired with several places such as: Speak Creative in Memphis, TN Harding Creative in Memphis, TN Harvest Creative in Memphis, TN Midtown Church in Atlanta, GA to name just a few. Obviously I would like to end up in Memphis but I'm pretty open so, if you know of anyone in need of a Graphic Designer, please keep me in mind!
In the meanwhile I will be in Auburn until I secure some form of employment. Thankfully there's a grace period with my parents ha ha! To be honest it is slightly overwhelming trying to find a job and the state of the economy isn't exactly working toward anyone's favor who just graduated college. Even so, something will work out.
Also to update from previous posts I was accepted to be a Roadie for Invisible Children. Crazy, I know! But after several days of consulting about a dozen different individuals wiser than myself and plenty of prayer I concluded that being on the road for 6 months just simply wasn't where I needed to be. Of course it was very difficult to turn down, but I didn't have a peace about accepting the position. I also thought that I have been working for four and a half years on this degree and I am ready to put it into practice which I would not be able to do while on the road. Regardless of my decision, I still greatly support this organization and who knows - maybe some other opportunities will come my way that involves IC. You never know!
I have one more final left on Tuesday then I am officially finished with my college education. Wow. It feels like I just started my Freshman year and in other ways it feels like I have been in college for 10 years. Either way, a new chapter is opening up in my life and I have no idea what the pages hold. Really. No. Idea. Thankfully God knows and He has a plan which is a great relief even when I feel the pressures after answering "Do you have a job yet?" about 20 times.
In the meanwhile, I plan to enjoy some time during the holidays here in Auburn. I will also be traveling to Louisiana shortly after Christmas so I am very excited about that time we have planned. I will be sure to keep you in the know concerning my job quest!
As always, thanks for stopping by!
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Give HOPE
If you have a few moments I would really encourage you to read the following links. These two stories really moved my heart and I just adore what AIM is working to do on an international level!
Give Hope to Orphans in Cambodia
and...
Meet Michael Angelo
Man, doesn't that stir something in you!? It certainly does for me as well as a personal reminder that my graphic design work really is for something bigger than a panel of professors.
Along those lines you have another opportunity to partner with me and the campaign that I've been working on this semester for my senior project. We had these shirts made and you can purchase one for $15 and the profit will go towards helping orphans across the globe! If you're interested please let me know. They are chocolate brown, American Apparel sizes S-XL in Mens fit. Better grab one quickly because I only have 45 to sell!
Thanks so much for reading! Have a beautiful week!
Strengths
To say that I have several things on my plate right now would be a little pretentious. My epic senior project is due in 4 days and everything is going to the printer tomorrow. Over the weekend I was offered the opportunity to be a Roadie for Invisible Children which I have to decide by tomorrow if that is the path I want to take. On top of that I was presented with the maybe possibility of being a graphic designer for Adventures in Missions. (The fellow who determines this is in Africa, so at the moment it's on hold). I am graduating in December and starting a completely new exciting yet foreign phase of my life. All the while being sick for the past week with a cold. And there is one more amazing thing happening but you can just ask the details about that one :)
In regards to my future I have been trying in the past 36 hours to decipher what I am going to do with my life that will bring the MOST glory to God. I could be a Roadie which is an AMAZING opportunity or pursue a graphic design job that I am truly passionate about. Through this process a friend of mine recommended researching what my strengths and talents were so I could use them to the best of my ability. I ended up reading a book called "Strengths Finder 2.0" (which sounds cheesy) by Tom Rath. Along with the book you take a 45 minute test online to decipher your specific strengths. Well here are my top five: Positivity, Developer, Includer, Achiever, and Connectedness. I wanted to share a few of those highlights with you because they matched up so well it was kind of creepy:
"Because of your strengths, you capture others' attention with your open and talkative style. You support and inspire people. You boost their confidence and support their resolve to respond to change, overcome obstacles, acquire new skills, gain knowledge, or reach lofty goals. Instinctively, you repeatedly go out of your way to support, inspire, motivate, or embolden various individuals. You likely regard this task as worthy of your effort and time. It’s very likely that you read for relaxation and pleasure. Your carefree, cheerful, and easygoing approach to life is apt to be reflected in the types of books or publications you regularly peruse -- that is, examine studiously. Whenever you can pull together lots of information, ideas, or facts for later use, you feel quite content. By nature, you feel wonderful about life, especially when you become a link between individuals or groups. Many people would not have known one another if you had not stepped into their lives." - I've actually had that last sentence said to me before! Bizarre...
"Sharing in the company of people probably is much more important to you than keeping score, winning prizes, or capturing championship titles. Instinctively, you occasionally solicit the thoughts, feelings, or advice of certain people." - no wonder I never was competitive! Sorry Ben...)
"you need to interact with others on a regular basis." - FACT. I do not do well in isolation!
In regards to my future I have been trying in the past 36 hours to decipher what I am going to do with my life that will bring the MOST glory to God. I could be a Roadie which is an AMAZING opportunity or pursue a graphic design job that I am truly passionate about. Through this process a friend of mine recommended researching what my strengths and talents were so I could use them to the best of my ability. I ended up reading a book called "Strengths Finder 2.0" (which sounds cheesy) by Tom Rath. Along with the book you take a 45 minute test online to decipher your specific strengths. Well here are my top five: Positivity, Developer, Includer, Achiever, and Connectedness. I wanted to share a few of those highlights with you because they matched up so well it was kind of creepy:
"Because of your strengths, you capture others' attention with your open and talkative style. You support and inspire people. You boost their confidence and support their resolve to respond to change, overcome obstacles, acquire new skills, gain knowledge, or reach lofty goals. Instinctively, you repeatedly go out of your way to support, inspire, motivate, or embolden various individuals. You likely regard this task as worthy of your effort and time. It’s very likely that you read for relaxation and pleasure. Your carefree, cheerful, and easygoing approach to life is apt to be reflected in the types of books or publications you regularly peruse -- that is, examine studiously. Whenever you can pull together lots of information, ideas, or facts for later use, you feel quite content. By nature, you feel wonderful about life, especially when you become a link between individuals or groups. Many people would not have known one another if you had not stepped into their lives." - I've actually had that last sentence said to me before! Bizarre...
"Sharing in the company of people probably is much more important to you than keeping score, winning prizes, or capturing championship titles. Instinctively, you occasionally solicit the thoughts, feelings, or advice of certain people." - no wonder I never was competitive! Sorry Ben...)
"you need to interact with others on a regular basis." - FACT. I do not do well in isolation!
"Consider roles in which you can take responsibility for representing voices that are not usually heard. You will derive a great deal of satisfaction from being a spokesperson for these people" - Honestly if I had to sum up what I want to with my "career" it would be that.
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