UPDATE: I got a job!! Ironically, not from this post, but from a résumé that I sent out at the same time. They called me up right when they got it, and I interviewed this afternoon and GOT THE JOB!! :) YAY! Thank you all for your well wishes!!!
As many of my readers now, except possibly the new subscribers, I am, unfortunately, unemployed right now. When I started the project, I was a full-time graphic designer working as a slot machine artist here in sunny Las Vegas, Nevada. About 7 months into my yearlong project , I was let go due to some company restructuring. I've had about ZERO luck finding a job. No one here in Las Vegas is hiring, and most of the ads I read that are hiring, which are for service industry jobs in the casinos (bartenders, cocktail waitresses, hostesses), have a requirement of head shots, and suggest that applicants be models, actors, or dancers. I'm none of these things. I do like to work- and prefer to have too much to do as opposed to not enough. I'm quick and friendly. I like deadlines and challenges, and learning new things. I have knowledge of major design programs AND mixing drinks. I like people, and can talk to anyone, yet I'm still unemployed. Not fun. I've applied for design jobs, for typesetting jobs, for marketing jobs, for bartender jobs, and for server jobs to no avail.
I know that plenty of people are in my same predicament, and trust me, I empathize.
So in closing, I put this message out into the world. Hire me?
Wish I could help, but I don't know of any jobs that would work for you (or are near you).
ReplyDeleteUntil you are able to find a job in your field, I bet you could make a pretty secure living doing people's nails.
The success of this blog would be a good resume and probably help get clients.
I know if I lived nearby I'd pay for you to do my nails.
Just looking in Vegas or nationwide?
ReplyDeleteIt is a challenging job market, to say the least!
ReplyDeleteSomeone as skilled as you might consider self-employment, and getting the heck outta Vegas.
That said, I wish you work, and soon. Would you consider relocating at your own expense? Maybe contact some of your favorite nail polish companies and see what they've got to offer!
Best of luck...hang in there.
I thought about doing nails, but it requires 500 hours of class time to get a license, which requires $6,000 at the cosmetology school that I called.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I'd prefer to stay in Vegas, since I have a life out here now.
Elizabeth- yeah, I've considered the self-employment thing, and have done a touch of freelance here and there in the last 10 years, but not sure it's my thing, I'm a creative, so I have a hard time wrapping my head around business related stuff.
ReplyDeleteI wish you all the luck in the world. Sorry I can't help more than that. Have you approached book companies for a daily nail book deal? I'd buy it. :)
ReplyDeleteWish you luck dear. I turned my bailing on a degree into marketing for my own business. Working a very aimless no where job answering phones while I start a cleaning business on the side. Wish you the best of luck dear!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.laureate.net/en/AboutLaureate/Careers.aspx always looking for freelancers, designers, vendors, contractors (these are all people who work remotely and do not need to relocate to any of the cities). If you see something or want to send me a resume, I can talk to some of the design managers in my dept and see if they are looking for any freelancers at the moment.
ReplyDeleteI lived in Vegas for a while until I moved to Colorado. I used to be a technical recruiter out there so I can refer you to some agencies if you'd like.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry you're unemployed and I wish you find a job soon!
ReplyDeleteThe book idea (Liz's idea) is such a great idea! I would deffidently buy it.
You should make your own book! WWW.Blurb.COM you can even sell them on there! I would definitly buy them and I know a lot of other people that would, and they would be great gifts for the holiday! Since you are a graphic designer you should have no problem doing that! :-)
ReplyDeleteAds on your blog? Are you already doing this?
ReplyDeleteAlso, consider publishing a book series of nail art designs. You can do one book on holiday nails, one book on lettering, etc. You can try to contract with nail polish makers to include recommendations to use their stuff.
Nail calendars! Sell them on etsy or something.
CONGRATS!!!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! I couldn't think of a more deserving person for the job! And...love your blog.
ReplyDeleteCONGRATULATIONS, Melissa! :)
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with one of your followers that perhaps you should also consider a career that involves your nail designs.
Good luck!
Yay! Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteYAY! Sometimes, all you need to do is throw it out there, and what you're looking for will find you!
ReplyDeletecongratsssss
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!! It's funny, I don't even know you but I worried about you being unemployed and I was hoping you'd find something soon. Yay!
ReplyDeleteAWESOME!!!! Even though I don't know you, it was pretty sad to hear that you lost your job, especially with all the amazing designs you show on here. Congratulations and good luck with your new job!!
ReplyDeleteWay to go!
ReplyDeletecongrats on the job :D
ReplyDeleteCONGRATZ LADY!!
ReplyDeleteYay!! Congrats on the new job!!! :D *cue dancing animals*
ReplyDeleteyou should still make a book id buy it
ReplyDeleteThat's Awesome!! Congratulations on the job!!! :) I vote for Celebration nails in honor of the new job! lots of bright colors and glitter!
ReplyDeleteYEAH! Congrats! Now you're the "Good Luck Bear" ;D
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!! I hope that the position affords you all you were looking for!
ReplyDeleteYYYAAAYYYYY!
ReplyDeleteCongrats!!!! I start a new job in a week too! :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the job! :)
ReplyDeletewoot congrats!
ReplyDeleteCONGRATULATIONS!!! I'm super happy for you!!
ReplyDeleteWow! Excellent! Good things happen and can happen fast. You must have found that birth certificate after all!
ReplyDeleteGreat news on the employment front! Hope you can tell us what you are going to be doing! I have really enjoyed your blog, you are very talented and sounds like you have a great life!
ReplyDeleteCONGRATULATIONS!!!!
ReplyDeleteyey! congrats on your job! yeah it's really tough out there still! Especially for designers/architect ppl! I'm switching to graphic design too. It's much more creative than architecture.. and way more fun! When I finish taking these classes.. i will have a job too! :-D
ReplyDelete