Today, I am in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, page D6 (for those of you reading along at home). Earlier this week, I responded to a blog post on AJC’s The Biz Beat blog that encouraged Atlanta citizens who had lost their job in the past year to share their story. I emailed Sunday Business Editor Michael Gray with my story and it was chosen as one of three featured in today’s paper.
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When searching for the article online, I found that it had not been published online. I found this very interesting that they solicited stories for the piece on a blog then didn’t publish the piece online, only print. Yes, the piece is capable of standing completely independent of the solicitation but do they not expect that readers who stumbled across the blog post might be interested in reading the highlighted stories? Are they assuming that their online readers also read the print edition? This move is a disconnect — it is a content-tease for online readers by not delivering online.
While searching to see if the piece had been published online, I stumbled across this interesting error on the AJC site. The search results for “tessa horehled”? The results give me two links to the exact same article on the exact same page. It looks like someone needs to fix their on-site search.
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For those of you not in Atlanta or not able to grab a paper, here is my story as it was published.
“After 37 interviews, I gave up”
Tessa Horehled, 25, Midtown West
Social Media / Online Marketing Manager
Unemployed since May 2008Background: Laid off from Turner Broadcasting System last May when Turner dropped the property she worked for as a full-time contractor. Had to drop out of college, move home with her mother (also laid off). Picked up assorted contract work to help her cover the mortgage.
What she’s done: “I spent six solid months applying for jobs, interviewing, working my ample professional network and networking every opportunity I could find. My resume and interviewing skills were reviewed and re-read by a dozen previous bosses and advisers. Even after relenting to a lesser salary, position and even opening up to the idea of temporarily switching industries, I still was unable to find a position that would work. After 37 interviews, I gave up.”
What she’s learned: As a contractor, she was not eligible for severance or unemployment benefits. “Myself and others in my position aren’t even factored into [the] unemployment rate.
How she’s coping: “I have mostly given up on looking for a full-time position at this time and have been offering consulting/contract services under my LLC I founded last year and spending time on growing and generating more income from my culture and entertainment blog, Drive A Faster Car. I have defaulted on my federal student loan, which now mar my credit report. I’ve barely kept up with my private loans, but finally caught up and am in good standing on them. My mother is employed again after having to take a pay cut and learn a new position.”
Her outlook: “As trying as the past year (now 14 months under-employed) has been, it’s also provided me an opportunity to re-evaluate my career goals and path. I have been able to travel more, become actively involved in professional organizations, grow my blog into a business and spend more time with family. I keep one eye on the job listings but don’t expect to be able to find another full-time position until 2010.”
I (sort of) switched careers after my first job out of college, and it took me over two years to rebound from it. I spent most of the interim working for a temp agency, and then at a job at Best Buy before things finally picked back up. The opportunity presented itself through I contact I’d made on my blog a a few months after I’d basically given up on my “real job” search. Here’s hoping the same happens for you.
I remember in my job search being told that I didn't have the “right” kind of experience in the field for which I was applying.
May the experience you're gaining now lead to a new kind job for you in the future.
Best wishes and good luck.
Thanks Sue!
Last year, everyone was either hiring senior-level or entry-level. With eight years of experience under my belt, it left me in the unfortunate position of being middle-management level, where nobody was hiring.
Some of the interviews I had were jobs I was blatantly not interested in. Others paid way below my previous level. I ultimately decided I would rather clean out my bank accounts traveling and do contract work to get by until I found something I felt comfortable in and excited about.
Wow, but don't give up. Interview 38 may be your lucky one. I've been called by recruiters more times than that in 4 months, but never had a fraction of interviews. At least you are keeping your chin up and making the best of it.
I wish you the best.
Insightful article because it points to what will probably be a future trend, more contract and freelance employees. Been through the interview ringer and luckily found something before savings really started to take a hit. Noticed through the whole process that it was more about mentioning the right keywords, and fitting in with the culture than actual experience. Ironically actually working for Turner right now and in similar uncertain future. Me thinks this might be the time to make myself more invaluable, but also start venturing into personal entrepreneurship. Now in the last year of college this out of pocket investment is kinda uncertain because corporate work is less stable and rewarding. Would be nice to hear how successful you become in your private ventures, if perhaps it is more rewarding than fulltime corporate work or at least more educational than what you would have been getting in the college classroom.
Wow, but don't give up. Interview 38 may be your lucky one. I've been called by recruiters more times than that in 4 months, but never had a fraction of interviews. At least you are keeping your chin up and making the best of it.
I wish you the best.
Insightful article because it points to what will probably be a future trend, more contract and freelance employees. Been through the interview ringer and luckily found something before savings really started to take a hit. Noticed through the whole process that it was more about mentioning the right keywords, and fitting in with the culture than actual experience. Ironically actually working for Turner right now and in similar uncertain future. Me thinks this might be the time to make myself more invaluable, but also start venturing into personal entrepreneurship. Now in the last year of college this out of pocket investment is kinda uncertain because corporate work is less stable and rewarding. Would be nice to hear how successful you become in your private ventures, if perhaps it is more rewarding than fulltime corporate work or at least more educational than what you would have been getting in the college classroom.
I suggest caller your student loan lien holders in default and asking for deferments based on unemployment.