I'm a professional writer applying for a job at Lowes--bummed out!

[bif]

Not that I'm knocking the jobs or the people who do them, but it's kind of depressing. I've been an advertising writer my whole life. But I've been underemployed for 4 years now. There just aren't any jobs in my field, especially for a middle-aged person. How crappy can this economy get?

[Tuesday Afternoon]

1. Sorry. Good Luck. I hope things turn around soon.

:hug:

[bif]

2. Thanks.

The two most depressing times are when you file for unemployment, and then when you go to plan "D" applying for jobs you never thought you'd be applying for.

[PassingFair]

3. My husband is an underemployed art director, bif....

We feel your pain.

He's still holding out
for the miracle customer,
but I don't know how long
MY sales job will continue,
I'm moving BACKWARDS.

:hi:

[bif]

5. Good luck to him.

The advertising market is pretty bad right now. Has he looking into this website? http://www.indeed.com
It's a meta search engine. There seem to be a lot more Art Director jobs there than writing jobs. Be sure to use different key words like graphic designer, designer, art director, etc.

[siligut]

4. The positive aspect?

It is a pleasurable experience to get advice regarding home improvement from someone like you. I don’t know when this economy is going to turn around, so many people are finding themselves in your position.

[datasuspect]

6. did you write advertising copy?

how much would you charge for that?

[bif]

7. Yes indeed!

I really depends on the job. I can charge by the hour or in the case of longer journalistic writing, by the word. And it's strictly negotiable. My basic rate is $50/hr or .50 per word.

[RebelOne]

8. Believe me, the advertising market sucks right now.

I work in publishing. My company publishes 28 state outdoors magazines monthly. And we are not getting advertising, so the magazines have been cut back in size. One of our ad execs said that he is afraid that we may go belly up in a few months.

[bif]

9. I know

My Dad just showed me the latest copy of Time Magazine. It looked like a comic book it was so thin.

[Blue_Tires]

10. been there, done that, still doing it...

a word of advice...DO NOT feel depressed, shocked or demoralized if they turn your your application down...i used to be a journalist and i could make you laugh about the jobs that turned me down and the $6-7-8-dollar-an-hour part-time jobs I had to practically beg to get...

i'm still grossly underemployed as a glorified receptionist, but at least there is a health plan and I'm not breaking my back...


have you looked at the job listings on this guy's site? you can subscribe and get a list of jobs each monday...he is well connected and a good person to know:
http://www.nedsjotw.com/

[bif]

12. Looks like a great resource

Thanks for the link!

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

14. Think about this.........

with your background you could tell a customer the 'custom fitted attachment devices (nails) are located on Aisle 6.':)
I don't mean to make light of it, except what can you do? This is certainly the worst time for our ecomonmy since the Depression so at this point any job beats no job. I know I resist the urge daily to tell my bosses what I really think of their ability, but than I remember that as poorly as my job pays, I still have one.
So take heart, have some fun with it and let's all hope the adage that says 'tough times never never last but tough people do' is true :toast:

[LaurenG]

11. I worked at McDonald's for a week when I was 36

I did what I had to do in order to bring in something - it was the hardest job I'd done in years. I was offered another job before the week was up. Here's hoping the same thing happens for you. Best wishes to you during this trying time.

[LiberalEsto]

13. I'm a part time marketing writer

and former newspaper reporter. Last year I only worked about 70 hours. This year, no hours whatsoever.
I've never seen such a lousy economy in my 57 years. I wish I could work someplace like Lowes or the grocery store, but with a herniated disc and sciatica it's not possible.

Good luck to you. Let's hope things start getting better soon for everyone.

[Pacifist Patriot]

15. My BIL is a college grad who has been a Regional Sales Manager for...

several different types of companies and a builder for a residential construction company. He couldn't get a job at Lowes or Home Depot.

Good luck!

[Kat45]

16. Hey, at least you once HAD a job in your field!

I have a masters in journalism and I never had a job in the field; the most I did was some freelancing and local publications that paid squat, work that I had to subsidize with a regular job. For that past decade, I've been even more seriously underemployed, with most jobs lasting less than a year due to downsizing. I'm now 54 and again unemployed with not even any shit jobs on the horizon. Believe me, I sympathize.

[Deja Q]

17. Not even in 'internet marketing'?

[RedXIII]

18. Well i'm a

Exotic dancer at a nightclub in Second Life and i get good tips.

/me waves to everyone.

[bif]

19. I have experience in it

But they're looking for folks who've worked in digital media for 2-3 years. Picky-picky! I've designed and maintain several websites.
But you can't BS your way into a job like you used to.

[cherish44]

20. Chances are if you're overqualified, you won't get the job

We had a number of people who were magna cum laudes apply for a part time receptionist job where I work. It was obviously they were looking for anything they could get given their credentials. No they didn't get even get considered for an interview. Most employers want someone who isn't looking for a "tide me over til the economy picks up job", they want someone who will stay. It costs money to hire and train people ya know.