Back to School.....

I've been trying to find a job as a Graphic Designer (Print) and it seems that these days, employers want employees with a combination of Graphic Design (Print) AND Web Design knowledge. So, in order to keep up with the times, I'm hoping to accomplish what employers want and I'm going BACK TO SCHOOL!! I'm also doing this for myself!!

I'm excited, yet scared. Excited because I'm going to learn some new things and I'll be updating my skills and knowledge, and scared because with a mortgage to pay, I have to find a job (NOW) that will allow me to work AND go to my classes.

DOES YOUR COMPANY VALUE EDUCATION?

Do any companies out there send their employee's to classes anymore? And/or, do employee's have to pay for udating their own education? I guess it all depends on the company, the supervisor and the job.

To me, it seems like there are some companies out there that don't value education. It's like, they're not going to hire someone who is taking classes during working hours/days. And, that's partly because they don't want to pay someone what they're worth. Even though they want someone with all the skills and knowledge in the world they are only willing to pay low wages. They just want to get by with an employee who has barely the real experience that they would like an employee to have. Do you now what I mean?

As a current job seeker, I've seen tons of job advertisements that want it all, but don't want to pay the wages deserved (for someone who has the skills and knowledge). It's like, they want you to have the most awesome Adobe CS skills, PowerPoint skills along with some Administrative skills and you'll have to do this and that, etc., and you need to have a Bachelor's degree but they're only paying that?...Hahaha, that's funny!!

Then, there are those companies who will work with you and let you attend classes AND pay you what you're worth. That's what I want to find, a company who will work with me while I'm working towards updating my education. In the long run, it will not only help me out, but it's good for the company that I end up working for. I've seen some job ads with great pay for the job posted (of course, you do have to have the skills and knowledge for the job).

GRADUATION IN THE YEAR 2012?

Currently, I have two Associate degrees and if everything goes as planned, I will have three Associate degrees. My third degree will be a Web Design Associate of Applied Science degree. Since I have most of the class requirements (from when I received my Computerized Graphic Design degree), all I need are about 5/6 classes. In that case, if all goes well and there are no interruptions such as classes canceled due to low enrollement, etc., I should hopefully graduate in the year 2012.

MY CLASSES

The classes I will be taking in the spring 2010 semester are Introduction to Digital Design and Introduction to Multimedia Design. I can't wait to start and especially to buy books and whatever other supplies I need.

One of the instuctors I've had before in the past and the other instructor will be new to me.

The only thing I'm not happy about is that out of the five classes I have to take, only one class is either in the evenings or on Saturdays (so, of course I'm taking the evening class). All the rest of the classes are sometime in the morning hours. I've always attended my classes during evening hours and now (at least this coming semester) I'm going to have one class that I'll have to attend during morning hours. They don't even have online or hybrid classes (which would help alot).

NEW SOFTWARE

Hopefully, I'll be able to update my software. As a student, I will be able to buy the latest software at really low prices at school. I really need to update my MS Office Suite and of course, my Adobe CS Suite. What I have now (MS Office XP and Adobe CS2) still works for me, but it will be great to be updated.

A NEW JOB

Now, all I need is employment. If there is a company out there that is a great company I can grow with and needs a great worker with great attendance, an employee who is always on time, a fast learner, etc., let me know and HIRE ME TODAY!!

I have a lot of great graphic design, marketing and administrative skills and knowledge. It's not like I'm new to the working world.

You can view my online portfolio at www.coroflot.com/egallegos

Also, join me on LinkedIn: Elvira

Interview's Next Week.....

I'm so tired of being unemployed looking for a job. In a way, it's nice to be home, but since I don't have any extra cash to spend, I can't go out and do anything. I mean, it's not like I'd go out and spend like crazy. I'm talking about going out every once in a while for lunch somewhere reasonably priced or anything else to get out of the house.

What I basically do everyday is I'm on my PC job hunting on CareerBuilder, Craigslist, Creative Hotlist, and other job sites. I'm on my LinkedIn account, etc. I should say, I'm stuck to my pc...LOL.

One thing though, I sure am looking forward to next week, the week of September 21. I have a meeting with an office products company on Tuesday, September 22 for a possible freelance graphic design project and, an interview on Wednesday September 23 with an actual company for a permanent, full-time job.

FREELANCE PROJECT

The freelance design job consists of cover sheets that will go on top of the product, then the product will be shrink wrapped or put into a pouch. The cover sheet, besides the company logo and line art, will state the name of the product, a discription, an item number and a bar code.

Also, I think they will have a couple other projects too such as an e-mail letter. I'm thinking he's meaning an e-mail blast and I can't recall what the other thing is (if there is one). If I accept this project and he accepts my quote(s), I'll have a few extra dollars which, of course, will go to pay utilities, groceries, etc.

PERMANENT, FULL-TIME POSITION

The permanent job is for a Senior Administrative Assistant position. The cool thing about this job is that they also want this person to have some Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign knowledge. So, I'll at least get to be a bit creative (if I'm the one to get the position). I'm so excited, I can't wait till next week!

The drive to this job, for now, would be about an hour away. The good thing is, they're moving closer to my way. That's supposed to happen sometime before this year is up. In that case, the drive may be some 40 mins (give or take) and that's not too bad. They say an average commute is 30 to 45 minutes.

What would be really nice is to be able to work from home. Maybe one day if and when I get VISUAL XPLOSION, my graphic design business going. Dreams do come true, huh?...LOL.

OTHER POSSIBLE OPPORTUNITY

Also, I received an e-mail from another company (who had e-mailed me a couple of weeks ago) regarding a position that consists of Marketing, Administrative and Graphic Design.

The only thing is that the drive to this job would be an hour each way. During the winter, on snowy days and even on stormy, rainy days, you can bet it will take an extra 45 minutes or more each way. I don't know if I could really handle that after a while. I wouldn't mind if I could take the train and the ride was an hour. I've taken the train to downtown Chicago and depending on the time of day and how many stops the train has to make, it can take up to an hour each way.

THE WEEKEND(S)

Weekends are no fun! Now, I just have to get through this weekend (and every weekend for that matter). I really despise weekends and holidays because HR is, of course, not working. Not many new jobs get posted.

So, I sit at home on weekends, on my PC reading news headlines and articles that interest me, chatting on chat sites and/or IMing. What I SHOULD be doing is designing some new mock pieces for my portfolio such as brochures, ads, post cards, newsletters, etc. And, I SHOULD be reading up on and learning more about HTML, CSS, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Web Design, and more! I really need to get on it NOW!! Time is just passing me by.

Oh yeah, another thing I need to really get going on this weekend is to type out some questions for both the freelance project and the interview. Well, I do have tonight (Friday) and the next three days to work on that. I surely don't want to end up doing it at the last minute...LOL

Job Hunting!.....AGAIN!!!!!

I'm back to job hunting for a permanent, full-time opportunity. I'm checking every job board and sending out my resume whenever I see a job that fits my skills and knowledge. In the meantime, I'm also networking by sending out e-mails to see if I can get any freelance graphic design projects. It would be really great to get my own graphic design business going too.

Well, I had started a job on June 3, 2009 as a "Marketing Manager of Business Development" for an HVAC company. It was a pretty good job with lots to do. My computer had all the latest software like Adobe CS4, the latest MS Office Suite, I had dual 23 inch wide screen monitors, my own office and a key to the place. Anyways.....

There were not only projects for business-to-consumer but, for business-to-business too. In the time I was there, I got two projects done. One was a two piece (letter) mailer and the other was a "Sorry We Missed You" door hanger. I had so much more to do, I still had not even really started. The supervisor wanted postcards, brochures, a 16 or 32 page promotional brochure; there was tradeshows to get ready for, just so many things to do.

When I went in on Monday, July 13, 2009, I had received a dreaded e-mail. Usually, one of the first things I'd do in the mornings, after putting my stuff away, was to check e-mail. The only e-mail I had was from the supervisor (the e-mail had no subject title). So, I open it and it states something like "I'm sorry, but I have to terminate your employment. Having a graphic designer is a luxury I cannot afford. And, with business being slow, I have to cut back".....UGH

Why hire someone to only let them go after 28 days? I think employers really need to think before they hire and not let people think they're going to be at a job for just a few days unless you know right off the bat that it's a temp assignment (if it is that). I mean, I know that anything can happen at any time and that's just the way it is, but....sheesh

I did see some signs in the time I was there such as, I wasn't getting the things I needed, I wasn't really getting the attention of the supervisor the way I should have when I was trying to talk to him about projects, etc.

Employers, please really think before you hire! Especially these days when people are really hoping for a steady job, we'd like it to be with a stable company

INTERVIEW

There's a possible interview on Monday, July 27. I hope it goes well and I get that job. From what I know, it's a company that deals with home re-modeling and interior design. That's more up my alley than HVAC. I love that kind of stuff. In fact, one of my most fave TV channels is HGTV. I also loved Trading Spaces. Since I can't afford cable, for now I have to get my HGTV fix off the internet.....LOL

Well, until July 27, I just have to keep on checking out the job boards, etc. Until I get an actual start date and have my first work day at a company, I've got to keep applying. Thing is, (like everyone else out there) I need a job NOW!!...LOL

MY GRAPHIC DESIGN COMPANY

You can visit my graphic design company website at: Visual Xplosion

Making Myself More Marketable.....

One thing they say, in order to get a job today is to "Make yourself more marketable" by taking classes and learning new thing's. You might not even have to pay for that new training or classes.

For example, learning new thing's in the company you're already with. If you're lucky enough to be working with a company that has training, you should really take advantage of it. It's just like working overtime. Usually, that's only for a short period of time. That's extra money that you could put into your savings account.

In the long run, the training won't just help you with your current job, but you'll have experience that you might be able to use elsewhere somewhere down the road should you happen to change jobs. And, all the software and experience's are good to add to your resume.

If you take classes, you should take classes in something you enjoy doing. If you enjoy what you're doing, it won't seem like work. Most people find that to be very true!

TWO ASSOCIATE DEGREES

Currently, I'm seeking a great job opportunity with a good company where I am allowed to take ownership of my job. I have two Associate degrees, one in Graphic Design and the other in Office Administration Technology-Executive Secretary.

I think that sometimes, to get employment, it doesn't really matter how many degree's you have or what degree's you have. It all depends on what skills and knowledge you already have. It for sure also depends on the company and the person doing the hiring. Do they feel you have what they're looking for? Are they willing to give you a chance to show what you can do? Are they willing to hire you and assist you with more training?

One thing I just don't understand is, how some people have the job's they have and they don't even know how to correctly format a business letter, they're not organised, etc. In past job's, I've seen letter's, mailing's and more go out that I thought "How can they send that out?" I sure wouldn't, but I have no choice. Because, when I've said something, they're like, "ehhh, just send it out"...Ughhhh!!! Anyways.....

For most any job, I do feel you should have knowledge (at least the basics) with MS Office no matter what field you're in. Especially Outlook, Word and maybe some Excel. Also, you should have some knowledge in whatever software that relates to whatever your field is. Once you've been hired, most companies will teach you their software and will give you the chance to learn other software's they use.

WHAT JOB'S DO I WANT TO DO?

My first pick for a job is a Graphic Design opportunity. I really want to design and create ads, brochures, postcards, flier's, etc. I want to see my work out there in magazines (although, I have had ads placed in trade publications in past positions), in newsletter's, etc. Maybe even someday on TV. Utilizing my Adobe CS2 knowledge to the fullest is what I want to do.

My second choice a Marketing Assistant position similar to my two past position. They were more like a combination of Graphic Design/Marketing Assistant. I was able to do graphic design as well as assist with trade shows, etc. My MS Office skills were used to work on and/or create Word, Excel and PowerPoint document's and slide shows.

Finally, my third choice would be an Administrative Assistant position. I have a big administrative background. I've temped in the past with some big name companies. I maintained executive calendars, scheduled conference rooms and meetings, did internet research, etc.

While I don't mind being an Administrative Assistant, I just don't like the types of jobs where a majority of the job is on the phone, like, Receptionist or Customer Service. I mean, like, a position where you're the front person. That's just not my thing. I don't like spending all my time on the phone. I want and like to do computer work. Let me work with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access and Adobe Acrobat.

OTHER WORK

I'm not a pro, but 0ther work I can do (but, I don't think I would get hired) is home construction. It would be cool to build houses. I also like the interior decorating part of it too. Of course, as you know, that field is not doing very well right now. But, I think it won't be long before things get going again with the home construction field.

In the past, I have put up drywall, put down floor tile, taken down and put up ceiling fans, tiled my bathroom walls, etc. I like using all kind's of tool's like hammer's, screwdriver's, power tools, etc. My very first job out of high school, in fact, was on an assembly line building toaster's. There I used screwdriver's, hammer's, rubber mallet's, screw's, nut's, bolt's, etc. Even before then I'd use tools to fix things at home.

"Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" is one of my fave shows. I also enjoy practically anything on "HGTV" except the gardening shows and stuff like that. Gardening is just not my thing.

I'M MARKETABLE

Yeah, there's other stuff I need and want to learn. But, right now, looking for a job feels like I have no time for anything else. I want to take some classes, but without a job I have no cash to pay for my classes. So, I'll have to wait a while.

You can bet, once I have a job, if the company that hire's me has classes that I can take or if they pay for classes, I'm certainly going to taking advantage of it!!

Even so, I think I'm pretty marketable in a few fields. All I need now is for a company to see I'm an excellent worker and that I have the skills and knowledge they're looking for...LOL

Do They Really Read Through Resume's?

It is now the month of February, the fifth day to be exact. So far, this year I've had two phone interview's and one actual interview. I always wonder "Do recruiters and employer's really read through a person's resume? It sure doesn't seem like they do.

Currently, I'm seeking a Graphic Design, Markting Assistant or Administrative Assistant position. Or, a combination of Graphic Design/Marketing Assistant (which I did at my last two positions, although, my title was Marketing Assistant). Or, since I have an administrative background, I'll take an Administrative/Executive Assistant position. Anyways...

MY INTERVIEWS

My first phone interview was through a recuriter. The job she had was for a Graphic Designer, but the client also needed the person to have web design experience with Dreamweaver and Flash. Even though, I do have, on my resume, that I did a bit of web maintenance for a couple of my past postions, I do have a Work Skills section and NEITHER of those programs is listed in my work skills area...LOL The only software program listed on my resume for web design is Microsoft FrontPage. If I should ever gain some Dreamweaver and Flash skills, they will be added to my resume.

My second interview was with a company located in downtown Chicago. The job sounded really great except, the owner of the company wanted someown who could really write. I told him "How much writing is involved? I'm not really a writer but, I can do all the other things." He said that at least 85% of the job was writing. My resume does not say anything about me writing this or that. I mean, yeah, I write here and there and sometimes have to come up with copy for ads. But, what he was looking for was a "writer".

My actual face-to-face interview was just this week. It's a Marketing Coordinator/Graphic Design position. In a way, it's similar to my last two positons, but it does involve a bit more on the web side. For this position, there are second interview's to go through. If I get called back for a second interview, WOOO HOOO! The only thing I'm scared about is the competency test...LOL I hate test's!...LOL

HOPING FOR MORE

Well, it is practically the beginning of the year. I have applied at quite a few places all through Career Builder, Monster, Craig's List, etc. Besides that, I'm trying to get some freelance graphic design projects. So far, I've gotten none this year. Looking for a permanent, full-time job almost leave me no time for much. And, I'm trying to get myself to learn some Dreamweaver AND I'm going through my Photoshop and Illustrator Classroom In A Book to practice.

Well, at least I got some calls and I got to speak with someone regarding their postions. So, I am greatful for that. I just hope more calls and actual interview's are not too far away.