UNEMPLOYED? Come on in, I have an idea

[intheevent]

Just an idea

Ok so we are in the middle of a recession and on the verge of a depression. The first thing I thought of when my department was eliminated and I realized that the paychecks were not going to be flowing in anymore was my house, my car, my shopping. This can't be! How am I going to afford more THINGS!

Now before anyone gets the idea that I am starting this thread to condemn consumerism and blast the young broke and fabulous don't fret. You are wrong. Keep reading.

I love stuff. Shoes, bags, cars, electronic gadgets, etc. You get the idea.
I miss shopping and I know you all do too, isn't that why we get up and go to work anyway?

The TPF mantra is "shallow obsessing strongly encouraged. And until this recession hit that was my mantra as well. I have decided that I am not going to give up my quest to attain more Chanel, Louboutin, and Balenciaga. I refuse to go to my grave without a Birkin and never owning Balmain. And I am confident that I am not alone.

What if we, the fashion junkies, the couture obsessed, the handbag whores... what if we could harvest the networking power that we curently use

• to post sales at Barneys, Neimans, BG and Saks
• to post deals and steals on ebay
• to share info on our favorite SA'sto endlessly chat about every celebrity, social- lite, and reality character

To regain our buying power and enrich ourselves financially!!
We network with tons of professional, successful, empowered women everyday on this forum.

Let's help one another find a job... a job "a million girls would kill for".
So if you are a victim of the recession, or, just considering a change of field, or a lateral move for that matter let's network.

[intheevent]

I'll start and maybe everyone else can post their intro.

1. Location - Chicago
2. Willing to Relocate - No
3. Education Level - MBA
4. Years of Work Experience - 12
5. Most Recent Job / Industry - Event Planning - hotels
6. Dream Job - public relations, event planning, fashion industry or publishing
(of course)

OK now with that info, people who are interested in my field or have info on my dream job they can reach out to me. Maybe I can help someone get into hotels or event planning, maybe someone can help me get into PR.

Also if people are aware of amazing opportunities in their industry or in their current workplace they can let everyone in the thread know whats out there.

P.S - let's not leave out internships too, for those with less experience.

What do you think?

[Jill]

this is like an JOB advertisement ....IMHO...which isnt allowed....If Vlad allows it,Ill reopen..till i get his OK..Its closed

[Vlad]

I'm fine with it, let's see where it's gonna go.

[angellisa]

Well, I'm not necessarily looking for a dream job, mainly because I am so inexperience that I have no idea what that "dream" would consist of. I'm just looking for my first "real" job since graduating college, and I want to work in a field that will make me happy and feel like I'm making a some sort of difference (wow, that sounds original.)

Here's my intro:

1. Location - Houston (just moved in my with my dad/step-family until I get a job and get out of here!!)
2. Willing to Relocate - Absolutely!!! I was raised in the Bay Area so I know that area well, and I am a dual citizen and can work in the U.K. as well. I'd love to work in Chicago or London, specifically.
3. Education Level - B.A. in Political Science
4. Years of Work Experience - 2.5 years admin while in college, 1.5 year retail. 8 month legal internship.
5. Most Recent Job / Industry- Admin for Special Events & VP Office while at school.
6. Dream Job - WOW- this will be a strange/mixed list. I'd love to work in any of these fields: teaching, journalism, pr, event planning, something to do with travel, law, media, international affairs or human rights agencies.

You might be wondering while I never pursued any of the above fields as my major in college. Well, ever since I discovered what a lawyer was and what the profession consisted of, I was determined to become one. I majored in poli sci, with the intention of going to law school right after getting my BA.

Well, I was lucky enough to score a very very good internship in the legal field, and afterwards, I realized that it was a field that I did not want to be in AT ALL. At least not as an attorney. By that point though, I was a few months away from graduation and just decided to complete my degree.

So, here I am looking for a job. I have applied to like millions with no luck. I am fully willing to go back to school if necessary in order to pursue a career, but at this point, I am lost and am just willing to take a risk on any field and see how it goes from there.

[intheevent]

^^
Welcome!

Thanks for checking in, ok so it looks like you have a good deal of event planning experience (i wouldn't stress it was during school, its real experience so don't discount it)

with my experience I would say you have a good shot with hotels or travel. Try hcareers.com they have hotel / entertainment / travel jobs. You may not get a managers position quite yet but if you get your foot in the door as a coordinator and prove yourself you will be promoted to manager by 1 - 1.5 years tops!

Also check this out http://www.online-pr.com/prjobs.htm for pr type jobs, tons of resources, that is not my specialty but I would love to break into PR.

Also, if you want to move to Chicago and work for Oprah, I saw an assistant postion on her website, I think its harpo careers or something like that, I was tempted to apply but I know its not a good fit for me.

Don't forget to come back and tell us how things go and to share your tips with others.

[intheevent]

Really Cool internship opportunity. Teen Vogue! except I expect you will have to work harder than Lauren Conrad and Whitney Port.

It is for spring semester, you need to be available at least 3 days per week. They have not started looking for Summer internships yet. Inquiries are due by 1/23. PM me for the email address if you are interested.

[Bags4Bubbles]

I found this thread by reading here:
Having a hard time finding a job!

And thought it was a really interesting idea! Let's face it... if you're unemployed or underemployed - you've probably got a bit of extra time on your hands to collaborate on these things! This is an incredibly trying time to be looking for a position, any position, let alone your "dream position"... so I'll be interested to hear if certain techniques or approaches to the job search in 2009 work for people!

About me...
1. Location - Michigan, northern suburbs of Detroit...
2. Willing to Relocate - Absolutely! In fact, it was our goal to relocate upon my graduation... however the economy tanked and our fanciful dreams of just "walking away" from at least one person having a solid job & benefits to search out positions in our "perfect location" disappeared in a flash. Ideally we would like to end up in either Nashville, TN or Huntsville, AL... but we realize that we may be in MI for a little while longer. DH has a somewhat "solid" position here... unless the automotive industry tanks.
3. Education Level - MBA
4. Years of Work Experience - 4+ relevant to my MBA, over 8+ years experience as a Dance Instructor or Studio Owner (these overlap)
5. Most Recent Job / Industry - Graduate Research Assistant at my university, I graduated in December
6. Dream Job - Brand Management, Market Analyst, Procurement Specialist... my areas of specialization are in marketing, with emphasis in branding and supply chain.

So there it is... I have an additionally complicated situation, because DH & I don't necessarily have any ties to stick around this area, but it would be fool-hardy to walk away from a very well-rounded work situation for DH just because we would prefer to live in a different geographical area. However, if one (specifically one, as well) or more major automotive manufacturers goes out of business - that would most certainly alter or eliminate the need for DH's position as an engineer here.

This is absolutely one of the oddest situations I've ever been in, as far as trying to make career decisions that sync up not only with the economic conditions, but with DH's career as well. My career search within Michigan (that just sounds depressing, doesn't it!?!?) begins next week... and I may have a bit of sporadic freelance work at a consulting company that I worked at over the summer. However, that doesn't do much for boredom, frustration, patience, or too much time near the computer for the temptation of online shopping that I'm sure will become inevitable...

[intheevent]

Welcome bags4bubbles,

Have you tried theladders.com? I used it when it first started and got a few bites. I really hope others will come along that have experience in that area

Originally Posted by Bags4Bubbles

I found this thread by reading here: Having a hard time finding a job! And thought it was a really interesting idea! Let's face it... if you're unemployed or underemployed - you've probably got a bit of extra time on your hands to collaborate on these things! This is an incredibly trying time to be looking for a position, any position, let alone your "dream position"... so I'll be interested to hear if certain techniques or approaches to the job search in 2009 work for people! About me... 1. Location - Michigan, northern suburbs of Detroit... 2. Willing to Relocate - Absolutely! In fact, it was our goal to relocate upon my graduation... however the economy tanked and our fanciful dreams of just "walking away" from at least one person having a solid job & benefits to search out positions in our "perfect location" disappeared in a flash. Ideally we would like to end up in either Nashville, TN or Huntsville, AL... but we realize that we may be in MI for a little while longer. DH has a somewhat "solid" position here... unless the automotive industry tanks. 3. Education Level - MBA 4. Years of Work Experience - 4+ relevant to my MBA, over 8+ years experience as a Dance Instructor or Studio Owner (these overlap) 5. Most Recent Job / Industry - Graduate Research Assistant at my university, I graduated in December 6. Dream Job - Brand Management, Market Analyst, Procurement Specialist... my areas of specialization are in marketing, with emphasis in branding and supply chain. So there it is... I have an additionally complicated situation, because DH & I don't necessarily have any ties to stick around this area, but it would be fool-hardy to walk away from a very well-rounded work situation for DH just because we would prefer to live in a different geographical area. However, if one (specifically one, as well) or more major automotive manufacturers goes out of business - that would most certainly alter or eliminate the need for DH's position as an engineer here. This is absolutely one of the oddest situations I've ever been in, as far as trying to make career decisions that sync up not only with the economic conditions, but with DH's career as well. My career search within Michigan (that just sounds depressing, doesn't it!?!?) begins next week... and I may have a bit of sporadic freelance work at a consulting company that I worked at over the summer. However, that doesn't do much for boredom, frustration, patience, or too much time near the computer for the temptation of online shopping that I'm sure will become inevitable...

[PrinceAbdullah]

intheevent I applaud you for starting this thread, your a wonderful person for starting it. I was unemployed for 3 months, and it felt terrible. I felt so lazy and awful, and doing the job search was like a job. But thank god I got a great job at a pharmaceutical at my moms company, the agency gave me a call on Friday telling my I got the job, and that I would start on Monday. I'm so happy because I thought with the current economy no one would hire me, I had little hope, but in the end it all worked out. There is still hope people don't give up. Look into jobs that are recession proof.

[Bags4Bubbles]

^ Congratulations on finding the new job!! Time seems to stand still when you're looking for a new position, so its always such a relief to finally get it taken care of! Hope the new position works out great!

Originally Posted by intheevent

Welcome bags4bubbles, Have you tried theladders.com? I used it when it first started and got a few bites. I really hope others will come along that have experience in that area

Thanks! Glad to have found this thread!

We have TIVO, so I usually miss commercials. For whatever reason... we were watching a show yesterday and doing something else when the commercials came on during a show, subsequently I saw an advertisement for theladders.com for the first time. I figured I would look into it this week and see what opportunities were available in this area. Great suggestion though!

[intheevent]

Thanks prince abdullah! I want to be proactive and help others here to.

Congrats on your new position. If you don't mind me asking us it pharmaceutical sales? I heard that is recession proof. Come back and share what your suggestions are for recession proof jobs ok?

Originally Posted by PrinceAbdullah

intheevent I applaud you for starting this thread, your a wonderful person for starting it. I was unemployed for 3 months, and it felt terrible. I felt so lazy and awful, and doing the job search was like a job. But thank god I got a great job at a pharmaceutical at my moms company, the agency gave me a call on Friday telling my I got the job, and that I would start on Monday. I'm so happy because I thought with the current economy no one would hire me, I had little hope, but in the end it all worked out. There is still hope people don't give up. Look into jobs that are recession proof.

[BagsRME]

Wow! This is a great thread. It's really nice to see people making these types of threads on this type of forum.

About me...
1. Location - NYC
2. Willing to Relocate - YES!! It would be a little difficult. I've been in the city my whole life, but I'm up for the challenge. My school is very flexible and they will allow me to take online courses if I move.
3. Education Level - I'm still in college. I'm majoring in International Business with a few courses on Fashion Merchandising.
4. Years of Work Experience - I have none. I'm looking for an internship but I would also like to have a steady income.
5. Most Recent Job / Industry - I worked in retail for about 5 months.
6. Dream Job - Right now, my dream job is one where I can grow and learn. I'm still young and I haven't completed my studies. I would like a job where I am given the opportunity to learn and grow professionally, and won't interfere with my studies.

[intheevent]

Welcome bagsRME,

Sounds like you are off to a great start! You are in NY so if you want a fashion merchandise internship there are plenty of places and modeling agencies too. I was looking for info on getting into fashion marketing and publicity and came across a site that was solely dedicated to "cool" internships paid and unpaid and a few actual jobs PM me and ill send it to you once I figure out where I wrote it down. Maybe someone in NYC who knows the fashion field or inyenstionsl business in general will stop by and share!

Wouldn't it be funny if a TPFer hired you

Originally Posted by BagsRME

Wow! This is a great thread. It's really nice to see people making these types of threads on this type of forum. About me... 1. Location - NYC 2. Willing to Relocate - YES!! It would be a little difficult. I've been in the city my whole life, but I'm up for the challenge. My school is very flexible and they will allow me to take online courses if I move. 3. Education Level - I'm still in college. I'm majoring in International Business with a few courses on Fashion Merchandising. 4. Years of Work Experience - I have none. I'm looking for an internship but I would also like to have a steady income. 5. Most Recent Job / Industry - I worked in retail for about 5 months. 6. Dream Job - Right now, my dream job is one where I can grow and learn. I'm still young and I haven't completed my studies. I would like a job where I am given the opportunity to learn and grow professionally, and won't interfere with my studies.

[BagsRME]

^^Thanks for the information. It would be great if I worked with another TPF member. Someone at work would understand my obsession with handbags, lol.