Can I just say that I HATE the idea of searching for a new job? This summer, I decided that I was going to leave my pharma advertising job and pursue my dreams in the realm of nonprofit marketing. And, not only was I going to quit my job, I was going to quit before finding another position. Now, if you’re thinking that during the course of this post, that I’m going to say I regret that decision…STOP READING! This isn’t that kind of discussion!
I absolutely love the fact that I had the courage (and savings) to leave my job and pursue my dreams. I “retired” in October, two days before my 25th birthday. During my “mini-retirement,” I’ve had the chance to volunteer, work on starting my own non-profit (details to come), sleep late, have long lunches, stay out until 4a on a Monday, spend 3 hours at the gym, etc. As a matter of fact, only within the past 3 weeks have I started looking for jobs again. And, now we can get into the point of this post.
Searching for a job has got to be one of the most draining and frustrating tasks known to man!
Here are my Top 5 complaints as it relates to my personal process…
1. The combination of “nonprofit marketing, cause marketing, nonprofit communications” and “Chicago” doesn’t really yield a strong amount of leads on any job boards.
2. The doggone economy has many NPOs in a bind, hindering their ability to hire new individuals. Yes, this includes the big boy organizations too!
3. I only apply for positions that I reallllly want, and it takes me at least a day to create a customized cover letter because I don’t want to give them generic garbage. It may work in other industries, but you can’t apply for a marketing position with a whack cover letter…Can’t market yourself? Can’t market their services.
4. As a business major, I’m having a hard time understanding how an organization wants you to have 5 years of experience in exchange for $30K a year. Isn’t that an entry-level salary?
5. The longer I search, the more evident it becomes that I’m going to have to create my own path.
Sigh…anyways, it looks like I may be unemployed for a few more months because I am just allergic to working somewhere just for the sake of a check. The personal sacrifice is just too great! Well, at least that’s what I’m saying now…Check back with me in a month!
-kb
EXAMINER ALERT: I briefly talked about some career hunting tips in an Examiner article. Click here to check it out!
Have any of you guys ever visited Argo Tea? I popped into the Randolph street location last year around this time, and have been hooked ever since! Now, I’ll be the first to admit that I’m totally on “Team Coffee,” but every now and then, tea does my soul and, some would argue, my body some good.
