Ok, I haven’t posted in ages, but that’s simply because there hasn’t been much to say.
I’ve been unemployed since the start of March and, after 2 weeks in the UK – a vacation that was planned a while before a lost my job – I expected to maybe spend another 2 weeks looking and be back in the working force.
Not so much.
I guess I just didn’t realize that things are as bad as they truly are. The government keeps telling us Canada is ok. We’re not supposed to be hit as bad as most other countries because they’ve highly regulated bank loans etc, etc. I’m not going to get into all of that, since frankly, numbers put me to sleep, but I am starting to question the official party line.
I’m unfortunate to work in one of the industries that’s taking a major hit – Marketing. A year ago I left a job I’d been at for over 11 years to leave traditional marketing behind and try my hand at interactive. I truly believe the future of marketing is deeply tied into web, and after 11 years with mainly one client. I was desperate for shaking things up and challenging myself.
The good news is that I did it, I threw away seniority and a healthy paycheck to try something new, and learn. The bad news is that the new business I was with didn’t make it. Realistically, I didn’t expect to stay there forever, but I’d wanted a few more years of experience under my belt before I moved on. As that has not happened, I find myself going back to more traditional marketing, parts of which I still adore a whole lot.
That wouldn’t be so bad, if I wasn’t fighting with some extremely qualified people to get jobs. Yes, marketing has been hit hard. There are a lot of people looking for work, some of whom have spent months looking.
Back to the original reason for this post. I wanted my next post to be a celebratory high five announcing my new job, but instead I find myself moaning about the state of the job market.
Truth is, I’m scared. I’ve never been unemployed before. I’ve never left a job without having another job lined up. I’d never heard a recruiter admit that they may not be able to find something.
On the bright side, I’m not starving. I’m about to start dipping into my savings which really bites, but there are people in much more dire straights than I. I haven’t been going out much so I’m not spending much. My daily entertainment consists of staying caught up on my feeds, twitter and enjoying a new found interest in fitness, thanks to WiiFit (the boxing is my favourite so far).
I can only hope that the future – near future – holds a kick ass job.
And now, the best related video I could find: Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass doing The Work Song. It’s a bit of an odd one.
With that, I’m outta here. Wish me luck, or better yet, hire me.
