My Job Just Isn't Doing It For Me... [Archive]

SheRa

01-30-2007, 11:49 AM

my current work situation has been bothering me for a while now. i'm 24, and i do graphic design for a non-profit organization. this means 2 things - firstly, i work for a great cause, and that makes me happy. i've never been a fan of working for "the man". secondly, it means that i make a great deal less than i'd be making at a for-profit. i figured this was an OK trade off since i only got out of college in 2004, and again, i like the cause.

lately, i've been getting really down that i haven't been able to be creative at work. at ALL. we don't get the opportunity to be creative, and our corporate colors are only 2 colors. i'm so sick of looking at these colors that i could puke. i'm all for brand consistency, but i'm also an artist, and would like to feel like one.

i guess my point is that i'm bored, but i'm comfortable having a steady job. would you rather be bored out of your mind most of the time, or have a job that stimulates you and allows growth within the company and your chosen career path? i don't want to feel like i'm stuck, especially since i'm young and this is when i *should* be able to be creative and fun. and a lot of creative departments ARE fun!

i've been here for close to 2 years, and i'm just not satisfied, but with a mortgage, student loans, and an upcoming wedding, i really don't know what to do. i definitely wouldn't do anything before i get married, but do you think it's worth working somewhere if you aren't really doing what you're capable of doing? seriously, i can get the work done that i need to get done every day in a fairly short amount of time, and it takes other people in my department much longer. i want to stay on top of my skills and feel like i'm accomplishing something during the day, and right now i'm just not. i do creative things from home for commissions/freelance, but that's not steady. i know there's no "perfect" job, but i don't want to settle just because i can.

there's more to it, but i think i've whined enough.

LaraW

01-30-2007, 11:59 AM

My $.02

I think you have a couple of choices.

1. Look for another job, while staying where you are. Many employers are sensitive to the fact that people want to be discreet while looking for a new job, and are willing to do interviews before or after hours. I definitely would NOT quit before finding another position, and you would have the luxury of being picky about what you were willing to apply for/interview for since you're still employed.

2. Talk to your supervisor and find out if there is anything else (more) you can do to make your current situation more satisfying. If so, then great, maybe that's your answer. If not, see 1 above.

Good luck :)

beacooker

01-30-2007, 12:00 PM

Why wouldn't you at least look, and see what else is out there?

Robyn1007

01-30-2007, 12:13 PM

After going through a year of jobs from hell, either being way below what I can do or being essentially abused by a boss, I can tell you that when you get in the right job it is the most satisfying, reassuring thing that can happen. I love my job now, I love the company and I like the people I work with. I was starting to doubt myself recently since it's been years since I've felt this satisfied with a job after the amount of time I've been here and I was waiting for the other shoe to drop. Well, it did last Friday. My boss was driving me to the airport after my 4 day trip to CA to meet people and have some meetings and he asked me if I was happy in the job. Uh, oh. I responded that I am happy, I like the challenges that are before me and I see potential in my future here. His response was "That's great to hear because we can't figure out what we did before we had you." :p :D Talk about a perfect way to end a business trip.

So, the moral of the story is, find something that challenges you, gives you something to strive for and I'll bet you will be much happier over all. I'd definitely start getting your feelers out because you never know when the right opportunity will pop up. Good luck!

Gracie

01-30-2007, 12:48 PM

Absolutely look around while you have a nice, steady job that you can count on. It's the most relaxing time to job hunt.

Things always seem to come up at the most inopportune times, but you'd be selling yourself short if you didn't keep you eyes and ears open and your resume posted.

Remember, this may be your first job, but it sure isn't going to be your last! Put your resume on Monster.com, search/join graphic arts organizations and think about what your interests are. Graphic design is needed by all types of companies and you are very lucky that you will never be pigeonholed into one industry.

Good luck!

Loren

colleency

01-30-2007, 01:27 PM

Look while you stay employed. It's supposed to be much easier that way. :D

Sarah45

01-30-2007, 02:49 PM

What about taking on some free lance graphic design jobs? You can look into partnering with a small business development center to work with their clients during the weekends and evenings. Many small businesses are really looking to start defining their brand and helping them think "out of the box" might provide you with the more artistic outlet you desire (while still keeping your steady job).

-Sarah

Canice

01-30-2007, 03:04 PM

You are way too young and talented to be bored and "settling". I've spent a large part of my adult life in advertising agencies, and you're absolutley right: creative departments can be very fun indeed (also outrageous stress factories, but that's a different thread). This is also the time to be building your resume - sort of like a savings account - to increase your options later in your career. You may not be in an environment where you can stretch your skills and creative outlet, and have as much growth and accomplishment as you might like.

Since you say you don't want to job-hunt until after your wedding (gee, really? ;) ) why not take advantage of the no-stress situation and look. Consider which jobs you WOULD apply for if you were looking now. Maybe even try to get some informational interviews?

kim21

01-30-2007, 05:02 PM

Let your discontent be your guide. Is starting your own firm a desire or possibility for you, while you remain employed in your current position? In addition to the option of looking for work, while you are still employed, as many of our CL friends have suggested, is "creating" your own business a viable consideration for you? Best wishes, Kim

SheRa

01-30-2007, 07:42 PM

thanks everyone for your words of wisdom. i just kinda feel stuck right now. i pushed for a promotion around october of last year, and was supposed to be getting it, but then i ended up getting the "it's not in the budget" thing. but i still get to take on more responsibilities...just without any of the perks of being a senior designer. i just don't want to hold out forever if i'm not gonna go anywhere in the company.

ironically enough, someone from the e-business department came to me (RIGHT after my first post) and discreetly let me know that there's a job open for a web designer in his department. the pay is more than i'm making now, and it would be challenging, but it's not my specialty. i'm going to talk to HR tomorrow to see if it's something that they think i could get. the only negative part is that if i decide to formally apply, they tell my boss. but hey, he knows that i wanted a promotion, and that i don't feel like i'm being challenged, and that my skills are kind of going to waste, and he hasn't been able to help me get past that, so it wouldn't be a huge surprise, right? i just hope that if i DO go for this other position, it goes through, because that could be awkward otherwise.

i might casually look elsewhere. i just feel bad because i like my job in theory, but i just don't feel like it's right for me. so thank you all for making me feel like i'm not crazy for wanting more out of a job!

re: freelance work - i do some from home currently (i have 2 portrait orders that i'm working on now) so i do get to be creative from home, but i don't want to take on a job in addition to a full time job that would leave me with no spare time. i have a lot of recipes to try out, ya know? :D

you guys are the best :)

Peweh

01-30-2007, 09:11 PM

the only negative part is that if i decide to formally apply, they tell my boss. but hey, he knows that i wanted a promotion, and that i don't feel like i'm being challenged, and that my skills are kind of going to waste, and he hasn't been able to help me get past that, so it wouldn't be a huge surprise, right? i just hope that if i DO go for this other position, it goes through, because that could be awkward otherwise.

OR it could be just the kick in the pants your boss needs to recognize you for what you're worth! Plus if you stay in the company, there's always the prospect of moving back to your former group. DH moved jobs within his company, negotiated a large raise because his company car and overtime differential went away... then after a few months he was feeling unchallenged and his old group, under new management, wooed him back and he got a new company car plus the OT back on TOP of his new salary. So I say try the web designing gig (and maybe keep looking outside the company) and see what happens!! Best of Luck. Feeling unchallenged stinks.

Gumbeaux

01-30-2007, 09:14 PM

Leave these thoughts at home and don't take them to the DR. ;)

cminmd

01-30-2007, 09:31 PM

I second the idea of building a free lance clientel base. The fun thing about graphic design is that you can build a sucessful and flexible business for yourself. That would be very handy if you ever decide to have kids. A friend of mine in Minneapolis made a good living designing album covers (sorry, I'm over 30- thats just what I call them!), band posters and gallery show poster for various artists. She had a great time, new every cool artist and made decent money in the process. I think it helped her keep up her creativity by being around so many interesting people.

SheRa

01-31-2007, 08:00 AM

Leave these thoughts at home and don't take them to the DR. ;)

AMEN!! now THERE is one place that i WANT to feel useless :D

re: freelance - in my dream world, i'd be doing that from home full time. i love being able to pick when to work, and doing said work in pajamas! plus my equipment at home is honestly better than it is at work. but i have to make lots of connections before i could do that. but getting a web design job would help that out. we'll see how my meeting with HR goes. hopefully i can convince them that my current skills along with the fact that i learn REALLY quickly will sway them to pick me.

i think i will do some investigating at other companies too. i never took my resume down from the job sites. i should just make sure it's up-to-date ;)

then again, there's always the lotto (which i don't play) :D

Chefzhat

01-31-2007, 08:06 AM

I freelanced for a long time - it was great, but not so lucrative. Don't discount it.

Hopefully this all works out for you - life is too short to be doing what you could do in your sleep. :D

i've never been a fan of working for "the man".
I always giggle when I hear comments like this . . . just who do you think ultimately funds these non-profits?? Fills the Board of Director seats? Advocates your cause to the community at large??

Miss_Liss

01-31-2007, 08:11 AM

then again, there's always the lotto (which i don't play) :D

Hee hee! I think that all the time. When I win lotto....oh wait a minute. I think you have to buy a ticket for that to work :D

Honestly, I feel that it's too easy to stay at a job because it seems like such a task (and is also scary) to go elsewhere. It also sounds like you're pretty good at recognizing the good aspects of a situation, which can sometimes make it worse. From personal experience, several times I have found myself in a job where I feel like I am not working to my full potential but have stayed longer, or not gone for a promotion, because it was "easier" or I felt an attachment or obligation to my boss/the company. You have to take all that stuff in to account but in the end, it's worth putting yourself out there to try and find new things within the organization, or if that's not possible, move on.

Best of luck with HR and let us know how you go :)

SheRa

01-31-2007, 08:15 AM

I freelanced for a long time - it was great, but not so lucrative. Don't discount it.

Hopefully this all works out for you - life is too short to be doing what you could do in your sleep. :D

I always giggle when I hear comments like this . . . just who do you think ultimately funds these non-profits?? Fills the Board of Director seats? Advocates your cause to the community at large??

yeah, well i learned that "the man" is just a little different in a non-profit than in a for-profit. he's still there, he just presents himself a little nicer (at first). :p

Chefzhat

01-31-2007, 08:17 AM

True. :p There is a bit of a buffer built in. :)

SheRa

02-09-2007, 08:14 AM

update: i decided to apply for the web design job in e-business. i'm going to interview on wednesday. there's another internal candidate also, and they're doing interviews for external candidates too. we'll see how it goes. the annoying part is that the other internal candidate is in it for the wrong reasons, and i can't say anything about it without sounding catty. AND she's BSing how much she knows about the job, which really irritates me. but what can i do? i just have to sell myself and hopefully they'll see that i'd be perfect for the job. in addition to loving doing something that will challenge me and widen my range of knowledge, it pays about 1.5x my current salary.

please keep your fingers crossed for me, and thank you again for all of your words of wisdom. i'm trying to go into this without any expectations so that i'm not let down, but i'll try to do the best that i can.

donleyk

02-09-2007, 08:16 AM

It sounds like you have the right additude regarding this. Good luck to you!

LakeMartinGal

02-09-2007, 11:24 AM

Good luck, Ashley... fingers crossed, here!;)

greatcook

02-09-2007, 11:49 AM

I've recently been through what you're going through- it is hard to feel out a balance of creativity and art, and a secure and comfortable lifestyle!

I think it's important to leave a job once you begin to feel unsatisfied- especially as this is your first job out of college- I went through the same thing- except made the mistake of being hasty, and quitting my job before finding a new one- disaster! It's all worked out now- but I could have saved myself a lot of stress and trouble!

If you find this job at your company isn't the one for you- start looking for new ones. Take your time to find something you love, while having the comfort of a paycheck coming in. When you have the time to look around, you'll find some great companies you never knew were there. If you play it smart, and are not in too much of a rush, I think you'll find you can have a more satisfying job experience, AND a better salary.

Good Luck with your interview!

SheRa

02-09-2007, 12:30 PM

thank you all so much. i'm really trying to do things the right way and with a level head, because i don't want to rush to any decisions. i don't want to settle for less than i think i'm capable of either, which is where i currently am.

i'll definitely update after my interview. i'm glad i have a few days to prepare for it!

SheRa

02-14-2007, 01:10 PM

update: i had my interview yesterday and it went REALLY well! i don't know how soon they're hiring though, and i know she's still interviewing another person from my department as well as some people from outside the company. she was very impressed with my work and it just felt right, but we'll see!

Gracie

02-14-2007, 01:25 PM

Good luck to you Ashley. I really hope you get the job. If it felt that right to you, it probably did also to your interviewer/future boss.

Keep us posted!

Loren

erinlovesmarc

02-14-2007, 01:37 PM

Good Luck!!! Hope you get it!:D

Peweh

02-14-2007, 02:17 PM

Excellent! I hope it works out, it's SO HARD waiting while they interview other people. I will keep my fingers crossed!!

mbrogier

02-14-2007, 02:18 PM

I hope you get the job. You deserve to have a job that you love.

I just bookmarked your blog. You have some very tasty looking recipes on it that really grabbed my attention. I also love the format.

Canice

02-14-2007, 03:13 PM

Good luck, Ashley! And I agree with Loren: if it felt to you like it went really well and was a good fit, it probably did to them too. And as an internal candidate, you have a leg up. Plus, people in your field know people in your field. :)

SheRa

03-13-2007, 10:15 PM

mbrogier

03-13-2007, 11:10 PM

(((Ashley)))

That sucks. It really does. It truly is a dog eat dog cutthroat world out there, and a lot of times the good guy (or girl) ;) gets shafted. It's happened to me, and it's happened to Rob, my husband, several times. It hurts when it happens, and it's not easy to get over. (I'm not going to lie to you and say it's going to be ok in a few days. It's not.)

I will tell you that every.single.time Rob has had that happen, a new, better position opens up when we least expect it. Don't sacrifice your integrity for fast money like that girl did. People notice integrity because it's such a rare trait in the business world. It will pay off for you in the end.

Right now we're waiting for Rob to interview for a fabulous position in downtown Chicago. The placement agency (who used to place executives for Rob's old company that "laid him off"*) just came across his resume and called us out of the blue. Rob's interview will be in a week after he finishes the trial for the new implant his neurosurgeon put in. (which is working fabulously! :D )

*Rob was laid off when his company "downsized", but it was made clear to him that *he* was laid off because his department was being sued for breach of contract and he refused to lie about the reasons for the breach. (his supervisor wanted him to lie under oath :eek: ) Maintaining his integrity has really cost us a lot this past year. We know that the optimal position will come eventually. I know Rob wouldn't respect himself if he lied to keep a position. I respect him more because I know I can trust him to do the right thing.

Ashley, a better position will come along. Just keep doing your best.

Personally, I think you should look into doing more freelancing. Your art is amazing.

I've been looking for someone to do personalized bookplates, but I haven't found anything that is really unique without being over the top expensive. I also love the look of engraved plates that have the feel of being printed on an old fashioned press. I don't know if that is anything that would be interesting for you, but I don't have enough experience with printing to do that myself. I think there's a niche for someone who wanted to do personalized stationery, bookplates, and calling cards for people--without charging an arm and a leg... just an idea.

erinlovesmarc

03-14-2007, 06:54 AM

well, i found out that they were VERY impressed with my web work but decided to go with this other girl from my department (who i know for a FACT used other peoples' work in her interview and lied about her experience). i'm not so upset that i didn't get it, but upset that someone who doesn't deserve it got it. i was told that it boiled down to the fact that she has more work experience than i do. and i was told that my web work was better (the job title was "web designer") but she's several years older than me so she has more experience "working". if my work is better, why go with someone else? i'm just frustrated. if they would have gone with someone from outside the company who had more experience and also better web work, then FINE, but i'm insulted.

i spoke with HR and told them the things that i heard and saw going on with her, but they aren't going to even address it. so all i can do is hope that karma catches up with her, and that i have time to find a new job after my honeymoon.

::sigh::

thanks for all of your support and words of wisdom though...you're the best!

Life sucks sometimes but...and I belive this very strongly...that EVERYTHING happens for a reason...think of it like this...maybe you didn't get this job because there's a better opportunity coming up and you would have missed it had you gotten the position because you wouldn't have been looking...and, like you said, Karma will catch up to her...so don't fret...enjoy having less responsabilities now that you're planning for your wedding and when you get back you can start a search for something better...you have enough stress right now...:D

Varaile

03-14-2007, 07:29 AM

Major bummer! :mad:

I just went through a very similar thing at the start of the year. I work in government. The fellow I interviewed against hasn't been here for three years due to various deployments. They said we were "equal", but they chose him. I'm trying not to get catty, but my office (all guys) thinks he's god gift to the dept but I've seen otherwise in his work (plus he's been gone for 3 years!). I don't get it. :confused:

I'm still hurting over this one. :mad:

so all i can do is hope that karma catches up with her, and that i have time to find a new job after my honeymoon.
Enjoy your honeymoon and worry about the rest later. :)

CompassRose

03-14-2007, 08:29 AM

Cr#p. I'm sorry.

On the other hand, if she's internal and managed to snow them with lies, then you probably don't want to be working with those people on your team.

Something better will come up. Just open to possibilities -- you've got way too much talent to be stuck anywhere for long.

SheRa

03-14-2007, 09:24 PM

mbrogier - thank you so much for your kind words! and best of luck to rob. sometimes i feel like i hate that i have such a conscience, but then i remember that i should be thankful for it, because i'd hate to be "that" person who makes people like myself so upset.

i'm not sure where you could get bookplates like that printed, but i'm thinking maybe there's some sort of transfer paper that you could rub onto metal to make it look more antique-y? or even metallic paints to make it look more worn after it's been engraved.

erinlovesmarc - i'm a firm believer in "everything happens for a reason", and it's times like this that i really have to keep reminding myself of that. plus, it would be a lot of stress to start a new job, go away for a few weeks, and then come back to it.

Varaile - i'm sorry to hear that! don't you hate it when they discriminate and then pretend that they aren't? i swear my company is age-discriminatory. i think if you prove yourself, it shouldn't matter if you're a man, woman, white, black, brown, 24 or 54.

CompassRose - thank you. right now i'm trying to be thankful that she's at least moving OUT of my department. she's taken credit for things that i've worked very hard on (it's come back to me - she'd never do it in front of my face) and i just get disgusted looking at her pretending to be all buddy buddy with people that she talks cr@p about. i feel like if you don't like someone, don't pretend to. be professional and respectful but don't go out of your way to make it seem like you're a friend.

i WILL find something better for myself, and i'll start really looking in june.