Using Downtime as a Competitive Advantage | TalentZoo.com

Using Downtime as a Competitive Advantage | TalentZoo.com.

As with everything else, this economy too shall pass. Inevitably, companies will begin advertising once again. In the meantime, however, the creative life cannot stop. Samples must remain fresh and circulating. What’s to do?

Whether you’re unemployed and struggling or have taken a position to pass the time — you’re waiting. This is the time to create freely. There’s no budget limit, no client judgment, and no executive deadline. The world offers many outlets to build and expand a portfolio without an agency position, so consider this the insider info on adding to your portfolio. The opportunities are plenty — if you’re willing to dig a little and be a bit creative.

Volunteer

Taproot Foundation is a pro bono agency offering Service Grant programs for marketing, HR, IT, and strategy management to organizations in need. Though they are selective, Taproot will allow you the opportunity to add new samples to your book about every six months and help a business in need. It’s not time consuming, and the programs are designed so one can maintain a day job while volunteering roughly one or two hours a week.

If you’re new to the creative world or, excuse the bluntness, rejected from Taproot, offer free promotional services. Ask around; most know someone with a small business. Offer your services to them for free with the agreement that you can use the work as a sample. Believe me; no small business is going to reject such an offer.

Craigslist

This Web site is one of my closest and dearest friends. For anyone creative using this site, I know you know what I’m talking about. Yes, I’m sure either you or someone you know has had a negative experience on Craigslist, but as with everything else in life, a good and bad side exists. Knowing the correct technique for optimizing your experience on Craigslist is the key.

Besides the “Help Wanted” category, which I’m sure you’ve visited, is the “Gigs” section. Gigs are short-term projects available for a lump sum. People or businesses without the need for a steady service post projects on an as-needed basis. Use this section!

You may also want to consider posting in the “Services” section. Be proactive, and sell yourself to the masses. You’d be surprised how many businesses don’t post projects because they simply cannot grasp what they need. Reading the various services being offered, however, allows them to articulate their needs.

Portfolio School

The last time I was looking for work, my aunt told me the best thing to do during a recession is to go back to school. Though I initially rolled my eyes and wondered how I would pay for this endeavor, I now believe this to be true. Think about it — you’re unemployed or in a “temporary” job, you need to update your portfolio, and you don’t need to repay any loans until you’re done.

My recommendation for someone looking to build his or her portfolio with fresh, ready-to-use samples is portfolio school. Why? Time, money, and end result. Although you won’t leave with a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate, you will leave with knowledge and preparedness for the industry.

I am the last person to recommend skipping formal education, but in this case, I have to agree with my peers. Portfolio school should be at the top of one’s list. The price is less than a university and still loan-assistance qualified. The program time is less than colleges, and the practical application is targeted specifically toward your industry.

Prominent portfolio schools include:

• VCU Adcenter
• Portfolio Center
• Creative Circus
• Brainco
• Chicago Portfolio School
• Miami Ad School
• Art Center College of Design
• University of Texas at Austin

Whether you’re seeking employment or waiting out the recession in a “tolerable” job, stay fresh. Keep up with industry news, network regularly, and generate samples. The ad industry relies most on up-to-date knowledge of the world — particularly the latest practices and trends.

Use the Internet for its plethora of free resources, and trust your gut, for it’s the only thing you have to rely on at the end of the day. Good Luck.

Optimism’s Arch Nemesis Part Deux

I’ve recently had someone question what it was I meant by the last paragraph in the 1/11/07 entry on “Optimisms Arch Nemesis.” SO, I would like to take the time to address it.

After being completely dumbfounded that someone actually read this blog to a level where they questioned various aspects of it, I scramble for the best answer I could allocate in my myriad of “save your ass” explanations within my brain. The trouble was that I didn’t remember writing it, not that last paragraph at least. So my paragraphical rant of 3-4 sentences about what was probably my former company’s corporate structure reprimanding my insurmountable need to doodle in meetings, had come back a year later to bite me in the ass– almost a year later.

Allow me to expand. Now it being a year later, I can probably provide updated information on my state of “negative attitude.” Despite my momentary glitch in optimism. It still remains. Amazingly. I bet you’re thinking that my situation has changed for the better, thus rendering me in a newly found “happy high.” Well I assure you, it has not. Though, yes, my situation has changed, so much so that I can barely believe it has only been a year, but my positivity has ceased its previous flickering and has reinstated itself to full glow. Still glowing a year later, and just as bright. It’s even caught some followers. Who woulda thunk it?

Of course, I will spare no opportunity to shamelessly plug myself…again. Doesn’t you creative team need someone with such a glow? Especially with the state of economy today, couldn’t we all use a little bit of me on our creative teams? Well, no need for a little. I can offer you myself, sparkling and full for a year end special of only [inquire within for details.]

Optimisms Arch Nemesis

Being a creative in the “job seeking” world deteriorate the internal security of even the most talented individuals. Despite my long ago experienced teen angst, the spending of my awkward years trying to become an actor, the events of my father’s illness and eventual death, including the physical consequences which that had on my body, I have always remained an optimist. Some have declared it as immaturity, others have sought to tear it down, but I have withstood them all. Withstood isn’t even a strong enough word. I have shown so bright that even the rocks which weighed me looked brighter. This of course all came with a Panic Disorder and career change, but I still withstood. I guided my own light.

Lately, however, that light has been flickering. And the more time goes by, the more frequently the flickering occurs. I question myself, my work, my talent. Everything I was so secure about seems slightly off. So what’s changed? What’s changed is the fact that I am seeking a position as a Copywriter. What does that mean? What it means is a collection of rejection letter, voids of unreturned emails/ phone calls, Catch-22 requirements, and my own collections of “mad lib” cover letter templates. I’m constantly anxious, constantly waiting for reply, and in interview mode.

On more than several occasions, I’ve received commentary on my negative attitude, and I DON’T LIKE IT! I don’t think people understand. I need a vacation.