Hi fellow job-seekers. Just writing because I was recently laid-off from a job I really loved — it was my first editorial job at a magazine, and I was excited I had beaten the “2010 deadline” only to find out four months later that the company couldn’t afford to keep several of us. I am doing what I can with the contacts I have in the industry, but I’m getting very frustrated that I am now forced to look for a new job through no fault of my own. Has anyone on the board gone through this? Do any of you have any leads? I worked as an assistant editor for a stationery trade magazine in NJ.
Thanks in advance!
referral
Hi elle,
I’ve tried emailing you, but I think you might be on vacation. Just wanted to talk with you because I noticed an ed. assistant opening at your magazine and was hoping you might refer me.
Thanks!
909
Share Your Story of Being Laid Off?
Hey guys. I went through the same thing as you all. After six months at a major newspaper, had my job eliminated, though thankfully, I was able to get a different job within the company.
I’m not usually one to poach this board, but now I am actually writing a story for the newspaper about this very topic (getting laid off so soon after starting a job, and not long out of college, and what you should do from there) and am looking to talk to people who have went through it, or are still going through it.
If any of you guys would be willing to share your story with me, please email me at grammar.girl.nyc@gmail.com (And I can let you know what publication it is for then).
Thanks, and best of luck to you all. When I finish the story, I will let you know what the experts say we should do in this situation!
Almost everyone in
Almost everyone in publishing gets laid off at some point … I was let go a MONTH after I started my first job here in NYC. Then a few years later was hired for a magazine that then folded the week before I was due to start, so I was laid off again without even being there.
Yes, it sucks for sure, but you do have a bit of an advantage over all the other non-laid-off jobseekers in that most people have sympathy for those recently let go … so jump on your search and use that to your advantage.
But also make sure you’ve hit up every single person at your old job for leads … that’s how I found my next jobs after both my layoffs. My bosses knew someone who was looking and that contact combined with their reference clinched it for me. So make sure you’ve exhausted all those possibilities.
Also, since you were at a trade mag, contact their competitors … most trade mags LOVE taking someone from the competition as you already know the market and it gives them some insight into how the other one does things, so right there you’ve got advantages over the other applicants. I know there’s Gifts and Decorations magazine here in NYC, part of Reed Business Publishing, that cover stationery, I’m sure you know others. Even if it’s not a full-time job, you can still freelance for them.
You should also use your stationery trade knowledge/contacts to freelance for wedding magazines and other crafty mags … they all have articles on invitations. Also check out blogs … designsponge, stylemepretty and millions of others cover stationery and often have guest bloggers or contributors. Even if they’re not paying you, it’s giving you credibility and exposure and experience.
In regards to simply paying the bills until you find your next editorial job, you could also use your stationery knowledge and work at stores like Kate’s Paperie or Paper Presentation or high-end letterpress stores, etc. Might be more interesting/fun than a random clothing store.
thanks
Hey eb,
Thanks. I have done all the things you mentioned already … I’ve contacted competitors (I’ve been in touch with Stationery Trends and Gifts and Dec). I’ve contacted people I know, hoping to get sympathy-leads. I haven’t tried the freelancing part, yet, so maybe I will jump on that. It’s not like I feel like I can only cover stationery, though … I used to cover business news for the AP. I’m not purely focusing on working for another stationery magazine. I am open to anything, although I would prefer another assistant editor job at a magazine. What I liked about my job was that I got to edit, write, report and work with nice people. And I liked it that I was giving publicity to struggling artists, sometimes. And I got to be up on trends, which can transfer over to a lot of industries, not just stationery. Usually color and design trends reflect what’s happening in fashion and pop culture in general.
Anyway, I’m doing unemployment and freelance copy-editing (I do that for a book publishing company) to pay the bills while I look for something else. I guess it is inevitable that you’d get laid off at some point as a journalist. I was just surprised because I was out of work for six months before I got this job — I was let go from my old job while out on sick leave — and I had moved to a new state for the job and convinced my boyfriend to move with me. Now he feels like he is stuck here.
Thanks again for your advice! I’ll try to keep my head up.
Okay, so it sounds like
Okay, so it sounds like you’ve been very resourceful … forgive me for telling you what you already know, but sometimes it’s surprising what people don’t do that is common sense. So good for you, even if it’s not been fruitful YET. :)
I do realize you’re probably interested in way more than stationery, but I’ve found that once you have some expertise in something, that’s usually a good selling point for yourself, something to give you an edge over others. So that’s why I say to play that up wherever it might be applicable and brainstorm all the places it could help you … the whole papergoods/homemade/crafty thing (etsy, for example) is huge right now, so I would think there might be some hidden opportunities for you in there somewhere, even if it’s just freelance.
But regardless, good luck. It does suck that this happened after moving yourself AND your boyfriend for this job. That’s gotta be tough in so many ways. Sounds like you’re keeping a good attitude though and working hard, so hopefully your luck will turn around very soon!
thanks again
Thanks! Yeah, I’m trying to stay positive. I don’t know why it never occurred to me that something like this could happen. I guess we always just think of getting laid off as something that happens to other people … I mean they don’t really prepare you for that when you are in college. Also, I worked for such a small company — only 65 people! You usually hear about these things at much bigger places.
Thanks again for taking the time to try to help!
Good news!
I got an interview at Gifts and Dec. for next week! So psyched!
Congrats, that’s great
Congrats, that’s great news! I actually know someone there (not an editor, but still). If you want, email me and I’ll pass your name on … might not do much, but it couldn’t hurt, right?
email: elleemby at yahoo.com
I got laid off too!
I was an Editorial Assistant at a major mag. website for 8 months and then I got laid off :( I’ve been searching for three weeks now, but I’ve had no luck. It’s going to be even tougher with the ‘08 grads in the market as well. Try to get your hands on some freelance work, that’s what I’m doing, for now.