Hi there, I could he jump starting my career, I live just north of Boston, am textile designer and artist. I left full time design 16 yrs ago to be a mom, I have been freelancing with interior designers and selling my art and services. I want to work for a design studio but feel shaky! I need help
0 Answers
avenuej wrote on :
Re entry is always hard but you can cushion the experience by joining professional network; by creating a website, by being able to describe clearly what services you provide and quotes from satisfied clients and/or the designers who have hired you. Once you have your professional cards, resume, photos put together in an attractive package, make list of everyone you know related to design, and your wish list. Do your homework and determine which design studio fits your vision for your art/design and services. Make at least five calls everyday.
It is normal to feel shaky. Just move through your fear, believe in yourself and make those calls. Good luck
shellie robin wrote on :
Join LinkedIn and network!
Heidi n wrote on :
THank you , Today I am reworking my resume, I am also looking at the photos I have of some of my work… The problem with that is they are not professional shots, I just took them as a way for tracking my projects..
I won,t be completely done with our present clients home for about 4 months!!!
I need work now…
So I wonder if it’s better to wait and pay for professional photography or use my snap shots of the products I designed, subcontracted out and finished for the client?
I will be attending a design seminar at the Boston design center next month and it would be good to have visual information in addition to my business cards to hand out.
What would you advise?? AND…. THANK YOU for taking time out to answer my questions. You have been very helpful. It is a little scary looking for real work after so long staying home with my children. There seems to be plenty of advise for former super achiver women to re enter the workforce but very little for women like me who hit mid level and chose childrearing over career advancement . I would have done things differently… More balanced but back then my employers did not allow for flex time or working from home.
Thankfully that has changed and everyone has better opportunities now.
Even me.
Sarah Baldwin wrote on :
Hi Heidi,
Realistically in a tough job market, I would suggest that you identify a studio that you love and offer to be an intern to ‘learn’ what they need (paid or unpaid) – Create ain interesting visual portfolio of your work for your ‘presentation’. – keep it short!:) This approach will then give you a chance to prove yourself for (hopefully) a more permanent position – you might also make contact with a hand-written note. (now that’s novel!) and for a shameless ‘plug’ … get a good night’s sleep! the job market is brutal for older workers 🙂 check out goodnighties Zzzz LOL 🙂
Best of luck to you! keep me posted (if you’d like) or if you need further help!
Sarah
Heidi n wrote on :
Hi Sarah,
Thank you for the info. Yes it is tough out there…especially in design were people are looking for a designer, they are also looking for that person as a repressive of a lifestyle. Your a product, that said I do know of plenty of older successful designers. The trick for me is to get hired now. I did start this process 2 years ago and have been working continually with one designer as her assistant . I have completed several projects and have made some impressive custom products for her clients. I am very good at problem solving and finding the right resources to complete a project. I also work crazy hard on the custom work and often under bid because I am ” building my portfolio”. Well,….the portfolio is substantial.
My issue…..is…confidence!!!!!
I know that I am talented, pleasant,work and play well with others,BUT…..
THEY….the big ,THEY…see me as older…and I have to work sooooo hard to peel that layer away so that my gifts shine through my slightly patinaed “is that a word?” facade.
I am good at what I do…..I am just a little self conscious about not being the hot shot I was in my thirties and working in a studio.
I also wish I could spring for some plastics Before I went looking for work…then I would actually look like I wasn,t tired even when I have had enough sleep….
I hate that….
Anyway , thanks and if you have any further thoughts let me know..
By the way, do you work in the design trade???
Sincerely , starting over, Heidi in Newburyport Ma
Ps… The spell check on this is different from my iPad configuration so please forgive the spelling ….That,s the other side of the creative gene coin…