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Off topic: I am stuck in a service based company for last 4 years in a shitty project. The work I do can be done by a 12th grader. Now i want to move out by learning something new & changing my domain. But the thing is I am not able to study because I am stuck in a comfort zone and learning new thing gives me bad anxiety. It feels like I will never learn & be forever stuck here. Pls help on how to come out of comfort zone, learn things and apply for the job. Tata Consultancy Infosys Wipro
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I’m so sorry to hear that you’re going through this. I wish you all of the luck and the good vibes. Don’t give up, keep pushing!
OP would you be willing to DM me? Have heard about some freelance opps around the office. I can send your stuff along.
Freelance for account management? If so, great!
I have nowhere near the amount of experience you do, OP, but I can imagine the higher you get to the top the slimmer the opportunities.
Don’t give up tho. I took a two year leave from working to take care of life. I didn’t know if I’d work again given I hadn’t worked in so long as my last job wasn’t what I wanted to do in the future.
I was so desperate I took a job off Craigslist working at some “movie producer’s” home where roaches were literally crawling out of their MacBook.
I eventually found somewhere to take a chance on me some 6 months later. Fast forward 5 years later and a bad job choice led to my firing. I didn’t know if and for how long that firing would haunt me. I thankfully found something a month later.
I’m not telling you to be a cashier at a local store, but don’t give up. You have value and the right place will recognize that.
Until then, are you eating? Do you have a roof over your head?
I’ve tried going client side, but that’s proving to be equally as challenging. This blows.
I know. It sucks, but I’ve found that client side is still a better market and your experience will be more valued. I don’t know if by client side, you mean you’ve looked at tech companies. I’ve found that my age and experience have been selling points there. I’m exclusively freelance at this point but I am often approached with phrases like “I need a grown up”. So don’t let the perception of companies like Google and the like keep you away. They NEED you.
Hang in there. I got laid off in February 2018. I’ve had a few freelancing projects with several brand agencies and a project in Singapore. The ageism is real and while an office may want you, their finance/ops people will get fiscally conservative. I’m still looking for something stable so i don’t have to periodically dip into my savings. If you get a freelance opportunity setup an LLC and build your own website.
You have to leverage your network. In my case I realized my network had deteriorated and in the process of build a new one.
Don’t let the mind play evil games. Take a few classes and get healthy. My doc told me that if I wanted to watch my kids grow then I needed a radical lifestyle adjustment. I got in shape and got my blood levels to normal. Also took a few classes at General Assembly. Losing confidence and hope can lead to a bad spiral.
I don’t think the general marketing and branding industry will get healthier. Look at in-house agencies and be ready to change gears between leading and playing a practitioner role.
Good luck, persevere, and stay positive.
@SBSD1 this is excellent advice. I’m doing almost exactly what you’re recommending and it’s keeping me from going insane. Lost my full time gig in April 2018.
I feel you! I’m a Integrated Content Producer with experience in the Post/VFX world (5 years) and Agency Producing (4 years) for one of the big tech companies. I went freelance and it’s been dry, I’ve had some great recommendations from ECD’s, had interviews and been ghosted. Got really depressed and money has dried out. Was starting to question if I got put on a naughty list. And there’s places hiring for my role and experience, starting to look for the unicorn.
Stay strong!
stay strong but be open to new things. I’ve produced big tv campaigns, digital, film...as freelance was surprised by dry spells. I stretched into Post. I also produce client direct which is messy but pays great & opened my eyes. Clients will sometimes ask producers to shoot or create concepts- no strategy or writers often. It’s nice to not be restricted with titles. I’ve realized I don’t have to be a rocket scientist on every job just committed & capable. Explore more avenues.
You’re comment has been very uplifting. I came from the development side, went to post/VFX and climbed the ladder.., a mentor suggested I go Agency and was really good at my job being an Integrated Producer. All that post/VFX experience helped me save my company money knowing how to navigate that from rates to the “render crashed, we need another day” situations. I keep seeing posting for Integrated Producer roles, had some interviews and some have said “you’re to post heavy””you’re a post producer” how do you navigate this?
I have a friend over at Instagram and she said, come to the client side! Put me in touch with the EP but nothing came from it. Been depressed and now no money 😂
Any advice you can share?
I feel your pain...in a similar position! Client side recruiters / hiring managers really don't understand the agency skill set, and senior level roles are few and far between to begin with. I have zero advice to share, but hopefully knowing you aren't completely alone will help? Hang in there.
I’m sorry I had the same problem. I’m not in a senior position like you. The economy is tough right now and many companies are making adjustments. Try talking to a recruiter. You are in a senior position and maybe you can do other senior roles. Be open to moving if you have the money. I was depressed like you and it led to many mistakes. Don’t let it spiral. It’s not your fault. Don’t give up on yourself. Stay open to change. See other careers that you may like and prepare for them. Talk to people and get their advice. I wish you all the best with your life.
Keep going...I’m in the same 🚣♀️ (since mid ‘18)
Keep going, the market is tough at all levels right now. Have any freelance or consulting roles caught your attention?
I’m sorry it’s been so rough, hoping you find a place that values you soon!
Thank you all for the kind and motivating words! It’s so tough finding freelance jobs as an account person, and I do find those to be fun. It’s a whole different experience.
I’m in the same boat too, OP. I keep getting advice from people to freelance, which I’ve done but companies don’t always pay on time and you’re stuck paying for your own health insurance. Money’s drying up real quickly. Feel free to DM me if you ever want to commiserate.
I understand, hang in there
I think a couple of people have mentioned creating an anti-ageist campaign - and I’m getting images of “Unwanted” posters in my mind, complete with print, videos and guerrilla.
Thinking if we can’t do a great campaign with this simple, compelling concept, we don’t deserve job consideration - over younger creatives or anyone else.
(BTW - I’m working, but looking for a more creative gig. So, I’m not in as sensitive a situation as a lot of others on here. But I’m willing to help.)
Shoot me a dm (because I'm not sure how to). I'm down to help out.
I’m in the same boat. Are you open to connect and possibly start something?
I’m game if you are open to meet.
Hang in there. Exercise. Network with friends. Eat healthy. Look out for yourself. Things will get better
Job market is fucked up. I havent struggled so much previously to look for new jobs. Gonna be 10 months and had lot of final stage interviews but nothing turns into job. Working in a coffee shop or restaurant to pay bills seems like only solution
DM me with your resume, might be able to help.
FCB is hiring, in particular FCB Health, definitely senior account openings!
Hey SVP-OP, you’d like both staff or freelance? I see a fair amount of staff ones and for freelance which is less common I think there’s a Sr role at Geometry - on LinkedIn.
You know Paul Gumbinner?
CD1, nice to hear about people in the biz with those qualities! Gonna check out the blog.