Just need a little encouragement. I lost my dream job this year and am in a new role that pays more but I’m bored to tears and on a path to nowhere. Fiancé and I are thinking about moving to Chicago but it’s a huge risk with so many qualified people on the market. Feels like I have no good options and I’m stuck. I know my book is good but there’s so many things working against me.

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I lost my dream job too, but then ended up getting married. And you know what? Turns out having your dream person is 100000x better than having your dream job.

Congratulations on your engagement! I know it’s not everything, but many people would give up everything to have what you do.

Now go get some pizza and hotdogs.

likeupliftinghelpful

Thanks Ogilvy! ♥️♥️♥️

likeuplifting

You are not your job.


In this industry we tend to link our value to our title or our paycheck or the clients we work on or the last thing we produced; I’m guilty of it to. But you are so much more than those things.

likesmarthelpful

Thank you, I needed this. I’m very good at being emotionally attached to work. Trying to unlearn that.

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I’ve lost two dream jobs. Two agencies I’d severely looked up to. Right in a row. Two of the best agencies at the time, too. Sucked both times. Still hurts, to some extent.

But now, I’m better than ever. It helped shape me. It helped give me direction. It started me down a path that taught me about the difference between what I thought I wanted and what made sense for me. And now, I’m better than ever. Cuz I don’t just want my job. My job wants me.

You’ll land on your feet. You’ll kick ass. You’ll end up better, fitter, stronger.

likeuplifting

Creative 1 - thank you. That’s good to hear and I don’t look at it that way often enough.

The first one, I knew all along I wasn’t a good fit because of their competitive culture. It was hard when it happened, but by the end I was ready to move on, so I quickly regrouped. It felt like an anomaly. Then I was enjoying freelance and not ready for full-time but the second one came along and it was a dream agency of mine so I rolled the dice. when they laid me off, it almost broke my back. Took me years to truly get over. I really thought I was a great fit and didn’t see it coming. In retrospect, my GCD wasn’t a good fit for me. It took me a while to get over it, but freelancing helped. Nothing was permanent. No one could reject me, the gig just ended. I finally went back to full time recently and so far it’s been good. I don’t even think about those old places anymore. Time heals all I guess. And I wouldn’t be where I am today without those experiences.

There’ll be other dream jobs... but it’s always easier to find Them when you’re working..,I was in the same position and learned this the hard way and am still paying for it to the point where I’d even be willing to start south of where I should be...as long as there’s potential for northward movement once i prove myself...and all because I walked from a dream gig

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So sorry, that’s a tough position! Live and learn. It’s so hard to know what the right call is until you make a move.

Thanks for the reminder, ACD 2. And honestly I’ve had a lot more time and energy for my own creative pursuits outside of work now that I’m not constantly brain drained and burnt out.

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I’m sorry about your dream job 😔 Can you move to Chicago and keep your job so you can work remotely while you’re looking for something new?

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I see. Well, the good thing is that a lot of places are hiring remotely, and I’m sure that’s true about Chicago, where the cold weather will make it too risky to bring people in again. So what I’d do is email the recruiters/CDs at the agencies you’re interested in and let them know right away that you’re more than willing to move. Maybe that you’re open to moving on your own (skipping the relocation package—if you’re ok with that!). Just because there are tons of talent in Chicago that doesn’t mean your skills and book won’t stand out. People move from smaller markets to NYC where talent is abundant and they make it. You can do it.

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I’m with you. Minus the moving part and losing “dream job”. But I did lose my agency gig in June and luckily have had steady stream of well paying freelance gigs including current contract working in house. Pay is good and it’s easy but I’m so fucking bored and feel like I’m doomed to this kind of work forever.

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Glad to hear you’re making it work. Are you in a large market with too many candidates or are you thinking you’re going to ride this out until the future of agency life is more clear?

I’ve also lost my dream job this year. But I found a new gig that works remotely in a diff state for the foreseeable future. Are you able to at least stay in your current city for a few months while you apply for remote jobs in Chicago?

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I’m sorry you lost yours too! Ugh this year sucks. I’m applying for remote jobs like my life depends on it but no luck yet. It’s all further complicated by when/where my fiancé ends up getting a job and how long it takes to sell our house. And then...pandemic job market. It’s almost laughable at this point 😂

Chicago is okay not amazing

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Its not much OP but I encourage you ✌️

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Chicago is more dry than the Sahara desert right now. Hardly any agencies are hiring. I’m trying to leave and go somewhere where I’ll actually have a future being a creative.

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You’ll be fine.

Best advice is to enjoy life. Sounds cliche, but look around you. Ppl die all the time. The thought of worrying is silly at times - if it’s too bad, quit.

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Don't move until you and your girlfriend have gigs in Chicago

Well I’m the woman lol. But it’s also my hometown.

Why move before you have a new job set up?

I’ve been told SO many times that if I want to move markets I need to get myself there first.

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