Job search help?

5x5

My husband's job folded at the end of June, and he's been doing some work here and there since then, but we're getting a little desperate financially.

He worked at a major gallery as a collections manager/registrar, and would like to stay in that field. We've been searching for jobs through NYFA and Americans for the Arts Job Bank, as well as NYT/Monster and CL...is there any place you know of that we might also search? He's also open to preparator jobs, art handling, etc., and has some experience there.

Also, I've worked as a freelance editor/proofreader for college texts and Web sites for 10+ years now...almost exclusively for one company, which still supplies me with work, but not enough right now. Any ideas about places in which I could search for more work? (I've considered going back to work full time, but I have two kids, and the little guy needs all kinds of speech/occupational therapies, and I kind of need to be around for those.)

I appreciate any help anyone can offer.

MOD

Sounds like you're already looking everywhere you can. It's a fucked up time to be out there, people are getting laid off and downsizing.

bkgardener

I am not in either of those fields, but the following have all been helpful to me to various degrees. Your mileage may vary as I am in technology/financial services/sales and relationship -type roles.

1) LinkedIn. See who you know is already on it (you may be surprised), seek endorsements (I have around 20 people who endorsed my work and it was helpful in winning over one of the people who was on the fence about hiring me)
2) Network your ass off - let everybody you know you and your husband are looking for work (including Brooklynians - so good job on this one!). What I found most helpful is if you are very specific about the type of help you are looking for. If you simply tell people you are looking for work, they might not know how to help you. Ask for specifics, such as:

- do you know any recruiters in this field?
- do you know anybody who works in this industry?
- do you know any other resources/job boards/associations/ networking groups I can join?
- do you know anybody who works at ________ company (if you have an idea of a good fit for your skills)?

That way people can understand pretty quickly if they can help you, and they can be on the alert for people they meet who fall into these categories.

3) look on Meetup.com for groups to network with. The events are almost always free (or very nominal charge) and you can meet people in your industry who can either help you directly or point you in the right direction.


Good luck!

jocelyn

indeed.com

for you, mediabistro.com

5x5

Mamacita, ugh, no kidding! We've had a couple of jobs fall through, and I'm getting really nervous. And then there's that unexpected rent increase...*sob*

flexi, thank you so much for all the tips! I particularly emphasized #2 to Mr. 5x5, and he's landed some part time work already, and has a couple of people looking into work for him.

jocelyn, thank you for the links--both sites are really helpful.

dereken

Good luck and keep us posted. I call #2 The Flexi Shakedown. I shook down everybody I knew when I needed a job....without shame

MOD

I need a job too, been looking for what feels like ages. If anyone has leads in Publishing, New Media, online writing PLEASE PM ME!!!