It's that time of year again. The time of year when I think- haven't I been bored with work for long enough? Shouldn't I find a grownup job with a career path I can be excited about? One with vacation time and benefits? One where I can contribute to humanity? So I apply for a few jobs, create stunning works of cover letter art and then get all depressed because no one has called me back. I return to my stage-handery convinced that I am unfit for anything else. This year will be different. I don't have to eke by on irregular pay! I can be interested in work! I can fulfill my potential! Someone will get tired of my repeated badgering and grant me an interview!
It's difficult because I cherry pick the jobs I respond to. I want to work in theater, non-profit, or the arts. I want responsibility and growth, both personal and professional. I won't work for less than $30,000 a year which is what I'm making now. I get excited after every resume I send off thinking about how awesome it will be and how awesome I will be doing the work. A match made by the gods. My ego takes a bruising with every reply I don't get because I have already invested energy and expectation. I have to psych myself back up after every non-response (I think an outright rejection would be easier) .
This year will be different. I am looking to move cities and I need to find a job before I feel comfortable packing. I guess I'm just not cut out to backpack around Europe by myself; I like a safety net. So I will keep applying and doling out pieces of myself until I click with someone in HR.
I recently applied for an festival manager position. During the excited 'I would be perfect for this job, call me dammnit!' phase, I devised the perfect fund raiser. To wit: a fashion show and clothing exchange. People clean out their closets and grab new stuff. Local fashion artists, or student designers have a runway show. During breaks in the runway show, people can show off their finds. All disputes to be settled by walk off (or rock, paper, scissors for the shy). A kid's area with all kinds of sparkly and costume stuff. Extra clothing to benefit your local thrift store or community theater. Funding would come from entry fees, raffles, craft tables, coffee, and soliciting donations. You could have it twice a year and partner with a thrift store to get some seed clothing. It would be an all day event, but it would get people involved and it would be a blast. Feel free to use my idea. Let me know if it worked for you, or what changes you made to make it more effective. Have fun.
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