A week and a half or so ago the social media community rallied behind some of our own. The announcement of the layoffs at Radian6 took so many by surprise but within minutes companies were tweeting their open opportunities. Instead of writing blog post after blog post about how irresponsible these layoffs are, now terrible SalesForce is and blah blah blah, the community jumped into action. This was a true testament as to who the social media community is; a community where no-one gets left behind. Little did any of us know at that time, the social media community would be called upon again in a matter of days as Super Storm Sandy ravaged the NY/NJ Metro area and, the city that never sleeps, was down for the count.
Uncertainty and Unanswered Questions
The wrath of Sandy was like no other to hit the east coast. The devastation to all the boroughs in NY, the Jersey Shore, the loss of life, the loss of homes, memories and that normalcy of the hustle and bustle of everyday life that we complained about, had us searching for answers as to why, how and when. Why did this happen? How are we going to recover? When would our power be restored, when would the waters recede, when would help come, when, just when. The social media community kept so many apprised of the events happening around us and with each photo of the destruction, the realization of what we knew would never be again.
Recovery and Restoration
Just like a bird cannot fly with one wing neither can the NY/NJ Metro area. So many have given to The Red Cross, donated items, kept us in their thoughts and prayers but as recovery efforts begin in NY/NJ there is uncertainty that looms. Is it too soon to get back into work? Is there even work to be done and for those unemployed, had? Should we be on the ground helping people drag all of their belongings to the curb, picking up their laundry to wash, dry and fold it or making a warm home cooked meal? As so many try and put their lives back together and learn what is being deemed a new normal, there are those that were so incredibly fortunate to have the minor inconvenience of power outage for a few or so days (naturally it is a minor inconvenience AFTER the power is restored) who have been waiting for that green light for it to be OK to focus on themselves, business and return to work.
We need you, our 2nd wing. We need you all to be focused on business and ease the east coast back in. We need the guidance and support to get us back to the new normal. There are those of us that were unemployed before the storm and now are facing an even greater uphill battle of being employed. I know myself I am facing the inner struggle where I want to drop everything and go and put on some work gloves and free areas of debris but there is that little voice inside me says, um, Suzanne, you need to find work as your unemployment is running out and you need to keep a roof over your heads and food on the table. Am I being selfish and only thinking of my own bottom line when there are so many that do not have a home anymore? I do struggle with this as it is my nature to help regardless of the price to me.
Available For Work
I am available for work! Back in September when I was laid off, I reached out to close friends and they helped a lot but instead of taking it to the next level and reaching out to the social media community, I jumped on the hamster wheel and kept spinning. I had my resume reviewed and reviewed and reviewed again. I researched positions, reached out to those that I knew and happily obliged when I was asked to submit my resume. I felt confident. I followed up and after a few days realized the phone was not going to ring. I felt/still feel so much shame from being laid off (through no fault of my own) and not being able to be gainfully employed within a few weeks. Super Storm Sandy has literally stopped me in my tracks and reminded me that my shame is not going to get me employed, pay the bills nor will it allow me to help with the recovery efforts. Shame does nothing other than paralyze into isolation and a false sense of being.
I need to let people know that I am available for work. I need to put aside the shame and let people know that in the long term, I am not just looking for a job. I am looking for the next step in my career. That step is where I can step into a new role utilizing my experience to expand my knowledge and make a difference. If it takes multiple projects to get to that next step, then so be it. If it takes that one person who is willing to go above and beyond and helping and/or guiding me towards my long term career goals, then I am ahead of the game.
About Me
I have an abundance of experience to draw from. I have worked with some of the greatest people and clients in various industries in smaller agencies for the past 10 years. The feedback I have received over the past two months from some large agencies has been extremely helpful but also a bit discouraging. My experience with small to mid size business and start-ups afforded the opportunity to work very closely with clients and imbed myself into their marketing department coupled with my positions as an agency account executive/supervisor/director encompassing the day-to-day management of accounts, the creation of the overall strategic marketing plans, collaborating with internal departments for the development of creative briefs, scheduling and trafficking of projects to ensure campaigns are completed on time and within budget is extensive and has been called impressive, but it is devoid of big brand. The lack of big brand is overshadowing years of experience that I do have and poses as a risk that companies and agencies, thus far, are not willing to take.
Poses a risk. Ouch! I am almost afraid to touch upon how I have also negotiated and placed media, served as community manager and have developed and managed loyalty programs for casinos though extensive database research to define the player personas for segmentation, effectively market to each segment to increase new customer acquisition, customer conversion/retention and improve customer satisfaction/decreased attrition. And let’s not forget my most recent role, an in-house position at Prudential as a project manager for group insurance external communications for enrollment campaigns.
I am very proud of my work in the smaller agencies and the opportunities afforded to me in learning different practice areas/positions and bringing them all together for the betterment of the client and client experience. However, the challenges it now presents being in a Metro area where big brand is king is a hurdle and one that I cannot jump over alone.
How You Can Help And Make A Difference
I am very grateful to be a part of the social media community. I am not looking for a handout here. I am looking for help. I want to roll my sleeves up and dive in and do whatever it takes to join the ranks of the gainfully employed. My passion is advertising, marketing and working with clients. Launching a new product, campaign or a start-up into the marketplace and watching how the target receives the message, interacts with the brand, associates themselves and shares their likes and dislikes is what motivates and excites me.
You can help and make a difference with me or anyone else that you know or may come to know that is in seeking employment. Not everyone reading this will have an open opportunity or know someone who does. However, there are many other ways to help.
Tweets – I would be so honored and grateful for any direct tweets to someone you may know that has open opportunities or you feel can help with connections, honing in on my experience to match that of big brands and eliminate the risk.
Referrals – are you or do you know a HR Professional that are actively seeking to fill a position that would benefit from speaking with me? Or maybe that would be available to discuss my resume and interviewing skills. I think I interview well and am wonderful but … Also, you may have friends that are in agencies or in-house in companies that you can introduce me to.
Connecting – Are we connected? Twitter (@SuzanneVara) and LinkedIn (SuzanneVara). While this post provides an overview of my agency experience over the past ten years, you may need more. You probably want to get to know me some before you dedicate the time and effort and sharing your connections. Please email me at suzannevara at gmail.com and we can arrange a time to talk/Skype.
Recommendations – these are always welcomed.
I thank you so very much for reading this and doing all that you can to help. I am #JerseyStrong and am here to help you to help me. There are projects out there that do not necessarily warrant a full time employee, I am here to help and work. There are open positions and opportunities that are needing to be filled, I am here and ready to talk and work. I am here and available for work.
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