Job stability is a luxury that no one seems to possess right now. I like to look on the bright side; I've learned is that getting a call back is no easy task. I'm not going to kid myself, if I were looking for a job outside of Coke, I'd be SOL. While this statement is rather depressing, at least I know realisticly what the job market looks like. I'm not longer that kid thinking, "This job describes me perfectly, I should get a call back this week!" Instead, I know that 99% of my applications go unread and/or unused.

I keep my ears open.... Coke has frozen all external applications. While the website lets you apply, no one is reading them.
But I also know there are exceptions for any rule when someone really wants something. No travel budget? But your head boss thinks it is important to go...ta da! Funding magically appears.

Here I am approaching year two as a contractor at Coke. The 12-month rule is something that can be overlooked when it's more cost effective.

I can officially state this information now that my co-workers are freely relaying their 2010 plans:
My group of five that turned into three has been whittled down to one.
My two team-members (although higher-ranked than me) are retiring. When faced the the option of a job demotion and more work or a year's severance and a bridge to retirement, the plain answer is to take the money and run! That leaves me, the contractor with no close boss that actually knows the value of my position. I'll find out on Thursday what their plans are for me.
Until then, I have 2 weeks of paid vacation that I don't want to waste!

We'll see what the new year brings.

My contract with Coke ends with the 2009 year. If they have enough funding, I should have a new contract for 2010, but that's not 100%.

I can't decide where I should start looking for apartments. My lease is up at the end of the year, and I know Stephanie is interested in getting a place with me. I'd rather not live in Buckhead if I'm still working in midtown.

It's nice to know if it takes a month to find a place, I can crash at my mom's place. Hopefully that would be a last resort.

From my experience that last few years, I should know that not having a plan is sometimes the best plan.

After 24 hours of unemployment--- I got a job!

Funny how in March I thought I would be out of work.... I got a call to come back to Coke Tuesday morning, and here I am 6 months later, still working at Coke.
Maybe not having a plan can be the best plan.... you never know what will come up at the last minute.
On my one day off I went to the Pink Magazine networking luncheon. That is the magazine down the street from Coke that I interned at one summer.
I was looking at Twitter and saw that Pink had an extra table setting, and whoever tweeted back first could have it.
It was nice to meet networking Atlanta ladies and have a delicious lunch at the Intercontinental Buckhead.
I really hope that I can do the same thing this year for their October Luncheon. If I can avoid the $200 fee again, that would be great!

What do I do when I'm unemployed.... go on vacation!

This weekend I went to San Fran. My co-worker is moving back home to Turkey, and since I can't spend the $$ to go back to Istanbul for her wedding, I was excited to go on this trip with her.

I had such a great time. We were so lucky to have sunny weather-- we packed warm clothes because it was so cold at night. Golden Gate Park was so beautiful and my friend Ben showed me around to all the Hot Spots. Note to self: watch the movie Milk.

Yes, I know I'll be unemployed next week, but this was a great deal, and sometimes you have to take opportunities when they come.

Is it strange that I've already got my first unemployment week planned out with dentist/doctor appointments, tours of local portfolio schools, etc? I could find a job the following week, so I want to use my unemployment time to the fullest.

Looking back on this year, I've only been unemployed for a few weeks total. Back in November when I was between jobs I painted 3 new artworks and lost 5 pounds. Maybe short-term unemployment is good for me. This time I plan to build my own website, which will include Flash.

So excited!

T- minus 20 work days

I'll be unemployed in four weeks.

I've enjoyed this Coca-Cola gig, and I think everyone is going to be OK. .

Believe it or not, I'm excited about the opportunity to try post-graduation life without The Coca-Cola Company. Just shy of 1.5 years of working here, I feel like I have a grasp of the company - at - large. It's old-school and southern which can be good or bad depending how you look at it.

At night I work on this massive book of Atlanta Ad Agencies. Each page is a place I would like to work. I've been researching their clients, openings, blogs, etc. It started out as a lined notebook, but this weekend I upgraded it into an Indesign file.

I'm even thinking about making Vol II of the Agency book. It'll have all the awesome, "Maybe, one day" agencies across the country that I would love to grace with my presence.

The more I research, the more excited I become. Of course, the blurb on most of their websites clearly stating "not hiring" is a tad disheartening, but who knows what the future brings?

New Year, New You

I'm in the third month back at Coca-Cola. I miss my old department, but this one isn't bad. I'm only filling in for someone on maternity leave, so I get the boot at the end of May. I've been applying like a mad woman for ad agencies everywhere..... and, sadly, no response. I did have an interview with Brighthouse, and was offered a job, only to hear days later, "Never mind; we aren't filling the position."
I'm a cards-on-the-table kind of girl, so my co-workers know I'm looking for work for when this assignment ends. (Isn't that expected?) They were bummed that I didn't get the "Think Tank" job at Brighthouse. It would had been great since it's located just walking distance from Coke headquarters, so we would had easily met for lunch on the regular. My new boss even took me out for drinks to drown my sorrows. Oh, well. Let's hope another agency actually reads my resume..... I'll keep you posted.