Jobs

[Sam_K]

Hi,
My name is Sam and I just moved here. I probably met you at one of the jams, if not, I will.

Is there a particular resource anyone would recommend for finding a day job? I'm already searching the papers and craigslist.

Anything will help, I'm broke.

[Darrin]

I recommend Advanced Resources (Joe Gildein), Chicago Hire Company (Jennifer Browe), and Addison Search (Erika Barnish). All of them have gotten me jobs quickly in the past, and I have a great standing with all three companies.

[Fenstermaker]

Two more places to look:

League of Chicago Theaters (http://www.chicagoplays.com/) (theater-related jobs)

NPO.net (http://chicagoimprov.org/www.npo.net) (Not-for-profit jobs)

[jrrtubbs]

sent you a PM

[megank77]

Temp Agencies, dude. Starving artists stuff envelopes. Most pay a minimum of $10/hr and are used to dealing with actors. And most understand that you are also looking for a better job while you are there. I recommend registering with about 3 of them and see who gives you the best offer. I'm sure the ones Darrin listed above are great, and there are literally HUNDREDS more in Chicago.

My faves have been:
Opportunities Group
Lakeshore Staffing
Northbridge Staffing

Getting a day job at a theatre is awesome, unfortunately it's very competitive and can take a while to get hired. No harm in getting a shitty job filing to pay the rent for a few weeks while you are interviewing for your dream job. (just don't stay there forever)

[chitiger]

If you have any Web site, writing, editing or graphic design skills, you can subsidize your living through freelance. It's what I did when I first moved here, and it's what I'm about to do now. It can pay way better than temping, and you set your own hours. The downside is the money doesn't flow steady, and it can take some work to get off the ground.

[elisabeth]

If you have any Web site, writing, editing or graphic design skills, you can subsidize your living through freelance. It's what I did when I first moved here, and it's what I'm about to do now. It can pay way better than temping, and you set your own hours. The downside is the money doesn't flow steady, and it can take some work to get off the ground.

so how do you get off the ground?
where do you find your work?
how do you do your taxes?

"freelancing" is a big, scary beast and i want to know more about it.

[chitiger]

so how do you get off the ground?
where do you find your work?
how do you do your taxes?

"freelancing" is a big, scary beast and i want to know more about it.

I can only speak to the writing/editing aspect of this.

First you need clips. If you don't have any, write for free. There are a lot of Web sites out there looking for content. Scour Craigslist, find some and write. Once you build up some good samples, start pulling on contacts you already have and networking to find new contacts. Also you can write spec pieces and query publications to try to find a buyer.

Also, don't be narrow-minded in your search for work. It's not just magazines, Web sites and newspapers that take on freelancers. Companies of all sizes, non-profits, universities often take on freelancers (usually for marketing work).

You'll probably make shit starting out. When I first moved here (after getting a journalism degree from a good university), I was only making $.10 a word. It took a crap ton of words to pay my expenses. I supplemented my income by working a plethora of odd jobs.

As for the back-end issues of taxes and benefits...

Freelancers/contract workers tend to file quarterly. There are different methods of handling this, but it's key to track your business expenses and your income. Personally, if you're making a decent living freelancing, it's probably worth it to find an accountant. Just remember 25-33% of your income probably belongs to Uncle Sam.

As for benefits, there are other posts about this issue on CIN. I'm lucky. I'm gay, so I get decent healthcare for a fraction of the price through my boyfriend. Booyah!