I got my dream job through Facebook

Meredith was stuck in a job she hated, unable to get the experience needed to build any career let alone her dream job in illustration. Then she started social networking.

True Stories

"I started sending my art to people online."

As I got home to my tiny flat, smelling like booze from the late bar shift, I felt robbed. Surely there was more to life than this? Although I didn’t have a university degree, I knew I was smart and talented. So why was I sat the bottom of the employment ladder, unable to climb onto even the first rung?

I’m not going to go to university

I always enjoyed school. I liked seeing my friends and enjoyed learning. I especially loved art and my teachers always commented on my paintings, saying how talented I was.

School flew by and, before I knew it, everyone had to decide whether to go to university. To me it was a no-brainer. I wasn’t going. Although my grades at sixth form were OK, being stuck in education for another three years, mounting a huge debt, was not an attractive prospect. So I took a bar job instead while I decided what to do.

The reality of working life

I took up various jobs in pubs and clubs, and was able to fund myself to live independently — although it was in no way glamorous. I could barely pay rent and couldn’t afford heating in the winter – even when it was freezing. I even sold some of my favorite clothes on eBay for a bit of extra cash. I began to resent my friends doing a degree. They were having the time of their lives at uni while I slaved away, washing toilets and pulling beer pumps for minimum wage.

Sometimes I worked a day shift in a restaurant followed by a night shift in a club. At times I found myself crying in the stockroom with exhaution, and for what? A horrible little apartment and some spare pocket money. Something had to change.

Trouble finding work

As I started to look for jobs I realised just how strained the employment market was. I had no qualifications or experience. I was the lowest in the food chain. I applied for a variety of things, mostly office jobs that I found online, and I got a couple of interviews. But it was much tougher than I thought. Reality hit me hard when one of the managers actually sniggered at my CV during an interview. I felt so humiliated, I went home and cried.

Using Facebook to find a job

I knew I had to do something different. But what? Although I hadn’t much free time I still painted whenever I could to escape. I knew my drawings were good, maybe my childhood dream could become a reality? Then a friend suggested I start promoting my artwork online, so I decided to use the best networking tool in modern society: Facebook. I was aware that it might not work, but I had nothing to lose. I created my own page, uploading about 30 of my pictures. I chose a variety in order to show off my varying abilities.

Contacting potential employers online

I started sending Facebook messages and friend requests to hundreds of London-based companies. Nothing went amis. I applied on spec to publishers, ad agencies and magazines. Thanks to the immediacy of Facebook, it didn’t take long before I started to get replies. Many said they didn’t employ freelancers, or had no work at that time, but I also got loads of compliments, which gave me the confidence to keep trying.

Then I received the golden ticket, a job interview with a really cool online t-shirt printing and designing business. I was so nervous about the meeting. I spent hours building up a portfolio and thinking of what to say, but when I got there I was surprised by how informal everything was. The ‘manager’ was sitting on a sofa with a cup of tea and we had more of a chat than an interview. I showed him my work and got the job right there and then. I was dancing all the way home.

From barmaid to illustrator

I was ecstatic to finally put my drawing talents to use. I do other odd jobs, like editing and promotional work, but mostly I illustrate and design templates for t-shirts. Plus, I’m finally getting a decent salary! It’s been a roller coaster journey but, with the help of social networking and a positive attitude, I’ve finally got to where I want to be. With determination and the benefits of the internet, I’ve gone from bar bum to high-flying designer. Who’s to say you can’t do the same?

Interviewed by Daisy Phillipson

Photo of Facebook by Shutterstock