Not to take away from the on going Layoffs...Layoffs thread, I thought it would be nice to hear about anyone's experiences in landing a new job or self employment.

If you are one of the fortunate ones out there, please share with us how you like the new place and what is keeping you busy these days.

some of my professors have been doing some very nice work in the austin area

The week after I got laid off in mid-February (when I sent out an email notifying folks that my email was changing), my old boss from a few years back called and asked if I wanted to come back part-time. The old firm has lots of non-prestigious small projects for which the client pays T+M. And I said, "sure!"

So far, so good.

ah thats a nice save citizen.

I was employed in February after 4 months of being unemployed ...better working enviornment... ALOT more responsibility ...and a great boss ..im almost glad i was laid off in the first place

happy to hear about that outthere...good luck to you.

I hear that Obama's Infrastructure plan will include Roads, Bridges & Sewers on Mars.

I guess if you don't have any legitimate criticisms...just make up stuff..ie. Mars, time machines and messiahs.

seems the right wing was been reduced to a few delusional kooks.

Most of the the people I know who are at other firms have said that things have started to pick up. My firm just hired people -- mostly senior level staff.

med.

good to hear...
what city are you in?

I lost my job in January, but I had the opportunity of doing some consulting work for different offices in my city. Now I am dedicating my time in creating my own office, branding office.

i've been working in a brewery this summer. i'll be sad when i have to leave to go to school.

I was once angry financially when I worked for the man.

The metrics of an architectural office are to bill 3x and pay you x. It's the 'x' that sucks.

10 years ago I decided to go after some middle zone between x and 3x and open my own practice. The last 3 years I made $150k, $180k and $200k on my own. Worked out to be about 5x.

I am now very happy with being in the profession and feel that I am paid well for my time and energy.

I no longer even think of trying to look for opportunity with the man at 'x'. I go after my own clients with my own unique offering and risk it all for 5x.

DesertMod,

Inspiring to hear your ambitions. What kind of advice would you give for a young architect who has just registered and wants to pursue their own clients? Besides a lot of skills and experience, did you feel like a big part was by luck?

The financial anger in the beginning of a career seems like it is a given. Congrats for making it!

yes, I concur wit .dwg; DesertMod, congrats on the slew of opportunity you've had. Of course none of us know what your overhead costs are, and if with all that income coming you, you are still living comfortably.

In any respects, sounds like it was the right choice for you.

As of this past Monday i got my walking papers. Sucks cause I just bought a new condo too (closed last week) and now this?! Suppose I am going to have to hustle and hoping not to start beggin' or settling for menial jobs.

Good luck to all out there!

Yeaaaaaahhhhhhhh......

I don't think that this recession is going anywhere anytime soon.

i got a raise today...nothing spectacular...but anyways!!:)

My income is from a home-based office with my only overhead as liability insurance, my car payment expensed through the business, a percentage of the home electric bill, and office supply/equipment stuff. When you expense through a business everyting is pre-tax - so it's like a 40%-off sale. Much better than paying for stuff with after tax dollars as an employee. So I keep 90% of what I bill. Residential remodels are probably the way to go for the next 12 months - commercial is still going in the tank.

To .dwg, my 'luck' came from doing projects well - staying late, going the extra mile, doing more than what I was paid to do. Then when people started asking who to use, my name came up more often. Don't know any other solution than work your *** off and take on the client's needs as though they are your own (or even in front of your own needs sometimes).

Thanks for your sharing. Thanks for sharing this useful information. It's great.
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Ha! That's classic, make a second name to post a seemingly unconnected bit of praise for the spam you just posted. Seriously though, someone has to be pushing the boundaries of spam.

There is hope for those of us looking for work....

I got an interview for an intern position in NYC. The office does some really nice high-end residential work.

Has anyone else noticed that there seems to be more openings recently?

I brought my portfolio and resume to the office in person and spoke with the owner.

This seems like the way to go. So if this one doesn't work out, I have a plan for next time.

I was laid off in November after 12 years with the same firm...doing mostly commercial, R&D, some pretty high end stuff....then the bottom fell out...got a job a month later, have been there since..with a firm that does all education work..super busy...then the firm merges with the 9th largest Architecture Urban Planning firm in the world.....Now getting opportunity to be lead design on school, transportation, and other types of projects....best thing to happen to me....future is nothing but bright!

We are swamped with work and needing to add to staff.

I ended up getting the job I interviewed for a few weeks back. Moving to NYC tomorrow.

Anyone else have any luck (I really do think luck is a big factor in finding work right now)? Interviews, offers, words of encouragement, anything to help raise the spirits of people still looking.

I have been hearing good things. A few small firms I was talking to were busy, and saw new projects on the horizons.

I was laid off back in May with a pretty high-profile office. A lot of work was tanking and when a project would go, so would it's staff. I went through one solid round of applying to places around mid June, didnt really hear much and then tried again in late September/early October. Got an interview with a smaller design oriented studio that i was interested in and that's been pretty busy and got the job. Have been working there for a couple weeks.