by Jimiyo
When I was younger, working my way through college, I hated filling out resumes for crappy manual labor jobs that even a chimp could perform. They seemed to be the only type of jobs I could get since I was young and had no experience.
In hindsight, the biggest detriment to finding a well paying job was that I was timid and soft spoken. The hiring system rewards those that are good at networking, and have an outgoing personality. It’s almost as if work ethics and skill are secondary.
It wasn’t until I got my job as a sales representative at Dell Computer that I felt I was finally on a level playing field despite my timidity and lack of networking skills. (Yeah, how did I go from being a sales representative to being an artist/art director/online persona? It was a long winding road I might write about in the future.)
The reason I believe the playing field is level in sales is that sales companies have little risk involved in hiring since those types of positions pay based on productivity and performance. They pretty much hire anyone, and treat you like spaghetti noodles. They throw you up on the wall and see if you stick.
I did okay there. I earned several awards for being a top percentile performer. Still, although I enjoyed the thrill of sales, it wasn’t a perfect fit for my life. It was apparent that art was my passion. I would come in every day with a drawing to share with my colleagues.
It wasn’t until I attempted to transfer laterally out of the soul sucking sales position that I encountered the brick wall of cronyism and started to remember that I was powerless to the gatekeepers.
I was denied several times for lateral promotions that would have gotten me off the phone. It wasn’t that I wasn’t qualified, I just didn’t know the right people. I was always so concerned with the work of my job, that I neglected the fact that in a corporate culture, it’s also how people perceive you that’s also important. This means posturing and being visible to people who can help you.
I was young and proud. I didn’t want to play that game. I believed that hard work was all that should be required to move up in the world.
It was probably best that they cock blocked me.
I got angry.
I quit.
It was the most awesome decision I have ever made. (Except getting kittens.)
Although, after a few days of unemployment, I had no concrete plan except to create art and seek ways to monetize my passion even if it meant that I might use up my savings in the process. I decided resumes were a waste of my time. Resumes are for people who want regular jobs. I wanted something larger, something undefined.
For three months, I banged out 40-50 hours of practice sketches, paintings, and other art every week as if I still had a job, posting my work on various portfolio websites at that time.
Shortly thereafter, I got a call that there was an artist position opening at a local screen printing shop. I didn’t even need a resume. I didn’t need to kiss anyone’s ass. They knew of my work from my online postings, and they hired me on the spot.
I’ve taken several leaps of faith after that first seemingly bold exit from Dell Computer. I say “seemingly” because it may have seemed bold and rash to leave a solid 50-65K yearly salary/commission position, but it would have been stupid of me NOT to have quit. Otherwise, I might have become indoctrinated to the must-be-employee mindset instead of the solo entrepreneur/freelancer mindset, and sacrificed my passion for art in exchange for security and the status quo.
Ever since, resumes have become a minor formality.
Every income earning opportunity since I quit Dell have come to me.
They wouldn’t have come to me without my proactive decision and action to change the rules of the game, or the actual game itself.
I decided the game should be Authenticity:
Kick so much ass that people coming knocking at your door to offer you money for your talent.
When you don’t like the rules of a game, you don’t have to play the game. You can make the game you don’t like irrelevant.
Just a FYI. I’m not done changing the game and creating new rules for myself. I am always seeking ways to break the glass ceiling. Just as the journey of an artist should never end, nor should the journey to strive for improvement and personal happiness.
I want to leave you with this. I’m not a religious man, but I’ve always enjoyed Proverbs in the Bible.
Proverbs 22:29
Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men.
…meaning hard work. It’s a requirement for attaining greatness.
Til next time. Be Good. Do Good. Spread Good.
Hello, welcome to my weblog! My name is Jimiyo. From 2008 to June 2013, I was the art director for one of the most popular pop culture shirt-a-day sites Teefury.com. Now? Well, I think I'm on sabbatical... :D and I'm totally okay with that. Kinda like everyone else, I'm kinda excited to see what ole Jimiyo does next. Occasionally I make
Love this article. Very inspiring to see your steps to success. I’ve struggled in a very similar way, but unfortunately am still not assertive enough with my work and therefore have not achieved much success.
I always imagined you were a pro artist from the start as I can’t imagine you doing anything else. It’s a good thing you left your sales rep job…the tee/art community wouldn’t have been the same without you!
I totally get what you’re saying. If only I could through the damn despair though…
Sara is not just an awesome arsitt,but one of the sweetest people I know! I am so blessed to have her as one of my friends!Love the blog here; can’t wait to view updates
Great Post. Inspiring. I’m going to go draw now.
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Great post!
Our paths are similar, although I’m farther down the path age-wise. I shifted to the creative game after seeing the ladder I’d been focused on climbing wasn’t even leaning against a wall I had any interest in. Visual art is unique in that it’s value is immediately apparent with very little analysis (time investment) on the part of the viewer/consumer. If you’re good people see it right away. The work speaks for itself.
You’re right– People don’t usually change the game unless they have become extremely uncomfortable, because people resist change, but if you have a passion and are willing to work hard at refining your skill, you’ll excel and be rewarded. You’ll always need those connections though, we’re interdependent creatures.
Hey Jimi, I find it hard to believe that you were ever “timid and soft spoken” from your online outgoing personality, and your art that exudes self-condfidence — it must have been an interesting journey that I do hope you write about “from being a sales representative to being an artist/art director/online persona?”
I like that you continue with every post to mention the importance of hard work, constant hard work and dedication. It’s great that you also show it in what you do, even committing to going somewhere you have to write to make sure it gets done.
Oh, man. I feel we must be kindred spirits. I worked in a door assembly shop for 15+ years (!?!?!) before I was forced to take that leap into art and illustration. I realize that I was scared of the unknown. The security of a regular crappy paycheck seemed the best.
Have never looked back.
Excellent post. You must continue to offer exllceent resources and content like you have been offering. I will most likely stop by again in the future.