Wednesday 25 January 2012

Thank You! And some hometruths about Design Team Calls in the Scrapbooking Industry






Wow I was completely overwhelmed by all the lovely and 
really caring comments I got on my last post!  To be honest, 
when I put out a post like that, I feel exposed.  It's usually 
late at night and I toss and turn, thinking I should get up 
and retrieve it {then I think, darn, it's in everyone's readers by
now anyway LOL!) All your love made me realise that while I
may not be good enough for some, I am good enough for 
you, and, weird as it is for me to believe at times, I actually 
do inspire people!

So I'm going to try to get through this and keep on going..
The problem is there are other things going on in my personal
life right now that are making it difficult for me to concentrate
a huge amount of energy on my papercrafting efforts, and that
makes me feel bad, but that's life...people get sick, people get
divorced, friends disappoint you, people betray you, blah blah...

Yes it sounds bleak but I truly am having to deal with all
those things at the moment and I'll do my best not to burden
you with them all.  This blog is meant to be my personal
place of escape so I'm going to do my best to keep it that 
way and I'm hoping that soon I'll have some artsy work to 
share with you here :)

Yesterday I found a great article on Disappointment here
which I am making my way through {it has 4 parts} BUT
I also think that some of my "crafty" disappointment is
justified because I think a lack of thought is also to 
blame on behalf of the challenge blogs/manufacturers/
kit clubs etc that practically all of us apply to regularly.
(I feel brave enough to say that here now as I've had
a number of e mail chats about this since my last
post and know that a lot of you feel the same way).

I realise it's a touchy subject and I'm not trying in any
way to be rude or disrespectful.  I just think that 
whoever is holding a Design Team call should send
out an e mail to ALL APPLICANTS who didn't 
make the team - despite how busy they may be -
as it makes perfect marketing sense.  How to keep
your customers as opposed to risk losing them
through lack of thought.  It also softens the blow
A LOT!!  Not "making it" is not as much of the
problem as feeling disregarded - to me that
is a lot more difficult to handle.

Imaginarium Designs is a company full of integrity
and good manners - and I know they had a huge
international response to their call, yet they typed 
out a little letter, popped it in an envelope and sent
it out TO EVERYONE who didn't make it along
with some chipboard!  How awesome is that?!?  
International postage paid!  Now I don't feel like
all my free advertising (when I personally endorse
a product because I genuinely love it) is for nought.
I'm not in this for the money, but a little bit of love
sent in my direction goes a long, long way!!

Another thought is that companies should BE HONEST
and just say "no international applicants please" instead
of pulling the wool over our eyes by not saying it and then 
selecting a large team of 100% Americans - I do object to 
wasting my precious time.  It's every companies prerogative
if they want the American market only or the whole world
BUT please just say so so that I don't go through the
motions for nothing!!  So there you have it - my 100%
unsolicited opinion on Design Team call etiquette!!

I haven't applied for a job in decades - for many years
I have freelanced for my husband's company so got 
to forego the interview LOL...but...I wonder...what is
the procedure these days?  If you apply for the job and
submit an up-to-date CV, together with fresh samples 
of your best work, do you ever hear from the company
again or do you just eventually conclude, weeks later,
that they didn't pick you?  Food for thought isn't it?!





24 comments:

Lea said...

Oh you definitely inspire! And personally I visit individual blogs way more than the manufacturer ones. I love stopping in here!

Bellaidea said...

When I started to read your post I start thinkng about Imaginarium and wanted to tell you the same - some companys know small thank you note with a little chipbord it`s not only great marketing:)
After all - don`t you love all comments we leave you after you show us your wonderful work?
You know, we love your work!

Julie Tucker-Wolek said...

I just had this discussion with another blogger recently who felt the same way you did about companies sending a 'sorry you didn't make it note'.... and I was actually shocked to hear that ANY company does that anymore... I have applied for many teams this past year, and the 4 that I didn't make it on... NOT a WORD from them.... and I didn't take it personal, or was hurt that I didn't hear from them or anything... I just figured I didn't fit their mold/style they were looking for and that's all good by me :):):):) I don't think companies should have to send out a mass 'i'm sorry you didn't make it' note/email etc... they are busy trying to run their business and I will still support them and buy from them, even if they don't send me a note. I don't need one. But this is my opinion, and how I see things from my perspective... :):):):):)

You always have the best bloggy posts Helen! Thanks love! :):):):):):):):):):):)

Lynette Jacobs said...

I have a lot of respect for you...for taking on so much projects...I simply would not be able to take the pressure. I am glad that you are feeling better.

xx

Stefanie said...

I totally agree with you. I mean we live on the back of beyond - I get that. Nut why say internationals welcome and then choose Canadians and Americans only? Surely they don't mean Canada is internationals, they live on the same continent and the postage is still cheap.
The digi teams I apply for often give a gift voucher top their store to say thank-you for the effort in their rejection emails.
Good etiquette to me.

Rachael Funnell said...

Good for you on letting it out!! You go girl!!!
& with the DT thing.... Yeah! Sure I'm a little disappointed when not selected!!! BUT!! then I'm like Neeeeeext!! LOL!!!
As i've told u before.... I think you & your work totally rock!!! Xx

Shane said...

Your musings are almost as passionate as your work :) It looks like your followers agree with me too...If it makes you feel better, I would pick you for every team, such is your talent. xx

Dale Tiernan said...

Wow. I keep on putting in my applications and keep on not getting chosen. It is terribly disappointing and difficult to keep putting myself out there and getting that rejection back. It does hurt. I love what I do and I love to share with others. I relate. Thanks for your post.

phamil said...

I just saw your previous post and commented on it. I'm also emailing you. I totally understand where you're coming from, but I think you are AWESOME and I think your designs RAWK and any DT would be priviledged and lucky to have you on it. There....I think I should set the rules, lol!!!!!! Hugs!

Tina said...

Helen - don't give up. You have amazing talent and shouldn't feel disappointed by not getting accepted. As you know, the scrapbook industry has it's 'issues', but we all love this artform. But, I do agree with you regarding the email notification of non-acceptance. This is the only right thing to do. Stay tough and keep putting out your amazing works of art! Hugs! Tina

Denise Price said...

I'm so sorry to hear about all that you are going through. I know it's hard. Do what you need to do to get through. I believe in you.

In answer to your question: I haven't had to job-search in several years now, but in the 1990's when I was looking for my first teaching job, it was not unusual to send in an application, CV, references, etc., and then never hear back from a potential employer. (And that's back when the economy was really strong!) Some school districts would send a postcard saying "Thank you for your application...we are unable to offer you a job at this time, but we will keep your application on file, etc...", but about 50 per cent did not send any response at all.

Since I'm still pretty new to the world of scrapbooking, I've only ever applied for 2 teams, and those were both "Fresh Face" type calls. I never got any response back from those calls (both American).

So, yes, from my (somewhat limited) point of view, it's typical not to receive a formal rejection letter from an American company. It's just how things are done here...the status quo. Like Julie said above, I was actually surprised to hear that Imaginarium sent and note and a little chipboard pack to all their applicants--I've never heard of anything like that before.

Hang in there, Helen. I truly believe that someday the right opportunity will come along for you. You are very talented and persistent, and those are awesome qualities to have. Sending you lots of hugs!

Bente Fagerberg said...

I have hardly applied to any teams but I am hoping to start doing that now. I have to agree that it feels unfair for the applicants to put in such a lot of work and then,....-nothing...
But in a way that is easier to accept than companys saying they welcome international applicants and then disregard them completely. That is right down rude and disrespectful!! I amm sure many of the internationals were up to the same standard!!
hang in there Helen. You are awesome,...and wise...LOL!

Alison said...

Great post Helen...and you are right- it's only polite to let people know whether they are successful or not!
Alison xx

Carin McDonough said...

Oh Helen I haven't been blog hopping for a few days so I have only just read your last few posts. I am sorry to hear you are having a hard time, things do tend to have a habit of all going wrong at the same time don't they. :( We had a heck of a long year in 2011 and I am hoping 2012 will be better although it hasn't been so far!! I have only applied for a couple of design teams before as I am a slow scrapper and my life is hectic so I don't want to be on lots of design teams, so I am not sure what the general practice is with regards to that but I would think it is standard that they don't reply unless they are a smaller team that does not have a lot of applicants. I suppose if you apply at places that have hundreds of people applying they are less likely to send a note out to the poeple that don't make it so what Imaginarium Designs did was really nice :) Sorry you didn't make the team, I think the layouts you put up for your try outs were gorgeous and I love your work! :)

topkatnz said...

Yes, it seems applying for a job is exactly like that too. Even if you get it, they leave most of the follow-up to you. It seems so weird and rude to me - it just seems that there are so many people looking for work these days, companies can get away with murder. Perhaps it it a test to see whos really 'hungry' for the job? Dunno...

Jasmine S said...

Here here Helen. I love that you say it the way it is and I agree, if someone has taken the time and effort and the wishfullness that they will make a team, or a job for that matter, then give them the respect they deserve and let them know either way. I love the ID did. What a fabulous way to make someone feel lucky anyway.
I hope all is a little ok for you.

Eila Sandberg said...

I can only echo all of the previous ladies even if that is the way things work out in Sweden too. If you're not chosen, you're left not knowing anything. Seems like values such as respect and courtesy are considered old-fashioned but people are still people and it really doesn't cost much to treat them fairly. We REMEMBER and remember well, don't we! Hang in there darling! it's them who don't know what they are missing! xoxoxo

Kerryn said...

Lots of food for thought. Thanks for sharing. x

Dara Lynn said...

Amen!

Anonymous said...

Wow, very interesting article here! Great food for thought. I bet many of the manufacturers (etc) have never thought about it like that! We might have to do a little article about this on DesignTeamCalls.com sometime soon. Great topic.

http://www.designteamcalls.com

Pearl said...

Hmmm ! I havent participated in a DT call recently so I dont know what much has been going on behind many scenes. I do know for myself that I don;t spend much time , emotions or energy getting disappointed much with the outcomes. Just keep on keeping on has been my best motto - but to also learn from each experience , theorise if we must but just keep getting better & therefore happier with your own crafting has kept me happy this far.

Dawn said...

So glad you put this post out there! It can really knock your confidence down, but I have learned to not let them stop me from doing something I enjoy. Keep crafting! Hugs!

Mitralee said...

darn it! Totally missed this post! never got it in my inbox. I certainly HOPE it's not the case...people from the US deciding to pick people for their teams based on where they live. That would really upset me. Good art has nothing to do with geography.

Mitralee said...

AND, for the record, you make VERY good art.