Activity

I suggest another tack. Give yourself a name, JSdesigns, or something like that and list the design-graphic-LA-construction-sales, etc. that you are doing that includes the growth and improvement of skills.

A gap in the resume can “read” several ways, most of them poorly. And, with dozens of resume to choose from a gap can read like you were…[Read more]

I’ve been considering the same. I’m thinking of writing a short description of things I’ve done while unemployed. I’m still not sure what to title this time, but so far I’ve just left it off the resume. Now the time is starting to be to long and needs some kind of explanation.

Any of you happen to notice the posting for a job in Atlanta on the ALSA website? I’d link it here but the Job Board has some technical issue right now. Anyway, it had a line that was something like “If you are a landscape architect who is tired of being unemployed…” That was the first I had seen, ever, that indicated employers know there are…[Read more]

Thanks Frank, I agree with you. And I think once I’m able to sit down face to face with an employer that I’ll be able to satisfactorily explain my gap and the things I’ve done during that time. I’m just trying to figure out if its better to explain this gap in some fashion on the cover letter and/or resume, or wait to do it in person. The problem…[Read more]

Without knowing the specifics of what you were doing it is a little tough to say how I would state it in your shoes, however, I would try to think of whatever things you worked on that had some relevant experience, and call those out. Even if it was being a handy man, list that, and mention any ways in which it has potential to make you a better…[Read more]

Well that really doesn’t answer the original question Nick. Without posting a lot of personal information about my situation on a public forum, I will say that I’ve been busy with a variety of things, some related to L.A., some not. But difficult to summarize on a resume. The question is, are people who have been out of work a long time during…[Read more]

I’m aware of MUDs but Im not looking for that because I want to stick on a 3-year schedule pretty much. I’m thinking more along the lines of an MLA program with a concentration in something related to urban design (sort of like OSU’s community and urban landscape design concentration)

“Well for one, how do you expect to represent this gap? I would never put “Unemployed April 2009-Present” on a resume”.

I just don’t want a potential employer to ‘read into’ the gap too much. I’m thinking if I up front the situation and some how list a few activities, either on the resume or cover letter, that I have been doing during this time,…[Read more]

You think the firm interviewing you wasn’t affected by the recession.It has touched everyone. Be honest and hopefully you did something worthwhile with your time to improve your skills or expand your education,if you didn’t then you should be worried.
Nic

Hey Paul,
I attended Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY for a Masters in Urban Design:
http://www.pratt.edu/academics/architecture/dept_urban_design/
As far as the universities that you have mentioned above, I have heard that Harvard and Denver have really good programs.

Dominic

I haven’t looked at ASU but unfortunately, UT & Berkeley have app deadlines that are too soon (Jan 5-8th) for me to get an app in. I am considering working for a year if I can find a job in which case I would apply there for sure.

Does anyone have any knowledge of UC-Denver in terms of quality or what kind of experiences other people had there

Jay,
The best option is simply to be honest. Did you have any sort of job during that time? I don’t know how old you are but will assume you were not hangin’ out at your parent’s house. If your talents are good and you’ve kept them sharp and up to date, just keep trying. Anything less than honesty will be smoked out by your interviewer. Careers…[Read more]

i was gonna say xl which lots of folk have anyway and here in uk anyway, along with lotus notes, is spread sheet sytem used for recording tree work in boroughs or local authority areas as far as i know. The problem with this is you have to use it right. What i mean is you can have a bunch of xl experts using linked sheets, hidden columns of notes…[Read more]

Hmm. Well for one, how do you expect to represent this gap? I would never put “Unemployed April 2009-Present” on a resume. However, if an employer can connect the dots and ask you about it then hopefully you have a story to tell. Maybe you’ve done work in some form of community design collaborative, sat in as a juror for a landscape architecture…[Read more]

I graduated from one of the best schools on the west coast and landed an entry level job in an extremely impacted job market in 2009. I am starting to think about future goals such as licensure, entering design competitions, and obtaining accreditations.