Getting a Job in Tulsa?? (May: sales, hotels, home)

[Carrie77]

Hi -
I have recently graduated from OSU with an MA in Theatre - yes I have an arts degree but I have been a PR/Marketing coordinator, rundraiser, project manager, personnel manager, etc for two university theatre departments for the last 6 years. I have applied to over 150 companies in Tulsa since mid April with no return. Does anyone know how to get a job with a living wage in Tulsa? Any tips? I have specifically applied for jobs where my skills and qualifications are required...and jobs that state a Masters degree in preferred - doesn't matter what area of study. I am completely frustrated. I am running into nothing but walls. Any advice would be wonderful. I have a great resume, I constantly update my cover letter, and I have followed the career tips offered by any and every job advice engine out there. I am at a loss.

What can I do next?

[Goodpasture]

This reminds me of that old riddle. What is

0
BA
MA
PHd

????

Three degrees below zero.


My brother in law has a degree in Theater from Southern Colorado State..........he has been a salesman for as long as I can remember, and makes an excellent income......enough so that my sister has always been able to be a stay at home mom.

As a recent graduate, from a businessman's point of view, you have no resume. With some experience in fundrasing, project manager, personnel manager, etc, you bring a bit of management credentials but no tenough to actually judge you on. With an MA, you bring evidence that you can persevere. With a degree in Theater, it tells me that you lack a bit of judgment........who hires theater managers (assuming we are NOT talking movie theaters) and what kind of job opportunities are out there? In fact, as I think about it, if I were looking for a theater manager, I would find one with an accounting or business degree who had minored in theater.

But that is not the kind of message you want to hear, is it? Assuming your future goals are in the theater, but knowing that regardless of what happens in your chosen career, you have to eat and pay rent, I would find a "job" that will allow you to pay your bills. I would then work with local theater groups and performing entities as a volunteer. Going from that to something part time or "per performance" would not be that difficult. In the meantime you are still eating. Once you build your resume as a successful manager for local productions, you might get a shot at a major one. It is a building process, and one in which nothing replaces time on the job and maturity.

Now you are asking about a living wage in Tulsa, I have no idea what you mean. You can live on the $12.50 an hour offered by Dish. At least I can, and have. I have hired and fired a lot of people over the past 40 years.....and been hired and fired often enough. One thing I look for in a resume is the ability to persevere. Did you get a job when you needed one? Are you willing to do what it takes to survive? Did you stay with a company for a while or did you leave after a few months? With an MA, I suppose you have the ability to absorb knowledge, but if I teach you how to function in my organization, are you going to walk the first time someone offers you a "better" position? Are you going to be a high maintenance employee? Remember, as a businessman, my first objective is to use your talents and skill set to increase my profit margin. If I can't see how you would do that, or if I am going to have to monitor everything you do, or if I am going to have to have things redone after you are finished, then there is no point in my hiring you. When you come to inte4rview with me, YOU have to persuade me that you are the best choice for the job. You have to convince me that you want it. You have to convince me that you are going to be an essential player on my team.

Down the line, after you have shown that you are the kind of person that I am willing to give a raise to just so I can keep you working for me, you can take the experience with me and the experience with the local theater group to a real theater and possibly get the kind of work you really want.

One other thing. When you show up for an interview, remember that I am a guy, and like most guys, not particularly trustworthy where women are concerned.........if you are advertising with short skirts and cleavages, I might be tempted to hire you just to see if you live up to your advertising......whether you do or not, I won't risk my business, so your tenure will be short lived, regardless of what happens.


I don't know if this post helps or not. I can only speak from my perspective as a person who has run several businesses. I am not looking for help these days, so I don't have any motivation except to see if I can provide insight. I do not mean to insult or disparage you, but tried to lay it out as pragmatically as possible. Good luck on your job search.............let us know how it goes

Edited to add: You might check the hotels and see if they need sales people for event planning.........

[BigOkie]

Event planning? You might look here:

BOK Center

[Carrie77]

I am looking to work in not-for-profit mainly. My MANY marketable skills are needed a valued in that area - thankfully. No - I am not looking to make Theatre a career right now.

Goodpasture - thanks but no thanks, man. Businessman or no - I do not accept that kind of response so I will ask you to just keep it to yourself form now on.

I have had a breakthrough this week. Thank you BigOkie!

[Synopsis]

Originally Posted by Carrie77

I am looking to work in not-for-profit mainly. My MANY marketable skills are needed a valued in that area - thankfully. No - I am not looking to make Theatre a career right now.

Goodpasture - thanks but no thanks, man. Businessman or no - I do not accept that kind of response so I will ask you to just keep it to yourself form now on.

I have had a breakthrough this week. Thank you BigOkie!

You have to understand GP has a sense of humor that sometimes is not appreciated. Rest assured, he was responding tongue in cheek.. Well, maybe...

[TheComputerGuy]

Originally Posted by Carrie77

I am looking to work in not-for-profit mainly.
]My MANY marketable skills are needed a valued in that area

So I'm guessing grammar or proof-reading is not one of them?

And I haven't seen any open requisitions for "rundraiser" either...
(Remember that "Okie sense of humor" before you take offense.)

Originally Posted by Carrie77

Goodpasture - thanks but no thanks, man. Businessman or no - I do not accept that kind of response so I will ask you to just keep it to yourself form now on.

Obviously you DON'T understand the "Okie sense of humor"...
(Or humor in general for that matter...)

As many have said before me, "GP doesn't need anyone to defend him"
but, your response leads me to believe that you wouldn't like Oklahoma at all...
Maybe you should reconsider settling in Tulsa.
You might not like it here.

If you get offended or don't see any humor here,
you'll thank me for this advice.

[sgrizzle]

I believe "up with trees" was hiring last I heard and they will be doing a lot of work rebuilding from the ice storm. With your area of expertise, I would call the Tulsa Arts&Humanities council and ask them if they are hiring or know of any groups who are. They are tied into a ton of other non-profits and might be able to point you into a direction.

You're likely not going to get anywhere sending blind resumes. You will need to make calls/pound the pavement instead. Grab some resumes and hit some hot spots. Harwelden Mansion is the home to the Tulsa Arts & Humanities Council, and light opera oklahoma, maybe a couple others. The Brady Theater recently reopened and might be another place to go by. Hit Philbrook, Gilcrease, Oklahoma Aquarium, etc. Ask questions and get by the receptionist to someone in charge or at least in HR. When you do, make sure and ask who they would recommend you talk to next.

I would also suggest showing up at various non-profit meetings and social events. I am currently coordinating a fundraising effort for a nonprofit but it's an unpaid gig or I'd throw something your way.

[mrs_moby73]

CG, Carrie's post said she just graduated from OSU so I am thinking she is already in the state and well aware of the unique humor some Oklahomans possess. I am also guessing she is a young woman who is rightfully being very cautious of the people she interacts with on the internet--I am sure you would advise your daughter to do the same. I don't think she has been around this site long, so she might not be aware of some of the quirky personalities here...I, myself, am lurking and learning, so I can understand where she is coming from.

Carrie, the only thing I can offer is for you to contact the Tulsa Young Professionals group and attend some of their functions. Their website is here: Tulsa's Young Professionals. You might be able to attend some of their events and do some networking with people who are already in the business community there in Tulsa. You might meet someone who has just received a promotion and their entry-level job might need to be filled. It could be a great way to get your foot in the door. Anyway, best of luck and don't take all the internet ribbing too personally.

[Carrie77]

Thank you very much Mrs. Moby and Sgrizzle. Very helpful. I have lived in Oklahoma for 13 years - I am guessing the "Okie sense of humor" is only in certain circles - but who cares really. I appreciate the postings and opinions from everyone. It is nice to hear from people who take time to read and not use it as a power trip forum.

I will be more available to pound the pavement in two weeks. I am stuck in a town an hour away until July 1.

Nevertheless - I appreciate your feedback.

Best regards.

[TheComputerGuy]

No power-trip intended here....
(It's not my style...)
I'm unimpressed by keyboard warriors also...

I just saw you get raw with a friend, and it was a reflex to
comment on it...

I didn't mean to say "Oklahoma", I meant to say "Tulsa".
(And you still need to get a sense of humor... You sounded like someone from MA.)

GP is one of the nicest guys you'd ever want to meet....
Although some folk here may not gather that by some of his posts
unless they were regulars here (Think British, dry humor. )

Best of luck in your endeavors.