Almost exactly one year ago, I found out the job that I had accepted a mere four months earlier was being dissolved due to COVID-19 related budget cuts. It was a total gut-punch because I didn’t see it coming especially since it was a newly created role that was supposed to be important for the future of the company. The thing that I’ve now come to realize is that COVID or not, it clearly wasn’t the job/company for me, but that realization still hasn’t made this last year of unemployment any easier. And in regards to this past year, to quote the Grateful Dead, “What a long, strange trip it’s been!”.
Dealing with the loss of your job is one thing, but losing it during a pandemic is a totally different monster. I had absolutely no idea what to expect in terms of just how long I’d be out of work. For the first 4-5 months, there was really just so much uncertainty that very few public relations/communications jobs were actually being posted. It was during this time that I made a promise to myself when it came to my next job, and that promise was to not settle for something that I wouldn’t absolutely love, both professionally and personally. I knew that while this was an unexpected period of unemployment, it was also an unexpected chance to get back to loving what I do and who I work for.
When I first really started applying to jobs, I was using my long-form curriculum vitae (CV) and I quickly realized that it was something I needed to change. As a writer, I still love my long-form CV, but I knew that most hiring managers during COVID weren’t going to spend the time reading anyone’s four-page CV. So I turned my CV into a two-page PDF resume (purple of course!) and that’s when the floodgates really started to open in terms of phone calls and interviews.
During this time, I spoke with a lot of great people at a lot of different interesting companies, but there was always just something missing with each job. There were some great opportunities presented to me, but none of them was the perfect fit that I was searching for. For me, they just weren’t the kind of jobs that would spark a deeper sense of professional and personal satisfaction. They also didn’t feel like the place where I could finally plant my roots and grow, which was also really important to me. But then I got a phone call that would change everything.
Now while I was unemployed, I did get to take two incredible road trips (which I’ve written about in previous posts) that I would have never been able to do while I was working at my previous job. Those two trips, along with the support of my incredible wife, truly kept me going through this period of time. The second of those trips was to Prince’s Paisley Park, which was one of the most incredible experiences that I’ve ever had. I didn’t need a trip to Paisley Park to reassure me that music is a huge, meaningful part of my life, but it also didn’t hurt. I think subconsciously that I knew that live music (and fun events) once again had to play some part in my next professional journey…..So now back to that phone call.
I literally knew from my first phone call with the team at Hard Rock Atlantic City that it was exactly where I wanted and needed to be. When the position was offered to me, I was so happy that I was essentially speechless on the phone (which if you’ve ever met me in person, you’ll know is rarer than winning the lottery). So I’m beyond excited to announce that starting this May, I will officially be Hard Rock Atlantic City’s new Public Relations Manager!
I’ve been a fan of the Hard Rock brand and Hard Rock AC for years, so it’s truly incredible that I’m now the newest member of the band. I can’t wait to hit the ground running and play a role in all the incredible events that Hard Rock Atlantic City has to offer. I hope that you’ll all make a trip to Atlantic City and check them out soon as well!
Now that I’m no longer looking for work, I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who has helped me this past year. There are way too many people to name here, but I just want you all to know that every LinkedIn/Facebook/Text message or phone call was greatly appreciated. I was given some incredible professional advice and support over the past year, and I do hope that I’m able to pay that forward in the future. And for all of you who were affected by COVID and are still out of work, just know that your time is coming soon as well. I know at times that it is impossible to see the light at the end of the tunnel, but trust me when I say that better days are ahead. I’ve been there, and I’m living proof of that, so just keep the faith.
Hard Rock Atlantic City also has some pretty incredible Prince memorabilia, so I obviously had to include some photos of it at the end of this article. The photos in order are: Prince’s Lovesexy outfit from the 1988 Grammys, a red lace bib insert he wore during the Purple Rain tour, and one of his iconic custom cloud guitars. I’m also pretty excited that I get to walk by them every day at work!
