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Success
Stories
Daniel Guss Paladin Associate since 2003
Journalist/Corporate Communications Specialist
How I Found Paladin
During a time of corporate layoffs, I was reading AdAge
and found a number of close-but-no-cigar job leads. Then I saw
an advertisement for Paladin Los Angeles. I was surprised to
find an agency devoted toward placement of marketing and creative
professionals.
My First Assignment
Within two weeks, my Paladin representative called me about
a job that matched my background. The client needed someone...yesterday.
I met with the top executives of this financial institution,
had a briefing about overall operations, and landed a multi-month
assignment writing and editing their North American newsletter,
fully utilizing my home office. My first Paladin gig was a peachy
one, indeed.
Over the Course of Time
Paladin has identified a number of assignments where my skills
have precisely matched their clients’ needs. My association
with Paladin has been a winner because I’m continuously
building my rèsumè with assignments marked by
increased responsibilities and challenges. Who knew that a creative
staffing agency could help my career so much over the long run?
Rob Simmons, Paladin Associate
Graphic Designer/Multimedia Artist
The Big Move
I moved to San Francisco in late 1997, and although I had a
graphic design background I found that I would have to build
upon my skills in order to capitalize on and compete in the
fast-growing online world typified during the dot com craze.
After spending a little more than a year honing my skills and
taking on small Web design projects, I heard about Paladin through
a friend and called to arrange an interview. They were very
friendly and accommodating, found that my portfolio and experience
level matched their current client needs, and called me with
an available assignment shortly thereafter. I went to work for
the client’s marketing team, creating custom-tailored
demos for presentation to clients such as Hilton and Home Depot.
This freelance assignment lasted 6 months.
Moving On
Not long after the assignment ended, I changed my career course
a bit and began exploring other personal projects, but Paladin
continued to keep me in the loop. I would often get in touch
with my representative, if only to say hello, but was also able
to work on a couple of other short-term assignments during this
period.
Move Ahead
Paladin has been instrumental in helping me find work in a timely
fashion, make new professional contacts, add to my portfolio,
and tackle a diverse range of projects. I’ve chosen to
continue freelancing at this point, and will continue to utilize
Paladin as a trusted resource.
Sharon Terry Paladin Associate since 1998
Marketing
Corporate Burn Out
In my late twenties, I felt like my career had hit a brick wall.
I was working as an assistant marketing manager at a top cosmetic
company in New York City. And while I was making a respectable
salary, I felt completely unfulfilled. My position had become
repetitive and less creative with each passing quarter. After
three years, I decided it was time to take the plunge into freelancing
in order to build my portfolio and seize the creative opportunities
that I knew must be out there.
Taking Risks
I came across Paladin while doing research on freelancing. After
visiting their mid-town office, I realized what I needed to
do. I went to work the next day and gave my two week notice!
Of course, I had to endure questions from friends and family
who couldn't understand why I would leave my secure position
to delve into the great, creative unknown. It all became clear,
however, when I started filling my portfolio with marketing
collateral from an impressive clientele across various industries.
Thanks to Paladin, the pages were a visual journey of a renewed
career, filled with TV Guide presentations, Turner Steiner brochures,
and Versace Home Design sell sheets. I was writing press releases,
newsletters and ad copy. I was developing projects from initial
concept through completion for large, international companies.
My portfolio and my confidence were growing.
The Cycle of Life
Eventually, when I thought that it was time to settle down with
a full-time job again, Paladin was there for me with a permanent
position that they believed would suit me perfectly. It was
a public relations position in a large, metro area hospital
where I would not only be writing, but where I would also have
the opportunity to use my photography and media relations skills.
I stayed in that position for almost four years.
Good Things Come to Those Who Wait
If you asked me what my smartest career move was, I would say
it was becoming a Paladin Associate. They took a sincere interest
in my career goals and took the time to find the opportunities
that were truly right for me. I look forward to continuing this
positive relationship with the Paladin team.
Victor Cross Paladin
Associate since Who Knows When?
Copywriter
Freelancing isn’t right for everyone—but it’s
right for me. It gives me a lot more freedom and control over
my work and life than I would have with a full-time agency job.
I also get to work on a greater variety of accounts and projects,
which is a far cry from my days as a staff copywriter—when
I’d work on just one account for months.
The downside? Trying to pay regular bills with an irregular
income, and managing an up-and-down workload. Sometimes, I have
missed working face to face with people at an ad agency, but
then again, I don’t miss the politics!
Paladin is a great support system for a freelance lifestyle.
Their account managers do their homework, and quite a bit of
leg work, to service their existing accounts and to find new
ones. They have also offered me a variety of projects I like—from
direct mail to Web content to media kits and more. I don’t
have to consider any assignments I’m not interested, there
has never been any pressure to squeeze into a job I’m
not motivated about. I feel like they invest their time—and
their faith—in selling me to the clients who are right
for me, which motivates me to do the very best job possible
for them.
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