Your Questions About Freelance Workers

Is working at McDonald's a worthwhile summer job?

I'm a teen who's getting his first summer job. I get good grades and am an honest, hard worker, but apparently my parents think that working at McDonald's is a worthwhile, 'character-building' experience.

I really do not want to waste my summer, as I am skilled enough to do freelance or charity work on my own. I have heard that colleges value personal initiative more than anything else, so these would even be more worthwhile activities. Even after explaining this, they still believe McDonald's is the better choice, citing 'character-building'.

Is this true? Or will I be wasting my summer flipping hamburgers?

How do you think I did on my interview? I feel like I bombed it!?

I had an Graphic Design interview yesterday. At first I thought everything was going just fine. The lady interviewing me first told me a lot about the company. It is actually a really amazing position for a book publisher. I do not have experience designing books, but I have a combined 12 years designing Grocery and Car ads for magazines, also have done some freelance.

After her describing the company she asked me "Tell me about yourself". I can't believe how incredibly nervous I was. I started off telling her I am a very hard worker, very passionate about Graphic Design and then I started stumbling my words. UGH!!! I then told her sorry & that I was very nervous. She was very peasant and said no need to be nervous, we are very relaxed here. Made me feel a little better. She then asked to look through my portfolio. She seemed a little impressed. When she was looking at my ads that I have done at previous jobs she said wow! You know how to fill a page with type. I told her that what was expected with car ads and the cover designs. I know with designing books it is totally different. More white space. So I wasn't sure if what she said was a bad thing.

She then asked me to take an InDesign test. There were a total of 2. One was super easy, the other I could not figure out at all. It was setting up book binding and page size for the book. I told her that this is something I do not have any experience in, but could learn if I was trained. I hope I did not loose my chance. She ended the interview with saying the next step are second interviews. She did not say one way or another if she would call me or not. So please any thoughts on how I did. I really wish I wasn't so nervous...I need a job like yesterday. I am still in the process of applying for other jobs. I just hope I get this one.

Thank you in advance.

How much should I charge for Designing 4 band posters and a Logo?

I've been a Freelance Graphic Designer for about 4 years now, and I recently designed some "tearoff phone number" flyers, as well as handouts and a brand new logo for my co-worker's band.

I've never done Band logos and flyers and such and I normally do things like business cards and webdesign for about 50 bucks a pop.

The question is, I don't entirely know what to charge him for it.

Can anyone help me think of a decent price to ask him for it?
(Everything was done in Adobe InDesign and Illustrator and I Hand Drew the logo and traced it as a Vector file, then put everything into PDF form so there's no 'lost in translation' for him)

My friend rejects my invite, but accepts other friends' invites...to the same event.?

I asked a good friend of mine (and her husband) to an event. My friend said her husband wouldn't want to go so I dropped it. However, I found out later they accepted another friend's invitation to the same event. My friend doesn't understand why I'm upset.

This friend is also a co-worker, so I can't just drop her as a friend. We used to hangout at least once a week, but now it's less than once a month. I know she's been busy with freelance work, but it's been frustrating getting the brush off for three weeks while her and her husband hang out with a bunch of other friends.

Any suggestions on how to handle this?

How much should I be paid per hour?

I am the Assistant Manager of a higher-end hair salon outside of Pittsburgh, PA. I really feel as though I am significantly underpaid for all that I contribute to our business... my wage is actually somewhat insulting to be honest. Please let me know if I am being at all realistic, as I scheduled a review with the business's owner next week in which we will negotiate my job description and pay (she knows that I want a pay increase, I just need to get my facts straight before I am confident!)

When I was hired, I started as an Assistant. At that time I was mostly there to help make things run smoothly for the stylists and massage therapists. I shampooed clients, rang their sales out, did laundry and dishes, cleaned, etc. Basically, it was the grunt position and I understood that but had a positive attitude and rocked it. My boss and our clients always complimented on what a hard worker I was! I reported directly to the Assistant Manager of our business. $7.70/hr

After a year of working there, I was promoted to Front Desk & Training Coordinator. My boss recognized my strengths with customer service and I have always been the salon's tech-guy. I network and keep all of our computers and technology running smoothly. I also designed, host, and upkeep our website and databases. (I have always done website development as a side-job freelancing since I was younger, so my work is the real deal.) Essentially I was then responsible for front of the salon operations and all customer service aspects. $7.95/hr

- I was promoted to fill the opening of the Assistant Manager position about 6 months ago. I am now responsible for managing 10 employees on a normal business day. I am responsible for all Employee Training, Marketing/Advertising, Scheduling, Customer Service Management, Bank Deposits, Staff Productivity, and more all while still running our front desk operations. I am paid $8.51 and hour. That wasn't even 7% of an increase and my responsibilities have increased insanely. I have to dress and carry myself so much differently now. My relationship with coworkers is different now too since I now am their boss. I pretty much do every ounce of management for our salon too, being our General Manager does nothing other than handle the books. She really doesn't. It irks me a little, but that's not my place to question or comment.

I work 35 hours per week, usually more. A lot of times I am doing work off the clock at home as well.

Here's a PDF file I made in word, showing all that I do in a day: http://download848.mediafire.com/gyakcycejf3g/643lebg4w68hqyd/myjoboverview.pdf

I consider my job to be the combination of a Manager and Administrative Assistant as far as what I do. I have received at least 5 job offers from clients who see me work and I have been offered from $12-20 and hour to do half of what I currently do. I love my job though and my coworkers are like my family.

From my research I feel that I should be making at least $12 an hour and that's on the low-side. I don't expect the world being that we are a small business and even though I deserve to be paid $20 an hour that will never happen. It's sad that shift managers at fast food restaurants make more than I do in a career industry!

Please give me some helpful advise. I know this is a long and complicated question, so I really appreciate anyone who genuinely helps!

$8.51/hr .... really?

I mean I won't be angry if all I get is an increase to $10. But I think my research justifies $12/hr as more than reasonable. That business (literally) couldn't operate if I decided to leave, and I'm not just saying that. I know my boss can afford the increase too, so that's not even an issue.

Thank you so much for any tips or suggestions!!
I spend hours at home, off the clock doing work too. This includes: typing memos, policy and procedure guides, financial and legal forms, updating our website and facebook with specials and promotions, designing ads for newspapers, Photoshopping images for the website and ads, all the way to shopping for Christmas presents for the owner's kids. It's kinda ridiculous. Usually the owner has the general manager give me extra hours on my paycheck for this work.... but still at that same $8.51/hr. When I do website and graphic work for my freelance clients, I charge $50-100 an hour for some things. So my boss certainly has a bargain going there, and doesn't even realize how much money I save her from having to outsource someone else.

Although I think the best solution is to have me become a salary employee, I know that would never happen. You're thoughts?

Thank you for the responses so far!