Out of a job...

[tobymax123]

Got laid off today. It caught me by surprise, and man it sucks. I've never really had to interview for a job. My first job out of college was for a company where I had worked as a summer intern before, so I didn't have to interview there. Then 16 years ago I was recruited by a company which I still work for today. I didn't really have a formal interview for that either.

I'll get 28 weeks severance pay, and my termination date is not until next month, so it's not a tragic situation for me. I just wish I didn't have to go through the whole job hunt and interview thing. I took the rest of the day off after being notified this morning, and already made three contacts, any of which sound like they could be real possibilities. It would be nice if I could go right into a new job and take that 28 weeks pay to the bank... and maybe splurge on a little something shiny and sparkly.

It really sucks that I'll lose my free workout facility!

[paolo59]

That's rough! Certainly hope that you can find new employment quickly. I can't imagine having to interview for a new job. Gives me the willies just thinking about it.

[EB68]

Thanks to the current administration you are among many. Sorry to hear about your job loss though, and hope you fall right into a better one.

[GregariousWolf]

I just went through this recently and fortunately landed on my feet. The bad side was that I had only been with the company a few year and hadn't earned much severance pay. I started looking as soon as rumors started going around. I was able to take another job and maybe saved the job of one of my colleagues in the process. Best of luck to you!

[Krash23]

I suggest joining LinkedIn. It is like ******** for business/professional networking rather than social.
http://www.linkedin.com/

Best of luck with your job search.

[thomashenry]

I suggest joining LinkedIn. It is like ******** for business/professional networking rather than social.
http://www.linkedin.com/

Best of luck with your job search.

Am sorry to hear about you losing your job, I`ll say a prayer for you, always something positive comes from them !

[JolietKev]

Best of luck to you. Prayers are sent your way. Being out of work is anxiety provoking, however i am sure that you will find something soon. Stay positive.

[itsagoodday]

Sorry to hear this! Good luck with the contacts you've already made, you're doing the right thing by reaching out right away. Hope you wind up with something even better and soon!

[2nd_chance]

Really sorry to hear that Toby. I will be praying for your situation. I'm sure that there is something better out there for you.

[MyAvatar]

What is your industry and approximate location? Are you interested in tech companies?

[IronCharles]

Sorry to hear, Toby. I know that feeling all too well. I got laid off from a place I worked 18 years at (machine shop). They got rid of a lot of senior employees who were max wage, max benefits (401k match, paid vacation, etc) and replaced us with low wage kids, and some undocumenteds that they don't have to pay bennies and SAIF, Unemployment, health care, etc. They lost a lot of quality, but saved a lot of cash. Lousy business model, but one that happens more than people think.

[pvsampson]

Good luck finding a new job OP.

[Bando]

Rough, Sorry to read this.

[drarmament]

Sorry to hear that, Good Luck on your job hunt. Godspeed.

[Corbi]

Sucks in todays economy to lose your job, hope one of your contacts works out. If not you could always apply at Chik-fil-a, I hear they need a new PR guy

[-=FLEX=-]

Sorry to hear that.

Last company I was at went belly up and they couldn't afford me so they let me go in the spring of 2009. Took me almost 5 months to find a new job and it's a schlep-and-a-half @ 43 miles each way, but I like it for the most part.


Good luck.

[djflex]

Good luck man, things will work out in the long run

[DanceDiva]

Thanks to the current administration you are among many. Sorry to hear about your job loss though, and hope you fall right into a better one.

Because of course no one got laid off during any other administration


OP: you have my sympathy and prayers. Not only can it be a financial worry, a layoff can also be an ego buster. Be kind to yourself.

[crupiea]

I feel your pain.

A similar thing just happened to me.

I just went over 5 years at the company and they had a little ceremony thing, you know how they are.

The next day I got my annual review. They love me, love my work ethic, love what I do, 4 stars across the board. Even got a raise. cool.

Oh by the way, starting tomorrow you are no longer full time, you are now 8 hours per week.

They dont have enough guts to lay me off all the way so they dont get stuck paying the unemployment.

Too bad they dont realize that i can still qualify for it so looks like they will be paying me to sit at home.

The damnest thing about it is i am mentoring the ceo's 17 year old daughter. She is going to be doing the other 32 hours per week of my job.

Also too bad they left me alone with her all day sunday so I could let her know how stupid decisions actuall affect people. I cantg imagine she didnt tell her mom who is the ceo.

I hope they just lay me off all the way.

Either way, i will be troiuble for them until they do.

I got no severence, no warning, no nothing.

Screw nestle.

[LisaSkinnoble]

So sorry to hear. Too awful.

But, somewhere around the corner lies the perfect opportunity for you. I really believe that, as I've heard so many stories from people (myself included).

[tobymax123]

You're sick Corbi... funny, but sick. Maybe the poor CFA spokesman is buried by now, so it's okay to make jokes.

Thanks for the support everyone. Most likely a new job will mean relocating since I'm in a very specific field in a specific industry. And since I'm the main breadwinner in our house, we'll move wherever the job is. I just got off the phone with another possible opportunity who wants to fly me out for an interview next week! I really should have made a change years ago, but I just got too comfortable and too settled in.

I plan to take this opportunity over the next month to work out longer and harder during my lunch hours... perhaps stretching my lunch hour out an extra 20-30 minutes. What are they gonna do, fire me?

[Corbi]

But, somewhere around the corner lies the perfect opportunity for you. I really believe that, as I've heard so many stories from people (myself included).

Hell yes! getting canned from my job of 15 yrs was the best thing to ever happen to myself. Ended up with a better job making more $$, they sent me on a month long trip to Europe, I love going in to work everydays, and my dick grew by an additional 3"....added that to see if anyone read it all

[RdRacer]

Toby, I'm hiring right now. I'm looking for 2 IT Systems/Security Engineers. You said you are in a "specific field in a specific industry". Not sure what that is, but if you want to shoot me a PM, we chat and see if my requirements match your skills...

[Bando]

I just got off the phone with another possible opportunity who wants to fly me out for an interview next week! I really should have made a change years ago, but I just got too comfortable and too settled in.

I just read "Who Moved my Cheese" it was cheezy to say the least but is very applicable to this statement.

[Whiskeyjack]

Sorry to hear. I hope it works out. I am an 'affected' employee in the CCG and may be in your situation one day.

[Smelly bull]

Best of luck Tobymax, a better opportunity is just around the corner!

[djflex]

I plan to take this opportunity over the next month to work out longer and harder during my lunch hours... perhaps stretching my lunch hour out an extra 20-30 minutes. What are they gonna do, fire me?

Be careful man, dont risk that severance. Srs ,companies often look for a way out.

[dbx]

Sorry to hear this. Been there, done that, unfortunately. In 06', I was "downsized" (along with the CEO, Sr. VP, CFO and other senior mgmt), and it was probably the best gig I ever had (nearly total autonomy, great pay, hired directly be the CEO, who was the only one I had to answer to, etc..). I ended up starting my own business (reluctantly, and a business that I had done back in the late 80's). It took off better than I ever expected...and I was even happier! That is, until the economy tanked in 08' (damn that Obama! Oh, wait... ). I'm now doing something I don't really like, but it was the best I could do and had to accept it.

Anyway, you'll get through it. It gets harder and harder to find decent jobs as you age (depending on the field) and in today's world, you don't get the chance to really prove that all though you're almost 50, that you're in great shape and not like a lot of other drones out there. Nevertheless, something will break for you.

My best advice; do not sit around, enjoying your severance (and the break it allows) until it's almost up. Start looking RIGHT NOW. As you know, the economy sucks...and good gigs are hard to find.

Best wishes to you.

[Karl_Hungus]

Yup, I hear that -- I was in the same boat last August. My funding ran out at my last job, spent about 4 months unemployed....with no unemployment benefits. Luckily, I had quite a bit saved and actually kinda enjoyed the time off ... minus the stress of wondering when I would get my next paycheck. I too hated the interviews and traveling to the interviews, but I stuck with it and eventually landed a job ... had to relocate to Kansas City though. It can be depressing, but just stick with it and keep sending out applications -- make sure you are well prepared for interviews and you'll land something decent, even if it doesn't feel that way now.

[EB68]

Because of course no one got laid off during any other administration


OP: you have my sympathy and prayers. Not only can it be a financial worry, a layoff can also be an ego buster. Be kind to yourself.

I don't know of any other administration that has held unemployment above 8 percent for their entire term. It is around 13 percent here and lots are suffering, I just hate to see it myself.