Once again, laid off.
Moderators: pompeiisneaks, Colossal
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LeftyStrat
- Posts: 3117
- Joined: Fri Jan 14, 2005 6:58 pm
- Location: Marietta, SC, but my heart and two of my kids are in Seattle, WA
Once again, laid off.
Wouldn't really matter if it was just me. But being devoted to a wonderful woman and three kids, kind of makes it hard.
It's never too late to have a happy childhood.
Re: Once again, laid off.
Sorry to hear it. When my last marketing company went under, we still owed $200K to the bank. Still paying it down. Sucks, doesn't it? Not much I can do, but let me know if I can try. Sorry brother.
Re: Once again, laid off.
Sorry to hear. In the same camp here. Now on my second year. Hoping to pick up some new work soon. Best of luck to you.
Re: Once again, laid off.
Sorry to hear about that Lefty.
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Reeltarded
- Posts: 10189
- Joined: Sat Feb 14, 2009 4:38 am
- Location: GA USA
Re: Once again, laid off.
Sorry, buddy. I know what it is for everything to change suddenly. In my work I wake up unemployed everyday and hope the phone rings. It has slowed down a lot, and I worry about the next bit, so I learn more as I go and try really effin hard to accomodate tomorrow.
This might be a good time to consider making your own rain for a change. It's hard to depend on a job unless you build it yourself. I swear.
I am about to move out of here, soonish. Never did find a good idea so I guess I will make it up as I go. Somehow it all works.
This might be a good time to consider making your own rain for a change. It's hard to depend on a job unless you build it yourself. I swear.
I am about to move out of here, soonish. Never did find a good idea so I guess I will make it up as I go. Somehow it all works.
Re: Once again, laid off.
I've been through that. Not fun.
Here are some successful strategies that have helped me survive:
1. Networking is the most important thing. Call in favors from past karmic investment (I have worked hard and helped other people in my past and they have helped me return to the employed or at least give me piece work). Solicit friends and professional contacts to help. I never threatened to live on friends' couches, but that was one of my escalation plans if I didn't see success.
2. A tight, honest resume will help. Do not claim expertise you don't have. AMake it concise, but include associated responsibilities (but not too much). Try to keep the resume to 2 pages. Let older work fall off the back end or mention it by listing relevant previous employers beyond detailed work history.
3. Interviews: be completely honest. Be concise. Don't think about the answer they want to hear (within reason). Don't be afraid to say, "I don't know." Even better, "I don't know, but here's how I would work that out...." When asked for a memorization of a detail you don't keep in your head, explain you gist of the facts as you have them, but also explain that's why Bing and Google exist. You can also state what your resource for finding things may be when you choose not to carry everything in your head. When someone asks what your career strategy, be sure to link your actions to where you are going-> nobody gets anywhere without demonstrating curiosity and effort. Strategic success comes from not just hanging on, but driving a plan. Right now, you have time to construct that plan.
4. The last thing is to remember that it's a two way conversation. Remember your own dignity and your self image. You are interviewing them, just as much as they are you. Be worthy of respect and they will give you respect if you go to work for them. Stand your ground if their interviewing tactic is intimidation. Remember that when you go to work for any company, what you make when you go there will determine your salary arc as long as you stay there- and may affect what you make elsewhere thereafter. It is also a component in the respect you will receive.
Here are some successful strategies that have helped me survive:
1. Networking is the most important thing. Call in favors from past karmic investment (I have worked hard and helped other people in my past and they have helped me return to the employed or at least give me piece work). Solicit friends and professional contacts to help. I never threatened to live on friends' couches, but that was one of my escalation plans if I didn't see success.
2. A tight, honest resume will help. Do not claim expertise you don't have. AMake it concise, but include associated responsibilities (but not too much). Try to keep the resume to 2 pages. Let older work fall off the back end or mention it by listing relevant previous employers beyond detailed work history.
3. Interviews: be completely honest. Be concise. Don't think about the answer they want to hear (within reason). Don't be afraid to say, "I don't know." Even better, "I don't know, but here's how I would work that out...." When asked for a memorization of a detail you don't keep in your head, explain you gist of the facts as you have them, but also explain that's why Bing and Google exist. You can also state what your resource for finding things may be when you choose not to carry everything in your head. When someone asks what your career strategy, be sure to link your actions to where you are going-> nobody gets anywhere without demonstrating curiosity and effort. Strategic success comes from not just hanging on, but driving a plan. Right now, you have time to construct that plan.
4. The last thing is to remember that it's a two way conversation. Remember your own dignity and your self image. You are interviewing them, just as much as they are you. Be worthy of respect and they will give you respect if you go to work for them. Stand your ground if their interviewing tactic is intimidation. Remember that when you go to work for any company, what you make when you go there will determine your salary arc as long as you stay there- and may affect what you make elsewhere thereafter. It is also a component in the respect you will receive.
Re: Once again, laid off.
excellent advice sharkboy. Thoughts to all those out of work. That is tough. There are many looking these days. I wish all of you well!
Re: Once again, laid off.
Lefty, hang in there buddy, I wish you the best. These are rough times for all for sure. Stay positive gents.
Re: Once again, laid off.
Yeah I haven't worked since late 2008.
The recession and health issues I've had has forced me to figure out for the first time in 35 years what the hell I'm going to do for work.
I wish I was closer to retirement age but I still have a few years to go so I need to come up with something before my wife kicks me to the curb....
The recession and health issues I've had has forced me to figure out for the first time in 35 years what the hell I'm going to do for work.
I wish I was closer to retirement age but I still have a few years to go so I need to come up with something before my wife kicks me to the curb....
Tom
Don't let that smoke out!
Don't let that smoke out!
Re: Once again, laid off.
Been there a few times, i,ve been made redundent with no severance pay 3 times in the last 5 years, decided i'd had enough of working for numptys and went into buisness myself, best decision i ever made, i may not earn as much but i enjoy life.
Hope you get something sorted Lefty
Hope you get something sorted Lefty
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LeftyStrat
- Posts: 3117
- Joined: Fri Jan 14, 2005 6:58 pm
- Location: Marietta, SC, but my heart and two of my kids are in Seattle, WA
Re: Once again, laid off.
Thanks guys. Hopefully it won't be for long. I'm a software engineer by trade, and the reason I ended up in Seattle is that it is probably second to only Silicon Valley in developer opportunities (and a lot more family friendly than the valley).
Once my wife and I become empty nesters (my kids are 16, 15, and 13), I'm definitely going to look to starting my own business of some sort. I'm never going to get rich working for another man. Not that I really need to be rich. Just enough for food, shelter, and Internet access, oh, and amp parts.
Once my wife and I become empty nesters (my kids are 16, 15, and 13), I'm definitely going to look to starting my own business of some sort. I'm never going to get rich working for another man. Not that I really need to be rich. Just enough for food, shelter, and Internet access, oh, and amp parts.
It's never too late to have a happy childhood.
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Reeltarded
- Posts: 10189
- Joined: Sat Feb 14, 2009 4:38 am
- Location: GA USA
Re: Once again, laid off.
Me too.
Re: Once again, laid off.
You can retire whenever you want. It's just that then you have to hope to be dead soon.Structo wrote: I wish I was closer to retirement age but I still have a few years to go so I need to come up with something before my wife kicks me to the curb....
Life can be a bitch sometimes.
Re: Once again, laid off.
LeftyStrat wrote:Wouldn't really matter if it was just me. But being devoted to a wonderful woman and three kids, kind of makes it hard.
Sorry to hear about your situation. I was just laid off, once again, last Friday. I am a toolmaker and employment has been on and off since the turn of the century. Fortunately for me, I live alone and I am 63. I can get unemployment compensation until I am 65 and then social security. I won't be living it up but I can get by.
Best of luck,
George
Last edited by George61 on Tue Nov 20, 2012 12:20 am, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Once again, laid off.
Tough for folks like us and so many more George, Construction my trade (Timber was) Michigan has been downhill for so long it seems like forever. That and little to no money along with my daughter to go elsewhere has made the last 6 to 8 years practicly unbearable. I can just take what comes and pray for the best in the future. Good luck to all and yourself Lefty. ChadGeorge61 wrote:LeftyStrat wrote:Wouldn't really matter if it was just me. But being devoted to a wonderful woman and three kids, kind of makes it hard.
Sorry to hear about your situation. I was just laid off, once again, last Friday. I am a toolmaker and employment has been on and off for since the turn of the century. Fortunately for me, I live alone and I am 63. I can get unemployment compensation until I am 65 and then social security. I won't be living it up but I can get by.
Best of luck,
George