Unemployed
I was layed off this morning. After Seventeen years at the company. I knew it was coming, the atmosphere the last month has left me with dreams about this event however it was nothing like the dreams and has left me feeling disappointed, scared, angry but mostly empty. I am not alone in this cut, there were hundreds of employees layed off all over he country. In fact some had even more years of service then me. But I can’t get passed the thought I have been employed since I was fifteen years old, this is the first time in my grownup life I’ve been unemployed.
I feel like I am losing family, it really is one of the longest relationships of my life. I was recruited into the job by an old boss, so I haven’t looked for a job or interviewed for one in more then two decades. I am getting tons of advise from people. Not all of which I agree with and it seems one of the assumptions about me is that I wont know how to look for a job since I haven’t done it in so long. I guess the fact that I have interviewed, hired and trained new employees isn’t the same. Here are just a few of the pearls of wisdom being given to me:
- close down blog
- put house on market
- join linked-in
- rent out rooms
- color my hair (rather, cover my grey)
- request outsourcing services
- go to competitor
- get out of industry
- move to California
A common feeling on the job search is that I wont find a job getting four weeks of vacation and paying what I was making. That is understandable I mean if took me ten of those years to work up to 4 weeks vacation. Also that I am naive to think that this sort of longevity is not only rare but shouldn’t be expected in the corporate world. That my ideologies belong in another time and are more in line with the 40’s or 50’s. Humph. It did/didn’t help that HR agreed that the industry is the type that breeds long term employment and the thought I would retire from there is a common thing he is hearing from everyone being let go.
I’m not sure where that leaves me, but for now I’m going to get caught up on some of the chores and yard work I am behind on (besides I do my best thinking while my hands are in garden dirt), file for unemployment and spend time with my dog. She is going to be thrilled with the state of my employment, that I am sure of.
Hi Val,
I’m shocked, I know EXACTLY how you feel, and dog gone it I was gonna visit you and Albert on the 23rd, when I had a dental appt. downtown, so I guess I can ditch that idea.
So sorry to hear that Merrill after all those years let you go.
Love,
Donn
Donn Ullery
April 3, 2008
Good golly, Miss Molly. :/ Crazy enough, in the spirit of synchronicity, I returned Albert’s call from a while back and he told me the scoop. When I got home I thought, I should check your blog. I am so sorry you are having to go through this. Dang.
Cheers to going out and rooting around in the dirt. That will surely help. :)!
Regarding the list of suggestions; why would you close down your blog? And about the dying the grey, Crunchy Chicken had a post about that today.
http://tinyurl.com/2pbmzh
Yeah, Sophie has been in hog heaven since I was laid off too!
Laura
April 3, 2008
Hi Val,
Sorry to hear about your job. I will pray that God will use this time to bring you closer to Him. I will pray for you to find another job.
Hey what about Della, I have not heard from her either. Last I hear she was looking for a job.
Talk to you later.
Donna
Donna
April 4, 2008
omg I want to kill someone. First if you have the means to TAKE SOME TIME OFF. Every second you can afford to. You deserve it. You paid for it all these years. You’ll get 80% right for a bit yes?? Then when your ready consider temping it will allow you to see what’s out there. They get a commission for placing you from the company; the more you make, the more they make. If you can get anything temp for close to your current salary you’ll be IN a really good position. If you don’t who has to know?? But that could allow you to see what else it out there and get paid while looking. And unless you think your company will ask you back the competition is a great option. I know that sucks but you actually could benefit if they need your position. You not only have invaluable industry knowledge but now are in a position to share it and bring serious value to your new employer.
All the negativity from others needs to slide off you, duck like. I hate it when people add to your anxiety and get it on you. It’s sweet because like meI think people just want to help but it’s overwhelming for me to read what they are saying so I can’t imagine having it said to me while out of a job. hang in there the one thing I know is how valuable you are or you wouldn’t be at the level you are, so at this as a chance to take some time off and change it up a bit. Its tough no net but you can do this!!
C
April 4, 2008
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