I was laid off in '08, and it was very tough finding a job, though I stupidly didn't take it seriously in the begginning. The last time I looked for work was in 99, and it took me 3 days to find a job and I got to choose between 3 interested parties (oh those wonderful Y2K days ).

I submitted about 300 resumes, and received maybe a dozen interview request. In every instance I was passed up for one reason or another, normally involving the fact that there were a million people wantint the same position, and many were more qualitifed (or less, depending on what the company wanted).

I had one interview in which I came into the company, sat down, and talked with the man for 30 minutes, and we got along like a house on fire. Then when he went to actually looking at my resume (apparenlty the scout that sent me did all the scrutinizing of the resume), he almost fainted when he saw my work experience. He told me that he couldn't pay me "what I was worth", and I told him I didn't mind. Then he went on to say that he would totally understand if I needed to seek other employment while I worked at the company, if I was chosen, implying that I was a flight risk because if the economy should pick up, I would just scoot away, etc. I left the interview knowing that I didn't get the job.

Another time, I had a pleasant enough conversation with an IT retailer in town, and was asked to come in for an 'interview'. When I arrived, I was in a room with 20 other people, and a woman walks in to the board room, at least 15 years younger than, possibly not even out of college, and proceeds to tell us all (all 20 men in the room) that we are going to take place in a scavenger hunt, and the winners would be selected for the Interview---it was like watching a really bad, red-necky episode of Apprentace or something. I walked out and one of the managers asked if something was wrong, and I responded, "If my resume, with 16 years of experience and an MBA wasn't enough to get me a face-to-face interview, I don't want to work for your company, " and I walked out.

I was offered a job in Dallas shortly thereafter, but decided to come to Thailand instead. I mean, Dallas? Thanks, but I'll take death.

Good luck on your search. HOpe it's not as bad as it was in 08. I believe the trend is slowly upwards, where in 08 and 09 it was quicky downwards.

Good luck!

Shorty said:

uptownNY and tonyvandam well...here's the deal.

I've been with this company 14 years, but I was laid off after 11 years, was gone for less than one year and have been back 3 years already. They do pay a severance here...2 weeks for ever year. So the first time I was laid off I was paid 22 weeks severance...this time I'm only getting 6 weeks severance but I'm ok with that, lots of companies don't do severance packages at all so....I'm greatfull for anything at all.

Part of me is like screw it...maybe I'll just collect unemployment for a while, stay home with my youngest, be able to volunteer at my oldests school functions, get the house nice and clean....but a bigger part of me is like...screw that...I have worked since I was 15 years old and am just not the type of person who won't work. Last time I was laid off, I was working at another company before my severance even ran out, so I'm sure I'll be back to work soon. maybe bartending or waitressing but...it will be something.

At least you got advance notice. We got none, and were let go an hour before quitting time. After 18 years with the company, I deserved better. At least I got a nice severance package.

If I was ten years older, I'd just say fuck it and quit the damn rat race. But at age 50, I'm stuck in the middle - to young to retire, to old to start over again.

I'm so sorry about your employment situation. I was laid off from a medical billing and collections job I had for eight years back in 2004, and for about five years I had the darndest time trying to find anything permanent. I worked a few temp jobs here and there, and I had a couple of nightmarish positions, but I eventually found a job as a claims examiner two years ago this week, and I have been working that job ever since.

While it seems like a good idea to just collect unemployment and lounge out for a while, I'd start putting out resumes. Unless you work retail, this is usually a slow time of year for companies to hire, so get your foot in the door someplace so you can hopefully land a job by the New Year.

Sorry to hear about that, Shorty!

I wouldn't waste a second before starting to look for another job, for the simple reason that it's always easier to find a job when you already have a job. And if you can time it right, you can get that severance and be getting paid for the new job!

Be realistic, talk to everybody you know and hustle! It'll all be fine.

[Edited 11/4/11 4:42am]

Good luck.

Things are hopefully starting to turn around, so maybe it won't be so painful to find a new job.

I'm sorry to here that!.... I'm sure things will be fine for you shortly....see what i did there

Be strong and get out there girl and take no shit "people like someone that's strong minded"

But most importantly "Be Yourself"

Shorty said:

was just informed a bit ago that I will be unemployed as of Dec 31st.

Not surprised but not looking forward to the job search.

Awww, damn, I'm sorry to hear that. That sux!

ZombieKitten said:

I'm going to be looking for a full-time job in the new year - have to update my portfolio

Is your portfolio online? Mine's at coroflot.

It does suck. Hang in there and you will be fine.

Fortunately for me it was only 3 months mostly because I hated the company and was already actively looking before my boss fired me. Well, now that I think about it, it was more like summer vacation...was let go in May (with a severance package) had a new job in August. It's a temp assignment with great(er) pay right now, but that's even better given that I'm also back in grad school. One of my friends was like, "Dude you rebounded quickly". That's because I'm awlays adding to my skill set and professional network. Companies don't give a damned these days and are holding all the cards. Gotta stick and move on they're asses

Shorty said:

uptownNY and tonyvandam well...here's the deal.

I've been with this company 14 years, but I was laid off after 11 years, was gone for less than one year and have been back 3 years already. They do pay a severance here...2 weeks for ever year. So the first time I was laid off I was paid 22 weeks severance...this time I'm only getting 6 weeks severance but I'm ok with that, lots of companies don't do severance packages at all so....I'm greatfull for anything at all.

Part of me is like screw it...maybe I'll just collect unemployment for a while, stay home with my youngest, be able to volunteer at my oldests school functions, get the house nice and clean....but a bigger part of me is like...screw that...I have worked since I was 15 years old and am just not the type of person who won't work. Last time I was laid off, I was working at another company before my severance even ran out, so I'm sure I'll be back to work soon. maybe bartending or waitressing but...it will be something.

Thank you

alphastreet

paintedlady

stillgotit

kitbradley

lisa10

Timmy84

sunflower7

TD3

Mach

JustErin

Kimrachell

emeraldskies

jers

for all your well wishes and bits of advice. I really appreciate it and it's certainly something special we all have here at the org. to all and hope I didn't forget anyone.

It looks like you have a plan already. Excellent. And remember, you can still draw unemployment weekly if you're working part-time hours.

things happen for reasons we don't always see right away. one door closes, but another one opens up....you're going to see a new chapter unfold in the shorty story....ride the wave!

I'm sorry to hear that.

i've been not working for way too long. It's not good for mental nor physical health. I notice that I get behind in developing ordinary skills, just from not working.

My advice would be to start searching for a job immediately and/or make a plan for any careerswitch. Just to prevent yourself from the years long lethargy of joblessness.