StonedImmaculate said:

Just found out I'll be joining you in the unemployment line on Apr 18.

Right now I really hate the world we live in.

Hey, in our society, shit like this happens. There are folks in worse situations than me. I'm single, no dependents, my car's all paid up - my only expenses are the basics(and my gym membership). I'm very good at saving money, plus I have several investments. What about the dude with a wife, three kids, a mortgage, college tuition, doctor/dental bills and car payments to deal with? Shit is crazy out there.

I'm so sorry. I hope you find something else very soon.

I know a lot of folks who are 50 and over who've gotten laid off. Sadly, it's especially tough for older workers to find something new. Age discrimination is illegal - but it's a fact. If you haven't already done it, make sure you purge your resume of anything that could give away your age - dates of employment, graduation dates, etc.

If you obtain regular employment (as opposed to going the freelance route), you really don't have to start over. When you're negotiating your salary, don't be afraid to counter for a reasonable amount of vacation time (especially if the salary they're offering is on the low side). You shouldn't have to go backwards with this.

When I started full-time with the company I currently work at, I told them (truthfully) that I was currently at 18 days of vacation time, but would be willing to settle for 15. (Standard first-year vacation for new hires was one week. ) I got it - in part because they'd low-balled me on salary. (Stupid li'l me didn't do her research on what copywriters make.)

Anyway, I'm sure you'll be fine. Graphic design is a field that can be somewhat tight, but there are always freelance opportunities. Best of luck.

uPtoWnNY said:

StonedImmaculate said:

Just found out I'll be joining you in the unemployment line on Apr 18.

Right now I really hate the world we live in.

Hey, in our society, shit like this happens. There are folks in worse situations than me. I'm single, no dependents, my car's all paid up - my only expenses are the basics(and my gym membership). I'm very good at saving money, plus I have several investments. What about the dude with a wife, three kids, a mortgage, college tuition, doctor/dental bills and car payments to deal with? Shit is crazy out there.

Well hell, you're cool and the gang! In THAT case, go knock some chick's back out and just change the title to "I Got Laid".

Sorry to hear this. Hang in there...

StonedImmaculate said:

uPtoWnNY said:

After 18 years with my company, I(along with a few others), got the word on Thursday. Business is really slow, so the company had to make more cuts.

This is the first time I've been in this situation. I've left jobs, but I never got laid off. I've always worked, and it's a weird feeling not having a job to go to. Now I have to start all over again at age 50, damn. My friends in the graphic design business gave me several contacts. Hopefully I'll get a job sooner rather than later. Thanks to the internet, at least I don't have to drag my portfolio from company to company.

Wish me luck.

Just found out I'll be joining you in the unemployment line on Apr 18.

Right now I really hate the world we live in.

Crap!!!!!

uPtoWnNY said:

StonedImmaculate said:

Just found out I'll be joining you in the unemployment line on Apr 18.

Right now I really hate the world we live in.

Hey, in our society, shit like this happens. There are folks in worse situations than me. I'm single, no dependents, my car's all paid up - my only expenses are the basics(and my gym membership). I'm very good at saving money, plus I have several investments. What about the dude with a wife, three kids, a mortgage, college tuition, doctor/dental bills and car payments to deal with? Shit is crazy out there.

That's me. Wife, three kids all in private Catholic schools, mortgage, one car payment...no doctor's bills, thank God.

Went thru our finances and should be fine for 2-3 months. After that, things will be super tight.

But you are right...many others are worse off than me...I'm just pissed.

StonedImmaculate said:

uPtoWnNY said:

Hey, in our society, shit like this happens. There are folks in worse situations than me. I'm single, no dependents, my car's all paid up - my only expenses are the basics(and my gym membership). I'm very good at saving money, plus I have several investments. What about the dude with a wife, three kids, a mortgage, college tuition, doctor/dental bills and car payments to deal with? Shit is crazy out there.

That's me. Wife, three kids all in private Catholic schools, mortgage, one car payment...no doctor's bills, thank God.

Went thru our finances and should be fine for 2-3 months. After that, things will be super tight.

But you are right...many others are worse off than me...I'm just pissed.

I don't know you but this makes my chest hurt. I hope you find something soon.

uPtoWnNY said:

After 18 years with my company, I(along with a few others), got the word on Thursday. Business is really slow, so the company had to make more cuts.

This is the first time I've been in this situation. I've left jobs, but I never got laid off. I've always worked, and it's a weird feeling not having a job to go to. Now I have to start all over again at age 50, damn. My friends in the graphic design business gave me several contacts. Hopefully I'll get a job sooner rather than later. Thanks to the internet, at least I don't have to drag my portfolio from company to company.

Wish me luck.

So sorry to hear that! Hope u get sumthing soon. Know exactly how u feel, Bin a nurse 4 24 yrs. Just lost my job thru cuts! Has made me feel pretty worthless! Good luck

sextonseven said:

As a magazine art director, I definitely feel for you, man.

You should use some of your time off to go visit SCNDLS in Texas or have her come visit you. I sense unfinished business between you two.

Be sure to bring yer lube, Uptown

But for reals, good luck with your search and be prepared to do contract work.

That's horrible. I honestly don't know what the hell I would do if I lost my job. Good luck in finding another job.

I'm losing my job at the end of this year after being there for 12 years. I have no clue what I'm going to do. The job I'm working now was ideal. I work the same hours, no weekends. And the pay is good, especially since I only have a high school education. My assumption is I'll have to take a pay cut and work shitty hours plus weekends. But I'm hoping this change is just an opportunity to do something different, maybe even something I hadn't considered before. I'm even thinking of going back to school.

Chin up and good luck!

JuliePurplehead said:

I'm losing my job at the end of this year after being there for 12 years. I have no clue what I'm going to do. The job I'm working now was ideal. I work the same hours, no weekends. And the pay is good, especially since I only have a high school education. My assumption is I'll have to take a pay cut and work shitty hours plus weekends. But I'm hoping this change is just an opportunity to do something different, maybe even something I hadn't considered before. I'm even thinking of going back to school.

Chin up and good luck!

This just sucks. Everyone has given good advice, up. I can't add to it except to give you a virtual ...

so I'll just try to make you

WOW!!! positive thoughts for you...

Wow............sorry 2 hear that.

Now is the time 2 relax, relate, release.................and get busy.

Wow, so sorry to hear that Uptown. Hopefully something will come through for you soon.

uPtoWnNY said:

After 18 years with my company, I(along with a few others), got the word on Thursday. Business is really slow, so the company had to make more cuts.

This is the first time I've been in this situation. I've left jobs, but I never got laid off. I've always worked, and it's a weird feeling not having a job to go to. Now I have to start all over again at age 50, damn. My friends in the graphic design business gave me several contacts. Hopefully I'll get a job sooner rather than later. Thanks to the internet, at least I don't have to drag my portfolio from company to company.

Wish me luck.

I'm very sorry to hear this. I know how hard it is to find work at any age. My husband is a printer by trade and has been laid off several times over the years. It's never easy to accept and always a challenge finding another job. I wish you well. Put a lot of effort into it and hopefully you will find something you like.

uPtoWnNY said:

StonedImmaculate said:

Just found out I'll be joining you in the unemployment line on Apr 18.

Right now I really hate the world we live in.

Hey, in our society, shit like this happens. There are folks in worse situations than me. I'm single, no dependents, my car's all paid up - my only expenses are the basics(and my gym membership). I'm very good at saving money, plus I have several investments. What about the dude with a wife, three kids, a mortgage, college tuition, doctor/dental bills and car payments to deal with? Shit is crazy out there.

You have a good attitude about it and you're obviously smart with saving and what not. Something will come up for you. Throw it out to the universe...

Bad news

Keep it together and keep going. You never know what new oppertunities will come to you.

Hope you'll be allright and going steady soon again.

aw dayum! sorry to hear that bruh! hopefully you'll find something quick. did they give you severance pay or anything? you know...something to tide you over till your next job comes along?

I was at the Fashion Career Fair at 7 West 34th yesterday. Did a few interviews, left my resume with a few companies. There was a design job that was perfect for me - the lady loved my stuff, but she said I might be 'overqualified' for the position. Fucking great. When I first started in this business after college, lack of experience was my problem. Now it's having too much. I hope I don't have to deal with this age shit.

The good news is my severance is coming soon I filed for unemployment, and my ex-boss is extending my health/dental for another month. Plus I'm meeting with an agency tomorrow, and another next week. And my artist buddies are looking out for me. We'll see what happens.

uPtoWnNY said:

I was at the Fashion Career Fair at 7 West 34th yesterday. Did a few interviews, left my resume with a few companies. There was a design job that was perfect for me - the lady loved my stuff, but she said I might be 'overqualified' for the position. Fucking great. When I first started in this business after college, lack of experience was my problem. Now it's having too much. I hope I don't have to deal with this age shit.

The good news is my severance is coming soon I filed for unemployment, and my ex-boss is extending my health/dental for another month. Plus I'm meeting with an agency tomorrow, and another next week. And my artist buddies are looking out for me. We'll see what happens.

Any luck, man?

PurpleJedi said:

Any luck, man?

Not yet. I'm meeting with another agency tomorrow.

Sorry to hear dude. Take a few weeks for yourself and enjoy. Then

get back on your grind. Best of luck finding new employment.

That sucks, uPtoWn - sorry to hear it. Best of luck to you on your new quest... seems you are being pushed down a new path and I hope everything works out for the best.