My lack of a job thread

[Kelric]

Got laid off yesterday after seven years. My wife is six months pregnant with a somewhat risky pregnancy (and we have a 2 year old), we bought a new house four months ago, and we started a kitchen renovation two months ago. My company knows all of this. They also know that I would get three months of parental leave at the end of the year and that the project I've been running has gone more than $10,000,000 over projections (not my fault - completely the fault of the company continuously kicking the can down the road and refusing to correct the errors that happened over the last two decades). I was one of seven that got laid off yesterday and I found out today that they have shelved my project until some future date (which is stupid, since it will cost them millions more by waiting even longer). So now I'm stuck with a new mortgage, a wife and child to support, and another one on the way. You guys should have warned me that adulting was so difficult.

[Kraken]

We had hired and paid an architect and were days away from committing to a complete house renovation -- we were already picking out lighting fixtures etc -- when Impressions/Sierra hit severe turbulence. Feeling insecure, I asked my boss to level with me: Was I going to have a job a month from now? He stonewalled. So I said "Look, I know you can't give out confidential information" (especially to me, because I suck at secrets) "but give me one straight answer: If you were me, would you make any major financial commitments right now?" He still wouldn't speak the words, but he shook his head No.

A couple of weeks later I was in the first round of layoffs, and thus began a 10-year downward spiral that would include two more layoffs and the Great Recession (not to mention the ultimate failure of Sierra, so even if I hadn't been laid off then...). If I'd signed that contract, we certainly would have lost our beautifully rebuilt house.

I still have those blueprints, btw.

I don't mean to be discouraging; you at least have the benefits of youth and a strong economy going for you. You'll land on your feet. Do let us know how it works out, though.

[dbt1949]

I quit my last job when I was 44. I haven't had a (paying work) job since.
I guess you could say I went into business myself. Sort of like Kracken.

Hope that cheers you up.

Of course I sold about $20,000 worth of collectables that lasted me for over two years and my wife was working.

[malchior]

Sorry to hear that - fwiw - you are in one of the hottest job markets in the country right now. I have no doubts you'll bounce back quickly.

[Holman]

What a shitty development, Kelric. Good luck to you!

[Sectoid]

Sorry to hear it. Hope you get a new position soon.

[Paingod]

Hit the pavement as hard and fast as you can. Being laid off isn't the career death-sentence that being fired is ... but you don't want to sit on a shelf and get stale.

I was laid off with ample warning a year ago. Everyone saw it coming - the manufacturer I worked for wasn't getting work and had spent months trimming here, cutting back there, closing these doors, moving those people - and then they were gutting department after department. As a one-man department, I was spared until there were only 25 people left. Thankfully, I saw the end coming and had resumes out. Being laid off turned into having a two-week paid vacation that ended with me starting up in another job with a slight pay raise! Complete luck - but luck I wouldn't have had if I didn't spend a couple hours each day skimming job boards, touching up my resume, and sending it out.

Remember, too, that potential employers don't need to know about your need for family time until after they've hired you. Depending on what you get hired to do, it may matter less - I was able to do some remote work through my leave and kept things limping until I could be back at my desk.

[Jeff V]

Hit the pavement as hard and fast as you can. Being laid off isn't the career death-sentence that being fired is ... but you don't want to sit on a shelf and get stale.

This, and if it's an option, sign on with some consulting/contracting/temp firms to keep the money flowing and to avoid gaps in your resume.

A friend of mine has an engineering degree, kind of specialized in teflon, then got himself fired -- oh, about 10 years ago I guess. He's not worked as an engineer since and would struggle to prove he's qualified to flip burgers. His "job" today is Uber driver. Meanwhile, his wife, who arrived from China just after he lost his job and mother of their two kids is about fed up with him. Apparently, my being somewhat successful isn't helping things - in a recent argument, she complained that I bought my wife a nice house while they still live with his parents.

Anyway, don't be that guy.

[RunningMn9]

That sucks man. That happened to me back in 2010, but I didn't have the superstorm of events going on around me like you do. Godspeed, and chin up. You found a job before, you will find one again.

[Kelric]

I got my resume updated yesterday and applied for one job that I'd be overqualified for except that it is in a different financial field, so I figure that evens it out. Just found 10 job openings in the area that are worth looking at deeper, so doing that at the moment.

[Remus West]

Good luck. I hope and pray to avoid similar issues here.

[Z-Corn]

Last time I got laid off was the very same day roofers were scheduled begin a $15,000 job on my house.

I told my boss this as he was walking me/"not walking me out" back to my office.

He started crying. Right in the main aisle of the hospital. He knew he was doing me dirty.

Sorry to hear your news Kelric. Stay motivated!

[Carpet_pissr]

Hit the pavement as hard and fast as you can. Being laid off isn't the career death-sentence that being fired is ... but you don't want to sit on a shelf and get stale.

This, and if it's an option, sign on with some consulting/contracting/temp firms to keep the money flowing and to avoid gaps in your resume.

This is interesting. I was speaking to my uncle about this recently, and he said that putting "consultant" on a resume after years working for a company is kind of a red flag (i.e. I guess it's what everybody does to avoid having a gap?). Also, because technically everyone can be a "consultant". Doesn't mean you have active accounts or are getting paid for it!

In my case, I have an account, and am actively working for them (straight commission/fees based on results) only...not hourly payment. So I don't feel it would look too bad by putting that on the resume.

Also, in your opinion, how long "on the shelf" would one have to sit to be considered stale? I have taken a kind of intentional "sabbatical" if you will, considering I was burned out as all hell (and didn't realize how badly), but I think I am reaching some kind of shelf life situation soon, in terms of what future employers might think.

[Paingod]

Also, in your opinion, how long "on the shelf" would one have to sit to be considered stale? I have taken a kind of intentional "sabbatical" if you will, considering I was burned out as all hell (and didn't realize how badly), but I think I am reaching some kind of shelf life situation soon, in terms of what future employers might think.

I think that's largely dictated by your field. An insurance underwriter could probably go a decade without an insurance job and be welcomed right back in easily; insurance changes about as often as we get ice ages. IMO, an IT worker could probably go a year, but they'd be pressed for competence or a really good reason why they weren't live - like spending a year building homes in Guam or something.

[Kelric]

Also, in your opinion, how long "on the shelf" would one have to sit to be considered stale? I have taken a kind of intentional "sabbatical" if you will, considering I was burned out as all hell (and didn't realize how badly), but I think I am reaching some kind of shelf life situation soon, in terms of what future employers might think.

I think that's largely dictated by your field. An insurance underwriter could probably go a decade without an insurance job and be welcomed right back in easily; insurance changes about as often as we get ice ages. IMO, an IT worker could probably go a year, but they'd be pressed for competence or a really good reason why they weren't live - like spending a year building homes in Guam or something.

Underwriters are like gold in the insurance field.

Edit -

Just found 10 job openings in the area that are worth looking at deeper, so doing that at the moment.

Applied to five of them.

[Jeff V]

Also, in your opinion, how long "on the shelf" would one have to sit to be considered stale? I have taken a kind of intentional "sabbatical" if you will, considering I was burned out as all hell (and didn't realize how badly), but I think I am reaching some kind of shelf life situation soon, in terms of what future employers might think.

I think that's largely dictated by your field. An insurance underwriter could probably go a decade without an insurance job and be welcomed right back in easily; insurance changes about as often as we get ice ages. IMO, an IT worker could probably go a year, but they'd be pressed for competence or a really good reason why they weren't live - like spending a year building homes in Guam or something.

Yep, in IT, there's a good chance those consulting jobs are legitimate. I'd guess half the IT workers (thousands) in my company are contractors. It really isn't a problem if you can list the client and what you were doing for them.

Often, hiring managers are aware of circumstances such as a tight job market following a crash and would be less apt to hold significant gaps against you. When the market is going well though, you best be able to explain yourself. A few months ago, my former landlord told me she lost her job earlier this year and hasn't had much luck. She's an IT project manager - either she's not trying very hard, or she wasn't very good at it.

[Kraken]

I got my resume updated yesterday and applied for one job that I'd be overqualified for except that it is in a different financial field, so I figure that evens it out. Just found 10 job openings in the area that are worth looking at deeper, so doing that at the moment.

Don't snap at the first offer unless it checks all your boxes. As malchior said, the local job market (well, Greater Boston anyway, dunno about Greater Salem) is overheated, with labor shortages in nearly every category. You will probably have several opportunities to choose from. You will certainly have no trouble getting interviews.

[Kelric]

I got my resume updated yesterday and applied for one job that I'd be overqualified for except that it is in a different financial field, so I figure that evens it out. Just found 10 job openings in the area that are worth looking at deeper, so doing that at the moment.

Don't snap at the first offer unless it checks all your boxes. As malchior said, the local job market (well, Greater Boston anyway, dunno about Greater Salem) is overheated, with labor shortages in nearly every category. You will probably have several opportunities to choose from. You will certainly have no trouble getting interviews.

Yeah, except I'm in western MA now.

[Bad Demographic]

Good luck, Kelric.
When my job got eliminated (this was around 2005 or so) the company I worked for pretty much required that we be the first to be considered for filling an open position. That was kind of a godsend. I was able to keep working (and move into a better paying position).

[Lorini]

I haven't worked in 11 years and never had a title that anyone would have ever heard of (Software Technology Transfer Specialist/Manager). I have skills, but no intuitive title. It was just impossible when I was trying to get a job to even get an interview.

[Kraken]

I got my resume updated yesterday and applied for one job that I'd be overqualified for except that it is in a different financial field, so I figure that evens it out. Just found 10 job openings in the area that are worth looking at deeper, so doing that at the moment.

Don't snap at the first offer unless it checks all your boxes. As malchior said, the local job market (well, Greater Boston anyway, dunno about Greater Salem) is overheated, with labor shortages in nearly every category. You will probably have several opportunities to choose from. You will certainly have no trouble getting interviews.

Yeah, except I'm in western MA now.

Where? I know the Berkshires well, but not much between here and there.

[Rip]

Hit the pavement as hard and fast as you can. Being laid off isn't the career death-sentence that being fired is ... but you don't want to sit on a shelf and get stale.

This, and if it's an option, sign on with some consulting/contracting/temp firms to keep the money flowing and to avoid gaps in your resume.

This is interesting. I was speaking to my uncle about this recently, and he said that putting "consultant" on a resume after years working for a company is kind of a red flag (i.e. I guess it's what everybody does to avoid having a gap?). Also, because technically everyone can be a "consultant". Doesn't mean you have active accounts or are getting paid for it!

In my case, I have an account, and am actively working for them (straight commission/fees based on results) only...not hourly payment. So I don't feel it would look too bad by putting that on the resume.

Also, in your opinion, how long "on the shelf" would one have to sit to be considered stale? I have taken a kind of intentional "sabbatical" if you will, considering I was burned out as all hell (and didn't realize how badly), but I think I am reaching some kind of shelf life situation soon, in terms of what future employers might think.

Ouch, I've been a "Networking Consultant" for over 15 years now......

[Zaxxon]

Best of luck.

[Kelric]

I got my resume updated yesterday and applied for one job that I'd be overqualified for except that it is in a different financial field, so I figure that evens it out. Just found 10 job openings in the area that are worth looking at deeper, so doing that at the moment.

Don't snap at the first offer unless it checks all your boxes. As malchior said, the local job market (well, Greater Boston anyway, dunno about Greater Salem) is overheated, with labor shortages in nearly every category. You will probably have several opportunities to choose from. You will certainly have no trouble getting interviews.

Yeah, except I'm in western MA now.

Where? I know the Berkshires well, but not much between here and there.

Westfield, just left of Springfield. I'm focusing the job search north to Amherst and south to Hartford, but obviously I'd prefer closer to home or Springfield.

[Eightball]

Sorry to hear it, K. Good luck in the job search. Congrats on the child and the upcoming birth, but...having kids really does put the pressure on you career-wise, doesn't it?

[dbt1949]

When I was your age I wanted to be a pimp. Is there any job openings in that field where you live?

[Grifman]

Sorry to hear this, best wishes in your job hunt.

[Kraken]

I got my resume updated yesterday and applied for one job that I'd be overqualified for except that it is in a different financial field, so I figure that evens it out. Just found 10 job openings in the area that are worth looking at deeper, so doing that at the moment.

Don't snap at the first offer unless it checks all your boxes. As malchior said, the local job market (well, Greater Boston anyway, dunno about Greater Salem) is overheated, with labor shortages in nearly every category. You will probably have several opportunities to choose from. You will certainly have no trouble getting interviews.

Yeah, except I'm in western MA now.

Where? I know the Berkshires well, but not much between here and there.

Westfield, just left of Springfield. I'm focusing the job search north to Amherst and south to Hartford, but obviously I'd prefer closer to home or Springfield.

OK, I got nuthin. I usually take Rte 2 when I go out west; the Pike is an emergency backup option.

I do know Great Barrington, though. Maybe you could open a pot shop next to Baba Louie's. Probably nobody else has thought of that.

[El Guapo]

I got my resume updated yesterday and applied for one job that I'd be overqualified for except that it is in a different financial field, so I figure that evens it out. Just found 10 job openings in the area that are worth looking at deeper, so doing that at the moment.

Don't snap at the first offer unless it checks all your boxes. As malchior said, the local job market (well, Greater Boston anyway, dunno about Greater Salem) is overheated, with labor shortages in nearly every category. You will probably have several opportunities to choose from. You will certainly have no trouble getting interviews.

Yeah, except I'm in western MA now.

Well, why did you go and do a thing like move to western MA?

[coopasonic]

Astounding number of jobs in the Dallas area. Way less snow and possibly cheaper houses to boot.

I'm just saying.

[AWS260]

I missed this thread last week, so belated good luck on your job hunt! Here, this might help:

http://www.mercenaryjobs.org/how-to-bec ... enary.html

[El Guapo]

I missed this thread last week, so belated good luck on your job hunt! Here, this might help:

http://www.mercenaryjobs.org/how-to-bec ... enary.html

Do it! That would really liven up the forum discussions here.

[Kelric]

Well, why did you go and do a thing like move to western MA?

At the time, because we could. And the wife wants to get her doctorate out here.

[Blackhawk]

I missed this thread last week, so belated good luck on your job hunt! Here, this might help:

http://www.mercenaryjobs.org/how-to-bec ... enary.html

Do it! That would really liven up the forum discussions here.

Knowing people who did it in the 80s - no, it wouldn't.

[Kelric]

I've gotten several first level phone calls from HR/recruiter types at one company regarding several positions I've applied for. One of those advanced me to one in-person interview that I heard back on today, that I didn't get, but the other manager who was in the interview wants to bring me back in to discuss a role on her team instead. I'm hoping that means if it seems like a good fit that I'd get an offer relatively quickly, instead of the three weeks I waited to hear back on the initial interview.

I also had an actual phone interview today with the hiring manager on a different team at the same company, and the next step there if I advance would be an in person interview at least two weeks from now. The conversation went well but she did say that based on my background she thinks I'd be a good fit for another role that is open, and asked if I wanted her to speak with that manager on my behalf. I of course said yes, but that I'd still like to remain in consideration for her team.

I'd prefer the job I spoke to the manager about today, as it is the highest paying of them, and sets me up to go in several different directions with my career in the future. The hiring manager started in the same role herself, so at least I understand the hierarchy better for it.

One company, four phone calls for four spots, one phone interview, one in-person interview, and one follow up conversation on a different role. They should just hire me and figure out what they want me to do afterward.

[Unagi]

"ladies... ladies... You're all pretty!"

excellent, Kelric!

[dbt1949]

They should just hire me and figure out what they want me to do afterward.

Yes. Yes they should. Good luck!

[Jeff V]

They should just hire me and figure out what they want me to do afterward.

You aren't concerned that you'd prove to be a mailroom prodigy and deemed to valuable to be moved elsewhere?

Good luck!

[Bad Demographic]

Good luck, Kel. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you.

[Jaymann]

I hear they have some openings at ESPN...