FWIW, in my workplace experience, an inexplicable firing of a productive employee accompanied by the vaguely worded, “It’s just not working out” is secret code for “somebody’s girlfriend/boyfriend/nephew/daughter needs a job”. It wasn’t anything you did or did not do; it’s just that Muffy dropped out of school and needs something halfway productive to do with her time so Daddy will let her keep that cute lil car.
So don’t let your self-esteem take a hit over this. It’s not you, it’s them.
Unemployment sucks. I was laid off in 2002 and had a miserable time trying to find work. I decided to go back and finish my graduate degree in History.
Guess where I am now? With the company that laid me off in 2002, doing the same job but as a team lead this time. Nothing having to do with history.
The point? Don’t get lazy. Take a class while you’re idle. Maybe learn something new. Are you good at something that you don’t think you’d get paid for?
Garsh, I haven’t been on since last night and am overwhelmed with all the suggestions! Thanks so much. Duck Duck Goose , you are very perceptive and I think you are correct, with a twist in the facts here. This firm is only three years old. They started out with three attorneys, one assistant, one office. They are now seven attorneys, four assistants/paralegals, and two offices. I think they are growing too fast and becoming too top heavy. They have now fired the two most experienced employees, the receptionist and me. We are both over 40 (I am not going to go the “age discrimination” route) and have been working for longer than the other two have been in this world. They have replaced us with two much lower paid part timers. It’s all economic. I would love any opinions on this likely theory. I can tell you with all certainty, I work my butt off every single second I am there and my accuracy and work is stellar. I liked a lot about working here because it is in the community where I have lived my entire life. It did my heart good to be able to help out these oftentimes older people (we do a lot of probate and estate stuff) to get their lives set (plus I love love love older people).
I have my interview tomorrow with the lower paying job. I am not arrogant enough to think I am a shoo in, but my first pre-interview phone call with the woman doing the hiring was 1-1/2 hours, and today it was 45 minutes just setting up the interview time. She has no other interviews yet.
Thank you everyone for all the encouragement. I hesitated to start this post out of self consciousness, but decided, I joined for a reason. I even ponied up the $15 when I knew it was likely I was going to lose my job! How’s that for ya!
One more thing, I am not eligible for unemployment until March 1 (or 3rd, whatever) because they are paying me through the end of the month. And before anyone says “Oh, that’s nice,” no, it’s not. Last year I sacrificed at least 20 hours of unused PTO, and I would have been eligible for 112 hours of PTO this year. So I am literally, on vacation. Sucks.
i hope things go well at your interview. how 'bout temp agencies? are you able to cobra your benefits?
I agree with this 100%. I was in major need of a new job a couple of years back and sent out more than 50 resumes complete with emails and phone calls. I got some interviews (very few, though) but nothing really worked.
A friend from my job at the time left to go to another company and said “send me your resume.” A month later I had an offer from that company. He’s my boss now (which is a good thing 
).
I have e-mailed people as I mentioned in an earlier post. I literally cannot think of one more person I can network with. Possibly an ex-bf.
Temp agencies, yes, they are a possibility, but my experience with any placement agency is that it just adds more time to the search, plus an odious added interview. But it is actually a good suggestion. And yes, I can COBRA if I want to pony up $457 a month. One thing I am thankful for is my son is covered under his dad’s insurance. But $457 a month is an expense I can’t imagine being able to cover. Right now I am getting dentist appointments covered in my last two insured weeks.
I would suggest going to your local Career Center. They would have loads of free job-seeking activities, job fairs, networking events, etc. It’s a good environment to be in, as well, in terms of keeping motivation up and focusing on the job search.
Good luck.
I don’t have anything to add except that, each time I was “let go”:
I ended up with a better, more lucrative job, and
The Minnesota Twins won the World Series.
Coincidence? You decide.
Rysdad , thanks for the laugh. I needed it.
Lorene , thank you too. I wonder if that’s where I go to apply for unemployment…
I am so tired and crabby. Thanks for all the support, people. I am thankful.
I know that, here in MA, that is the case. I’m 99% sure that is true for One-Stops Career Centers throughout the country, but not 100% sure.
Twice, when I was seriously job hunting, there was a hurricane involved in the mix.
Well, the only times, I mean time, I was out of work we are having a record setting winter here. Sucks to be us right now. Colder than snot and boat loads of snow on the ground.
So I found me this job. Seems like a great fit all around. I started March 5, 60 days probation, offering me $3 grand a year more than the job I was fired from.
Fast forward to ten minutes ago - my bosses walked in, said I am off probation (two weeks early), reimbursing me 100% for the two COBRAs I paid to keep me in insurance until mine gets started here, plus ANOTHER $3 grand a year raise. I am now making $6,000 more than I was two months ago at that horrible place!!!
So people, keep your collective chins up if you are out of work. There is great stuff out there. YAYYAY 
Wow! Congratulations!!!
Awesome! I’m happy for you.
Two big thumbs to you, Rascal’s Mom!
Yeh! Party time! You got a sweet deal it sounds like. Thank your ex employer with a beaming smile, if you ever meet them. I’m really happy for you to have such good fortune.
Sweet Zombie Jesus! A $6,000 bump plus COBRA reimbursement? Please, tell me where this is and tell me they are hiring.
Yippie!! How did you find the new job?
Just as an aside - both times I was down-sized, I found better paying jobs that I like much better than my old one so sometimes being let go isn’t such a bad thing.
Hooray! I started reading this thread expecting to offer sympathy - now I see congrats are in order.
It doesn’t happen often, but sometimes there is justice in the world.