People who have not seen what it is like or have not gone through it, have no idea how difficult it can be. Even if it does not take you the atmosphere is electric. I was at a Detroit Company that was being downsized. A group of guys came in early and put black paper over the windows of a conference room. Then they called a persons name on the loud speaker. While he was in the office getting let go, guards went to his cubicle and packed his stuff. When he came out they escorted him to his car. It went on, one after another all day. People you worked with. people you saw around , over and over . It took 3 days. It was an emotional thing to sit through.
Sorry to hear, TNaIS. Although it’s no consolation, it probably wouldn’t have helped much to have been searching for full-time work the past six months - there have not been any jobs in publishing. I would advise you put together a website with samples of your work and start networking for freelance work. When someone at my company asks for a recommendation of freelancers for writing, marketing, graphics, etc., they always want to see examples–a link to an online source is invaluable.
I think I might know where it is.
Seriously, Superman, why not post where you are (or intend to be), and what kind of work you’ll be looking for? You never know when someone at least might have an idea.
Becareful what you sign for. I worked for a company that would let you go and ask you to sign a paper, this paper said you left the company of your own will. In other words they didn’t want to pay unemployment.
Of course if you read it, like I did, they said “Oh that’s incorrect,” and let the matter drop, but I wonder how many others signed it and then ran into issues when they applied for unemployment.
Also remember to file for unemployment the very next day. Don’t wait at all. It takes awhile to get the first check so do it ASAP.
When my fiancee was laid off, he applied that day. It still took about a month to get the first check.
I am so sorry.
Maybe its time to go back to school? Might turn out to be a good thing.
Yeah, and being escorted out of the Fortress of Solitude by security guards was a little humiliating. I think somebody snatched the Bottle City of Kandor off my desk. Damn, when they let Batman go he managed to get that giant penny out of the Batcave all right - but of course getting downsized didn’t hurt him. He was prepared!
Seriously though, I just thought I’d give you all an update that I got a decent severance package, and therefore a little bit of cushion room to figure out what to do next. Several folks have advised me to give myself a couple of days to recuperate, so I am putting off the job hunt until Monday and am going to spend the weekend eating Haagen-Dazs and watching bad horror movies. In that way, it’s a lucky stroke that I got laid off just before Halloween!
I appreciate all the condolences. Thanks to one and all. I’ll try to keep you all posted on my progress.
And if nothing else, at least now I have time to work on my NaNoWriMo novel!
I understand how you feel-- I don’t want to hijack this thread or anything, but a couple weeks ago I was notified that I will be let go in Feb. or March when the office moves about 100 miles and is consolidated with another.
I don’t mind it that much – I’m still young (28), got a Master’s degree out of it (I will graduate in May, meaning they will have paid 100% of it), and have worked there for 5 years so my severance will be decent (though of course it would be better if I had worked there longer). Still, I’m not getting any responses from resumes and applications I have sent out, so it is kind of unnerving not knowing where I will be in 6 months or so.
I just wanted to console with you with some empathy, but also I will definitely take the advice in this thread as well. I know now I’m going to sign up for unemployment the next day like Markxxx and others have mentioned (I have never kept anything personal in my office though, so I’m glad I won’t have to worry about cleaning out anything, I’ll just walk out free the day they tell me to leave).