One week into being laid off, and I’m depressed in a major way. I need some help taking my mind off all this…
If anyone is curious, I have done the resume and marketing plan stuff mentioned at the outplacement seminar. I’m building up my network, and I’ve been applying to the online jobs, so I haven’t been idle.
Yesterday, I went to the grocery store, and nearly freaked out from the stress. I have little appetite, but I’ll make use of that because I need to lose weight. I’m also having trouble sleeping.
Now, listen to me. You will find a job. You’re doing everything you can do at this point, and if need be, you can hit a temp agency or a newpaper office for quick and relatively stress-free work. If the grocery store is wigging you out, it may not be a bad idea to get rolling on something temporary, in fact.
What’s the main stressor at this point–the money, or the joblessness? I know if I lost my job, money would be my first priority, because I have zilch in savings and those bills just keep rollin’ in, don’t they? And of course, there’s groceries to consider…
Keep posting, and keep us informed…you know how great the Dopers are at moral support.
I have some financial reserves to draw on, but they’re unpalatable for tax reasons. Everything concerned with this is bugging me: the uncertainty, the money, the idleness. It was a major slap in the face to apply for unemployment yesterday.
God doesn’t have to do the Job bit with me, I’m saying uncle now.
Don’t worry hun, it all works out in the end. If you need, don’t be afraid to lean on friends and family for help. That’s what they’re there are, otherwise they shouldn’t be considered friends nor true family.
Just keep hitting the job market, and I’m sure something will come up for you. AFter all, I found something and I basically have no skills and a screwy schedule because of college!
Hang in there Vunderbob, I guess a lot of us have been in the same kind of situation and can empathize. Couple of weeks ago I thought I was going to be fired (for reasons I might soon start a pit thread about), so I know how you feel (I think). Financial worry was the most disconcerting aspect and it put me off my food too. Turned out OK for me even though, at the time, it seemed like my darkest hour. So keep your chin up, it sounds like you are doing all the right things and I’m sure something will turn up soon. If nothing comes up immediately, why not think about using the time to broaden your skill set?
A slight break in the gloom to report. While out in the shed looking for something unrelated, I came across my old Civil Service records. I’m eligible for reinstatement because I was RIFed (laid off) at the end of 1996 as part of the base closures going on at the time. This helps, because I need to provide copies of my last performance review and my RIF notice to establish my reinstatement eligibility. Basically, it puts me ahead of a bunch of applicants for Civil Service jobs.
vunderbob, I’ve been there within the past year. What kept me going through my first few weeks of unemployment was there was an event I was heavily involved in, which meant I had to stick around long enough to see it through. I’d go on, but I suspect that would depress you even further.
So, what can I say to cheer you up? Well, you are very definitely not alone. A lot of us have been through this, and some of us still are. This message board can be one of the best support groups on the planet if you need it to be.
Keep checking the want ads. I did the whole on-line job hunt, but I wound up getting a job I found in the Sunday paper. You could also do what I didn’t, and clip, keep track of, and use the coupons in the paper.
I’ll also second temping and keeping your skills up. Also, when boredom sets in, remember libraries are still free.
FWIW, my father has been laid off from two jobs. One of them, an airline, folded shortly after 9/11. He now does a thriving business on ebay. He is an exellent father, a good provider, and seems happy.
The point is, he survived, and so will you. <hugs>
Go for a long walk, Vunderbob. Every day. Exercise releases endorphins. When you get back, hug Vundervife and Vunderkind. If you pray or meditate, do lots of that. Keep plugging away.
Checking in… Yesterday and this morning were pretty bad (again), but I drove 3 hours each way today to see my family in Northern Indiana. I had pretty clear mind, and did a LOT of consideration to my situation. I had 2 epiphanies: the first is that the unemployment I’ll get will be slightly less than half of the take home pay, and I have a nice little nest egg in my 401K that will help, so my finances won’t be as bad as I thought. The second one is that if I have to pay for COBRA anyway, then there is no reason that I couldn’t pick up a temp job.
Seeing the family did me a lot of good. Got some advice, sympathy, and job leads, all on top of a cookout that couldn’t be beat.
That’s actually pretty good news, Bob. I was envisioning financial disaster, but it looks like you can hold that off for a while. That will give you some lead time.
Heh. If you need advice on being really, really broke, I’ve been doing it for quite a while and am actually pretty good at it. Maybe I could give you some pointers.
Day by day, buddy.
Hugs to the family. Great kid you’ve got.
Good luck to ya! I’ve been thru the job hunt thing vicariously with my husband. We were all excited when he got one job, until it turned out it wasn’t what had been advertised. Then he had an excellent interview, all sign pointing to a great job, then nothing - not even a returned call. Finally he landed the job he has now - in a different industry altogether, so it’s challenging in many more ways.
There’s a point in there somewhere… Like - don’t rule out any possibility, 'cause you never know, and never stop looking. Hang in there - it’ll all work out!
The ‘Go for long walks’ suggestion is a good one, I was out of work a few years back, and found it helped a lot. I could make plans whilst walking, and the fresh air and excersise should both improve your appetite and still help you lose weight. The other thing is to make sure you do things, go to places you wouldn’t normally get too because work got in the way, and take every interview you can (those for jobs you don’t want are still good practice). I ended up in another country after my period of unemployment, and things couldn’t be rosier here.
All the best of possible luck, Bippy
