# Well, I'm a free agent. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 9, 2005, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-im-a-free-agent/320895 "2005-09-09T22:55:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2005, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-im-a-free-agent/320895/1 "2005-09-09T22:55:17Z")
I’m officially [unemployed](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=333876). I’m surprisingly relieved. It feels good to be out of that place and the petty and mean politics that permiated the entire organization. What’s more, the CIO who railroaded me, was dismissed today for gross incompetence. A few other people (mostly consultants like me) were let go and I feel bad for them because they don’t deserve it. The new director, who folded like a deck of cards the minute he sensed pressure to get rid of me, took me out for lunch to make himself feel better for not standing up for me. I enjoyed the lunch because I got a chance to explain to him exactly what he did wrong and why. He took it surprisingly well. I think the dismissal of the CIO made him understand a little better the picture of the organization I tried to paint for him earlier. He’s still an arrogan know it all but I think he’s far less sure about himself and his function in the organization. All in all, it was not a perfect day but far better than it might have been. On to the new and better opportunity ahead. ---
**Author:** ![missdavis102](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7feea3/32.png) [@missdavis102](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missdavis102)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2005, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-im-a-free-agent/320895/2 "2005-09-09T23:13:29Z")
That sounds like a horrible place to work. I’ve worked with people who sound like that CIO, bad personality, grossly incompetant and ass-kissing to boot. When I left a similar situation, I was glad to be out too. So it was a no-go with the CEO? Shame. Hate it for the company that lost you. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2005, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-im-a-free-agent/320895/3 "2005-09-09T23:31:40Z")
There are a lot of companies out there just like that. I don’t know if that gives you comfort or fear for the future. I have been there, gotten laid off, and then taken to lunch. I have even gotten a call back a day later saying they made a mistake. Too bad. Company politics can be brutal and there is not always a safe way to navigate them unless you are willing to sacrafice who you are. Just letting you know it is probably not you. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2005, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-im-a-free-agent/320895/4 "2005-09-09T23:45:59Z")
Good luck to you! ---
**Author:** ![Kythereia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e8c25b/32.png) [@Kythereia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kythereia)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2005, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-im-a-free-agent/320895/5 "2005-09-09T23:50:52Z")
Good luck, **QuickSilver**! _smooches_ ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2005, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-im-a-free-agent/320895/6 "2005-09-10T00:11:06Z")
So…you’re newly single and looking for a new job? Maybe I’ll look into moving to Canada after all. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2005, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-im-a-free-agent/320895/7 "2005-09-10T00:38:55Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > So…you’re newly single and looking for a new job? > > Maybe I’ll look into moving to Canada after all. 😉 Pssst… DC (these days)… 😉 ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2005, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-im-a-free-agent/320895/8 "2005-09-10T00:42:15Z")
> [@Shagnasty](#): > > Just letting you know it is probably not you. Yeah, sometimes you have to look inside. Not in this case though. I did good work. They’re just small and petty fools. Thanks everyone. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Misnomer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misnomer/32/14897_2.png) [@Misnomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Misnomer)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2005, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-im-a-free-agent/320895/9 "2005-09-10T04:06:43Z")
Wanna work in [Reston](https://careers.fgm.com/careers/CareersList.aspx?type=LOCATION&item=DC%20METRO)? (We probably don’t have any openings that match what you do, but I had to ask! :D) ---
**Author:** ![The\_Big\_Cheese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8baadc/32.png) [@The\_Big\_Cheese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Big_Cheese)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2005, 9:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-im-a-free-agent/320895/10 "2005-09-10T09:55:58Z")
sometimes it’s best to move on. You seem to have the right attitude about it too, and that’s 90% of the battle. SOmeone once told me over 90% of peoplelaid off in professional jobs end up making more money and getting a better job within 2 years, maybe less. So good luck with all that. I’m in a job where my boss is less than desired and it permeates your whole life, being out has it’s advantages. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Arky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/87869e/32.png) [@An\_Arky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Arky)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2005, 10:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-im-a-free-agent/320895/11 "2005-09-10T10:19:32Z")
Hey, join the club (DC Doper Job-Seekers Anonymous)! I came back from vacation on Tuesday to find out that my position won’t be funded after the end of the month. I also found out that they knew about this beforehand, but they “wanted me to have a happy vacation”. No, no need to send out resumes, etc…GRRRR! Fortunately, the company I work for has an internal “waiver wire” and I had a very good interview yesterday with another project that has a need for, well, me. And there’s another I’ll probably hear from next week. I also made my resume public on Monster and I’m getting calls already. Good luck in your search, and take solace in the fact that the job market here is pretty strong. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2005, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-im-a-free-agent/320895/12 "2005-09-10T13:44:17Z")
> [@Misnomer](#): > > Wanna work in [Reston](https://careers.fgm.com/careers/CareersList.aspx?type=LOCATION&item=DC%20METRO)? > > (We probably don’t have any openings that match what you do, but I had to ask! :D) Actually, a couple of interesting things. Thanks Mis. 🙂 I’m going to look at it more carefully and let you know this weekend. And Reston is just a short hop down the road from me. I love this board! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2005, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-im-a-free-agent/320895/13 "2005-09-10T16:30:58Z")
Me, too, sorta . . . Yesterday was my last day at work, at a magazine I’d been for eight years (I was one of the founding editors). Then Insane Bitch Boss arrived and began making life miserable for us old-timers, so we’d leave and she could replace us with her Pod People. So, I’m out of magazine publishing entirely, after 20-some years, and will be starting a new career (less money! less benefits! no vacation!) on the 19th. _Excelsior!_ ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2005, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-im-a-free-agent/320895/14 "2005-09-10T21:01:05Z")
I’ve found myself unemployed a number of times due to downsizing (my next phase of unemployment may start in November!) and I’ve always been better off moving on down the road. There is no “cradle-to-grave” employment these days. Move on, grow, and learn. Best of luck! ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2005, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-im-a-free-agent/320895/15 "2005-09-10T22:24:59Z")
My last day of work was August 31. I haven’t been looking because we’re going out of town next week, but once we’re back, time to look again. Sigh. I’ll probably just go work temp again. It’s better than getting kicked in the head daily. ---
**Author:** ![FilmGeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@FilmGeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FilmGeek)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2005, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-im-a-free-agent/320895/16 "2005-09-10T23:03:49Z")
My last day was Aug 31st too! I’ve been putting out feelers, just like everyone else. Temp agencies are scheduled for Monday. ---
**Author:** ![Misnomer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misnomer/32/14897_2.png) [@Misnomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Misnomer)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2005, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-im-a-free-agent/320895/17 "2005-09-12T03:36:43Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Actually, a couple of interesting things. Thanks Mis. 🙂 You’re welcome. 🙂 > [@](#): > > I’m going to look at it more carefully and let you know this weekend. If you see something that catches your eye and you’d like more info about the company, feel free to e-mail me through my profile. But, of course, don’t think twice if nothing seems right for you on second look – no obligation, yadda yadda yadda.