# Well, pretty sure I'm going to lose my job tomorrow...again. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 5, 2020, 9:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-pretty-sure-im-going-to-lose-my-job-tomorrow-again/853171 "2020-05-05T09:44:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2020, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-pretty-sure-im-going-to-lose-my-job-tomorrow-again/853171/21 "2020-05-06T22:04:14Z")
> [@pullin](#): > > This is an excellent point, and one of the (maybe) few good things from the CV. With half the country out of work, it’s kind of hard to hold onto that stigma anymore. Yeah, I’d rather say that I was laid off with the rest of my management team from a job I really liked as part of budget cuts than have to come up with reasons for wanting or having to changes jobs after not quite a year. Truth is, this might have happened anyway. This company always seemed kind of volatile. I think what I find frustrating about being laid off is that even at 47, I have no idea what I “want” to do for a living. I take engagement manager tech / business consulting jobs because that’s really all I know how to do. But it’s not really a “profession” IMHO. It’s just smart people getting together to try and solve some random problem. And it doesn’t really have a career path besides “partner at a consulting firm”, which is basically just selling professional services. I always feel like I should have just picked something like “marketing” or “accounting” or whatever and just keep doing that until I become VP of Marketing or CFO at some company. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2020, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-pretty-sure-im-going-to-lose-my-job-tomorrow-again/853171/22 "2020-05-07T05:00:23Z")
Good luck. I’m pulling for you. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2020, 9:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-pretty-sure-im-going-to-lose-my-job-tomorrow-again/853171/23 "2020-05-07T09:40:16Z")
Sorry to hear that but at least you received a nice severance. In the meantime maybe you can take comfort in a meme I recall: > [@](#): > > When one door closes, another door opens. I’m a lousy cabinet maker. mmm ---
**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:** [May 7, 2020, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-pretty-sure-im-going-to-lose-my-job-tomorrow-again/853171/24 "2020-05-07T21:18:08Z")
I was trying to think of something clever or useful to say, but…ugh. Sorry, man. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2020, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-pretty-sure-im-going-to-lose-my-job-tomorrow-again/853171/25 "2020-05-07T22:32:47Z")
Thank you. Yes, the situation sucks and is disappointing. But as I said, the company was pretty generous (more than they actually needed to be) and I feel like I was treated well. Under the current circumstances, I can’t really complain that much. I mean there are a lot of people out there who have real financial problems because of what’s going on. At least I’ve been saving money by not going out for the past 3 months. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2020, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-pretty-sure-im-going-to-lose-my-job-tomorrow-again/853171/26 "2020-05-08T05:11:46Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > I think what I find frustrating about being laid off is that even at 47, I have no idea what I “want” to do for a living. I take engagement manager tech / business consulting jobs because that’s really all I know how to do. But it’s not really a “profession” IMHO. It’s just smart people getting together to try and solve some random problem. And it doesn’t really have a career path besides “partner at a consulting firm”, which is basically just selling professional services. I always feel like I should have just picked something like “marketing”… Well, I’ve taught Marketing classes, and 99% of it is common sense. So if you’re smart and can solve problems, all you need to be a Marketing Guru is a new business card. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2020, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-pretty-sure-im-going-to-lose-my-job-tomorrow-again/853171/27 "2020-05-11T21:50:04Z")
> [@digs](#): > > Well, I’ve taught Marketing classes, and 99% of it is common sense. So if you’re smart and can solve problems, all you need to be a Marketing Guru is a new business card. I’m just using marketing as an example. It could be anything really. What I really want is to just work at some company that doesn’t drive me crazy for 5-10 years. Maybe rise up the ladder a bit. > [@dalej42](#): > > The only thing that will help is that with so many people being laid off, there won’t be the question in the back of the mind of your new employer about ‘Why did they let that person go, anyway?’ No, but it will likely be a lot more people looking for work. And it’s an environment will it will be extremely hard to network with people face to face. In the worst-hit region. ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2020, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-pretty-sure-im-going-to-lose-my-job-tomorrow-again/853171/28 "2020-05-14T03:31:40Z")
I have managed to survive 3 layoffs since this covid thing started. Hard to believe that I only started this job in February. But that tells you what you already know about working in call centers. I haven’t worked in a call center in over 25 years, but nothing has changed except for wage stagnation. I am working my butt off for very little money and they are happy to have someone who can be accurate with information (my job collects information as well as dispenses it) and knows how to spell. I am actually digging into retirement money to pay bills so it’s a lot like being laid off, only there’s less time to job hunt. Still and all, I am grateful for the work which helps distract me from the rest of my current reality. If there’s anything I can do to help you mssmith, please PM me. I’m overly experienced at job hunting and matching what I’ve been doing with the description of the job I’m trying for. And proofreading resumes, I’m great at that. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2020, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-pretty-sure-im-going-to-lose-my-job-tomorrow-again/853171/29 "2020-05-26T19:50:37Z")
> [@carnut](#): > > If there’s anything I can do to help you mssmith, please PM me. I’m overly experienced at job hunting and matching what I’ve been doing with the description of the job I’m trying for. And proofreading resumes, I’m great at that. Thank you for your offer. My old company is actually providing 3 free months of outplacement service to help with resumes and whatnot. Unfortunately I am also overly experienced with job hunting. I’ve tried various approaches in the past and I ultimately find a decent job (obviously), but ultimately it always feel “random”. Clearly there is always a bit of luck and chance. But what I mean by random is that it usually feels like me finding a job has little correlation with how much effort I put in or where I direct those efforts. Right now I’m actually just having a lot of lack of motivation to even look. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2020, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-pretty-sure-im-going-to-lose-my-job-tomorrow-again/853171/30 "2020-05-26T20:13:07Z")
When I suddenly found myself job-hunting during the last recession, I lost count of how many people said "Not many jobs out there right now… _Har, har…"_ (including CEOs that I was having “Informational Interviews” with). My reply was “Well, there only needs to be one…” (eliciting another _Har, har)._ By the way, after two months of pounding the pavement and depleting the savings, I ended up with a great job and amazing co-workers, so hang in there! ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2020, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-pretty-sure-im-going-to-lose-my-job-tomorrow-again/853171/31 "2020-05-27T02:38:27Z")
> [@digs](#): > > When I suddenly found myself job-hunting during the last recession, I lost count of how many people said "Not many jobs out there right now… _Har, har…"_ (including CEOs that I was having “Informational Interviews” with). My reply was “Well, there only needs to be one…” (eliciting another _Har, har)._ > > By the way, after two months of pounding the pavement and depleting the savings, I ended up with a great job and amazing co-workers, so hang in there! I don’t feel like I’m in the “hang in there” stage yet. I’m really more in the “ok, let’s get this started” stage. ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2020, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-pretty-sure-im-going-to-lose-my-job-tomorrow-again/853171/32 "2020-06-01T01:01:26Z")
Speaking from my experience, the sooner you look, the more interest in you. After a bit, they wonder why you still don’t have a job. My quick answer is “ageism” but there also has to be a willingness to on our part to take a risk. So here I am making enough money to make my house payment and a couple of my bills. I’m digging into savings for the rest right now. But I have health insurance, which is good because I need it. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2020, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-pretty-sure-im-going-to-lose-my-job-tomorrow-again/853171/33 "2020-06-01T01:16:30Z")
> [@carnut](#): > > Speaking from my experience, the sooner you look, the more interest in you. After a bit, they wonder why you still don’t have a job. My quick answer is “ageism” but there also has to be a willingness to on our part to take a risk. So here I am making enough money to make my house payment and a couple of my bills. I’m digging into savings for the rest right now. But I have health insurance, which is good because I need it. You can stop your mortgage payments under the CARES Act. Any missed payment will just be added to the end of your term. Interest doesn’t accrue and the mortgage provider is forbidden to tell the credit rating agencies. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2020, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-pretty-sure-im-going-to-lose-my-job-tomorrow-again/853171/34 "2020-06-01T20:44:19Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > I don’t feel like I’m in the “hang in there” stage yet. I’m really more in the “ok, let’s get this started” stage. When I was job hunting, I heard you get 23 No’s before you get a Yes. So if a lead fizzled out, I just thought, “Okay, I’m closer to 23…” ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2020, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-pretty-sure-im-going-to-lose-my-job-tomorrow-again/853171/35 "2020-06-03T03:13:26Z")
> [@digs](#): > > When I was job hunting, I heard you get 23 No’s before you get a Yes. So if a lead fizzled out, I just thought, “Okay, I’m closer to 23…” It’s just a tedious process and it takes awhile. You have to assume there are at least several people similar to you interviewing for the job. What sucks is now I have to deal with all the idiots in the “finding people jobs” industry. I mean a few months ago, I’m leading teams of people, working with senior level executives at Fortune 500 companies showing them how they can save money with our cutting edge software. Now I have to listen to morons explain how to tailor my resume so some search engine will select it from a thousand candidates for some generic job posting for a position that would have reported to me five years ago. ---
**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:** [June 6, 2020, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-pretty-sure-im-going-to-lose-my-job-tomorrow-again/853171/36 "2020-06-06T14:43:08Z")
Any chance you’re in a position to give yourself a break and take some time off from the job hunt? Maybe even just a week? _(I figure that if you were, you would/would have, but sometimes it doesn’t occur to people…)_ I vote for spending two weeks on your couch binge-watching _[House of Lies](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1797404/)_. too soon? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2020, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-pretty-sure-im-going-to-lose-my-job-tomorrow-again/853171/37 "2020-06-08T01:11:44Z")
> [@Misnomer](#): > > Any chance you’re in a position to give yourself a break and take some time off from the job hunt? Maybe even just a week? > > _(I figure that if you were, you would/would have, but sometimes it doesn’t occur to people…)_ > > I vote for spending two weeks on your couch binge-watching _[House of Lies](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1797404/)_. > > too soon? 😃 Even with job hunting, I try to find some time to relax. Also, I’ve already seen every episode of House of Lies.😉 ---
**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:** [June 8, 2020, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-pretty-sure-im-going-to-lose-my-job-tomorrow-again/853171/38 "2020-06-08T13:18:42Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > Even with job hunting, I try to find some time to relax. Good. > [@](#): > > Also, I’ve already seen every episode of House of Lies.😉 So had I, but the other week I saw that Amazon Prime Video had it (I was re-watching _House_ and _[Hustle](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0379632/)_ over there) and figured I’d just re-watch the pilot episode, for fun. Now I’m halfway through season four (again). Helluva show. ---
**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:** [June 8, 2020, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-pretty-sure-im-going-to-lose-my-job-tomorrow-again/853171/39 "2020-06-08T14:21:26Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > Even with job hunting, I try to find some time to relax. > > Also, I’ve already seen every episode of House of Lies.😉 Lived a few, I’d imagine. Can’t not have in this business. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2020, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-pretty-sure-im-going-to-lose-my-job-tomorrow-again/853171/40 "2020-06-08T17:00:39Z")
> [@Misnomer](#): > > Good. I mean it’s hard not to. Like you can’t just sit at your desk and “job search” 8+ hours a day. You’ll burn out or go crazy from filling out applications. I don’t understand people who lose their job and then “take time off” (more than a week or two) before starting their job search with no job lined up. Finding a job can take months. What do they need a break from? Most stuff I like to do I can squeeze in while job hunting. > [@QuickSilver](#): > > Lived a few, I’d imagine. Can’t not have in this business. True. My professional life feels like that show and HBO’s Silicon Valley. I kind of bounce back and forth between consulting firms and tech companies (or tech consulting firms, or Technology practices in management consulting firms). I’m kind of like a cross between Jared Dunn (Zach Woods) from Pied Piper and Clyde Oberholt (Ben Schwartz) from Kaan & Associates. Maybe I’ll start watching that show Billions. That looks pretty good. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-pretty-sure-im-going-to-lose-my-job-tomorrow-again/853171.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-pretty-sure-im-going-to-lose-my-job-tomorrow-again/853171.md?page=3)