Always have some savings regardless of how well things are going.
Apply for unemployment as soon as you can.
I assume your wife is working??
Apply for unemployment as soon as you can.
I assume your wife is working??
Laid off Dec 16, 3rd layoff in two years
- Thread starter THE_TROTS
- Start date
- Status
Yah, I was 11 yrs into career #3 back in '04. I got the chop with no notice. Talk about a jolt.3 kids in college, 53 yrs old.Marina was going through the change and our marriage got very rocky. Then my father died, and a 2 yrs later, I was diagnosed with breast cancer of all things. I odd jobbed for 3 yrs until I got the job I have now. Its a union shop and I will never have the shock of being cut with no notice. Say what you want about unions, at least they are civilized about lay offs.
2 pieces of advice, if you're bumming, try an anti-depressant. Beating cancer taught me a few things. Mostly that life is too short to be depressed, it is such a time waster and clouds up even the smallest action.
2 pieces of advice, if you're bumming, try an anti-depressant. Beating cancer taught me a few things. Mostly that life is too short to be depressed, it is such a time waster and clouds up even the smallest action.
Originally Posted By: Chris B.
Work at Wal-Mart. They will hire you and you never have to worry about being laid off. I went to work for them 15 years ago and now I own my own home, raising a family and have no money problems. They treat us really well and even as an hourly associate you can work your way up to $20+ an hour.
The [censored] about Wal-Mart treating their workers poorly and low paying jobs is just that, [censored]! Good luck and stay strong! We will pray for you! God bless!
Rock solid job security at Wal-Mart for sure. I did 7 years there before taking another opportunity. It wasn't great money but its was guaranteed money every two weeks. A degree, skills, and motivation could land you in a management position in a few years, about 40k or so. But, you would have to work at wal-mart and with all the bad customers and even bad co-workers that go along with it.
You could come to Utah, unemployment in the 4-5% range, it is actually harder for companies to find good workers than it is to find a job.
Work at Wal-Mart. They will hire you and you never have to worry about being laid off. I went to work for them 15 years ago and now I own my own home, raising a family and have no money problems. They treat us really well and even as an hourly associate you can work your way up to $20+ an hour.
The [censored] about Wal-Mart treating their workers poorly and low paying jobs is just that, [censored]! Good luck and stay strong! We will pray for you! God bless!
Rock solid job security at Wal-Mart for sure. I did 7 years there before taking another opportunity. It wasn't great money but its was guaranteed money every two weeks. A degree, skills, and motivation could land you in a management position in a few years, about 40k or so. But, you would have to work at wal-mart and with all the bad customers and even bad co-workers that go along with it.
You could come to Utah, unemployment in the 4-5% range, it is actually harder for companies to find good workers than it is to find a job.
Sorry to hear of your layoff. I endured it once in my 38 year ongoing career. Once was enough.
What kind of machinist are you? Do any of these 158 job postings in Michigan meet your needs?
http://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=+Machinist&l=Michigan
Best wishes in your endeavors.
What kind of machinist are you? Do any of these 158 job postings in Michigan meet your needs?
http://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=+Machinist&l=Michigan
Best wishes in your endeavors.
Originally Posted By: THE_TROTS
have totally given up on our capitalist/free market/corporatism economic system.
Not sure if this is a troll post to stir up controversy, but I'll bite:
People need to understand, we do not live under a true capitalist, free market economy anymore. Rather a crony capitalist system with a heavily regulated, highly taxed, welfare state, semi-free market economy.
have totally given up on our capitalist/free market/corporatism economic system.
Not sure if this is a troll post to stir up controversy, but I'll bite:
People need to understand, we do not live under a true capitalist, free market economy anymore. Rather a crony capitalist system with a heavily regulated, highly taxed, welfare state, semi-free market economy.
Originally Posted By: THE_TROTS
Hello all, just looking to vent here.
My wife and I have had no Christmas this year. I was laid off on Dec 16. This is my third layoff in two years, and my second layoff from this employer.
I have a college education, and I am highly motivated. I cannot understand why I seem to have no value while I see "making it" every day.
My bank account has a balance of zero, and I am looking at selling my home and moving in with my mother in law; I just don't have enough to money/assets to sell to support us until I can hopefully soon find another job.
Have about given up on myself, and have totally given up on our capitalist/free market/corporatism economic system.
Thats all.
I hear ya....though the good news is things are improving here...I just helped a good friend find a job. Now it is my turn. Got an updated resume and I'm fired up and ready to go...
And to add a little cheese to your whine (pun intended)
, I've got you beat- I've been laid off SIX times in the last 10 years...and it sucks! And I've never had to get unemployment, as I have always had a second (sometimes first) job to pay the bills...and my wife and I have been through some really rough times! And Retail is killing me (in many ways), so I'm making a never say die attitude to find that better job. So I have one word: Network! And network some more!
That being said, I can always use more people on my linkedin!!!
Hello all, just looking to vent here.
My wife and I have had no Christmas this year. I was laid off on Dec 16. This is my third layoff in two years, and my second layoff from this employer.
I have a college education, and I am highly motivated. I cannot understand why I seem to have no value while I see "making it" every day.
My bank account has a balance of zero, and I am looking at selling my home and moving in with my mother in law; I just don't have enough to money/assets to sell to support us until I can hopefully soon find another job.
Have about given up on myself, and have totally given up on our capitalist/free market/corporatism economic system.
Thats all.
I hear ya....though the good news is things are improving here...I just helped a good friend find a job. Now it is my turn. Got an updated resume and I'm fired up and ready to go...
And to add a little cheese to your whine (pun intended)
, I've got you beat- I've been laid off SIX times in the last 10 years...and it sucks! And I've never had to get unemployment, as I have always had a second (sometimes first) job to pay the bills...and my wife and I have been through some really rough times! And Retail is killing me (in many ways), so I'm making a never say die attitude to find that better job. So I have one word: Network! And network some more!That being said, I can always use more people on my linkedin!!!
I have a college education, and I am highly motivated. I cannot understand why I seem to have no value while I see "making it" every day.
A degree isn't worth what it used to be, since everybody else has at least one these days.
A degree isn't worth what it used to be, since everybody else has at least one these days.
Sorry Bro, MI is a strange place to work, most jobs are gone before they are posted, you really need to "know" someone to get a job. Ask how I know?
I feel your pain, you really need to take a look at yourself and do a SWAT analysis of yourself. Decide where want to live and what jobs are out there.
Now take deep breath and decide on which of these you can do and get retrained in, make sure you pick one that is transferable and is in demand.
I feel your pain, you really need to take a look at yourself and do a SWAT analysis of yourself. Decide where want to live and what jobs are out there.
Now take deep breath and decide on which of these you can do and get retrained in, make sure you pick one that is transferable and is in demand.
Originally Posted By: zzyzzx
I have a college education, and I am highly motivated. I cannot understand why I seem to have no value while I see "making it" every day.
A degree isn't worth what it used to be, since everybody else has at least one these days.
In my books a degree is not worth the paper it is printed on, unless you have one that is part of a licensed profession.
Most of the people I fired in the last 5 years all had MBA's, go figure.
I have a college education, and I am highly motivated. I cannot understand why I seem to have no value while I see "making it" every day.
A degree isn't worth what it used to be, since everybody else has at least one these days.
In my books a degree is not worth the paper it is printed on, unless you have one that is part of a licensed profession.
Most of the people I fired in the last 5 years all had MBA's, go figure.
That has to be hard to get laid off a third time in two years. Did you have an option of another company when you went back to this one? If I had been laid off once and had other options probably would have not gone back.
Anything is better than nothing. Even if it's flipping burgers or volunteering; companies don't want to hire unemployed people for some reason.
Originally Posted By: Chris B.
Work at Wal-Mart. They will hire you and you never have to worry about being laid off. I went to work for them 15 years ago and now I own my own home, raising a family and have no money problems. They treat us really well and even as an hourly associate you can work your way up to $20+ an hour.
The [censored] about Wal-Mart treating their workers poorly and low paying jobs is just that, [censored]! Good luck and stay strong! We will pray for you! God bless!
Neat little secret: Target (the one that everyone loves) pays their employees less than Walmart ...
Anything is better than nothing. Even if it's flipping burgers or volunteering; companies don't want to hire unemployed people for some reason.
Originally Posted By: Chris B.
Work at Wal-Mart. They will hire you and you never have to worry about being laid off. I went to work for them 15 years ago and now I own my own home, raising a family and have no money problems. They treat us really well and even as an hourly associate you can work your way up to $20+ an hour.
The [censored] about Wal-Mart treating their workers poorly and low paying jobs is just that, [censored]! Good luck and stay strong! We will pray for you! God bless!
Neat little secret: Target (the one that everyone loves) pays their employees less than Walmart ...
Originally Posted By: dareo
Originally Posted By: Chris B.
Work at Wal-Mart. They will hire you and you never have to worry about being laid off. I went to work for them 15 years ago and now I own my own home, raising a family and have no money problems. They treat us really well and even as an hourly associate you can work your way up to $20+ an hour.
The [censored] about Wal-Mart treating their workers poorly and low paying jobs is just that, [censored]! Good luck and stay strong! We will pray for you! God bless!
Rock solid job security at Wal-Mart for sure. I did 7 years there before taking another opportunity. It wasn't great money but its was guaranteed money every two weeks. A degree, skills, and motivation could land you in a management position in a few years, about 40k or so. But, you would have to work at wal-mart and with all the bad customers and even bad co-workers that go along with it.
You could come to Utah, unemployment in the 4-5% range, it is actually harder for companies to find good workers than it is to find a job.
This is a bit rosier of experience than people I know who have worked there. Instead of layoffs, the department/store decided to cut hours, over time taking full time employees hours from 40 a week into the mid 20s, as people left they would hire more employees rather than giving existing employees more hours.
Originally Posted By: Chris B.
Work at Wal-Mart. They will hire you and you never have to worry about being laid off. I went to work for them 15 years ago and now I own my own home, raising a family and have no money problems. They treat us really well and even as an hourly associate you can work your way up to $20+ an hour.
The [censored] about Wal-Mart treating their workers poorly and low paying jobs is just that, [censored]! Good luck and stay strong! We will pray for you! God bless!
Rock solid job security at Wal-Mart for sure. I did 7 years there before taking another opportunity. It wasn't great money but its was guaranteed money every two weeks. A degree, skills, and motivation could land you in a management position in a few years, about 40k or so. But, you would have to work at wal-mart and with all the bad customers and even bad co-workers that go along with it.
You could come to Utah, unemployment in the 4-5% range, it is actually harder for companies to find good workers than it is to find a job.
This is a bit rosier of experience than people I know who have worked there. Instead of layoffs, the department/store decided to cut hours, over time taking full time employees hours from 40 a week into the mid 20s, as people left they would hire more employees rather than giving existing employees more hours.
Wow thank you everyone for your replies.
I have tried to respond to most of yours, if I have not don't be upset, this took me quite a while as it is.
Originally Posted By: thorromig
Maybe and hopefully you will be able to open up a claim with unemployment that will give you soo many benefit weeks to collect for the time being. At least you will have some kinda income coming in. In the meantime look and look harder for work. Good luck to you and your family overall. Don't give up just yet. Stay focused and hopefully a door will open very soon for you.
I filed an unemployment claim Dec 17. As of today Jan 9 my claim still has not been processed. I have had no income since the week of Dec 16.
Originally Posted By: 99Saturn
Originally Posted By: dareo
Originally Posted By: Chris B.
Work at Wal-Mart. They will hire you and you never have to worry about being laid off. I went to work for them 15 years ago and now I own my own home, raising a family and have no money problems. They treat us really well and even as an hourly associate you can work your way up to $20+ an hour.
The [censored] about Wal-Mart treating their workers poorly and low paying jobs is just that, [censored]! Good luck and stay strong! We will pray for you! God bless!
Rock solid job security at Wal-Mart for sure. I did 7 years there before taking another opportunity. It wasn't great money but its was guaranteed money every two weeks. A degree, skills, and motivation could land you in a management position in a few years, about 40k or so. But, you would have to work at wal-mart and with all the bad customers and even bad co-workers that go along with it.
You could come to Utah, unemployment in the 4-5% range, it is actually harder for companies to find good workers than it is to find a job.
This is a bit rosier of experience than people I know who have worked there. Instead of layoffs, the department/store decided to cut hours, over time taking full time employees hours from 40 a week into the mid 20s, as people left they would hire more employees rather than giving existing employees more hours.
Thank you. I may end up at WalMart.
I spent 4 years in retail, and I am no stranger to employers playing games with people's hours.
Originally Posted By: Miller88
That has to be hard to get laid off a third time in two years. Did you have an option of another company when you went back to this one? If I had been laid off once and had other options probably would have not gone back.
Anything is better than nothing. Even if it's flipping burgers or volunteering; companies don't want to hire unemployed people for some reason.
My decision to go back after being laid off once was based only on supporting my family, they paid 30% more than I was making. BTW, I was making less than $30K a year so it's not like I was living the high life here.
Originally Posted By: gathermewool
What's your degree in and how motivated are you to move to a state with a stabler economy?
Moving is a huge deal, I know, but if you're as hard-working as you claim, it [censored] me off that you struggle while ******s make it, too!
Thank you. I went to a community college for their automotive technology program.
I cannot afford to move. I cannot afford to pay my rent as it is. Soon I will not be able to eat.
Originally Posted By: antiqueshell
Sorry to hear about your situation. It's not much comfort HOWEVER you are certainly not alone, the US economy for main street is about as bad as it can get without being a depression. I have to laugh at the mass media because they keep LYING about the unemployment numbers, the fact is that current there is fewer Americans employed than at anytime since the late 70s. The reason that PHONY UE number keeps going down isn't because more folks are getting jobs, it is because as their benefits end they are dropped from the rolls. Not to mention that U2 is in and of itself a farce. The number they don't want you to look at and NEVER mention in the mass media is U6.
Of course something else just as important is that most of the newly created jobs are lower paying and often part time. Nearly worthless to someone who expects to support themselves and a family.
Thank you. I couldn't agree more.
Originally Posted By: dave munson
I here you. And, I understand. Christmas through the new year is unpaid time off for me also. No vacation. No pto. No benefits. And if last year was the example there will be at least a few weeks of unemployment next year (others at work already got notice).
Update Linkedin. Get your resume to date - get your story straight. There is not a lot of options in this new corporate society. Spring is normally the time for hiring new people and you need to be ready.
You are not alone.
Thank you. I haven no idea what Linkedin is. If it is like facebook or myspace I have no interest.
Originally Posted By: bmwjohn
just a thought. There are several schools (oddly enough, all from Kansas City) that offer short "continuing ed" seminars. One is "star 12" which is a 12 month pass on taking 3 types of courses over 12 months for $299 total. Around Indianapolis you could squeeze 32? courses in, some live and some on the Internet. They are essentially each 1 day or less. FMLA, Intro to HR, Dealing with Difficult People, Excel Tips, MS Outlook for Business, Marketing on Facebook, OSHA overview, etc. You get a PDF saying you took a course, no grade, credits, etc. Next job opportunity you list the 30? classes you recently took. IU-Bloomington and Yale Law School are both offering similar courses, since new attorneys need a little practical skill to give their new employers.Look up STAR 12, and give it some thought
Thank you. I lack the funds to move.
Originally Posted By: Bill7
Once you get your next job, you may wish to live below your means and setup a monthly automatic deposit into a savings account or mutual fund. This way, if/when you get laid off again, you will have a rainy day fund / retirement fund. The trick is to live in a frugal way, so even on a very low salary, you can live on 80% of it and save the other 20% every month. Websites like: www.stretcher.com can help, if you are interested in the frugal / debtfree life style.
Always good advice, but I was not making a ton to begin with, it is hard to save money on 30K a year.
Originally Posted By: Indydriver
You don't provide any information about your education, the field you've been working in, the field you want to work in, the type of company you want to work for or anything else really except your sense of desperation after things going against you for a couple of years.
I don't know what kind of long term opportunities are available in Wixom, MI but Michigan has been one of the toughest employment areas in the country for years now. I'm in Indiana and a lot of people (including my own company) are hiring. You need to expand your horizons, be willing to relocate and get more aggressive in your job search.
I went to school to be an auto tech. I don't have ASE/manufacture certs or 80 grand in tools, I have state certs tho. Have not been able to get hired as a tech; I am not a 19 year old kid living with my parents therefore I don't have the time to change oil for years before I am moved into my own bay.
My last job was running a manual VTL lathe for a company that manufactures forgings. Before that I was a commercial dispatcher for an auto parts chain for 4 years, while doing that I took a job as a diesel tech for a R&D startup before they laid me off.
I would like to be a tech but have not been able to break into that.
Originally Posted By: Cujet
I am sorry to hear of your situation. Clearly, you are not alone.
I work for a wealthy guy, in his "corporate flight department". He is relocating from FL, to CA and I will soon be out of a job. It's a very uncomfortable feeling. To top it off, my health has been poor lately. This is not the first time I've been faced with this, and each time, I've pulled through. Not easily, but I've done it!
Like you, we had no Christmas. No presents, no cards, nothing. We are saving what ever we can to get by.
Here is my take on the situation: The world owes me nothing. Life is full of horrors, despair, abject poverty, suffering, disease and death. I am not going to let those negatives define my life. I'll do my very best to pull myself up by my bootstraps and press on.
I have a wonderful wife and family, great relatives and good friends. I even have a few extra pounds of stored energy for "lean times". It's unlikely that I will starve. And, it's unlikely that I will be out on the street completely homeless and living in my car. I'm determined to make the best of it, right up until God takes me home.
One good thing about all of this. Many intelligent people are "hungry" for success. I'd love to join forces with some of them and make a new business.
You are right. I am just tired of being a good employee and thrown out like the garbage.
Originally Posted By: Cujet
Originally Posted By: THE_TROTS
Have about given up on myself, and have totally given up on our capitalist/free market/corporatism economic system.
Of course, if you give up on yourself, you've become depressed and won't function properly. If some form of opportunity comes along, you won't make the effort, further ruining your situation. It's a "graveyard spiral" that needs to be avoided at all costs.
Remember, the capitalist/free market system owes you nothing. You can take advantage of it, or not. I choose to take advantage of it. Even if I have to be a "handyman" and do "day labor". For God's sake, I'll mow lawns if I have to.
I know the economic system owes me nothing. I am just tired of doing everything I can for my job and being tossed aside.
Originally Posted By: Rick in PA
Remember that in the history of mankind, many many have faced difficulties, trouble and peril that make our current situation pale in comparison. And they survived.
Sometimes I worry about our economic situation and wonder how it will affect my children. But all will survive.
Things change. They always do. I have seen it.
Keep your head up.
P.S. Cujet, "graveyard spiral" excellent choice of words, yeah, Trots don't go there.
I know. My grandfather spent years (US Army 1940-1945) in the south pacific as a medic, I don't know how he survived.
How do people have children in this world when you can be homeless tomorrow?
Things have not changed for the better, at least in the last three years.
Originally Posted By: Char Baby
I have been in your situation in the past and was without work for 7 1/2 months and during the Christmas Holidays. Keep your chin up as something will certainly come along.
Have you been able to collect on your states unemployment insurance? This is what helped get me throught he dry times.
Though it's been a very long time and I have been blessed to be imployed since, I understand your pain.
I will pray for your situation.
PTL,
CB
I filed unemployment Dec 17. As of Jan 9 my claim has still not been processed.
Originally Posted By: SF0059
I understand where you are coming from. Following the economic crash in 2008 I lost my job of almost 10 years. I was in California at the time and the job market was drier than the Mojave. I was out of work from June 08 to February 09 when I finally had to swallow my pride and get a job at Starbucks. You know what? It wasn't a half bad job! At the time I felt like a complete failure since I was college educated with professional skills, but Starbucks treats their employees well and I had benefits.
I moved to Virginia in August of 08. My wife-to-be and I decided that the cost of living and job market was significantly better out here. We had friends in the area and thought we would give it a shot. It took me from August-November 08 to find a job here. It isn't the job I saw myself doing, but you know what? It pays the bills and I have insurance and a matching 401k.
I work in higher education now and my wife is a nanny. We both make below the median income for our area. But we have been able to become completely debt free during these 5 years. I had to realize that relocation and taking jobs that weren't my cup-of-tea was the key to riding out an economic downturn.
Keep your chin up. I know it is hard from personal experience. But keep up the good fight. Be willing to take jobs that you would consider entry level or menial. Be willing to relocate. Never stop looking for work around you or in other locations. Look into the southeast. The economy has remained more stable than the rest of the country. I would posit that this is because it is a more purely capitalistic, self-made area where opportunity can still be found.
Don't give up on yourself or what made the country you live in great. You are the master of your own destiny, not a victim of the times. Look forward, look up and realize that life is to short to worry in inaction.
Praying for you friend and wishing you the best.
Thank you.
I have worked retail so I am not below any job.
I would love to move but lack the funds.
Originally Posted By: eljefino
Can you change oil? Go work at Jiffy lube. When you're moving around you get exercise which improves your mood. I have a liberal arts degree and worked in a tire shop for a spell... it was cool!!! There's plenty of advancement to doing lube jobs at a dealership, on to flat rate tech, service writer, etc.
Or can you get seasonal work teaching skiing, driving an oil delivery truck, etc? A fella's got to stay moving to stay from going crazy.
If your email address lampoons diharrea as much as your username here does, change it before sending out resumes.
I have two interviews at quick lubes.
My email is not the_trots.
Originally Posted By: Cujet
Alternate point of view:
For 10,000 years of mankind's recorded history, man lived in abject poverty and had no way to combat disease. Man was subject to the whims of the weather for crop growth, the herds of animals for meat and so on. Millions of families starved, froze, roasted, dessicated due to drought and died of simple disease. Heck, just purchasing lumber to make a house was nearly impossible.
Today, Mankind here in America does not have these worries. We are so prosperous, we can build a nice place out of scrap and discarded materials.
Please, please, please understand this. We have it made today! It's a wonderful time to be alive! Have your friends buy you a beer and plan something worthwhile.
Ya.
Originally Posted By: rshaw125
Always have some savings regardless of how well things are going.
Apply for unemployment as soon as you can.
I assume your wife is working??
My wife is not working. She believes I am the man and it is my responsibility to pay all the bills.
Originally Posted By: andyd
Yah, I was 11 yrs into career #3 back in '04. I got the chop with no notice. Talk about a jolt.3 kids in college, 53 yrs old.Marina was going through the change and our marriage got very rocky. Then my father died, and a 2 yrs later, I was diagnosed with breast cancer of all things. I odd jobbed for 3 yrs until I got the job I have now. Its a union shop and I will never have the shock of being cut with no notice. Say what you want about unions, at least they are civilized about lay offs.
2 pieces of advice, if you're bumming, try an anti-depressant. Beating cancer taught me a few things. Mostly that life is too short to be depressed, it is such a time waster and clouds up even the smallest action.
I would love a union job. The UAW is the only reason my mother, and then me had any sort of decent childhood.
However Michigan's Republican governor and legislature have taken out a war on organized labor. Not many union jobs in Mi anymore.
Originally Posted By: doitmyself
Sorry to hear of your layoff. I endured it once in my 38 year ongoing career. Once was enough.
What kind of machinist are you? Do any of these 158 job postings in Michigan meet your needs?
http://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=+Machinist&l=Michigan
Best wishes in your endeavors.
Thank you.
I was a manual VTL lathe operators.
Most machining jobs are CNC which I don't have experience.
Originally Posted By: Rock_Hudstone
Originally Posted By: THE_TROTS
have totally given up on our capitalist/free market/corporatism economic system.
Not sure if this is a troll post to stir up controversy, but I'll bite:
People need to understand, we do not live under a true capitalist, free market economy anymore. Rather a crony capitalist system with a heavily regulated, highly taxed, welfare state, semi-free market economy.
Personally, I believe that everything Karl Marx said would happen, has. That's all I have to say about that.
Originally Posted By: daves87rs
Originally Posted By: THE_TROTS
Hello all, just looking to vent here.
My wife and I have had no Christmas this year. I was laid off on Dec 16. This is my third layoff in two years, and my second layoff from this employer.
I have a college education, and I am highly motivated. I cannot understand why I seem to have no value while I see "making it" every day.
My bank account has a balance of zero, and I am looking at selling my home and moving in with my mother in law; I just don't have enough to money/assets to sell to support us until I can hopefully soon find another job.
Have about given up on myself, and have totally given up on our capitalist/free market/corporatism economic system.
Thats all.
I hear ya....though the good news is things are improving here...I just helped a good friend find a job. Now it is my turn. Got an updated resume and I'm fired up and ready to go...
And to add a little cheese to your whine (pun intended), I've got you beat- I've been laid off SIX times in the last 10 years...and it sucks! And I've never had to get unemployment, as I have always had a second (sometimes first) job to pay the bills...and my wife and I have been through some really rough times! And Retail is killing me (in many ways), so I'm making a never say die attitude to find that better job. So I have one word: Network! And network some more!
That being said, I can always use more people on my linkedin!!!
I wish you the best. Layoffs are terrible.
I have tried to respond to most of yours, if I have not don't be upset, this took me quite a while as it is.
Originally Posted By: thorromig
Maybe and hopefully you will be able to open up a claim with unemployment that will give you soo many benefit weeks to collect for the time being. At least you will have some kinda income coming in. In the meantime look and look harder for work. Good luck to you and your family overall. Don't give up just yet. Stay focused and hopefully a door will open very soon for you.
I filed an unemployment claim Dec 17. As of today Jan 9 my claim still has not been processed. I have had no income since the week of Dec 16.
Originally Posted By: 99Saturn
Originally Posted By: dareo
Originally Posted By: Chris B.
Work at Wal-Mart. They will hire you and you never have to worry about being laid off. I went to work for them 15 years ago and now I own my own home, raising a family and have no money problems. They treat us really well and even as an hourly associate you can work your way up to $20+ an hour.
The [censored] about Wal-Mart treating their workers poorly and low paying jobs is just that, [censored]! Good luck and stay strong! We will pray for you! God bless!
Rock solid job security at Wal-Mart for sure. I did 7 years there before taking another opportunity. It wasn't great money but its was guaranteed money every two weeks. A degree, skills, and motivation could land you in a management position in a few years, about 40k or so. But, you would have to work at wal-mart and with all the bad customers and even bad co-workers that go along with it.
You could come to Utah, unemployment in the 4-5% range, it is actually harder for companies to find good workers than it is to find a job.
This is a bit rosier of experience than people I know who have worked there. Instead of layoffs, the department/store decided to cut hours, over time taking full time employees hours from 40 a week into the mid 20s, as people left they would hire more employees rather than giving existing employees more hours.
Thank you. I may end up at WalMart.
I spent 4 years in retail, and I am no stranger to employers playing games with people's hours.
Originally Posted By: Miller88
That has to be hard to get laid off a third time in two years. Did you have an option of another company when you went back to this one? If I had been laid off once and had other options probably would have not gone back.
Anything is better than nothing. Even if it's flipping burgers or volunteering; companies don't want to hire unemployed people for some reason.
My decision to go back after being laid off once was based only on supporting my family, they paid 30% more than I was making. BTW, I was making less than $30K a year so it's not like I was living the high life here.
Originally Posted By: gathermewool
What's your degree in and how motivated are you to move to a state with a stabler economy?
Moving is a huge deal, I know, but if you're as hard-working as you claim, it [censored] me off that you struggle while ******s make it, too!
Thank you. I went to a community college for their automotive technology program.
I cannot afford to move. I cannot afford to pay my rent as it is. Soon I will not be able to eat.
Originally Posted By: antiqueshell
Sorry to hear about your situation. It's not much comfort HOWEVER you are certainly not alone, the US economy for main street is about as bad as it can get without being a depression. I have to laugh at the mass media because they keep LYING about the unemployment numbers, the fact is that current there is fewer Americans employed than at anytime since the late 70s. The reason that PHONY UE number keeps going down isn't because more folks are getting jobs, it is because as their benefits end they are dropped from the rolls. Not to mention that U2 is in and of itself a farce. The number they don't want you to look at and NEVER mention in the mass media is U6.
Of course something else just as important is that most of the newly created jobs are lower paying and often part time. Nearly worthless to someone who expects to support themselves and a family.
Thank you. I couldn't agree more.
Originally Posted By: dave munson
I here you. And, I understand. Christmas through the new year is unpaid time off for me also. No vacation. No pto. No benefits. And if last year was the example there will be at least a few weeks of unemployment next year (others at work already got notice).
Update Linkedin. Get your resume to date - get your story straight. There is not a lot of options in this new corporate society. Spring is normally the time for hiring new people and you need to be ready.
You are not alone.
Thank you. I haven no idea what Linkedin is. If it is like facebook or myspace I have no interest.
Originally Posted By: bmwjohn
just a thought. There are several schools (oddly enough, all from Kansas City) that offer short "continuing ed" seminars. One is "star 12" which is a 12 month pass on taking 3 types of courses over 12 months for $299 total. Around Indianapolis you could squeeze 32? courses in, some live and some on the Internet. They are essentially each 1 day or less. FMLA, Intro to HR, Dealing with Difficult People, Excel Tips, MS Outlook for Business, Marketing on Facebook, OSHA overview, etc. You get a PDF saying you took a course, no grade, credits, etc. Next job opportunity you list the 30? classes you recently took. IU-Bloomington and Yale Law School are both offering similar courses, since new attorneys need a little practical skill to give their new employers.Look up STAR 12, and give it some thought
Thank you. I lack the funds to move.
Originally Posted By: Bill7
Once you get your next job, you may wish to live below your means and setup a monthly automatic deposit into a savings account or mutual fund. This way, if/when you get laid off again, you will have a rainy day fund / retirement fund. The trick is to live in a frugal way, so even on a very low salary, you can live on 80% of it and save the other 20% every month. Websites like: www.stretcher.com can help, if you are interested in the frugal / debtfree life style.
Always good advice, but I was not making a ton to begin with, it is hard to save money on 30K a year.
Originally Posted By: Indydriver
You don't provide any information about your education, the field you've been working in, the field you want to work in, the type of company you want to work for or anything else really except your sense of desperation after things going against you for a couple of years.
I don't know what kind of long term opportunities are available in Wixom, MI but Michigan has been one of the toughest employment areas in the country for years now. I'm in Indiana and a lot of people (including my own company) are hiring. You need to expand your horizons, be willing to relocate and get more aggressive in your job search.
I went to school to be an auto tech. I don't have ASE/manufacture certs or 80 grand in tools, I have state certs tho. Have not been able to get hired as a tech; I am not a 19 year old kid living with my parents therefore I don't have the time to change oil for years before I am moved into my own bay.
My last job was running a manual VTL lathe for a company that manufactures forgings. Before that I was a commercial dispatcher for an auto parts chain for 4 years, while doing that I took a job as a diesel tech for a R&D startup before they laid me off.
I would like to be a tech but have not been able to break into that.
Originally Posted By: Cujet
I am sorry to hear of your situation. Clearly, you are not alone.
I work for a wealthy guy, in his "corporate flight department". He is relocating from FL, to CA and I will soon be out of a job. It's a very uncomfortable feeling. To top it off, my health has been poor lately. This is not the first time I've been faced with this, and each time, I've pulled through. Not easily, but I've done it!
Like you, we had no Christmas. No presents, no cards, nothing. We are saving what ever we can to get by.
Here is my take on the situation: The world owes me nothing. Life is full of horrors, despair, abject poverty, suffering, disease and death. I am not going to let those negatives define my life. I'll do my very best to pull myself up by my bootstraps and press on.
I have a wonderful wife and family, great relatives and good friends. I even have a few extra pounds of stored energy for "lean times". It's unlikely that I will starve. And, it's unlikely that I will be out on the street completely homeless and living in my car. I'm determined to make the best of it, right up until God takes me home.
One good thing about all of this. Many intelligent people are "hungry" for success. I'd love to join forces with some of them and make a new business.
You are right. I am just tired of being a good employee and thrown out like the garbage.
Originally Posted By: Cujet
Originally Posted By: THE_TROTS
Have about given up on myself, and have totally given up on our capitalist/free market/corporatism economic system.
Of course, if you give up on yourself, you've become depressed and won't function properly. If some form of opportunity comes along, you won't make the effort, further ruining your situation. It's a "graveyard spiral" that needs to be avoided at all costs.
Remember, the capitalist/free market system owes you nothing. You can take advantage of it, or not. I choose to take advantage of it. Even if I have to be a "handyman" and do "day labor". For God's sake, I'll mow lawns if I have to.
I know the economic system owes me nothing. I am just tired of doing everything I can for my job and being tossed aside.
Originally Posted By: Rick in PA
Remember that in the history of mankind, many many have faced difficulties, trouble and peril that make our current situation pale in comparison. And they survived.
Sometimes I worry about our economic situation and wonder how it will affect my children. But all will survive.
Things change. They always do. I have seen it.
Keep your head up.
P.S. Cujet, "graveyard spiral" excellent choice of words, yeah, Trots don't go there.
I know. My grandfather spent years (US Army 1940-1945) in the south pacific as a medic, I don't know how he survived.
How do people have children in this world when you can be homeless tomorrow?
Things have not changed for the better, at least in the last three years.
Originally Posted By: Char Baby
I have been in your situation in the past and was without work for 7 1/2 months and during the Christmas Holidays. Keep your chin up as something will certainly come along.
Have you been able to collect on your states unemployment insurance? This is what helped get me throught he dry times.
Though it's been a very long time and I have been blessed to be imployed since, I understand your pain.
I will pray for your situation.
PTL,
CB
I filed unemployment Dec 17. As of Jan 9 my claim has still not been processed.
Originally Posted By: SF0059
I understand where you are coming from. Following the economic crash in 2008 I lost my job of almost 10 years. I was in California at the time and the job market was drier than the Mojave. I was out of work from June 08 to February 09 when I finally had to swallow my pride and get a job at Starbucks. You know what? It wasn't a half bad job! At the time I felt like a complete failure since I was college educated with professional skills, but Starbucks treats their employees well and I had benefits.
I moved to Virginia in August of 08. My wife-to-be and I decided that the cost of living and job market was significantly better out here. We had friends in the area and thought we would give it a shot. It took me from August-November 08 to find a job here. It isn't the job I saw myself doing, but you know what? It pays the bills and I have insurance and a matching 401k.
I work in higher education now and my wife is a nanny. We both make below the median income for our area. But we have been able to become completely debt free during these 5 years. I had to realize that relocation and taking jobs that weren't my cup-of-tea was the key to riding out an economic downturn.
Keep your chin up. I know it is hard from personal experience. But keep up the good fight. Be willing to take jobs that you would consider entry level or menial. Be willing to relocate. Never stop looking for work around you or in other locations. Look into the southeast. The economy has remained more stable than the rest of the country. I would posit that this is because it is a more purely capitalistic, self-made area where opportunity can still be found.
Don't give up on yourself or what made the country you live in great. You are the master of your own destiny, not a victim of the times. Look forward, look up and realize that life is to short to worry in inaction.
Praying for you friend and wishing you the best.
Thank you.
I have worked retail so I am not below any job.
I would love to move but lack the funds.
Originally Posted By: eljefino
Can you change oil? Go work at Jiffy lube. When you're moving around you get exercise which improves your mood. I have a liberal arts degree and worked in a tire shop for a spell... it was cool!!! There's plenty of advancement to doing lube jobs at a dealership, on to flat rate tech, service writer, etc.
Or can you get seasonal work teaching skiing, driving an oil delivery truck, etc? A fella's got to stay moving to stay from going crazy.
I have two interviews at quick lubes.
My email is not the_trots.
Originally Posted By: Cujet
Alternate point of view:
For 10,000 years of mankind's recorded history, man lived in abject poverty and had no way to combat disease. Man was subject to the whims of the weather for crop growth, the herds of animals for meat and so on. Millions of families starved, froze, roasted, dessicated due to drought and died of simple disease. Heck, just purchasing lumber to make a house was nearly impossible.
Today, Mankind here in America does not have these worries. We are so prosperous, we can build a nice place out of scrap and discarded materials.
Please, please, please understand this. We have it made today! It's a wonderful time to be alive! Have your friends buy you a beer and plan something worthwhile.
Ya.
Originally Posted By: rshaw125
Always have some savings regardless of how well things are going.
Apply for unemployment as soon as you can.
I assume your wife is working??
My wife is not working. She believes I am the man and it is my responsibility to pay all the bills.
Originally Posted By: andyd
Yah, I was 11 yrs into career #3 back in '04. I got the chop with no notice. Talk about a jolt.3 kids in college, 53 yrs old.Marina was going through the change and our marriage got very rocky. Then my father died, and a 2 yrs later, I was diagnosed with breast cancer of all things. I odd jobbed for 3 yrs until I got the job I have now. Its a union shop and I will never have the shock of being cut with no notice. Say what you want about unions, at least they are civilized about lay offs.
2 pieces of advice, if you're bumming, try an anti-depressant. Beating cancer taught me a few things. Mostly that life is too short to be depressed, it is such a time waster and clouds up even the smallest action.
I would love a union job. The UAW is the only reason my mother, and then me had any sort of decent childhood.
However Michigan's Republican governor and legislature have taken out a war on organized labor. Not many union jobs in Mi anymore.
Originally Posted By: doitmyself
Sorry to hear of your layoff. I endured it once in my 38 year ongoing career. Once was enough.
What kind of machinist are you? Do any of these 158 job postings in Michigan meet your needs?
http://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=+Machinist&l=Michigan
Best wishes in your endeavors.
Thank you.
I was a manual VTL lathe operators.
Most machining jobs are CNC which I don't have experience.
Originally Posted By: Rock_Hudstone
Originally Posted By: THE_TROTS
have totally given up on our capitalist/free market/corporatism economic system.
Not sure if this is a troll post to stir up controversy, but I'll bite:
People need to understand, we do not live under a true capitalist, free market economy anymore. Rather a crony capitalist system with a heavily regulated, highly taxed, welfare state, semi-free market economy.
Personally, I believe that everything Karl Marx said would happen, has. That's all I have to say about that.
Originally Posted By: daves87rs
Originally Posted By: THE_TROTS
Hello all, just looking to vent here.
My wife and I have had no Christmas this year. I was laid off on Dec 16. This is my third layoff in two years, and my second layoff from this employer.
I have a college education, and I am highly motivated. I cannot understand why I seem to have no value while I see "making it" every day.
My bank account has a balance of zero, and I am looking at selling my home and moving in with my mother in law; I just don't have enough to money/assets to sell to support us until I can hopefully soon find another job.
Have about given up on myself, and have totally given up on our capitalist/free market/corporatism economic system.
Thats all.
I hear ya....though the good news is things are improving here...I just helped a good friend find a job. Now it is my turn. Got an updated resume and I'm fired up and ready to go...
And to add a little cheese to your whine (pun intended)
, I've got you beat- I've been laid off SIX times in the last 10 years...and it sucks! And I've never had to get unemployment, as I have always had a second (sometimes first) job to pay the bills...and my wife and I have been through some really rough times! And Retail is killing me (in many ways), so I'm making a never say die attitude to find that better job. So I have one word: Network! And network some more!That being said, I can always use more people on my linkedin!!!
I wish you the best. Layoffs are terrible.
- Status
