Unemployed?

[seeker630]

I mentioned elsewhere that I was laid off at the end of 2010. That remark sparked some interest, but I didn't want to hijack that thread, so I've started this one.

 

I had a 30-year career with several versions of the same company (i.e., I survived multiple mergers & acquisitions). I was in an Information Services group in a pharmaceutical company, and for the past 7 or 8 years, there were annual lay-offs due to tightening budgets. In 2010, it was decided to eliminate one of 2 positions at my site; at that time, I was the go-to guy for special projects and new products (internal) deployment and with tightening budgets, there WERE no new products, & fewer special projects, so I was laid-off. So, at the end of 2010, I was severed. Fortunately, we still had a decent severance, but I do need to find a job! (One manager familair with my work recently contgatced me about a possible job, but then all hiring was frozen again.)

 

Ten years ago, i expected that i would eventually need a new job and recognized that I would likely need to re-locate, to find anything comparable (since I was pretty specialized). Unfortunately, in the past 3 years, my father has developed dementia and then melanoma early this year, so I've had to take on significant care-giver duties. Re-locating isn't really an option (there are other family obligations in this area as well).

 

I've been looking for work seriously for a little over a year now, and only had half-a-dozen interviews in that time. Unfortunately, my field is very competitive in this area and my specialization works against me, I think, even though I tweak my resume for every job application to emphasize transferable skills, etc. Im also in my early 60's, and I suspect that doesn't help my case either!

 

Even though I know that losing my job really had nothing to do with me as a person or my performance, it's still a bit depressing.

 

I know of at least one other member here who lost his job in the past few years. I'm curious if I'm the only one unemployed (& seeking work).

[jjkrkwood]

I mentioned elsewhere that I was laid off at the end of 2010. That remark sparked some interest, but I didn't want to hijack that thread, so I've started this one.

 

I had a 30-year career with several versions of the same company (i.e., I survived multiple mergers & acquisitions). I was in an Information Services group in a pharmaceutical company, and for the past 7 or 8 years, there were annual lay-offs due to tightening budgets. In 2010, it was decided to eliminate one of 2 positions at my site; at that time, I was the go-to guy for special projects and new products (internal) deployment and with tightening budgets, there WERE no new products, & fewer special projects, so I was laid-off. So, at the end of 2010, I was severed. Fortunately, we still had a decent severance, but I do need to find a job! (One manager familair with my work recently contgatced me about a possible job, but then all hiring was frozen again.)

 

Ten years ago, i expected that i would eventually need a new job and recognized that I would likely need to re-locate, to find anything comparable (since I was pretty specialized). Unfortunately, in the past 3 years, my father has developed dementia and then melanoma early this year, so I've had to take on significant care-giver duties. Re-locating isn't really an option (there are other family obligations in this area as well).

 

I've been looking for work seriously for a little over a year now, and only had half-a-dozen interviews in that time. Unfortunately, my field is very competitive in this area and my specialization works against me, I think, even though I tweak my resume for every job application to emphasize transferable skills, etc. Im also in my early 60's, and I suspect that doesn't help my case either!

 

Even though I know that losing my job really had nothing to do with me as a person or my performance, it's still a bit depressing.

 

I know of at least one other member here who lost his job in the past few years. I'm curious if I'm the only one unemployed (& seeking work).

 

Seek, I wont offer condolences because I am certain you are just fine, and losing a job is not the end of the world, although it may seem like it. and I am also not sure how many replies you will receive, but I am certain you are not the only unemployed person here. I am employed, although it might seem that I am not becuase of the amout of time I spend on this site.

However, I did learn a few years ago when I WAS in your situation that the only way to control my own destiny was to be a BOSS, and therefore entered into a partnership of an IT company which I am now the Operations manager of (working title).....

 

The most important thing you can do is to keep a positive outlook. i realize it might be easy for me to say as I am not in your situation, nor have the added responsibility of family obligation. BUT I did at on time, caring for 2 ill parents who eneded up passing within 6 months of each other. and then the loss of my partner which required me taking several months off because I was so devastated... Having support, and people around you also is a great help, as is the little diversion of "hiring". Actually it was after the death of my partner and my re-entering the world of the livving that started me on the road to hiring.

 

Anyway, I m sorry if I went a bit off topic, but as before I am again offering my support to you in whatever form you would ever like to receive it. Bickering aside, we all need to support one another. the BEST to you always - JJ

[Phil_musc]

Please accept my heartfelt concerns for you. You are living what I have nightmares about - a precarious employment situation with no realistic alternatives to jump to should things deteriorate further. I do have a job, but I worry about the long term prospects for remaining where I am. Fortunately my house is paid for and I can adapt my living situation to less if the need arises. There are probably any number of guys here who are in the same place in life. I wish I could offer more encouragement but I'm not convinced that would be realistic. Any prospective employer in your area should be glad to hire you, but the reality also is that you are probably over-qualified and they assume you have higher salary expectations.

 

Actually, I'm hoping that some guys will chime in here and say it's not that bad. But neither am I hoping for falsely positive and optimistic pep talks that really are long on optimism and short on reality.

[bigvalboy]

Sorry to hear about your predicament Seek. While you and I have had our differences, I would never wish bad fortune on anyone. Many will say that you should just move forward and put the past behind you, it is never that easy. I have several extremely talented and well qualified friends who are in your exact situation. One has been unemployed for more than two years, without any hope of finding work. It is terrifying for them and they find themselves very depressed most of the time. The best that friends can do is just be supportive and lend an ear to allow them to vent their frustration. I wish that I could give some words of advice, but I am sure that you have heard more than enough advice for now.

 

I will say, try and stay positive and try to keep busy. I get the impression that you are probably a very talented guy. I do not know what your talents are, but I do know that several people I have known in the past few years that have lost their jobs have struck out on their own. Not sure if that is possible in your situation, it doesn't always work, but it is something to consider.

 

Best to you for now...Cheers, BVB

[Irish69]

seeker630,

 

I too am unemployed. I'm 40. I worked for Petsmart for 7 1/2 years. In the last 2 years with Petsmart I also worked for Radioshack PT. My sales & customer service were so good that Radioshack offered me a Management Position. So I quit Petsmart to go Full Time Manager with Radioshack. I was a Senior Store Manager for 8 years. They fired me for 2 reasons, #1 I was the highest paid Manager during this bad economic times & because I'm gay. I too struggle daily with trying to find employment.

 

I'm an Astrologer that attends any Spiritual Fair I can.

I've also tried putting an escort ad of my own out there.

I'm currently using my skills & knowledge of the porn industry to utilize my blog as a possible other means of income.

I also fill out every application I can for other retail work.

 

2 years being unemployed is depressing, but we've gotton keep trying.

 

Bottom line is, take it day by day, try to stay positive, Your not alone. Keep trying even though somedays it may seem impossible.

 

Good Luck in the future

 

Irish69

"Rik"

[PATRICK12]

Unemployment is world wide due to certain actions by senior guys at Goldman ? Leaman ? who all seem to have got new jobs doing more to mess up the economy leaving the rest of us to do the best we can. Not easy in the current situation. However, maybe you guys over the pond should really look at the UK National Health system before deciding universal health care on the state is a bad thing - caring for an aged, ill father would earn you a "caring" allowance over here - not a fortune but at least something to live on and acknowledge the care we need to give to family members.

[jawjateck]

My older brother has been fighting against discouragement too. He has been unemployed, underemployed, and currently part-time for several years. He continues to seek full-time employment. And at his age (nearing 50), I'm convinced he's facing age discrimination. Since he has given up on the search for a job consistent with his skills/interests, he is "over-qualified" for all the jobs he applies for now. He modifies his resume to strip out certain elements of education and experience, basically "dumb it down", and make it less impressive, just to match it to potential employers. To no avail yet! I'm proud of him to have endured the indignities of so much crap for so long, and not give up. I've been self-employed in a consulting gig for over ten years, and haven't faced this trial. I'm not sure that I could be as strong as he.

 

My heart-felt well wishes to you, seek!

[seeker630]

Unemployment is world wide due to certain actions by senior guys at Goldman ? Leaman ? who all seem to have got new jobs doing more to mess up the economy leaving the rest of us to do the best we can. Not easy in the current situation. However, maybe you guys over the pond should really look at the UK National Health system before deciding universal health care on the state is a bad thing - caring for an aged, ill father would earn you a "caring" allowance over here - not a fortune but at least something to live on and acknowledge the care we need to give to family members.

 

Patrick - not ALL of us are against universal healthcare.

[+ Lucky]

Adversity is what helps us find our strengths. Beyond that, it sucks. I did ask in the other thread the background to your comment, and it is an interesting story. Age does not work in our favor. Many law firms do not keep lawyers past the age of 60, no matter how good they are. Younger lawyers are cheaper and more energetic, or so it is thought. But I am not looking for work, so I can only feel for those who are. Good luck.

[seeker630]

JJK & BVB - while we have disagreed on things at times, I think it was generally civil & I don't think any of us wished ill for the other. I appreciate the support & empathy.

 

Philmusc - thanks for the support and I hope your luck continues to hold.

 

Irish & Jawja - I don't normally share that much in this forum, but I felt like putting a face on the problem of unemployment. Sometimes it seems like most of the members here are at least 'comfortable' if not 'well off' (and I hope it is indeed the case) but considering the vast number of talented and qualified people who are out of work through no fault of their own, I knew that there had to be other members who either are unemployed or have friends or family who are. I wish good luck to you and yours.

 

I really hope things turn around, but old paradigms are broken, I fear. When I took my first professional position, the expectation was that I would most likely work for the same company the rest of my life (since it was good life & I had no desire to move away from the area) and retire with a nice pension. The pension plan was altered (gutted) at the first merger. And the current generation expects to change jobs fairly frequently, I think.

[Guest jstlooknthx]

In 2010 I left my position under a 'mutual agreement' with my company. I shared the story in this forum as I went through the ordeal. I decided to leave before my ethical disagreements with our new CEO caused me to get fired. Two years later, I am on my fourth and final tier of unemployment payments. For 25-30 yrs. I never worried about money. Never extravagant, but never in want either. The last two years have been a major adjustment to say the least. I've had a few interviews, but honestly I feel as though I have aged out of my field. I had better come up with some ideas because this fall I am on my own. I have some savings, but that won't last long. Yes, I have fallen into depression and I am WAY too hard on myself. I started typing this to share in the comradery and now I fear I've painted and even grimmer picture! I got to be honest though, at this moment I am just very very tired and can't imagine being in the work force ever again. GOD I could use some time with a beautiful boy right now!!!

[seeker630]

In 2010 I left my position under a 'mutual agreement' with my company. I shared the story in this forum as I went through the ordeal. I decided to leave before my ethical disagreements with our new CEO caused me to get fired. Two years later, I am on my fourth and final tier of unemployment payments. For 25-30 yrs. I never worried about money. Never extravagant, but never in want either. The last two years have been a major adjustment to say the least. I've had a few interviews, but honestly I feel as though I have aged out of my field. I had better come up with some ideas because this fall I am on my own. I have some savings, but that won't last long. Yes, I have fallen into depression and I am WAY too hard on myself. I started typing this to share in the comradery and now I fear I've painted and even grimmer picture! I got to be honest though, at this moment I am just very very tired and can't imagine being in the work force ever again. GOD I could use some time with a beautiful boy right now!!!

 

jstlooknthx - can you think of ways to update your skills? Last fall I took a course at a local community college that was relevant to my profession. I've also managed to find a few free webinars through my professional association (which offers reduced-proced membership fees for those if us unemployed.) Now I'm re-learning Microsoft Access (with the help of a book). I find that these things make me feel that I'm accomplishing SOMETHING, at least (besides filling out job applications.) And it gives me an answer when an interviewer asks me what I've been doing during the period. Volunteer work is also recommended by most 'experts'. I know how easy it is to just sit at home and scan the web boards for jobs.

 

But I definitely understand your feelings, and the prospect of returning to work after 2 years (or more) seems both exciting & daunting.

 

Good luck!

[bigvalboy]

I don't normally share that much in this forum, but I felt like putting a face on the problem of unemployment.

 

That is well said. I was struck by your courage to come forward and share that with everyone. While some members are doing well, many others are not doing so well. I have spoken with several members who are not employed and are struggling almost daily to make ends meet. Conversation on this is always healthy...good luck.

[EZEtoGRU]

That is well said. I was struck by your courage to come forward and share that with everyone. While some members are doing well, many others are not doing so well. I have spoken with several members who are not employed and are struggling almost daily to make ends meet. Conversation on this is always healthy...good luck.

 

Wise words BVB. I too was impressed with Seeker coming forward and sharing his story. Unemployment and underemployment are real problems in the world today. My cousin in the UK (55 years old) became unemployed in January 2010 after working for the same company for more than 25 years. It took her about 20 months till she found new employment. In the interim, she stayed very busy in terms of looking for work, updating her skill base, and doing lots of volunteer work. The volunteer work allowed her to keep active and maintain a positive perspective. She realized that, whilst her situation was not good, she still had a roof over her head and food on the table every night.....not something that everyone she came in contact with had the benefit of.

 

Best of luck to you Seeker as well as others in a similar situation.