Just got laid off

[iamnotafraid]

Sorry you got laid off.

I hope you find something even better.

[David]

Sorry to hear such rotten news, kak.

Do you think you'd have any luck applying for contract/assignment work at a temp agency that deals specifically with high tech? A lot of companies are in the "Try It Before You Buy It" mode, so they're turning to temp agencies.

[strandinthewind]

Originally Posted by David

Sorry to hear such rotten news, kak.

Do you think you'd have any luck applying for contract/assignment work at a temp agency that deals specifically with high tech? A lot of companies are in the "Try It Before You Buy It" mode, so they're turning to temp agencies.

I agree. I temped when I first moved here in '93. The pay was not that great, but I got to work at some great places and made many contacts that proved useful in the future.

[kak125]

Thank you to everybody for all the kind words. I am glad that my company is giving me one more full pay and then I have signed up for unemployment so that will help out for a while until I can find something else. I had free benefits for my husband and I at my job so they are going to continue them until the end of december which was nice.
I went online yesterday and applied for 3 QA jobs and my friend is trying to get me in where she works at Highmark so I hope one of those work out. I cant say I really loved my job that much but the pay was good and it was fairly low stress even though I thought my boss was an idiot.
When I first started at this place I came in and told my boss what they needed to do to make the QA team better and to be more productive and he basically just ignored everything I said. After a while I just stopped offering suggestions but I found it ironic that just recently the suggestions I made were becomingn processes and of course my boss was taking the credit for them.
Then last week my boss and I had a meeting where he asked me when I would be done testing this application that I had been working on for a few weeks. I told him it would be done in about 2 week s and he bitched at me how it needed to be done right away which didnt make sense since it wasnt due until December. So this past week I worked really hard and was just about finished testing and then they let me go. I really should have seen that coming, that is why they wanted me to hurry up and finish what I was working on. The people at that place didnt know how to run a business and I forsee them closing in the next year.
David, I think I am going to check into the contact/temp jobs too in my field. Thats a good idea to do that until I can find something more permanent. Its just crazy it seems that everybody I know is getting laid off these days.

[Steviefan49]

Originally Posted by kak125

Thank you to everybody for all the kind words. I am glad that my company is giving me one more full pay and then I have signed up for unemployment so that will help out for a while until I can find something else. I had free benefits for my husband and I at my job so they are going to continue them until the end of december which was nice.
I went online yesterday and applied for 3 QA jobs and my friend is trying to get me in where she works at Highmark so I hope one of those work out. I cant say I really loved my job that much but the pay was good and it was fairly low stress even though I thought my boss was an idiot.
When I first started at this place I came in and told my boss what they needed to do to make the QA team better and to be more productive and he basically just ignored everything I said. After a while I just stopped offering suggestions but I found it ironic that just recently the suggestions I made were becomingn processes and of course my boss was taking the credit for them.
Then last week my boss and I had a meeting where he asked me when I would be done testing this application that I had been working on for a few weeks. I told him it would be done in about 2 week s and he bitched at me how it needed to be done right away which didnt make sense since it wasnt due until December. So this past week I worked really hard and was just about finished testing and then they let me go. I really should have seen that coming, that is why they wanted me to hurry up and finish what I was working on. The people at that place didnt know how to run a business and I forsee them closing in the next year.
David, I think I am going to check into the contact/temp jobs too in my field. Thats a good idea to do that until I can find something more permanent. Its just crazy it seems that everybody I know is getting laid off these days.

Hi there!

I'm SOOO sorry to just now read that this happened to you! I got laid off of a brand new job, back in August of this year, as I went with the founder of my prior company, over with him- to a company that we thought offered more "growth potential".. Well, unfortunately, they wanted it to go in a different direction, and there I was, being called into a meeting with him, and his boss (a new guy to that position), and told that our department was being "done away with" as we were in "Product Development" (Engineering) at a pretty well known company. At any rate, I felt the same way you did, and I tell you unemployment only goes so far! What I do want to tell you, is that there's several ways to "network" as I know you mentioned that you've already started sending your resume out there, but also, I found a really helpful thing, besides using the temp agencies- was posting your resume on Monster.com, and also Careerbuilder.com! Those are great resources too! Also, as everyone says, please keep your chin up, and KNOW that there is something better out there waiting for you, as I just found another job, and my first week was last week! I'm now with a fantastic Manufacturing company, and am lead "Document Control Coordinator" and it's very challenging, as there's a ton of paperwork! I SOO know that you're in for something wonderful as well! Just know that I'm praying for you, and I know there's a great opportunity that has your name on it!

Best of luck always..

Arlene

[kak125]

Hey Arlene
Thank you so much for all the nice things you said. Your post made me feel so much better. This is why I love the ledge so much is because everybody is so caring and wonderful.
I had my resume on monster years ago along with career builder but I havent updated them so I am going to do that right now. Thank you for reminding me to do that!
Your new job sounds awesome and I wish you the best!

[kak125]

So I woke up today to 4 voicemails regarding different QA jobs in the area and 3 of my ex-coworkers wrote to me and gave me the names of different recruiters and offered to help with my job search. I am so lucky to have so many great people in my life that want to help me out so much.
I just talked to a lady I used to work with who is a recruiter and she is submitting me for the job that I really want at Highmark. I am crossing my fingers that they call me and setup an interview. There are also 2-3 other jobs in the area that I am very interested in too. I am thinking about interviewing for all of them so I can get a good feel for where I want to go. I want to be a little more choosy this time and hopefully I can get in somewhere that I can stay for many years. I will keep you all updated.

[RoseGarden]

I am so sorry you got laid off!!!
Like a member stated---most of us are on the chopping block also and that leaves so much competition to try and bid for another job.

I , too , am very concerned as my company went from 150 down to 45 and the end of December has the talk of 20 more. As prepared as I've budgeted ---it's never enough. We all know that.

If it helps, all walks of education and skilled people are being given the slips. Has nothing to do with your loyalty and hard work. This country has been going down hill for 6 years and it is NOT the fault of the loyal workers but the allowance of jobs going over seas and some other cough cough things I won't even bother to say.

To all this is happened/and is happening to , I wish strenghth and courage to. We as a society , have to be more compassionate to those around us ---especially now that "Holiday" season is around us. Hugs from me to many of you!!!!

[RoseGarden]

Hang in there!! Unemployment pays at least something.

Sorry to hear your another of thousands this has happened to. Especially now come winter time/ holidays. Be good to yourself and remember this is of no fault of your own!!! Economy and times are tougher than they've been in 50 years.

[RoseGarden]

Hang in there!! Unemployment pays at least something.

Sorry to hear your another of thousands this has happened to. Especially now come winter time/ holidays. Be good to yourself and remember this is of no fault of your own!!! Economy and times are tougher than they've been in 50 years.

My employer is so snakish ,it relocates the laid off person to a job 40 miles away for $5,000 a year less leaving a hell of a fight with the labor and unemployment board just to make the persons life tied up with crap so they'll just go so where else.


Times have gotten so hard. In my 40 years never seen it hit so bad. My best to everyone out there dealing with this!!!

[ajmccarrell]

If it helps, in 2001 I got laid off and I worked at Target, also as a part-time janitor at a school and also at a temp service. I ended up losing my apartment and had to move back home for about a year. It eventually picked up. Just don't stop looking and the laws of averages are on your side. It really sucked for a while, but it worked out after a year or two.