How do you cope when unemployed?

[Lady Day]

Yes, you heard it right, as of today I am jobless. Sigh. Other than panicking, how have you all coped with this unexpected situation?

Finding a gig in my field is a trial, but I guess its off to Subway to get by.

I wish I could be distraught, and I am, but not because it was a job I liked. More because it was a job where I was misunderstood. But I like having a place to live, paying rent is nice.

Ill keep y'all posted. Wish me luck,

LD

 

[beaucaillou]

Luck and good wishes your way.

What's your field, btw?

When I have been jobless I've consoled myself by relentlessly pursuing new jobs and having strict faith that it is all happening for good reason -- that where I was wasn't suited to me, and that where I'm going will be the perfect situation. Above all, don't despair. I know it's hard.

Something better will happen. Change is good.

 

[Maj.Nick Danger]

Don't despair!
That's the worst thing you could do.
I have been gainfully unemployed for the last 5 weeks myself, and I'm actually loving it!
I was at my job for 15 years, so I had 4 weeks vacation pay coming and my 401K. Also collecting some unemployment so I'm really doing much better than I was before,... getting more sleep too.
I think at this point I will be self-employed.
This is my chance to make it with my talent. I figure,...if some of the hacks that call themselves artists can get rich producing the junk they do, I can surely make it too.
I'm totally sick and tired of working for cheap skates that think their money is so important,(and hence, they think themselves more important than anyone else) when in fact it is really only paper.
You're a talented and creative artist,...maybe go with that?
But always remember,..
Ya gotta accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative, latch on to the affirmative, and don't mess with Mr. In-between.
I predict you'll do just fine.
Like beaucaillou said, change is good.

 

[LizzieMaine]

You've got tons of talent going for you -- and you're bound to find just the right place to put it to use. Meantime, chin up and most important, *keep drawing.* The more you keep your instincts fresh, the more prepared you'll be when that perfect opportunity comes along.

 

[Mojito]

Lady Day, so sorry to hear this has happened to you. I'm sure you know the stats on how many job and career changes the average individual is likely to go through over the course of their lives, but it doesn't particularly make it any easier when you find yourself without a job.

I think the important things are keeping ahold of your self-esteem and sense of self-worth. It sounds like that job wasn't the ideal match for you, so as beaucaillou says perhaps it is best to look at this as an opportunity rather than a setback. It may give you the impetus to find a job that suits your phenomenal talents and interests. You may need to take an interim job, but I'm sure you'll use this time as well to make sure your CV is in order and approach as many avenues of employment as possible.

Last time I was between jobs was three years ago. I'd returned to Oz from the UK with nothing lined up, and after a few months catching up with family and friends, was just beginning to think I needed to get serious about looking for a job when the ideal position was advertised. I was anxious while I was out of the job market, but in the end it turned out to be all for the best. I hope that this will be a stepping stone for you to the excellent job you deserve.

 

[koopkooper]

As a radio announcer I have found myself given the proverbial flick on two occasions. Last time I just packed up and left the small market country that I had lived in for seven years, came to the big smoke landed casual work at a big station and now have been offered a fulltime gig at another.My motivation on both occasions was to stick it in the neck of the guy who dropped me by getting a better job to show him I'm tough and that he lost the best damn radio personality in the country. (unwavering confidence in a Forest Gump way works for me!)
I even made sure when I got my big city gig that he knew, by posting it in industry journals and telling my former collegues who I knew would mention it!

I even picked up two other jobs that I do part time, the move worked out better than I would have thought!

I guess what I am saying is that it happens, it doesn't mean you are bad at your job. Keep looking, and network a lot! By networking I don't mean cheesy, just pick up the phone to people from your industry and see what happens.
Most jobs aren't advertised. The ones that aren't are easier to get too!

Financially, cut back on what you don't need, cancel what you have to,just to take the pressure off and focus on the next gig.

Emotionally you just feel insecure, devalued and embaressed...they are all controlable feelings that are not real. Goodluck!

 

[Lady Day]

Emotionally you just feel insecure, devalued and embarrassed...

Mmmm, no. I dont feel any of those

Im relieved actually. Now I can learn a computer program Ive wanted to learn for a while, work on my online portfolio (Im an animator, 2D beaucaillou) to get it better up to snuff, and keep working on the REAL art job that I want. This was the in between job lol

Thanks for all your kind words folks. Im just flustered. Networking is a hard thing to begin, and its SO true Koop, those gigs are not advertised, it is all ablot who you know.

Im optimistic, so we will see what happens.

LD

 

[SpitfireXIV]

Financially, cut back on what you don't need, cancel what you have to,just to take the pressure off and focus on the next gig.

that i think is the most crucial. the last thing you need is financial pressure and wind up settling for a job because of out-of-control finances.

i left my last job because of a boss i fondly refer to as "Axis Annie" and didn't have a new job lined up. but, it didn't hurt that i had a month's worth of vacation when i left! six weeks of leaving that awful place, i happened to catch an old boss online, and went to work for her again. more money, less stress, and a shorter commute.

(moral to my story: always leave a job on the best terms possible. you never know when paths are going to cross again.)

i'm certain that in a matter of weeks you'll find something with greater opportunity.

 

[Daisy Buchanan]

I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your job. I'll keep you in my thoughts, so something better and that you will truly love comes your way. It sounds like you're taking it quite well. I know you have to look for another job, but I don't blame you for wanting to take some time to do things that you put aside while working.
You are also a very talented artist, so I hope that you take some time to make some more of your amazing prints. I think you could make quite a nice living selling those.

I do know what it's like to lose a job. The first job I had out of college was my favorite job. I still get sad when I think about getting laid off. I was an inside sales rep. for NEC Packard Bell. I was the #1 sales rep in the company, 4 months in a row. I was winning all sorts of contests, I even won a week long cruise for 2 to the Bahamas!! The day before I was to leave we all got letters saying that there was a big meeting the next day. I talked to my boss, since I wasn't going to be there. He asked me to give him a call in the afternoon. My boyfriend Mike, who also worked for the company, and I called Chris our supervisor from the airport in Florida before getting the shuttle to the ship. Chris was so upset and could hardly speak. The meeting was to tell 75% of us that we were being laid off. I was one of the unlucky ones, Mike wasn't. What a way to start a vacation. A vacation that my company was sending me on!! When I got back I went to the office to pack up my things. Chris met me at my desk. He told me that he fought to keep me on. Eventually everyone would be let go, but not for another 8 months. Supposedly he was told by his boss that they decided to let me go because even though I was a top performer, between all the commissions I was collecting and the prizes I was winning, I was making too much money!! Gosh, it didn't feel that way to me The people that they kept were the mediocre performers. The people who sold just enough to keep the business afloat, but not so much that they would collect commissions and other kinds of bonuses. Well, it was a great job, I met a lot of wonderful people there and we all had a lot of fun. I never knew a job could be so much fun. My best friend from college, Shely, worked 2 desks away from me. My boyfriend at the time worked at the desk across from me. We all hung out together on weekends and after work. It just didn't feel like a job, because aside from the social fun, the actual job was rewarding. You could get by just putting a little into it, and still get paid your salary. Or you could work and bring salary, commissions, and other bonuses. Unfortunately, I lost my job for working too hard. I've never loved a job as much since I worked there. Another big disappointment was I had just gotten a promotion. When I got back from the cruise I was supposed to be transferred to the Business and Government Department. I was really looking forward to it, for I would no longer be in an entry level position and I would learn a lot about wholesale and government buying. The salary and commission structure was great too, so I decided since the lease was up on my apartment to lease a newer more expensive place. So, I was not at all happy. I did get a nice severance package on top of payout for sick time and vacation time that I never took. The cruise I took didn't use up any of my vacation time because it was something through the company. So I got 4 weeks paid vacation, 12 weeks severance which included a percentage of my bonus, and I was collecting unemployment. I was so sad about losing this job, but things did end up working out.


Well, I wish you all the best with your job hunt. Please keep us informed as to how your new job search is going. If you use some of your free time to do some more of your wonderful prints, or any other type of art, please share it with us. I love to see what you create

Maj.NickDanger, I wish you luck on your job search too

 

[John in Covina]

For many a self defining thing is our job, we are what we do.

I had an awful spell lost my job in March(?) 2005 and only got a temp job in May 2006 that went to September out for 3 months and returned to work in December been at that since.

Work is weird when you work for others, it seems that logic and reason has no place in many companies, so we duck our heads and try to get by. Work for self is scarey because the getting off the ground and the assurances created by most other jobs at companies seems more stable.

Big companies tend to offer better benefits, small companies is where you make a bigger difference in how things go.

When I was off I used unemployment, savings and even parts of my 401k to subsist on and had a fine time. I took Mom and Max the wonderdog all over for day trips and we hit Las vegas as well as Laughlin. I used the time to try to get over my emotional investment in my old company. I enjoyed the time mostly but remained frustrated at not finding a good job. My job now is ok and I like the people but the company needs help at getting things squared away and presents a lot of obsticals to the smooth running picture we'd like to acheive. I'd like to think I make a difference.

While you are off, try to do a few things you have been putting off and take a few days for yourself. Clear your head and do a little self indulging, then look for the good next job but don't be afraid to take something that is less than perfect for in the mean time. Remember it is always easier to find another job when you have a job.

There was a time when people would go to work for a company right out of high school or college or military and they'd work there an entire lifetime. These days that seems impossible. In my field of replacement auto parts some wheres between 5-7 years you will have advanced all you will advance and get all of the best raises you wil get out of a company. To advance in pay and in position you have to change companies. I think that seems to apply to many fields these days.

If I had a little more $, drive, courage and all around moxie, I'd like to start my own company but what to do?

I will keep you in my prayers tonight.

Best wishes!

 

[Maj.Nick Danger]

Supposedly he was told by his boss that they decided to let me go because even though I was a top performer, between all the commissions I was collecting and the prizes I was winning, I was making too much money!! Gosh, it didn't feel that way to me The people that they kept were the mediocre performers. The people who sold just enough to keep the business afloat, but not so much that they would collect commissions and other kinds of bonuses.
Ironic is just not a strong enough term for that! It's like corporations are rewarding people for being slackers!

Maj.NickDanger, I wish you luck on your job search too[/QUOTE
Thanks Miss daisy, but I really feel I will never have to work for someone else at this point. And am I ever glad.
I had a sort of epiphany as I was leaving that heinous place where I used to work. The thought that actually popped into my head was this,..."I will make 10 times the income working for myself, as I ever made working here!"

 

[happyfilmluvguy]

You'll always find your next step up. Don't give up. That's the best coping you can do.

 

[koopkooper]

Daisy that's incredible that you got laid off cos you made too much money!
Geez what do some of these guys want! I remember there were two reasons they got rid of me. Firstly, my company got bought by another and the new company felt I got paid too much.I guess that was my own fault cos I was poached from the opposition and managed to negotiate a better wage for myself...heaven forbid getting a good deal for yourself.
The second reason (ofcourse they wouldn't admit these,but one always knows) is that the new company would not pay penalties for public holidays.
I brought it to their attention that my contract stipulated I am paid these penalties.Then guess what!! You're a trouble maker Kooper!

I figure it's always best to stand up to them when you are being ripped off.
What would Bogey say! Actually he'd probably grab one of those pencil necked geeks and slap em about a bit and say "you annoy me"!

 

[Chanfan]

Well, think of it as you've just traded jobs. Your new job is to find a new job.

Seriously, I think one of the biggest problems I have had in jobless periods is being a bit slack in networking, job hunting, and the like. It is true that most of my jobs have been via folks I know, but it's also true that you can do a lot of work networking to meet friends of friends, and so on.

I did have a bad spell in the dot bomb - couldn't find any work in my field in my area, and ran out of unemployment. Ended up having to rob my 401k a bit. Had one of the worst jobs in my life - doing hardware testing for the Xbox before it came out. Sounds like fun, but it was very bad pay, bad work environment, and I was way overqualified. Also, it largely involved things like placing a DVD into an Xbox to see if it spun up, play it for 10 seconds, and repeat 100 times. Yech.

I ended up working for a year or so in a Warehouse job, handling rental equipment for a groundwater testing equipment company. It was scut work, washing dirty hoses, etc. But, a friend was the manager, and the environment and co-workers were pretty good. It got me through until the market picked back up for software testers.

 

[koopkooper]

I hear you guys mention 401k quite a bit. What is that.Is it like a government unemployment payment. When you lose you job here you are entitled to a fortnightly payment, which is really only about $300 a fortnight,but I guess it keeps you off the street.

 

[Dan G]

My Dad just got fired for making too much money. Funny thing, if in the Sandpoint Idaho area, ask a local where you should take your boat for some work. Just an experiment. The customers have followed Dad from shop to shop for the last 35 years.[huh]

I was raised far below the poverty line. My childhood was excellent though. Not whining.lol
If we didn't work, we didn't eat. The effects were pretty immediate. So if my dad or I got layed off, we were bustin behind to find any job for the time being.

 

[Spitfire]

Hey Lady D. See it as a great opportunity.
Think of all the days, when you were at work, wishing you weren't.
This is you big chance to finetune all your allready amazing talent. Get into it!

I have been working freelance half of my proffesional life (I do advertising, Art Director and Copywriter) and I have been in the situation many times. Suddenly you do not know where the next job comes from.

Once - when that happened for more than two week, that is - I decided, that I would try to get back to the artcrafts I once learned. Bought pastels, paper etc and started to work. Just for my own sake. After two days of "Degas living" the phone rang. An advertising agency had just got the order to do the first HIV/AIDS campaign in Denmark - and wanted me to do it!!!!
Know what? I asked if it could wait a couple of days, since I was in the middle of something...lol

All the best Lady D. Stay cool - fly high.

 

[Flivver]

Thanks for all your kind words folks. Im just flustered. Networking is a hard thing to begin, and its SO true Koop, those gigs are not advertised, it is all ablot who you know.

LD

So sorry to hear this Lady D.

I was in this situation four years ago, and for me, at least, networking saved the day, even though I had put myself in a difficult position. I have always loved both the auto industry, and living in New England. So for 20 years I had dealt with this situation by working as a consultant and doing a great deal of traveling.

But, now I am taking care of elderly parents and can't travel much anymore. So when I lost my job four years ago, I was in a difficult spot. With 25 years experience in automotive, no one wanted to even talk to me about anything else. Dozens of resumees went unanswered. And automotive analyst positions are scarce in New England.

But a friend who knew my prior work was persistent in trying to get me into his company. And, eventually he was successful. Now I have one of the most satisfying jobs I've ever had, with a great company and working with a great bunch of people.

Lady Day, you are SO talented, and you're in a great city with many opportunities. If there is any way I can help with your networking, please let me know.

 

[Viviene]

Lady Day,

You're going to do just fine. Both my DH and I were fired from jobs we held (DH 16.5 years and myself 6.5 years). We moved on and are now working in positions that we absolutely love. Had those companies not dumped us we would not be where we are today.

Grab the opportunity with both hands and make the most of it.

 

[GoldLeaf]

LadyDay, I know how you feel. I am terribly sorry that you have to go through this. You are very talented, sweet, smart and funny! I am sure that you will be on your feet soon.

My hubby and I have had to fight bouts of unemployment for the past 3 years. A year ago my husband quit the terrible job he had for 3 years where he worked 70 hours a week, never had a weekend off, and we never saw each other. Retail management sucks. We only saw each other once a week before we got married; we saw each other even less when we got married. Definitely not the goal we had in mind!

We made the decision that we would rather be poor and be together than have money and never see each other, so he quit his job. He wasn't qualified for unemployment because he quit, so we ended up raiding his 401k and our savings bonds and using our credit card to buy food. It was a tight spell, but we were so happy to be together, it was completely worth it.

We celebrated being together, found very cheap things to do (hiking is free!), and made a game out of finding the cheapest things to eat and get us by. Since it was our choice instead of being laid off, it was easier to deal with.

It took my hubby about 3 months to find a new job. He sent out about 200 resumes and only got 2 interviews. People here are so educated that a kid with a bachelor's degree just can't compete. He even tried to get a job at a Lowes in the paint section (he worked for Sherwin Williams previously) but he was too qualified to be a regular paint mixer, so they wouldn't hire him We would have been happy with anything! He is now a bill collector making 20,000 less than his previous job, but he works 40 hours a week, from 9-6. We see each other, and we are probably the happiest we have ever been.

It's all about how you view being unemployed, and it seems you have a pretty good outlook. DH will be getting his masters soon in accounting something or other, and we think that in a couple years, he will be much more marketable and will have a better paying job. While the pay isn't very important to us, we would like to have an apartment bigger than 800 sq ft some day

I hear you guys mention 401k quite a bit. Is it like a government unemployment payment. When you lose you job here you are entitled to a fortnightly payment, which is really only about $300 a fortnight,but I guess it keeps you off the street.

A 401k is a voluntary retirement investment portfolio. They are usually set up by a business for employees to contribute a portion of their pay before taxes. Most companies will match the employee contributions up to a certain point. The 401k have replaced the old-fashioned company pensions for people that worked at one job for 20 years.

So a lot of us have raided our retirement funds during unemployment. It hurts because you have to pay taxes on the money when it is withdrawn and you loose money you could use to retire with, but it was the only way we survived We are fortunately young enough that we could pay it back easily.

Unemployment is an entirely different animal that I honestly don't understand because I have never had to use it. If a person meets certain criteria, the government will give you a percentage of what you previously earned for X months. Someone else may be able to provide more details.