Good news, Bad news

matthewk · Post by **matthewk** » Fri Aug 20, 2004 12:17 pm

The good news is that it looks like I'll have more time to play video games for a while.

The bad news is it's because I just lost my job. Our company, which has been laying people off and cutting back for a while now, finally dropped the ax on my head. Apparently we're still not done eliminating positions.

I know there have been a couple of others out here that have gone through this. I'l try not to sound whiny about the situation, but right now any support from those who have made it though this (or from anyone for that matter) whould be greatly appreciated. Right now I've got a mixture of depression, anger, doubt, and fear going through me on a rotating basis.

Suddenly, worrying about which football game has the best AI seems so trivial. However, since I have nothing else to do today, and I need some sort of outlet to cope with what just happened, I'm going to spend time with my football games and try and regain some sanity while this all sinks in. I never actually thought it would happen to me. I've always been busy there (though maybe at times a little bored with the tasks), and it just does not make sense. Right now I just want to find another job ASAP, and hope I can get similar pay in the process.

This just plain sucks

RiverRat · Post by **RiverRat** » Fri Aug 20, 2004 12:26 pm

Yup, sucks the big one.

Sorry to hear this. Can't say I've been through the same thing so I'm afraid I don't have much advice to give (although it happened to my dad occasionally when I was at home) but I know others on the board have.

Good luck, dude!

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Fri Aug 20, 2004 12:29 pm

good luck man.

Jason · Post by **Jason** » Fri Aug 20, 2004 12:30 pm

Best of luck to you.

I work in the IT field and the past few years have not been good. I've been at my current job for almost two years making half of what I made at my previous jobs (I was deperate after being out of work for over 6 months) and my current employment isn't exactly on solid ground either.

Good luck with your search and try to use your time away from work to recharge your batteries.

RandyM · Post by **RandyM** » Fri Aug 20, 2004 12:34 pm

I've been there more than once, man. I'm really sorry. Depression sets in and it's hard to deal with, mainly because of perspective. If it helps, looking back with 5 years hindsight, being laid off from the company I was in was one of the best things that happened to me, but I never would have the guts to quit and move on myself.

All things do pass...hang in there.

Randy

Toper · Post by **Toper** » Fri Aug 20, 2004 12:34 pm

Matt,

Hang in there. I was previously laid of also before my current job. My best advice is to just enjoy your time off (I was getting unemployment benefits, which made it easier), and then just set a time in a month or two where looking for work becomes your top priority. Things should fall into place from there.

The free time also gave my the chance to go thru all my stuff and sell things I don't use/need anymore on ebay. You'd be surprised at what some people will pay for your old stuff...it was a good source of "secondary income" for me as well.

Thanks,

Toper

pigpen81 · Post by **pigpen81** » Fri Aug 20, 2004 12:35 pm

sorry to hear that Matthew, I hope it doesn't take long to find another one.

BBReBozo · Post by **BBReBozo** » Fri Aug 20, 2004 12:35 pm

I've been through it way too many times in the past three years as well and know exactly how you feel. It SUCKS. (Or should that be IT sucks?)

My advice: Hang in there. Another good opportunity is right around the corner if you keep alert and USE your contacts, however trivial. You never know who might be your next step to a new job.

Sudz · Post by **Sudz** » Fri Aug 20, 2004 12:43 pm

sorry to hear. has anyone here NOT been layed off?

sucks. good luck!

Teal · Post by **Teal** » Fri Aug 20, 2004 12:51 pm

"I'l try not to sound whiny about the situation, but right now any support from those who have made it though this (or from anyone for that matter) whould be greatly appreciated. Right now I've got a mixture of depression, anger, doubt, and fear going through me on a rotating basis."

Hey Matt:
I have just come out of trying for 8 months to find a decent job, so I definitely feel ya. All of those emotions you've listed will continue to well up until this is over-I won't kid you. As a father of two, I was at the point of desparation many, many, times. I can't tell you the best thing to do, because I'm sure I didn't do the best things in attempting to deal with it myself. I'm a man of strong faith, and I rattled off a laundry list of accusations at God more times than I care to recount, shook my fist at the sky, and told Him where he could stick it. But He's ok with that-really. It's not His fault, to be sure, but He knows that stuff like this sucks for us, and that we've gotta vent. So vent. That's gotta happen, or you'll blow your stack. Being a person of faith, I'll certainly pray for you and your situation. I hope it's not long, bud, cause I know how hard it is. Get some good gaming time in, preferrably with us on live. It's a good escape from having to dwell on it for a time, and we'll not mention it at all. If we've got the same games, let's get together and play. And if you WANT to talk about it, you're welcome...I'll be all ears...

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Fri Aug 20, 2004 12:53 pm

Hang in there Matt. I was laid off in 2002 right after starting school in the mornings to comply with the company that laid me off. Needless to say it was very difficult finding full-time employment when I was unable to work from 8-1 so I was unemployed for 10 months, worked part-time for 9 months, and was unemployed again for 3 months before landing my current position. It was a strain on the old marriage but we got through it. We also found out we were having a baby 1 month after I was laid off. You'll get through it just like I did and just like the several others here did. It will suck but it's not the end of the world. Good luck buddy.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Fri Aug 20, 2004 12:54 pm

Sudz wrote:sorry to hear. has anyone here NOT been layed off?

Me...I guess when you do quality work and you are an asset to the company, employers are a lot more hesitent to lay you off.

LOL...just playing.

Good luck finding somethin' Matt.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Fri Aug 20, 2004 1:01 pm

Wow, Matt, that really blows. Hang in there. Have faith -- you're a smart guy with a lot to offer to an employer. You'll find something soon.

Take care,
PK

F308GTB · Post by **F308GTB** » Fri Aug 20, 2004 1:03 pm

Sudz wrote:sorry to hear. has anyone here NOT been layed off?

sucks. good luck!

Me. Hard to get rid of us g-men.

Good luck with the search. Planning on staying there or moving?

mixdj1 · Post by **mixdj1** » Fri Aug 20, 2004 1:05 pm

Sorry to hear that man. I hope something works out quickly for you. FYI, I'm a big fan of smaller companies. I like the family atmosphere and there seems to be a little more loyalty to the employees (although we've had a few layoffs here in the last couple years too) and the ability to get your hand in a few more areas of the business to make yourself more valuable. Just something to consider with the job search.

mixdj1

Sudz · Post by **Sudz** » Fri Aug 20, 2004 1:18 pm

spend time here: http://www.truelook.com/portal.jsp hard rock casino in vegas pool cam...UBER ZOOM!

i just wrote copy for the site yesterday.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Fri Aug 20, 2004 1:19 pm

As someone who was just out of work for six weeks, I can tell you that you will definitely run the gammet of emotions. All I can advise you is to keep things in perspective. Whenever I thought the corporate world was against me, I'd read a heartbreaking news article or see something on tv that really made my current situation not appear as bad. And I emphasize "current" because all this is a set back. Unfortunately, when you are laid off, you feel as if you are the only person in the world who's out of a job. That's not the case obviously.

As someone stated, this time away from work will recharge your batteries. For me, it definitely gave me a better appreciation for having a job. In a sense, you return to work hungrier and more motivated.

My advice to you is when you're looking for a job, consider it work. It's a frusturating and grueling experience, but you have to motivate yourself to go about searching for a job. If needed, I have a few websites that may assist you with your job search.

Above all, take time out to relax a little. Don't feel guilty. It wasn't your fault. Don't let your emotions get the best of you. It's ok to be depressed, but don't take them out on your family and friends. If anything, they are there to help you.

Good luck Matt. Just another hurdle.

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Fri Aug 20, 2004 1:31 pm

Matt,

Sorry to hear that and as bad as things might look right now this is actually a great opportunity for you. This gives you time to figure out if you want to stay in your chosen field or pursue new opportunities. Being in the IT field for almost 15 years I know now that my current position will be my last one in this field. I've grown to hate the field myself and the only reason I continue to stay in it is because of the paycheck. Somewhere down the road I plan to invest in a franchise whenever the right one comes along. In a perfect world I'd like to get involved in something that I can turnover to my two sons someday if they would be inclined. It's amazing that most of us work hard to make a comfortable living, yet while we do the work someone else is getting rich because of our efforts. Use this time to examine all of your options and you might find it a blessing in disguise.

Tim

James_E · Post by **James_E** » Fri Aug 20, 2004 3:01 pm

Sudz wrote:sorry to hear. has anyone here NOT been layed off?

sucks. good luck!

Never been layed off from a company that was still operating. Turned out the lights at a company last year though, when it ran out of money...then was out of work for about 1 month before having a new job (waited another month to start the job though.)

It can be nervewracking. LIke you, I played a bunch more video games the first little while. Then I got into the job hunt seriously and got lucky and landed a job pretty quick (had to pick up and move to a new city, but at this point it seems like it was a good decision.)

spooky157 · Post by **spooky157** » Fri Aug 20, 2004 3:06 pm

Sorry to hear that. I was out of work for about a year a while back so I know how it all plays out. Sorry if this seems flippant at all as it is not intended to be but just a couple of quick tips:

1) Make sure you shower every day. It picks you up and gets you ready to face the world in a presentable manner. Which leads to....

2) Leave the house/apartment every day. There's so much out there that you can be doing. I love games as much as anyone but going to a museum or reading a book out in your local park really helps.

3) Always try to get up at a decent hour. I always shot for 10 AM, although that wasn't always attainable for me.

Hang in there. These were just the basic rules that I lived by for about a year.

RiverRat · Post by **RiverRat** » Fri Aug 20, 2004 3:21 pm

Sudz wrote:sorry to hear. has anyone here NOT been layed off?

sucks. good luck!

I am fortunate that I have never once been fired or layed off in my entire working life (knock on wood).

Like I said before, good luck Matt. Hope you find something good soon.

Spooky · Post by **Spooky** » Fri Aug 20, 2004 4:03 pm

So sorry to read that Matt. Best of luck to you!

JMU_Duke · Post by **JMU_Duke** » Sat Aug 21, 2004 12:15 am

Easier said than done, but try to focus on the things you can control. Forget about the rest. (Serenity Prayer comes to mind.)

Good luck.

TheMightyPuck · Post by **TheMightyPuck** » Sat Aug 21, 2004 3:12 am

Good luck and Godspeed. I kinda know what you are feeling--actually what you were feeling before the ax finally hit your neck. I am one of the survivors (company went from 7000 employees in 2000 to 2000 in 2004) but I constantly feel the Sword of Damacles. Tough place to be. Hopefully you got a nice package and have some opportunities. It isn't all bad. One of my friends got laid off recently and had hooked up a job paying 15K more before his last day. I hope you have the same kind of luck. Don't take this the wrong way, but now ain't a good time to be playing videogames.