At one job, back about 1988, I kind of had them over a barrel. I had just turned 30. I had a lot of proprietary info in my head and they could not let me walk, but they were paying me a pittance. I negotiated a raise. There was a delay. The boss came back and said that they would have to give me a promotion to justify the raise, but they'd been scratching their heads on what to call the new position, because I was already "Senior Systems Analyst."
I suggested "Bit Jockey Emeritus." I think it ended up as Lead Senior System Analyst or some such thing. It was funny, because I was the only system analyst they had. I still like my idea better.
Sigh!
Thanks all. It's like Rush Limbaugh says: pessimism is easy; it takes some effort to be optimistic.
What makes me optimistic is that I am in a much better position than the last time I got the boot. My skills are much more current; I'm getting a good send off from the employer. The last time I got canned was a long dark 2+ year slog and I would go 6 months without an interview. I had to start off by spending the first 3 months fighting for my unemployment benefit. Oh yeah, and 6 months in, my first wife, Satan sued me for $250K or thereabouts.
The one bright moment in that ordeal (outside of the extended deer and turkey hunting trips) was when the magistrate told Satan that she was not going to do anything about the accusation that I was referring to my ex as "Satan" in online forums. Satan had even printed off stuff from the 24hourcampfire as evidence. I immediately went out and bought myexissatan.com and sold hats and coffee mugs and T-shirts. I just let the domain name lapse last month.
I had a bunch of well-wishing calls this afternoon. Folks were calling me up in disbelief. I take it the hatchet kept falling after I left. Oh well. It's not my problem anymore.
One thing got done this afternoon. Angus graduates from high school in a month. We had a pow-pow this afternoon. Angus sees that he's got to go out and get a job that pays benefits. He'll need medical insurance now. There was some question how long he would loiter here at the house enjoying adolescence. Today the answer came back: not long. That's hard, I know. However, he's a good guy and fairly smart. He'll do well. It certainly beats the last time I got laid off. He was only 10, and I was always telling him I was going to sell him for medical experimentation if he didn't do his chores and keep his grades up.
When the economy tanked in '09 I was walked out the door at age 59, I received 13 weeks severance pay and outplacement assistance. I could not find employment for 18 months, finally took what I call a "bus stop" job that lasted 18 months. All the time I was attending employment networking meetings every week. Finally found a contract employment position that involved a career change and 40% pay cut, fortunately my wife had an excellent job which provided medical,dental,vision coverage for both of us. I worked in incoming quality control for a multibillion dollar Fortune 500 corporation, great people to work for probably the best job of my career. Fortunately for me I was able to retire at age 64 even though I still had one daughter still in college. At my exit interview my manager told me that I had a job with the company for as long as I wanted to work. I told her that while I appreciated that, this was as long as I wanted to work. I now have the best job I've ever had, retirement. In my third year now every day is a new adventure, I'm never bored and can always find interesting stuff to do. I wish you luck in your search, perseverence is the key along with getting the word out to everyone you know, opportunities can be found when you least expect them. Contract employment is not a bad gig if you can work for minimum benefits, it often turns into an opportunity for a permanent position.
Same thing happened to my wife a week ago. She made way too much money and her company is doing horrible in the current economy. We were both amazed it didn't happen years ago.
I have a couple friends and a sister that have 25-30 years with the same company, but they are not the norm any longer. In today's world I think 5-10 is more realistic for any company.
Keep your attitude positive and things will work out just fine. Best wishes.
They say everything happens for a reason. For me that reason is usually because I've made some bad decisions that I need to pay for.
Satan swore the amount was less than a quarter-mil, closer to $200K. She said I exaggerated. However, that was only up to exhibit N . She had a pile more to present before the magistrate put a stop to the presentation.
I can't wait to see what she comes at me with this time around.
It gave me lots of time to practice retirement so I'd be good at it.
Been taking my 6 weeks of vacation from Nov 15 through Jan 1 for the last 8 years. Every time it starts I immediately begin thinking it is what retirement must be like. I now have 18 months until the final day if the Lord wills I should make it that far.
"I never thought I'd live to see the day that a U.S. president would raise an army to invade his own country." Robert E. Lee
Good luck Shaman! Been in your shoe's a few times.. God closes a door and opens a window to new things! Too bad about Satan, I divorced her sister The Red Headed Demon..
Speak softly and use a big bore... Where's El Cid when we need him...
Norman Solberg International lawyer, lately for 25 years in Japan, now working on trusts in the US, the 3rd greatest tax haven. NRA Life Member for over 50 years, NRA Endowment (2014), Patron (2016).
Shaman, I've gotten laid off a number of times for reasons that I couldn't control (never for performance or behavior). Companies went bust, got bought by other companies, pulled out of a market, downsized, etc. I filled in between "real jobs" by consulting, commission selling industrial equipment and, temporary jobs until I found another "permanent" job.
It may be a dark night now, but there is a sun rise tomorrow. Best of luck.
My wife does something involving hiring for a pretty big tech company. Even if you're not a fit for her company, she could probably steer you in the right direction.
He was only 10, and I was always telling him I was going to sell him for medical experimentation
In similar situation I told step daughter when she was about 8 that I was gonna sell her to juan valdez. "You'll be picking coffee beans by the day after tomorrow!"
She started crying.... lol
15 years later we still joke about it.
You'll be fine. Relax and take your time. Keep family close and shoot some turkeys. You're gonna come out ahead!
BAN THE RAINBOW FLAG! PERVERTS OFFEND ME!
"When is penguin season, daddy? I wanna go kill a penguin!" ---- 4 yr old Archerhuntress
