Who else has been laid off recently?

bigeye21

Been working residential building materials outside sales for the last 7 years or so and got laid off about 3-4 weeks ago. My new job hunt has been tough and I have not been encouraged by all the lay-off news the last few weeks. I went to a job fair in Seattle yesterday at Qwest Field and felt like I was in line to audition for American Idol! I could not believe how many people were there! Once finally inside, there weren't even that many employers represented and the ones that were there, were mostly hiring for part-time or seasonal positions that weren't very economically viable. I have been trying to keep my attitude and motivation up, but it can be pretty discouraging at times.

Anyone else out there in a similar situation?

Heineken Helen

well I got laid off in July, moved over here to England in September and decided to give myself a couple of months off... but since I've really started sending my cv out, maybe 2 or even 3 months ago, there've been zero responses... I get excited if an agency replies to say they're not considering my application :roll: cos at least it's a reply.

This week I've been doing a kinda back to work course... they've been a BRILLIANT help with my cv and application and motivation. I changed my cv around a bit on Tuesday and, since yesterday, I've been called for 3 interviews... all early next week. I've done a couple of mock interviews with them and today the interviewer offered me a work placement with them so I can do a couple of days a week there while still looking and going for interviews and stuff like that. PM me if you want help with your cv cos I've learned PLENTY this week.

The first thing I did was remove my nationality from my cv :roll: and straight away, call backs. I also added the personal profile thing which basically is you going on about how great you are but apparently that's what they want to see.

Heineken Helen

and yeh, it is discouraging and disheartening... but you need to keep the head up and stay positive and you'll find something just be ready to remain patient though.

blackredyellow

My brother is in the same boat... He was about 2 months into a good job as a technician working on nuclear reactors (scary), he just got done with training, but he and some other guys were let go. Since then he has applied and interviews for numerous places. Between one electrical company and some temp agencies, he is on their lists for when they have work starting up again, but no one has yet.

He makes the joke that he was 4 employers but hasn't worked a day yet.

My brother-in-law is a carpenter and also is in the same boat. He has works for a contractor who builds high end houses, but it's been about two months since they've had any work. Winters are usually slow, but they usually have some odd remodeling jobs here and there, but nothing this year.

sweet adeline

...

edit: sorry, didn't see the "off" right away.

adropinthepark

Not yet, but it's coming.

bigeye21, if you're in the Seattle area you might want to give Business Careers a shot. They are a permanent employment placement company. Back in '02 they had me working in four weeks.

Heineken Helen

adropinthepark wrote:

Not yet, but it's coming.

I'm sorry to hear that just be prepared and hopefully it won't be so bad... if you have your cv and references up to date (references can be a bitch to track down later... I got lucky with my last employers... just emailed them about the reference yesterday after 6 months and she replied with a GREAT one within the hour )

adropinthepark

Heineken Helen wrote:

adropinthepark wrote:

Not yet, but it's coming.

I'm sorry to hear that just be prepared and hopefully it won't be so bad... if you have your cv and references up to date (references can be a bitch to track down later... I got lucky with my last employers... just emailed them about the reference yesterday after 6 months and she replied with a GREAT one within the hour )

It's going to have some repercussions that I'm not ready to go into yet, though I am making plans and trying to stay as positive as I can given the circumstances. I wish we did cv's over here, they look like they allow for more insight through creativity. US employers generally want a VERY short resume with lots of key words for scanning. :roll:

decides2dream

adropinthepark wrote:

Heineken Helen wrote:

adropinthepark wrote:

Not yet, but it's coming.

I'm sorry to hear that just be prepared and hopefully it won't be so bad... if you have your cv and references up to date (references can be a bitch to track down later... I got lucky with my last employers... just emailed them about the reference yesterday after 6 months and she replied with a GREAT one within the hour )

It's going to have some repercussions that I'm not ready to go into yet, though I am making plans and trying to stay as positive as I can given the circumstances. I wish we did cv's over here, they look like they allow for more insight through creativity. US employers generally want a VERY short resume with lots of key words for scanning. :roll:

i'm sorry to read this. :(
hope you land on your feet.


in regards to CVs, they are used often in higher ed, but all have their limitations. as far as i'm concerned, a resume is merely to get your foot in the door for an interview. all employers know 'key items' on their checklist of things in a potential employee, whether looking at a CV or a resume, so really not that pertinent in my mind. you can be more 'creative' in your cover letter and sell yourself. when i was looking for career change i went back to my grad school for career counseling and had an overhaul on my resume and cover letter. i was TOLD to make my resume 2 pages! i think once past a certain level of experience, it is acknowledged you just need more space! made a world of difference. altho i would say, if i had to redo again...i'd definitely have to make tough choices and edit more to stay on 2 pages. :P



btw - just curious - helen: why would you list your nationality on a CV or a resume? i've never heard of that? and i can kinda see why it might be a 'negative' if you are applying for jobs in england, but saying you are irish, they might mistakenly assume the mere mention of it means you really don't plan to stick around. just a thought.


oh and reference suck, especially if it's been a long while from one job to the next, b/c those people move on too! and/or...looking for a job while still currently employed and dont want your current employer to know, etc. altho i will say, i don't think i've ever had a past or current employer ever ASK for my references. haha.

xavier mcdaniel

what's a CV? cover letter?

decides2dream

xavier mcdaniel wrote:

what's a CV? cover letter?

it's latin:


curriculum vitae.



it's similar to a resume, but it does afford more space for elaboration on work, accomplishments, etc.


as i mentioned, they ARE used in the US, mostly for academic purposes.

bigeye21

adropinthepark wrote:

Not yet, but it's coming.

bigeye21, if you're in the Seattle area you might want to give Business Careers a shot. They are a permanent employment placement company. Back in '02 they had me working in four weeks.

Yeah, I've actually had interviews with two Business Careers recruiters so far. One has landed me an interview but that has, unfortunately, gone no where. The real problem is my industry is D-E-A-D! I've spent the last 10 years selling building materials to the residential market and it's awful. No one is hiring and many are closing their doors for good. I'm trying to look at other opportunities in other industries but it's work wading through all the shit posted out there -- especially for anything sales related. I posted my resume on Craiglist and was immediately spammed with a bunch of shady crap jobs and ponzi schemes.

I wish you luck if you do, indeed, get laid off. I'm about a month in and it sucks. One word to the wise: file for unemployment benefits immediately. I heard some of these offices are getting backlogged and you want to get your paperwork processed ASAP.

milarso

Yeah, I'm kinda in the same boat.
I got laid off back in August, but got a really nice severance package (3 months full pay). So I kinda just laid low, but once the checks stopped coming, I filed for unemployment.
Now I'm working in a bar. It's fun work, but I don't have health insurance, and I am not making even close to what I was before. But it is work.
I'm just thankful that I don't have a wife or kids or anyone else relying on me to make money. It takes a lot of the pressure off.

Hang in there man! Things will get better. I'm crossing my fingers for you!

bigeye21

milarso wrote:

t's fun work, but I don't have health insurance, and I am not making even close to what I was before.

I was able to find affordable short-term health insurance but with a high deductible here: https://www.ehealthinsurance.com/
It might be better than nothing...

strummers

Both myself and my other half were 'laid off' at the end of Nov last year. Not much around at all and my previous employer refuses to fill in an insurance form properly so I can't claim my income protection I've been paying for years now :evil: !!

Was hoping to take a trip to the States this year, but depends how quickly we can get earning again.

With regards to CVs more companies are moving away from wanting too many personal details on CVs in order to avoid being sued over E and D type claims. Last workshop I went on before I lost my job were saying to avoid putting DOB/Nationality/Marital Status etc and having e-mail addresses that also have your DOB indicated.

FoxyMop

sweet adeline wrote:

...

edit: sorry, didn't see the "off" right away.

Ok, I laughed out loud at this.. had to quote it!

My mom was just laid off after 20 years at her company, 6 months earlier than she planned on retiring (little did they know). Lucent just let go another couple of hundred people here too. This economy blows..

I decided to go back to work and started looking for jobs in September. Now in Jan/Feb there are 65% less jobs listed/available than in September. Uggh!! I've had hits, but nothing I wanted yet.

Good luck to everyone looking, and keep an eye out for the scammer companies on CareerBuilder.

xavier mcdaniel

also if you stumble upon something that you think might not be legit, check out - www.ripoffreport.com. If you're looking at sales and marketing type jobs, a lot of those are not what they say they are.

patrickredeyes

Both my sister and her husband got laid off right b4 the holidays. It's rough all over the place.

milarso

bigeye21 wrote:

milarso wrote:

t's fun work, but I don't have health insurance, and I am not making even close to what I was before.

I was able to find affordable short-term health insurance but with a high deductible here: https://www.ehealthinsurance.com/
It might be better than nothing...

Thanks, I'll check it out.

Arcticangel

sweet adeline wrote:

...

edit: sorry, didn't see the "off" right away.

Haha

But really. I work part time in health care (full time student) and figured that's one of the last places jobs are getting cut (one of the only industries still hiring..) but my boss told us the other day that if his boss asks him if he really needs all of us...he's not going to lie because he doesn't. There's only one person with less seniority than me at my position...so I'm just hoping they can hold off for the next...uh.. year and a half until I go to grad school.. :?

adropinthepark

bigeye21 wrote:

adropinthepark wrote:

Not yet, but it's coming.

bigeye21, if you're in the Seattle area you might want to give Business Careers a shot. They are a permanent employment placement company. Back in '02 they had me working in four weeks.

Yeah, I've actually had interviews with two Business Careers recruiters so far. One has landed me an interview but that has, unfortunately, gone no where. The real problem is my industry is D-E-A-D! I've spent the last 10 years selling building materials to the residential market and it's awful. No one is hiring and many are closing their doors for good. I'm trying to look at other opportunities in other industries but it's work wading through all the shit posted out there -- especially for anything sales related. I posted my resume on Craiglist and was immediately spammed with a bunch of shady crap jobs and ponzi schemes.

I wish you luck if you do, indeed, get laid off. I'm about a month in and it sucks. One word to the wise: file for unemployment benefits immediately. I heard some of these offices are getting backlogged and you want to get your paperwork processed ASAP.

I'll def take your advice on filing the claim as soon as it's official. I've been a Permit Specialist in the building industry for 10yrs. It feels like the door is being sealed shut on this career. I'm looking into training for other fields. What I have to do to make that work sucks big time, but I'm going to wait until it happens to have my conniption fit.

Best of luck to you. Oh, and the Feds are hiring. My familiarity with red tape says that it would probably take 4-6 months to land a fed job, but it's an option. Meh.

adropinthepark

strummers wrote:

Both myself and my other half were 'laid off' at the end of Nov last year. Not much around at all and my previous employer refuses to fill in an insurance form properly so I can't claim my income protection I've been paying for years now :evil: !!

My husband and I had the same trouble with long term disability insurance a few years ago. By the time they sent a check, we'd already sold our house. We will never sign up for the optional insurances again. :evil:

adropinthepark

bigeye21 wrote:

milarso wrote:

t's fun work, but I don't have health insurance, and I am not making even close to what I was before.

I was able to find affordable short-term health insurance but with a high deductible here: https://www.ehealthinsurance.com/
It might be better than nothing...

I second that advice. It's what I would use if they didn't have their pre-existing condition clauses, as I am asthmatic and my husband is diabetic with heart and kidney issues. For now we're going to stick with COBRA. If I didn't have that option I would jump at a family insurance plan. Excellent suggestion.

CHANGEinWAVES

adropinthepark wrote:

bigeye21 wrote:

milarso wrote:

t's fun work, but I don't have health insurance, and I am not making even close to what I was before.

I was able to find affordable short-term health insurance but with a high deductible here: https://www.ehealthinsurance.com/
It might be better than nothing...

I second that advice. It's what I would use if they didn't have their pre-existing condition clauses, as I am asthmatic and my husband is diabetic with heart and kidney issues. For now we're going to stick with COBRA. If I didn't have that option I would jump at a family insurance plan. Excellent suggestion.

COBRA is brutal.... compared to other healthcare insurance. But I'll be on it as soon as my divorce is final. I was on it quite a bit growing up when my dad was laid off, it was a lot of hassle but I was and will be glad to have coverage.

Heineken Helen

strummers wrote:

Both myself and my other half were 'laid off' at the end of Nov last year. Not much around at all and my previous employer refuses to fill in an insurance form properly so I can't claim my income protection I've been paying for years now :evil: !!

Was hoping to take a trip to the States this year, but depends how quickly we can get earning again.

With regards to CVs more companies are moving away from wanting too many personal details on CVs in order to avoid being sued over E and D type claims. Last workshop I went on before I lost my job were saying to avoid putting DOB/Nationality/Marital Status etc and having e-mail addresses that also have your DOB indicated.

Yeh, I got told that too... the only 'personal information' should be job related and more like a personal profile going on about how great you are. They've no right to ask you almost anything personal. It's really weird having to come up with all good things about yourself but you should practice

D2d I didn't think it would do any harm cos if they look at my cv at all, it will take them seconds to figure out that I'm Irish.

Heineken Helen

xavier mcdaniel wrote:

also if you stumble upon something that you think might not be legit, check out - http://www.ripoffreport.com. If you're looking at sales and marketing type jobs, a lot of those are not what they say they are.

this is good advice... if you get offered a job or interview and something doesn't seem right... google the company until you're satisfied that it's a real company and find out as much info as you can. I did this and found out the job was a scam.

Foxy, funny you should say about your mom, I got laid off 2 weeks before I was gonna hand in my notice . That day, I went straight to the bank, lodged the cheque, went out for a few pints... and signed on unemployment the following Monday. If I had have signed on the day I got let go... things would have been much easier. On the Monday, they changed it so that it wouldn't be paid into your bank but you'd have to go to the post office. So yep, do it the day you get laid off... cos changes can come quickly.

FoxyMop

I call dibs on one of the 4 million new jobs.

You all can fight over the rest. :roll:

Heatherj43

I heard on the news yesterday that they were going to give another extension for unemployment. That is good for those still on unemployment. Did you know that when they give the percent of those unemployed, it only include those on unemployment, not those who have already got all of theirs and still are out of work.
Here in Michigan it sux. It seems nobody is working.

xavier mcdaniel

A better gauge would be the number of underemployed. That's where I fall in, especially with this pay cut that was instituted without my consent.

Evil Merlin Part Deux

I have a feeling mine is coming...

we're doing find where we're at, but they know what they can get away with now, and it's getting pretty bad with how sneaky shit is getting around here. Actually we're doing better than fine, but of course, if there's a way to upcharge clients more, and payout less, then, why not right? It's the American way! :roll: They already delayed raises for the next five months...Mine was due in two weeks too. Great timing.

It's funny too...it's kind of like the education budget...make a cut, and lay off the teachers...the cheaper option of what we actually need. I fall in that category. I make less than about 95% of the people here, which shows the ridiculous payscale they have here...

Yet I'm in a control group that's needed for safety...hahaha go figure...

or maybe they'll keep me over one of my superiors since I'm a fraction of the billing cost? Hmm who knows. Or maybe nothing will happen? We'll see...

davidtrios

any of you folks land back on your feet? they say it's gotten better.