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| Company layoffs/restructuring; Have you been through one? | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Jul 6 2006, 05:14 PM (240 Views) | |
| ilm | Jul 6 2006, 05:14 PM Post #1 |
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Middle Aged Carp
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If you've been through a layoff due to a company restructuring, how did you cope? |
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| Dewey | Jul 6 2006, 05:21 PM Post #2 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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I went to the unemployment office to register for benefits. I was so disgusted by the bureaucracy and the humanity-sucking indignity of the whole process that I walked out, decided to start my own firm, and to never walk through those doors again. That was 16 years ago, and I've kept that promise. Financially, we cut and scrimped, and lived on Mrs. Dewey's modest salary. This occurred two years before our first child came on the scene. From July 16, the day I officially hung out my shingle, through December 31 of that year, I grossed $4,800. The first full twelve months, I grossed $13,000. After that, though, things took off for a relatively comfortable existence, for at least the next ten years - but that's another story.
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"By nature, i prefer brevity." - John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, p. 685. "Never waste your time trying to explain yourself to people who are committed to misunderstanding you." - Anonymous "Oh sure, every once in a while a turd floated by, but other than that it was just fine." - Joe A., 2011 I'll answer your other comments later, but my primary priority for the rest of the evening is to get drunk." - Klaus, 12/31/14 | |
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| big al | Jul 6 2006, 05:34 PM Post #3 |
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Bull-Carp
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I've been through a couple. The first was very difficult. I had been with the same employer (more or less, there had been two buy-outs) for 22 years and had zilch in the way of job-hunting skills. It took me 9 months to find even a temporary job. The second was after another buy-out of another employer. Fortunately, we were given notice of the planned closing of our operation and I was able to start looking while still employed. I had a new job waiting by the time the old one ended. One thing I must say is network-network-network. Don't be shy about contacting anyone and everyone you know to talk about your employment search. Most leads are found through other people. Big Al |
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Location: Western PA "jesu, der simcha fun der man's farlangen." -bachophile | |
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| Mikhailoh | Jul 6 2006, 06:02 PM Post #4 |
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If you want trouble, find yourself a redhead
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Pretty similar to my experience.. except that I was presented with an unacceptably worded non-compete after I brought with me the largest client to a new firm. So... I quit, took the client back and hung out my own shingle. That was 12 years ago and it has been quite lovely. Ilikemozart, what sort of work do you do? We could probably give you some advice for navigating a startup or at least freelancing until something else comes along. I know many would be glad to help out. |
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Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead - Lucille Ball | |
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| Steve Miller | Jul 6 2006, 06:08 PM Post #5 |
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Bull-Carp
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I've been around for the closing of a number of companies. It was in the computer (mostly computer memory) biz back then, and their closing had nothing to do with me. You cope by reminding yourself (daily, if necessary) that your identity is not defined by what you do for a living. You cope by behaving as you did at work - getting up at a regular time, scheduling meetings, making lists, organizing, setting aside times for various things. Looking for another job becomes your work, and you treat it as such. You network - constantly. You tell people you trust how hard it is for you and let whatever they say help to cheer you up. You call a headhunter or two if your line of work is such that their services might be beneficial. If your company is offering exit counseling, you take them up on it - all part of your plan to get on with things. You use the free time to do things you have always meant to get around to - garden, cleaning, organizing your cupboards, answering mail, whatever. You'll wish you had when you start working again. Beware of the demon called depression. It's real, it happens to the strongest of people and there is no shame in it. If you find yourself slipping in to despair, waste no time in finding someone to help you through. Avoid the temptation to self-medicate with booze or whatever- you have no time for that now. You have a job to do. It may comfort you to know that you get used to it after it happens a couple of times. I used to work with a guy who was so cool about it that he would spend the first few days after getting laid off beating the bushes and sending resumes, and then go off on vacation. He figured it would take a week or two for people to schedule him for interviews so he might as well enjoy himself. I could never do that, but I can say that each time I had to go out and find another job, I got one better than the one I had before. At one company I got downsized out and returned a year or so later to take my boss's old job - at his pay rate. That company folded too, but it was a good three years while it lasted. Hang in there - I''m pulling for ya. |
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Wag more Bark less | |
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| Dewey | Jul 6 2006, 06:28 PM Post #6 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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Lots of us are, ILM. And Steve, that was a great post.
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"By nature, i prefer brevity." - John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, p. 685. "Never waste your time trying to explain yourself to people who are committed to misunderstanding you." - Anonymous "Oh sure, every once in a while a turd floated by, but other than that it was just fine." - Joe A., 2011 I'll answer your other comments later, but my primary priority for the rest of the evening is to get drunk." - Klaus, 12/31/14 | |
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| iainhp | Jul 6 2006, 06:50 PM Post #7 |
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Middle Aged Carp
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We were told last Nov that our small facility would be closed in mid March as a cost cutting move. I was the last one out the door - not fun sending everything you have put together to another facility for others to take over. In December I teamed up with 3 other engineers (one also involved in the facility closure) to start our own company. Since then we have 1 product well on it's way to completion, 3 small contract jobs (one of which is on it's way to becoming fairly significant) plus close to picking up a very large amount of contract work from a large corporation. We have discovered that this appears to be the tip of the iceberg - so much so, that we have started talking with other colleagues to take up the slack should we get overwhelmed. Lot of talking, lot of planning, and not pulling in sufficient cash to make a living (yet) - but we are close. Some days I think we're nuts. But all in all, better than working a 9-5 job. |
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| ilm | Jul 6 2006, 08:29 PM Post #8 |
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Middle Aged Carp
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Thank you all for your kind comments. It helps, and tomorrow, I will return to this forum in hopes to hear more stories or comments. ILM |
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| Mikhailoh | Jul 7 2006, 04:57 AM Post #9 |
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If you want trouble, find yourself a redhead
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It would help if we knew more of your profession and location, ILM. |
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Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead - Lucille Ball | |
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| ilm | Jul 7 2006, 06:36 AM Post #10 |
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Middle Aged Carp
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Northern California, Administrative work, BA degree. Thank you. I don't know how much I should say on this public forum. |
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