For the very first time in my life, I will be unemployed. Can you believe that? Unemployed. That is at least if I do not find some other form of paying employment before the first of September. Bring in the bacon like any respectable father is supposed to do. That leaves me with less than ten days to get my act together, but I am not getting my hopes up. Less than ten days and counting.
The market and economy is plainly in bad shape for now, and I will have to accept that. Opportunities for folks my age and with similar experience and expertise are minimal. Bad chances. Survival of the fittest and all that muck. Bad chances.
Okay, let's rewind.
This morning my greatest of fears became a reality after a short and unemotional meeting with the manager of my department and the human resources manager. Two against one. This meeting lasted just under thirty minutes and it was quite unsettling for me. Very frustrating. I felt pretty helpless, angry and desperate, sad and nervous, all at the same time. In the back of my mind I wondered why things had turned out so sour this time around. As far as I was concerned, I had not done anything wrong. These two folks on either side of the table from me seemed distant, impersonal and formal. Masks and sounds and motions. A couple of nods, some so-called understanding glimpses, words emitted and then silence. Words came out like this: these are the facts, here you are, that's it, good luck, see you later. I nearly lost my cool on two occasions, but I caught myself just in time. There was also a short heated debate over whether or not I would receive some form of compensation because of this last minute announcement. I mean really, isn't it a bit at the last possible moment telling me bye-bye so near to the end of my contract? There is no time to prepare, two weeks is nothing, I will never find a job in time. In order to meet my financial requirements during the hiatus of unemployment, what now? But no go, as they told me further with the very same straight faces. I receive absolutely nothing, because my (temporary) contract was for one year only. Nothing more. Nada, rien, niets. One year sounds like a long time but it is not. I kept muttering to myself on the drive back home that I never should have accepted it (the contract) in the first place, but I didn't realize the grave risks at the time. That's how life is sometimes.
Isn't it strange and ironic that three wonderful weeks of a vacation can be followed by such a letdown? The pendulum swings back and forth, from one extreme to the other. Now is the time to join the grind of sending off job applications and feeling like you-know-what. Bad chances lead to new opportunities. Or so they say.
At least living with me is never boring and interestingly unpredictable (as my wife says).
Hang in there Kiffin - something exciting will come up and you'll feel lucky you were free to take it!
You are in my thoughts Kiffin. Contract work is something that I am not totally familiar with, but I have seen people let go 5 times in the last year and a half and it was never an enlightening experience. Educational? Maybe. Enlightening? No!
My condolences, Kiffin. Losing a job is a real shock, especially when it doesn't make sense why. I know you're in need of a job, but try and take a few days to clear your head before forging on. Something will come up and you will be better for it. Good luck, and please keep us all updated!
Yes, clear my head and think things out. That is what I am going to do. After that I will have to think some more and figure out where the best chances are. That would seem more efficient to focus my efforts on where it counts, rather than shooting resumes every which way, spraying buckshot in a wide spread hoping for a hit. Does anyone out there have any suggestions on how to accomplish this?
I was shocked to hear about your job Kiffin. Your meeting with your manager and HR sounded like a carbon copy of the meeting I had with MY manager and a HR rep (in April!!). I guess our biggest difference was I was a long term permanent employee (11 years) and did receive some extra compensation (severance). We are in the same boat now. Maybe we are "overpriced" for the current market? The best of luck in finding something soon (I am still looking)!!!!!!!!
I don't know if monster.com works for you in Europe, but I'd assume that there's something along those lines there too. When I was laid off last year one of the first things I did was put my resume together and then went to Monster's message boards. They have many recruiters inhabiting the boards and if you ask, they will usually happily look at your resume. I got many tips in general to tighten it up and make its impact the greatest. I actually had about three different resumes to send to different industries, as these days it seems everyone is looking for something different. Good luck!
You know, I have never had any luck with Monster's message boards nor headhunters. These methods seem to me like broadcasting your resume to everyone within hearing distance along with the other million folks looking for a job. I need to focus my energies in an efficient way. Perhaps it is time for a major career change. Do something good for mankind instead of helping the rich only get richer.
I wish you all the best Kiffin. I also lost my job late last year when recession and unemployment was at its worst in my country.
Sorry to hear about the job, Kiffin. You seem like a really smart guy, hopefully you won't have any trouble finding an even better place of employment!
yes Im sorry kiffin, but in light of the reason I came here Iv'e got somethin from the lord the lords job send help both e mails gods speed
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