Soon to join the ranks of the unemployed

None that aren't easy to accommodate.

 

Seems like a yes or no question. Answer must be yes. I wouldn't admit it either.

 

Seems like flamebaiting and an attempt to argue off-topic. I'm not going to accommodate the attempt to derail this into a political discussion in the off-topic forum, which is for discussing non-political issues.

If you have a problem with that, I can always call a mod to take care of the problem. Are we clear?

 

...noobs are such easy targets.............

 

This is a depressing post. So many negatives. No offense I respect the honesty. The only thing I can suggest is finding a sugar momma or daddy, which ever sex you prefer.

 

there's always truck driving school.

 

You are much better off in this economy if you have either skills, work in health care, or work for the government. A degree, depending on what it is, is not a major benefactor when companies are cutting back yet those with a degree are doing marginally better than those without right now.

My job would be hard to replace right now mainly because of what I created for the company. That does not mean I couldn't be replaced, just that it would put them back a bit trying to maintain the structures I have created that make their jobs easier. A skill or skills and reputation are valuable.

 

it's called attrition. One of my customers announced a pending R.I.F. a year in advance. Some took the initiative to find greener pastures while others remained complacent and took their chances. When it comes to my livelihood I prefer to be in control as best as possible and thus why I co-founded a business, failed and then did it all over again and it's always a struggle but would not change it for anything.

You have the same choice; remain complacent or take this as a kick in the complacency and get going. Maybe selling cars has intrigued you? If so, approach a dealer and offer to work nights or weekends as an intern in training while you still have a day job, or sell insurance errr sorry, financial adviser, again, do it while you still have income.

It means no free weekends and having to put forth a bit of sacrifice but you would be in control

the challenge has been put in front of you, only you can decide how you meet it.

on a side note- you've been out front about being homosexual. I understand that it's a very tiny % of the population but if it's a loyal market niche, maybe you could "sell yourself" to prospective employers as being able to bring in that market segment

 

The reality can be depressing, but I won't let it get to me. I've dealt with relatively long stretches of unemployment before, and put the time off toward improving my skills so that I could find more "stable" employment. It's a jolt to find out my job isn't so stable after all, but I'm a survivor. If I'm not able to find something more suitable before my time runs out, I suppose I can always go back to cleaning bathrooms.

 

True in many job contexts. In my case, I'm a small fish in a shrinking pond. The skills needed for the kind of work I do aren't that hard to find, and with the reduction in workforce we're being looked upon as "a dime a dozen", so reputation doesn't really enter it. They'll take the people with the most education and greatest seniority, and won't have to worry about training them. I can get a good recommendation from my current boss, but she's going to be out of a job, too (and is well-positioned for an early retirement).

I'm also in the unenviable position of being someone who has to regularly tell people 'no'. They tend to take it personally no matter how diplomatic one tries to be. People tend to remember that kind of thing more than how helpful one has been at other times. Although it could be worse - in my prior job I had auditing responsibilities - the kind that lead to managerial types getting fired, and one could almost hear them cringe at the sound of your voice on the phone. Can't say I enjoy being the 'bad cop'; it's definitely a way to be remembered, but not in a good way.

 

If you're old enough to retire in two more years, you can supplement your Social Security with a part time job and still wind up with your 40K target income. There is also between six months and a year of unemployment benefits which you can begin collecting after your job ends, if this will get you closer to retirement age. Sorry to hear about your job. I can relate. My entire job field vanished in 2007, and is still gone. I think you'll be okay. Start planning now.

 

Oh many disabling conditions can qualify you but if that isn't an option then probably early retirement.

Social security will allow a part time job and you can make close to what you did as mentioned earlier..

 

Sorry to hear that...

Best of luck to you in the future...

 

Thanks - I really do appreciate people wishing me well and the advice they've provided, whether or not it's applicable to my specific situation.

 

An employer here cut their work force and provided the people tuition to help them learn another skill. Some employers just care more.. Never say never and never give up, someting will turn up, you just have to remain positive and keep an open mind. This is fact..