I got into work this morning, and was herded into the auditorium along with a lot of other people from the production floor.
Yep… as the title says, we were laid off. Effective immediately.
It was handled very professionally, they had representatives from the Unemployment Insurance office, they had a government spokesman for the Displaced Workers Program the state of Minnesota funds, they had packets and briefings and severance packages and such all set and ready to go.
I was escorted back to my office, where I packed three boxes of personal effects and tools, and my co-workers helped me lug it all out to the car.
A go-round of handshakes, an exchange of phone numbers, and I was on my way home to break the news to Cassie.
This is the third time in 8 years that I have had my position in a company in the Surface Mount Technology industry removed in a permanent way, on a scale large enough to involve severance packages for many employees.
The first time, they announced it well in advance, and in fact posted names by order of seniority, specifying exactly who was leaving when, as much as 6 months in advance. I had over 5 years in the company, and thus had quite a nice severance package… and enough warning that I was well prepared, had updated resumes, contacts within the industry who knew I was looking, and I walked from one job on a Friday into my new job the next Monday.
The second time, I walked into work and was told, “Today is your last day. Our only customer has chosen to let their contract with us lapse and go with a cheaper supplier in Mexico. Please pack your things.” I had been there, as a direct hire that they had pursued and headhunted, for all of three months. I was utterly unprepared.
This morning… well, everyone knows the financial news. It comes as no shock to anyone that there are yet more layoffs at a technology company, and there should certainly be no surprise that it is hard to find openings within an industry that has progressively moved more jobs overseas and out of the United States for various reasons.
Each time, I have searched until I found a new position in the same industry, hoping to build on my knowledge and experience in a field I expected to continue to grow.
This time, I have about three weeks to try and really find something, somewhere, before the severance runs out and I’m on savings.
I am going to actively pursue any opportunity in our Twin Cities area where my combination of skills, regardless of personal experience with a particular piece of equipment or software platform, will get me in the door.
If anyone in the Twin Cities area that reads this blog is aware of a job opening for a bright young man with the following skills;
- Extremely well versed in preventive, predictive and reactive maintenance of both production and facilities equipment and hardware of many types, operation, programming, etc.
- Excellent leadership and communication skills and experience in supervising and managing a team.
- Excels in production line quality analysis, defect and root cause analysis, and implementing corrective solutions.
- Experience in dealing directly with customers and vendors/suppliers to improve quality and increase satisfaction and improve relations.
- Ain’t afraid to get his hands dirty.
- Is extremely willing to start immediately, learns fast on the job, and has an eye for attention to detail.
Please, LET ME KNOW at “tigerlordgm AT yahoo DOT com”.
Yeah, I know, not the most professional of email addresses. I have one that is simply my name, that I haven’t used in years, that I will be dusting off and using in correspondance… but let’s face it, if you are reading this post, you already know more about me than any employer I’ve ever had. Using ‘tigerlordgm’ as an email when talking to you can hardly injure my chances further.
Right now, Cassie and I are starting with looking at listings for Maintenance Technicians, both facilities maintenance and plant production maintenance.
We’re also looking at the injection molding industry, which I do not have direct personal experience with, but that I hope that my experience with programming, setting up and supervising production runs using high tech materials and techniques will allow enough of a foundation for giving me a viable chance at geting seen at an interview. There is so much in the production process at any facility that uses proprietary software and building practises, that a large portion of my job is staying on top of new technologies and techniques, learning new methods quickly, and getting it right the first time.
We are also, and this might be the field that has the most potential for openings considering the weather, looking at HVAC installation and repair, since facilities and equipment maintenance is where I started, and I have a lot of experience in industrial-scale facilities maintenance. Hey, when they hire you to keep everything running… you’re the guy they call when something, anything breaks.
We are also looking for any position on the management and supervision level that requires those skill sets.
I may be strange, but I’m not really concerned with what I do. I’ve had job titles of Engineer, and then performed the role as the one man show of small SMT operations where everything from fixture design and ordering, equipment programming, mixing and performing conformal coat operations on finished builds, and even programming and running entire first builds of product from parts loadout to packout were my reponsibility, because there was no one else that could do it… to jobs where my title was Technician, and I did only one aspect of the whole show as part of a huge team.
I am focusing in on the key goal of finding a new career where I have the base foundation of skills necessary to be competitive at getting hired, where I can realistically expect to either jump in and kick ass right away or be able to pick up the specific knowledge or experience I may lack to fill in gaps quickly… a career that will pay enough to continue to support our family.
Wish us luck!
/tighthug
I am sorry to read this, Bear. I hope you find something soon.
/sends good karma your way
<3
Wow, I’m really sorry to hear the news and I wish you luck in finding a new job quickly. I wish I had some contacts I could send your way but I’m in an entirely different industry.
Good luck on finding a new job Bear.
*bear hugs for bear family*
Best of luck in finding a new job and hope it all works out for you.
Hang in their friend. I’m sure you’ll find something soon. My husband and I have been pretty concerned with the economy and our jobs as well, but we’ve been blessed so far. Our company let 15 people go unexpectedly when things first took a turn for the worst. 15 people may not seem like many, but in a company barely over 100 it was enough to scare us. That was last fall. It’s January and we’re still here. (Yes, we both work for the same company.) We’re not out of the woods and feeling confident in our positions yet, but things are looking up and both of us are prepared in case one or the other, or God-forbid both of us end up in a seeking new employment position.
Just a thought…have you thought about opening your own business? Or doing something that allows you to work for yourself? I know that’s probably a shot in the dark, but something to think about. We decided that if we did lose our job/jobs, we were going to seriously pursue opening a game store. I did the research, went to classes, prepared a business plan, and have the whole thing but the budget prepared and ready for submission. It’s at least something to think about if it was an interest.
I’m really sorry to hear that BBB.
It sounds like you have lots of great qualities and your new employer will be lucky.
Best of luck.
You know how to get a hold of me if you need to talk. If there’s anything Kim or I can do, let me know.
Best wishes BBB, someone who can write as entertainingly and intelligently as you do, and has the skills you mention, wont be unemployed for long.
From the other side of the pond, here’s one more bear rooting for you !
Sorry to read that Bear. Best of luck for the new job.
Oh no! Good luck with finding a job. Too bad you can’t convert Gold into US currency otherwise you could charge people for your tanking skills. Oh well. Good luck :)
/boggles Not the Bear!
Seriously though, warm wishes, good carma, fuzzy prayers, and whatever your personal paradigm accepts, are being sent your way!
My own IT-support team got slashed in the same way “oh, sorry, pack up”, and I lucked out this time but am now “bottom of the totem pole”, so I totally feel for your situation.
You’ll find something, I know it.
Good luck, BBB.
Next month will be my 10th anniversary with my company… but this company is a bank. A large, very stable, bank… but that doesn’t mean much these days.
And of course, instead of working my arse off to prove myself a valuable and worthwhile employee, I’m browsing blogs… when will I ever wake up?
Sorry to hear the news, working in the IT industry I totally know where you are coming from. I have a cousin who lives in that area I will send him an email and see if he has heard of anything available. GL
Been there…done that. I lived off of convenience store hot dogs, chips and soda for a month because all I had was a gas credit card to get me by. And I had to sell everything I owned, pretty much. But good things came out of it for me, and I’m sure they will for you as well.
I assume you are getting unemployment after the severance runs out?
Crazy idea, but you guys might think of relocating. Texas is pretty nice…not too cold and the economy is generally better than most of the US. At any rate, take this time to think some things through and do some self inventory. That’s what I did, and it helped me refocus my life a bit.
Im really sorry to hear that BBB. Good luck with your job hunting, and I’m sure you’ll find something soon.
gah, it’s a tough market. gl in your job search! I’m sure you’ll land a good one.
Sucks to hear that. Best wishes in finding something new fast.
My sincerest wishes that you find something that will challenge and inspire you! Hang in there – it’s not an easy road to travel but you’ve got a great outlook on life and a great partner to back you up! It’s what got me though my own unemployment period when the company I was working for went belly-up and left me with nothing at the end of November.
I think you are the kind of guy who makes his own luck, but good luck anyways!
Sorry to hear the news, best wishes to you and your family in a new job search.
B2teh3.
Look into any bottling/packaging plastic processors. Specifically, PET/HDPE high volume blow molders (makes milk jugs, 2 liter pop bottles, 20 oz water, etc.). The reason I mention this, is because it was one area of the economy that actually has seen a flat year – in a downturn, that’s like growth. Also, PET or HDPE sheet and fiber lines have done OK this year (think insulation/carpet fiber). Unfortunately, my company isn’t hiring. We sell auxilliary plastic equipment that supports the primary manufacturers. Steer WAY EFFING clear of any injection molder with any automotive contracts. There are many many of those that will be going under in the first quarter due the the Big 3 issues.
I only mention this because I have more experience with plastic processors than you admitted to having, and wanted to steer you away from the more obvious (to me) pitfalls. I don’t know how (but wish) I could be of more tangible help. Feel free to send me a note so we can trade e-cards. I won’t be offended if you don’t, because I admit I don’t have an immediate in-road for you.
Good luck.
You know you could become a writer. Ever thought about doing a weekly article for a paper or looking into the possibilities of working for Blizzard. You are really articulate and would be a great writer.
Sorry if someone already posted this suggestion I didn’t read all of them.
Lousy news :(
Big hugs, purrs and good thoughts coming at you & the family.
Wish I could do more.
I don’t know if this really fits you, but you did say a wide range XD
Had a look and seems like my college is looking for a Windows System Administrator:
http://apps.carleton.edu/campus/human_resources/job_openings/?job_id=458661
It is roughly 40 mins from the cities though.
Best of luck, BBB
Chiz the Tree
My heart goes out to you and your family! I work for a leg of the Indiana State Unemployment office and, as the second hardest hit state for unemployment, I can definitely understand your plight. Just keep your head up, update that resume, and interview like crazy!
But we’re victims of our own success. How many times can you improve productivity without putting yourself out of work?
People just can’t buy that much stuff. So as productivity outstrips consumption, manufacturing jobs are lost (not just outsourced, lost).
This happened already to the farming industry.
It’s been going on for years in the manufacturing industry.
The real downside is that “service jobs” pay less – further pressure on the consumption side of the equation.
If you haven’t discovered linkedin.com you must check it out. It’s like facebook for professionals.
I say again: http://www.linkedin.com/
I’ve had to watch friend after friend get let go, BBB, so here’s to hoping a speedy recovery for you!
Really sorry to hear this. My dad was made redundant last year and it totally shattered our family, seems the company he worked for wanted to get rid of all the Mid 40′s/early 50′s and bring in a whole new batch of early 20′s. He worked for a council association which controlled a lot of the council estates in London. The company has never been the same since they got rid of so many important people and all was told their role in line of work wasn’t needed. The company get over 200 complaints a day as the current employee’s haven’t a clue what they’re dealing with, many people up to this day always knock on my dad’s door for emergency advice, like a ceiling has collasped or their water isn’t working. I look back at the company and think “their loss”.
I too got laid off last year for a reason I still don’t understand, apparently they were too “overcrowed” in the accounts department when the reason I started to work there was because they didn’t have enough employee’s.
I really hope you sort things out, wishing you and your family all the best.
Working in the financial services industry myself has seen ample changes in staffing and opportunities. I think it will likely come down to who you know, so keep putting your feelers out there and you’ll find something. It might be a stop-gap measure for some income while you’re finding something in your field, or it may be what you’re looking for.
<– starting a retail job, again, with an MBA. You take what you can get!
Good luck and keep us posted!
Good luck, God Bless, etc
Aww Bear. I’m sorry to hear this. About 6 months or so ago I went through the same thing. This was back when the “recession fear” was always in the media. I was able to land several job interviews but I received the same thing from most of the companies – we really would like to hire right now, but now that growth is slowing upper management has put a stop on all new hires. I even had a friend from the same company as me land a job immediately, only to be fired 3 weeks later because they “made a mistake in budgeting and could not afford any new hires”.
Moral of the story, be strong and keep positive. It may not happen overnight so don’t get frustrated. Between my main career path of Quality Assurance plus the other apps I dropped off at restaurants, bars and nightclubs looking for any type work I probably applied to over 150 places over a 4 month period. Luckily I was able to call in a few favors, did some landscaping for friends, working late nights at a friends restaurant, baby/house/pet sitting and other random tasks.
I wish you the best Mr. BBB. And I wouldn’t even be against you becoming a full time Blogger and generating some extra revenue from this blog. =D
Just remember, Job Hunting first – Warcraft later. It’s easy to get caught up farming Eternals instead of looking through the classifieds.
Heartfelt regards from this bear downunder matey.
You’re a top bloke and all the druids in our guild send you their good karma too :)
Hang in there. It’s not over yet! We’re all (entangling) rooting for ya! [ /cast Entangling Roots at economy]
I am really sorry to hear about your misfortune.
I hope that you get what you need with all due speed!
/cast aspect of the pack
Hope that helps!
Aww *bearhug* I’m so sorry to hear that. I understand how rough that is. Good luck to you, and best wishes!
Bah! =(
Sorry to hear the lay-off bug bit you.
As cliche as it may be, I agree with some of the others. Perhaps this in an opportunity to support your family with something you do, and do well: writing.
Far easier said than done of course–but if you tackle things IRL like I know* you do in the “World” (of Warcraft) I believe you will be fine with whatever you choose or comes your way.
Chin up, Buddy. Sometimes life throws us unexpected pulls–and as us bears are wont to do–we gotta tank it with our face.
So sorry to hear this Bear, I hope you manage to get a job soon. /hug
Real sorries ta hear it, Bear. Gettin’ laid off is a crappy situation, no matter how professional they try ta handle it. Me thoughts is with ya, and hopes that things work out well, and quickly.
Well that sucks. Hope the job search comes up well.
Sorry for the bad news, I am sure there will be something come your way soon – hang-in-there.
Hey man, Wish you luck. I have been out of a job for a while now and just now getting calls and interviews. you have a bit more experience than I do so I am pretty sure you will get a job really quickly
That sucks. I wish you mUCH luck in finding work fast! Be talking to you soon.
Hang tough BBB!
A new job is just around the corner.
How do I know?
Thats easy, you rock!
Wow, I’m sorry to hear that. :(
Good luck B3, I’m gonna keep my fingers crossed for ya.
I feel for ya and can relate. After 6 years at a company working my way from the very bottom to the middle I was let go. Worst part is the reason i was let go. I got a new manager of my division who was lacking morals ( a bad match for a former boyscout). Needless to say we bumped heads a few times and being I was on third shift my word had very little meaning when he flat out lied about me and said I was stealing time. I was salary working 45-80 hour weeks. I love the reason too. They said I was watching television in a basement near the vault (physically impossible with the radar alarm system or no television) and got my unemployment denied flat out. He planned it out too. He did it when I had just proposed to my gf and spent my savings on a wedding ring. That was June 2nd. I still can not find a job here in Milwaukee, WI. For a guy who has kept a job an average of 5yrs or more every recruter said they could find me a job in a week or less. The recruiters are now going out of business because people aren’t hiring. Then my gf leaves me because I have no money and was depressed for having no job.
I think of it like this though. The tough times show you what a person is and someone who crumbled under that pressure wouldn’t have made it through children. Its a shame though that I invested 9 years in a relationship for this to happen.
Anyhoot I am bringing you down and that wasn’t the aim. You are a good guy with probably a lot of connections you haven’t checked on before. Try friends if you don’t find something soon. Tweek that social network. While you are down take time to brush up on the office skills. They test for typing nowadays. hen pecking will fail ya fast. Brush up on Office etc. AND LEAVE ANY WOW RELATED ITEMS OFF YOUR RESUME. COMPANIES HAVE BEEN PURPOSELY NOT HIRING WOW PLAYERS BECAUSE THEY FEEL WE WOULD NOT BE DEDICATED ENOUGH.
3B… I am really sorry to hear that news. I haven’t the foggiest what all you can do, but if your blog is any indication to your work YOU ARE FREAKING AMAZING AT IT!!! Times like this make me realize why I play a healer, cause I would seriously do anything I could to keep you “tanking” away in the professional world! Sadly I know there is no HoT that can solve this issue. I know everything will work out for you… not sure how yet, but I know it will! If there is anything I can do from AZ let me know!
A big leafy hug from the tree to the bear…
Ouch Bear… I’m really sorry to hear that =( *BIG HUGS* best of luck in the new job search!!
Sorry to hear that, and Major GOOD LUCK! I hope you find what you need.
I’m in the same boat mate. Wish us both luck
Sorry to hear man,
I’ll keep my ear to the ground and let you know if I hear anything.