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What a day it's been. And not in the good sense, either.
On 23rd July 1990, about 2 months after completing my A-level's, leaving school, and one week before my 18th birthday, I started my first job.
Today (well, yesterday now) on 23rd July 2002 - twelve years later to the day - I was called in to an office, and told that I'm almost certainly being made redundant in three weeks.
The team I work on is only two people - me and my boss - yet due to some downsizing by the client whose job we work on, there isn't much work, and won't be for at least a year, apparently. I've said on here before that work was slow, and now I'm paying the price. I'm a spare part. Been told that I don't need to go in to work at all if I don't feel like it, but that they've yet to ask other department heads if they can make use of me.
To say I'm nervous about the immediate future is an understatement. I think 'scared' would be a better word. I know that some people think nothing of these situations, and chop and change jobs as often as they like. Some do it to stay 'fresh', others may just wake up one morning and decide they'll hand in their notice.
I wish I was like that, but I'm not. This for me is a major concern. I owe about two and a half grand on credit cards, which until today I had no problem with - they would be paid off in a few months. Sure, I have Credit Care which will pay them off - or part of them - but to me that's not the point. I owe money, and that's not a Good Thing when you don't have a job.
I'll get a redundancy package of around seven grand. That'll pay off my debts, sure. But suppose I don't manage to get another job fairly quick. That won't last forever. On the other hand, I might be lucky and walk straight into another job. If I do, that's great - no break in the cashflow, and 7k in the bank. But if I know my luck, that's wishful thinking.
There has been a job going at my place, in the IT Support department, because one of them is leaving (of their own free will) to go elsewhere. I did consider applying for the position, but because I'd been happy where I was and got on well with my boss, I didn't bother. Now I have to.
They've already interviewed a few people. My hope is that having been there so long and knowing the people, knowing the way the company works etc., will give me an edge and help secure the job. But things don't always work out in a 'logical' way. It could be that they're looking for someone from outside to bring fresh ideas etc. to the way our support department is run. Who knows?!
People are saying "it'll be okay, it happens to lots of people" etc., but that doesn't help *me* at this moment in time. Basically at the moment I'm cacking myself, even though I have family and friends to fall back on.
Being at the one company for so long may have been good for my CV, showing committment and loyalty etc. But it's also robbed me of a lot of interview experience and the like. After years of security, I feel like a kid again - just out of school, and facing the daunting prospect of interviews and a major, potentially life changing decision.
I'm a person who likes some kind of routine in my life, and I've had this routine so long that I've probably got into a rut. I don't exactly *fear* change, but I like it to occur gradually, so I can fit things in around it. This kind of takes my whole life and throws everything up into the air, and I have no control over where the various pieces land.
Maybe it's not the change I fear so much as the loss of control over my life?
This probably sounds like overkill to a lot of you, but I can't begin to tell you how wound up and depressed I am at this moment in time. This is one of those things that always happens to "someone else". After work, one of my friends came round to see how I was doing after getting the news, and at one point I burst into tears - something I've not done in front of a friend since I was a kid. So please forgive me this overkill and crazy ramblings, but at the moment it really feels as if my life just collapsed.
I need to get myself sorted now, and quick. Get the CV updated, have the interview for the IT Support job on Friday, and get the CV off to other companies too, just in case. But it's the waiting that's the killer. I'd give anything to be six months down the line now, and looking back on the whole situation.
It may well be that in a few weeks time, I'll be settled either in a new job in the same company, or a new job in a new company, and posting here saying how stupid I was and how things have all worked out for the best.
Or I could be posting again telling of how my life has gone horribly wrong, and how I'd probably top myself if only I had the guts.
But should I disappear for a while, you'll at least know why.
Well, if you got this far, thanks for reading. And if you have any experience of this situation and can offer any sensible advice on getting through it, please do share - either publicly here, or privately at [email protected] - friends and family are great to talk to, but sometimes they just tell you what they think you want to hear, rather than being honest.
On 23rd July 1990, about 2 months after completing my A-level's, leaving school, and one week before my 18th birthday, I started my first job.
Today (well, yesterday now) on 23rd July 2002 - twelve years later to the day - I was called in to an office, and told that I'm almost certainly being made redundant in three weeks.
The team I work on is only two people - me and my boss - yet due to some downsizing by the client whose job we work on, there isn't much work, and won't be for at least a year, apparently. I've said on here before that work was slow, and now I'm paying the price. I'm a spare part. Been told that I don't need to go in to work at all if I don't feel like it, but that they've yet to ask other department heads if they can make use of me.
To say I'm nervous about the immediate future is an understatement. I think 'scared' would be a better word. I know that some people think nothing of these situations, and chop and change jobs as often as they like. Some do it to stay 'fresh', others may just wake up one morning and decide they'll hand in their notice.
I wish I was like that, but I'm not. This for me is a major concern. I owe about two and a half grand on credit cards, which until today I had no problem with - they would be paid off in a few months. Sure, I have Credit Care which will pay them off - or part of them - but to me that's not the point. I owe money, and that's not a Good Thing when you don't have a job.
I'll get a redundancy package of around seven grand. That'll pay off my debts, sure. But suppose I don't manage to get another job fairly quick. That won't last forever. On the other hand, I might be lucky and walk straight into another job. If I do, that's great - no break in the cashflow, and 7k in the bank. But if I know my luck, that's wishful thinking.
There has been a job going at my place, in the IT Support department, because one of them is leaving (of their own free will) to go elsewhere. I did consider applying for the position, but because I'd been happy where I was and got on well with my boss, I didn't bother. Now I have to.
They've already interviewed a few people. My hope is that having been there so long and knowing the people, knowing the way the company works etc., will give me an edge and help secure the job. But things don't always work out in a 'logical' way. It could be that they're looking for someone from outside to bring fresh ideas etc. to the way our support department is run. Who knows?!
People are saying "it'll be okay, it happens to lots of people" etc., but that doesn't help *me* at this moment in time. Basically at the moment I'm cacking myself, even though I have family and friends to fall back on.
Being at the one company for so long may have been good for my CV, showing committment and loyalty etc. But it's also robbed me of a lot of interview experience and the like. After years of security, I feel like a kid again - just out of school, and facing the daunting prospect of interviews and a major, potentially life changing decision.
I'm a person who likes some kind of routine in my life, and I've had this routine so long that I've probably got into a rut. I don't exactly *fear* change, but I like it to occur gradually, so I can fit things in around it. This kind of takes my whole life and throws everything up into the air, and I have no control over where the various pieces land.
Maybe it's not the change I fear so much as the loss of control over my life?
This probably sounds like overkill to a lot of you, but I can't begin to tell you how wound up and depressed I am at this moment in time. This is one of those things that always happens to "someone else". After work, one of my friends came round to see how I was doing after getting the news, and at one point I burst into tears - something I've not done in front of a friend since I was a kid. So please forgive me this overkill and crazy ramblings, but at the moment it really feels as if my life just collapsed.
I need to get myself sorted now, and quick. Get the CV updated, have the interview for the IT Support job on Friday, and get the CV off to other companies too, just in case. But it's the waiting that's the killer. I'd give anything to be six months down the line now, and looking back on the whole situation.
It may well be that in a few weeks time, I'll be settled either in a new job in the same company, or a new job in a new company, and posting here saying how stupid I was and how things have all worked out for the best.
Or I could be posting again telling of how my life has gone horribly wrong, and how I'd probably top myself if only I had the guts.
But should I disappear for a while, you'll at least know why.
Well, if you got this far, thanks for reading. And if you have any experience of this situation and can offer any sensible advice on getting through it, please do share - either publicly here, or privately at [email protected] - friends and family are great to talk to, but sometimes they just tell you what they think you want to hear, rather than being honest.
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Life presents itself to you in strange ways sometimes. Perhaps this isn't such a bad thing. Besides, if work is slow, then you probably aren't overly enjoying your job anyway.
I've been in this sort of situation before, sort of. Thousands of pounds in debt, and no job. Where the hell do you turn? At the end of the day, you'll survive, as I did. I would suggest possibly temping for a while, a few months maybe just to throw yourself around a few different environments and see if you fit well anywhere. Once you get a feel for something, you could try contracting for a bit, or just look for a permanent job somewhere. DOn't try to move from one permanent position to another, because it's not that easy, and you'll want to build up your self-esteem a little before you throw yourself into a flurry of interviews.
Take your time, consider your options, and expand your horizons. I was a penniless bum, now I'm a Programme Accountant for a huge company. It's all to play for.
I've been in this sort of situation before, sort of. Thousands of pounds in debt, and no job. Where the hell do you turn? At the end of the day, you'll survive, as I did. I would suggest possibly temping for a while, a few months maybe just to throw yourself around a few different environments and see if you fit well anywhere. Once you get a feel for something, you could try contracting for a bit, or just look for a permanent job somewhere. DOn't try to move from one permanent position to another, because it's not that easy, and you'll want to build up your self-esteem a little before you throw yourself into a flurry of interviews.
Take your time, consider your options, and expand your horizons. I was a penniless bum, now I'm a Programme Accountant for a huge company. It's all to play for.
Like you say, people are just saying to you that everything is gonna be alright, but in a situation of misery, seeing happiness is the hardest part. When it comes to a problem, you'll find that they'll be a solution. Like you say, you've got good experience, and that's mainly what a company wants. People get the impression that you come out of university, and that's it. BANG! Jobs yours for the taking. It's not the case. A company would rather employ someone with no qualifications and say 5 years experience, over someone straight out of university.
More then likely, you'll look back on this in a few months time and realise there was nothing to worry about. It's hard to loose something and feel unappreciated and not wanted, but through the pitch black of darkness, there normally is a light waiting for you.
More then likely, you'll look back on this in a few months time and realise there was nothing to worry about. It's hard to loose something and feel unappreciated and not wanted, but through the pitch black of darkness, there normally is a light waiting for you.
My dad has been made redundant so many times I can't remember... I think it might be three or four... once he was in a new job for a month and was made redundant.
It was difficult times and his line of work can be unstable...
However, last month he got promoted to the job he always wants... got lots of wages, big office and company car.
SO things can get better :)
It was difficult times and his line of work can be unstable...
However, last month he got promoted to the job he always wants... got lots of wages, big office and company car.
SO things can get better :)
There is money available for training from your local authority if you are made redundant. I was made redundant last year and although its a gutter and I've done some fairly crap jobs since, the prospect of getting myself back up to speed with some training is exciting.
Get in touch with Computeach - www.computeach.co.uk - they have a variety of courses ranging from Microsoft Cerified to Sun Certified (I'm starting the Java one next month). They also provide a jobseeking service included in the course which is a few away days with experts honing your cv and contacting companies for work. With the course I'm doing they reckon within a couple of months into the course I should be able to find employment around £20k and by the time I have finished anything over £35k..!
You dont need to have done a degree or even A levels to start the course, but depending on your experience you can be exempt from certain stages of the course. Having done a computing degree I'm exempt from the first 2 stages in my Java course which means I could finish within about 4 months if I study fairly hard.
It may not be what you're looking for but its an idea...
Get in touch with Computeach - www.computeach.co.uk - they have a variety of courses ranging from Microsoft Cerified to Sun Certified (I'm starting the Java one next month). They also provide a jobseeking service included in the course which is a few away days with experts honing your cv and contacting companies for work. With the course I'm doing they reckon within a couple of months into the course I should be able to find employment around £20k and by the time I have finished anything over £35k..!
You dont need to have done a degree or even A levels to start the course, but depending on your experience you can be exempt from certain stages of the course. Having done a computing degree I'm exempt from the first 2 stages in my Java course which means I could finish within about 4 months if I study fairly hard.
It may not be what you're looking for but its an idea...
And I didn't even spit on one burger. :0D Going back in August. Hurray...
Seriously though, as long as you keep working to get a job, you'll be fine. Don't even just sit back and give in, because that's so damn easy to do. Keep shouting and making a fuss till someone finally sits down to listen to you.
Seriously though, as long as you keep working to get a job, you'll be fine. Don't even just sit back and give in, because that's so damn easy to do. Keep shouting and making a fuss till someone finally sits down to listen to you.
A good mate of mine said to me once that life is a series of choices and the choices you make affect how your life goes. Sometimes life throws situations at you forcing you to make a choice (like in this case) and there's two ways of dealing with it:
1) Panic. This is normal, most people aren't used to having choices thrust upon them, especially when it comes to things like buying houses, getting married, changing jobs etc. They get stressed out because they've always believed that they made their choices early on and that's the way things should stay. Depression is a normal side-effect, so is stress.
2) Decide. Wookiee, you seem to already have done this. You've already applied for another job in the same company, you've decided to update your CV and send it out (tip, DO this, don't lounge about worrying about the future, the faster you get that CV out the faster you'll get more offers).
In general terms, some people (like me) just live life from day to day because we've realised both that life is short and that it can be cut shorter at any moment. We tend to put things in perspective for ourselves by saying things like "Oh well, doesn't matter how bad it gets because there's always someone out there worse off than me," or, my personal favourite: "In 200 years' time who's going to care?"
It might help to try and put your situation in perspective. With the current downturn in the world's economy, people are being made redundant on a daily basis. And we're talking thousands of people. Yet the majority of them bounce back into another job, or decide to change their lives in other ways, looking at their situation as an opportunity to try something different, perhaps by starting their own business or by learning new skills, or even by completely changing their lifestyle.
So try to look at the plus points instead of focusing on the negative aspects of your situation, and you'll see that it really isn't all that bad even though it feels that way at the moment.
P.S. if you mail me a copy of your CV at [email protected] I'll give it the once over for you (saves you £75 if you get a professional to do it). I did Grix's for him when he applied for his Rare job, and look what happened? He got a job! (OK, so he ended up working in a canteen at Oakwood Leisure Park but hey, he got a job...).
1) Panic. This is normal, most people aren't used to having choices thrust upon them, especially when it comes to things like buying houses, getting married, changing jobs etc. They get stressed out because they've always believed that they made their choices early on and that's the way things should stay. Depression is a normal side-effect, so is stress.
2) Decide. Wookiee, you seem to already have done this. You've already applied for another job in the same company, you've decided to update your CV and send it out (tip, DO this, don't lounge about worrying about the future, the faster you get that CV out the faster you'll get more offers).
In general terms, some people (like me) just live life from day to day because we've realised both that life is short and that it can be cut shorter at any moment. We tend to put things in perspective for ourselves by saying things like "Oh well, doesn't matter how bad it gets because there's always someone out there worse off than me," or, my personal favourite: "In 200 years' time who's going to care?"
It might help to try and put your situation in perspective. With the current downturn in the world's economy, people are being made redundant on a daily basis. And we're talking thousands of people. Yet the majority of them bounce back into another job, or decide to change their lives in other ways, looking at their situation as an opportunity to try something different, perhaps by starting their own business or by learning new skills, or even by completely changing their lifestyle.
So try to look at the plus points instead of focusing on the negative aspects of your situation, and you'll see that it really isn't all that bad even though it feels that way at the moment.
P.S. if you mail me a copy of your CV at [email protected] I'll give it the once over for you (saves you £75 if you get a professional to do it). I did Grix's for him when he applied for his Rare job, and look what happened? He got a job! (OK, so he ended up working in a canteen at Oakwood Leisure Park but hey, he got a job...).
What a day it's been. And not in the good sense, either.
On 23rd July 1990, about 2 months after completing my A-level's, leaving school, and one week before my 18th birthday, I started my first job.
Today (well, yesterday now) on 23rd July 2002 - twelve years later to the day - I was called in to an office, and told that I'm almost certainly being made redundant in three weeks.
The team I work on is only two people - me and my boss - yet due to some downsizing by the client whose job we work on, there isn't much work, and won't be for at least a year, apparently. I've said on here before that work was slow, and now I'm paying the price. I'm a spare part. Been told that I don't need to go in to work at all if I don't feel like it, but that they've yet to ask other department heads if they can make use of me.
To say I'm nervous about the immediate future is an understatement. I think 'scared' would be a better word. I know that some people think nothing of these situations, and chop and change jobs as often as they like. Some do it to stay 'fresh', others may just wake up one morning and decide they'll hand in their notice.
I wish I was like that, but I'm not. This for me is a major concern. I owe about two and a half grand on credit cards, which until today I had no problem with - they would be paid off in a few months. Sure, I have Credit Care which will pay them off - or part of them - but to me that's not the point. I owe money, and that's not a Good Thing when you don't have a job.
I'll get a redundancy package of around seven grand. That'll pay off my debts, sure. But suppose I don't manage to get another job fairly quick. That won't last forever. On the other hand, I might be lucky and walk straight into another job. If I do, that's great - no break in the cashflow, and 7k in the bank. But if I know my luck, that's wishful thinking.
There has been a job going at my place, in the IT Support department, because one of them is leaving (of their own free will) to go elsewhere. I did consider applying for the position, but because I'd been happy where I was and got on well with my boss, I didn't bother. Now I have to.
They've already interviewed a few people. My hope is that having been there so long and knowing the people, knowing the way the company works etc., will give me an edge and help secure the job. But things don't always work out in a 'logical' way. It could be that they're looking for someone from outside to bring fresh ideas etc. to the way our support department is run. Who knows?!
People are saying "it'll be okay, it happens to lots of people" etc., but that doesn't help *me* at this moment in time. Basically at the moment I'm cacking myself, even though I have family and friends to fall back on.
Being at the one company for so long may have been good for my CV, showing committment and loyalty etc. But it's also robbed me of a lot of interview experience and the like. After years of security, I feel like a kid again - just out of school, and facing the daunting prospect of interviews and a major, potentially life changing decision.
I'm a person who likes some kind of routine in my life, and I've had this routine so long that I've probably got into a rut. I don't exactly *fear* change, but I like it to occur gradually, so I can fit things in around it. This kind of takes my whole life and throws everything up into the air, and I have no control over where the various pieces land.
Maybe it's not the change I fear so much as the loss of control over my life?
This probably sounds like overkill to a lot of you, but I can't begin to tell you how wound up and depressed I am at this moment in time. This is one of those things that always happens to "someone else". After work, one of my friends came round to see how I was doing after getting the news, and at one point I burst into tears - something I've not done in front of a friend since I was a kid. So please forgive me this overkill and crazy ramblings, but at the moment it really feels as if my life just collapsed.
I need to get myself sorted now, and quick. Get the CV updated, have the interview for the IT Support job on Friday, and get the CV off to other companies too, just in case. But it's the waiting that's the killer. I'd give anything to be six months down the line now, and looking back on the whole situation.
It may well be that in a few weeks time, I'll be settled either in a new job in the same company, or a new job in a new company, and posting here saying how stupid I was and how things have all worked out for the best.
Or I could be posting again telling of how my life has gone horribly wrong, and how I'd probably top myself if only I had the guts.
But should I disappear for a while, you'll at least know why.
Well, if you got this far, thanks for reading. And if you have any experience of this situation and can offer any sensible advice on getting through it, please do share - either publicly here, or privately at [email protected] - friends and family are great to talk to, but sometimes they just tell you what they think you want to hear, rather than being honest.
On 23rd July 1990, about 2 months after completing my A-level's, leaving school, and one week before my 18th birthday, I started my first job.
Today (well, yesterday now) on 23rd July 2002 - twelve years later to the day - I was called in to an office, and told that I'm almost certainly being made redundant in three weeks.
The team I work on is only two people - me and my boss - yet due to some downsizing by the client whose job we work on, there isn't much work, and won't be for at least a year, apparently. I've said on here before that work was slow, and now I'm paying the price. I'm a spare part. Been told that I don't need to go in to work at all if I don't feel like it, but that they've yet to ask other department heads if they can make use of me.
To say I'm nervous about the immediate future is an understatement. I think 'scared' would be a better word. I know that some people think nothing of these situations, and chop and change jobs as often as they like. Some do it to stay 'fresh', others may just wake up one morning and decide they'll hand in their notice.
I wish I was like that, but I'm not. This for me is a major concern. I owe about two and a half grand on credit cards, which until today I had no problem with - they would be paid off in a few months. Sure, I have Credit Care which will pay them off - or part of them - but to me that's not the point. I owe money, and that's not a Good Thing when you don't have a job.
I'll get a redundancy package of around seven grand. That'll pay off my debts, sure. But suppose I don't manage to get another job fairly quick. That won't last forever. On the other hand, I might be lucky and walk straight into another job. If I do, that's great - no break in the cashflow, and 7k in the bank. But if I know my luck, that's wishful thinking.
There has been a job going at my place, in the IT Support department, because one of them is leaving (of their own free will) to go elsewhere. I did consider applying for the position, but because I'd been happy where I was and got on well with my boss, I didn't bother. Now I have to.
They've already interviewed a few people. My hope is that having been there so long and knowing the people, knowing the way the company works etc., will give me an edge and help secure the job. But things don't always work out in a 'logical' way. It could be that they're looking for someone from outside to bring fresh ideas etc. to the way our support department is run. Who knows?!
People are saying "it'll be okay, it happens to lots of people" etc., but that doesn't help *me* at this moment in time. Basically at the moment I'm cacking myself, even though I have family and friends to fall back on.
Being at the one company for so long may have been good for my CV, showing committment and loyalty etc. But it's also robbed me of a lot of interview experience and the like. After years of security, I feel like a kid again - just out of school, and facing the daunting prospect of interviews and a major, potentially life changing decision.
I'm a person who likes some kind of routine in my life, and I've had this routine so long that I've probably got into a rut. I don't exactly *fear* change, but I like it to occur gradually, so I can fit things in around it. This kind of takes my whole life and throws everything up into the air, and I have no control over where the various pieces land.
Maybe it's not the change I fear so much as the loss of control over my life?
This probably sounds like overkill to a lot of you, but I can't begin to tell you how wound up and depressed I am at this moment in time. This is one of those things that always happens to "someone else". After work, one of my friends came round to see how I was doing after getting the news, and at one point I burst into tears - something I've not done in front of a friend since I was a kid. So please forgive me this overkill and crazy ramblings, but at the moment it really feels as if my life just collapsed.
I need to get myself sorted now, and quick. Get the CV updated, have the interview for the IT Support job on Friday, and get the CV off to other companies too, just in case. But it's the waiting that's the killer. I'd give anything to be six months down the line now, and looking back on the whole situation.
It may well be that in a few weeks time, I'll be settled either in a new job in the same company, or a new job in a new company, and posting here saying how stupid I was and how things have all worked out for the best.
Or I could be posting again telling of how my life has gone horribly wrong, and how I'd probably top myself if only I had the guts.
But should I disappear for a while, you'll at least know why.
Well, if you got this far, thanks for reading. And if you have any experience of this situation and can offer any sensible advice on getting through it, please do share - either publicly here, or privately at [email protected] - friends and family are great to talk to, but sometimes they just tell you what they think you want to hear, rather than being honest.
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