I got laid off today

[Marquis]

When B of A said they were going to cut 35,000 jobs after the Merrill merger, they weren't kidding.

I'm having a hard time with this, and not just the obvious fact that I'm now without employment in one of the most difficult job markets in generations, particularly for my field of work. I don't know how to feel about it. Certainly I'm not the only one in this boat, but it's not hard to point to things I could've done differently as well.

 

[CutieMouse]

I'm so very sorry Marquis.

(I'll save the pep talk unless you ask for it. I know nothing depresses me more than getting pep talks when I just need a little space to wallow.)

 

[Marquis]

I'm not sure what I need right now.

Wallowing sounds eerily nice, but I know the best thing to do is keep moving forward and turn this into an opportunity to flex my survival skills. I hope that I can put that thought into practice, I'm very confused.

 

[ivantheterrible]

at least you have unemployment insurance. i ain't got shit.

 

[bigpecker7]

I feel for you dude, that realy sucks,

 

[Marquis]

at least you have unemployment insurance. i ain't got shit.

I have unemployment insurance?

Would you care to instruct me on how I can redeem my policy?

 

[intothewoods]

I'm sorry. In the last slump, my practice area was really hard it, and it was very demoralizing. Give yourself some time, and do try not to take it personally. It really sucked ass for me, but eventually there was that feeling of having made it through a triathalon or something. It will get better.

 

[BiBunny]

Sonofabitch. I'm sorry, Marquis. Been there, done that, know how much it sucks. I'll send good vibes/thoughts/juju your way. Can't hurt, anyway.

 

[Azwed]

I have unemployment insurance?

Would you care to instruct me on how I can redeem my policy?

Your state should have a website where you can apply for unemployment benefits. Most states can do this online now but you probably have to visit the office for the first week. As long as you were working for a long enough time and made enough money you will qualify for some benefits. Your benefits are typically a certain percentage of your previous weekly paycheck capped at a certain gross amount.

 

[Sir_Winston54]

Very sorry to hear this, Marquis. I got hit with a merger layoff in '02, and it hurt, even knowing that it wasn't something I did wrong or didn't do right, so I can definitely empathize. I was lucky enough to get into my present job situation shortly thereafter, but the couple of months in between was depressing.

As for the unemployment insurance, the layoff people from HR *should* (by law!) have already informed you of where and how to apply. If they haven't, get on the horn to them (or go see them if you still have a little time left in the office before the official layoff date), and *demand* the information. Short story on that, though, is that you start at the FSES (Florida State Employment Service) office (or at least, we did in '02), and there's at least one in every Florida city, and most towns of any size. Second short story on that is that an unemployment check likely won't "keep you in the style to which you are accustomed," but it will probably keep the worst of the bill collectors at bay.

 

[CutieMouse]

I have unemployment insurance?

Would you care to instruct me on how I can redeem my policy?

I believe all employers are required by federal law to pay unemployment insurance - the trick is being with the company long enough for it to take effect. The length of time varies state to state, and you do need to meet minimum requirements (show effort to obtain employment, usually be laid off rather than quit/be fired, etc), but it is worth looking into.

 

[Marquis]

This is a good start guys, I really appreciate this.

 

[rida]

So sorry to hear that, Marquis.

 

[unregistered]

 

[midwestyankee]

I'm sorry to hear this, man. It sucketh big time.

Take two beers and call...well, maybe not call, but start doing something tomorrow.

First things first, gather up all evidence of your productivity that you can get your hands on. If you can't capture actual records, start cataloging everything you've accomplished that has a tangible and measurable consequence. Write it down.

Start networking yesterday.

Think in terms of the skills you have rather than the specific type of work you did. For example, if you were involved in sales or marketing of banking products and services, you were a sales person and not a "banker." The whole world needs good salespeople - especially when business is tough.

Keep networking. As off-putting as it might be, make sure that everyone in the world who recognizes your name knows that you're looking for XYZ kind of work and that you are one of the absolutely most skilled XYZ people in the land at that kind of work. Ask these people who they know who employs XYZ people. Ask for a phone number so you can interview them - not about getting a job but rather about how XYZ people are used in their industry.

Oh, and keep networking. Don't bother looking at the paper because the best job for you will be the one that will be created for you when you network your way to a manager who realizes upon meeting you that you are exactly the right guy to accomplish a goal that is on his list of major things to do this year.

Good luck. You're a smart and resourceful guy who's also disciplined and persuasive. You'll come out of this well.

 

[RunningJib]

PM Sent

Dear Marguis,

PM sent. You are in my prayers.

Sincerely,

R'jib

 

[00Syd]

I'm so sorry to hear that thats happened to you I'm sure everything will turn out alright in the end, as awful as it is now. Best thoughts going your way

 

[Xelebes]

Eh, welcome to my boat. Chronically unemployed here, even in the most superheated of markets. I'm now currently going to the doctor to figure out why and of the things being tossed by the docs include Aspergers/Autism-Spectrum Disorder, Tourettes and Catatonia. Grand. =/

 

[Harmony_1985]

Sorry to hear that Marquis, its a bad time for jobs full stop!

 

[Yasashii_Kaze]

I'm sorry, Marquis.

 

[goodgirlfl]

From your neighbor up north in Tampa...sorry to hear that, my good thoughts and prayers are with you.

And here is the link that you will need to file your unemployment claim...its very easy to do. Good luck to you!!!!

http://www.floridajobs.org/Unemployment/index.html

 

[Netzach]

Definitely collect your unemployment. Definitely.

Also, it may help to do this the old school way and actually go to the place now and pick up your check. They call it the "workforce center" here and rather than a totally dreary thing, they actually have a lot of resources for jobseekers, caseworkers per person if you want one. The quality of this may vary state by state, but I do know that M actually found it a very positive thing to take some of the job club opportunities and he is even less of a joiner than either one of us by nature. It didn't land him his dream job - the place that laid him off rehired him eventually, but I do know that it was hugely helpful to him simply to help him feel on track and like he wasn't the only one.

Hang in there, vent, but know that you'll land on your feet, you have the imagination that takes.

 

[SubKekiLee]

Marquis
I am sorry to hear that. I hope things look up soon.. If there is anything I or Made2take it can do for you let us know.. we are only a car ride away!

HUGS !

 

[Netzach]

I'm sorry to hear this, man. It sucketh big time.

Take two beers and call...well, maybe not call, but start doing something tomorrow.

First things first, gather up all evidence of your productivity that you can get your hands on. If you can't capture actual records, start cataloging everything you've accomplished that has a tangible and measurable consequence. Write it down.

Start networking yesterday.

Think in terms of the skills you have rather than the specific type of work you did. For example, if you were involved in sales or marketing of banking products and services, you were a sales person and not a "banker." The whole world needs good salespeople - especially when business is tough.

Keep networking. As off-putting as it might be, make sure that everyone in the world who recognizes your name knows that you're looking for XYZ kind of work and that you are one of the absolutely most skilled XYZ people in the land at that kind of work. Ask these people who they know who employs XYZ people. Ask for a phone number so you can interview them - not about getting a job but rather about how XYZ people are used in their industry.

Oh, and keep networking. Don't bother looking at the paper because the best job for you will be the one that will be created for you when you network your way to a manager who realizes upon meeting you that you are exactly the right guy to accomplish a goal that is on his list of major things to do this year.

Good luck. You're a smart and resourceful guy who's also disciplined and persuasive. You'll come out of this well.

What he said.

 

[Marquis]

Thanks for all your advice and support guys.

I am sprucing up my resume and networking aggressively.

The truth is, my skills/education/licensing is fairly marketable, even in this environment. Ultimately it will be a matter of how low down the totem pole I am forced to begin my climb again. There is even a possibility that I will be able to use the experience I do have to explore superior opportunities, albeit a longshot.

I brought in $4.5 mil in assets in two months. Unfortunately that didn't cover my salary and I was on the wrong side of the balance sheet despite my momentum. My manager has said he will give me a recommendation and hopefully I will find a good company willing to invest in me.

As MWY once said, "it's a tough environment, but there are pockets of opportunity."