Joining the 'laid off' club.
Discussion
So, I lost my job yesterday. Pretty big kick in the nuts! Last one in, first one out - had little warning. Got 3 weeks pay due in a few days, and a months pay or so in the bank. I suppose it could happen to anyone.
The situation is, After finishing Uni I ended up in a 9-5 desk based product design/technical job in an industry that had never previously been of particular interest. I picked up some knowledge, as you do and worked through on a very low wage. I did this for a year and half. 8 months ago a job came up to do pretty much the same thing, at a rival, very close to home for a slightly more sensible wage, so it was an obvious, easy decision to make to move.
However its never been what I wanted to do, as I've posted on this forum before. I WAS looking to move on over the past few months. I'm not sure what I want to do, but at least I do know what I don't want to do. I've known for years that a mediocre qualification at a Poly University, into a mediocre desk job, was never for me, and I should have learnt a trade, done an apprenticeship etc, where I would absolutely have excelled.
I've never been a pessimist or one to worry/stress. I have no bank loans or cards to pay off, everything I own is paid for, I've no kids to feed and I've somewhere to live. Lucky timing really, as in a months time I could well have just paid a deposit and signed a rental contract for 6 months, I thought I might have found the right place. Anyway - I spent yesterday feeling pretty raw, mulling it over with my Dad. Today, long bike ride to clear my head. I've cleared my desk, got a pen and pad out.
Now what?
My initial thoughts are - I need to find something to do. It could be anything - I'm man enough to admit when I've been beat, so if one of my mates knows someone who needs a hand shovelling muck, so be it. I've always worked since about 17. I'm calling in all favours, speaking to old bosses from Summer jobs, the old shop I worked at during Uni etc. Luckily - I know that there's people who will happily take me back if they have the work. I've started that ball rolling, putting the word out, speaking to various people.
I feel that I HAVE to do something, I wont let myself get into that horrid downward spiral. I also am very determined that this is not going to be the start of a 'gap' in my CV. I need to be busy, and show any potential future employers how I am taking this positively, and I wont sit on my arse and wait for some dream job to land on my lap, as it just won't.
In the medium term, Its a bit more scary! I'm a hands on person. I understand how things work, and why. I can fix things, reverse engineer things. I have a mechanical brain. I'm interested in technology, manufacturing, industry. I have always felt that I fit much more the classic 'technician' role than the 'engineer' role. I can drive a CAD system, produce technical documentation, I can demonstrate procedures or equipment to people. I can fabricate things in a workshop, build prototypes or take things apart. I am equally, if not more happy, in my blue overalls, goggle with a screwdriver in my top pocket, than I am in shirt and tie at the computer.(That had actually become a running joke in an old job - "If Simons got his blue coat on, he means business!").
I suppose what I want to feel, is that I'm now free to really find my calling. I did the wrong thing, but now its over and I can move on. Its just a bit hard to get my head round!
I hope there's some words of wisdom as usual for the members - I'm not the first person to lose my job, and I wont be the last.
The situation is, After finishing Uni I ended up in a 9-5 desk based product design/technical job in an industry that had never previously been of particular interest. I picked up some knowledge, as you do and worked through on a very low wage. I did this for a year and half. 8 months ago a job came up to do pretty much the same thing, at a rival, very close to home for a slightly more sensible wage, so it was an obvious, easy decision to make to move.
However its never been what I wanted to do, as I've posted on this forum before. I WAS looking to move on over the past few months. I'm not sure what I want to do, but at least I do know what I don't want to do. I've known for years that a mediocre qualification at a Poly University, into a mediocre desk job, was never for me, and I should have learnt a trade, done an apprenticeship etc, where I would absolutely have excelled.
I've never been a pessimist or one to worry/stress. I have no bank loans or cards to pay off, everything I own is paid for, I've no kids to feed and I've somewhere to live. Lucky timing really, as in a months time I could well have just paid a deposit and signed a rental contract for 6 months, I thought I might have found the right place. Anyway - I spent yesterday feeling pretty raw, mulling it over with my Dad. Today, long bike ride to clear my head. I've cleared my desk, got a pen and pad out.
Now what?
My initial thoughts are - I need to find something to do. It could be anything - I'm man enough to admit when I've been beat, so if one of my mates knows someone who needs a hand shovelling muck, so be it. I've always worked since about 17. I'm calling in all favours, speaking to old bosses from Summer jobs, the old shop I worked at during Uni etc. Luckily - I know that there's people who will happily take me back if they have the work. I've started that ball rolling, putting the word out, speaking to various people.
I feel that I HAVE to do something, I wont let myself get into that horrid downward spiral. I also am very determined that this is not going to be the start of a 'gap' in my CV. I need to be busy, and show any potential future employers how I am taking this positively, and I wont sit on my arse and wait for some dream job to land on my lap, as it just won't.
In the medium term, Its a bit more scary! I'm a hands on person. I understand how things work, and why. I can fix things, reverse engineer things. I have a mechanical brain. I'm interested in technology, manufacturing, industry. I have always felt that I fit much more the classic 'technician' role than the 'engineer' role. I can drive a CAD system, produce technical documentation, I can demonstrate procedures or equipment to people. I can fabricate things in a workshop, build prototypes or take things apart. I am equally, if not more happy, in my blue overalls, goggle with a screwdriver in my top pocket, than I am in shirt and tie at the computer.(That had actually become a running joke in an old job - "If Simons got his blue coat on, he means business!").
I suppose what I want to feel, is that I'm now free to really find my calling. I did the wrong thing, but now its over and I can move on. Its just a bit hard to get my head round!
I hope there's some words of wisdom as usual for the members - I'm not the first person to lose my job, and I wont be the last.
If you're prepared to travel/work anywhere in the UK, then contact all relevant UK wide recruiters for the manufacturing industries and pass across a copy of your outcomes based CV (and if it highlights the sort of passion you have put in to this post, then you're halfway there). In the meantime, contact all charity offices in your locality and offer your services for free to start immediately. Picking up an unpaid role initially, make your mark and try to move in to a paid role. This will keep you busy and motivated whilst job hunting. Good luck!
PS. Have you seen the news about Corus? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tees-14436780
PS. Have you seen the news about Corus? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tees-14436780
My advice would be, and I'm shooting from the hip as I've never experienced this, is think about the positives. If you're newly in a career that you didn't enjoy how could you really expect to stick it for 40+ years. Use this as an opportunity to get into the right profession. Easier said than done when you're earning but equally equally it's sometimes harder to do in work. Over a long career no employer is going to be too upset about the odd break in employment if the employee has good reason. In fact if it's a 'I used the opportunity to get some good training/change career' it can often be seen as positive.
Loads of contract jobs for designers engineers and cad jockeys at Rolls Royce, JLR, Ford.
This might be the making of you.
List all your skills and all the buzz words you've ever heard of, then randomly search jobsite or monster, and you'll likely find 100 jobs you might be able to blag.
BEST thing that EVER happened to me. Took a bloody good look at myself, re-wrote my CV and have been earning twice what I was earning before for the last 2 years and 1 month.
This might be the making of you.
List all your skills and all the buzz words you've ever heard of, then randomly search jobsite or monster, and you'll likely find 100 jobs you might be able to blag.
BEST thing that EVER happened to me. Took a bloody good look at myself, re-wrote my CV and have been earning twice what I was earning before for the last 2 years and 1 month.
This happened to me last week too, first time in 15 years its happened and ill be honest i was gutted, i didnt particularly enjoy my job, but i had finally got my finances on an even keel after my son was born 8 months ago
Id love to start my own business, i was doing rather well 2 years ago buying and selling decent cheaper cars as a sideeline and thoroughly enjoyed it, but im unsure how to go about it as a full time occupation
In the meantime ive got my CV out and currently doing odd jobs for friends etc just to earn a little extra cash
Id love to start my own business, i was doing rather well 2 years ago buying and selling decent cheaper cars as a sideeline and thoroughly enjoyed it, but im unsure how to go about it as a full time occupation
In the meantime ive got my CV out and currently doing odd jobs for friends etc just to earn a little extra cash
Welcome to the club.
I have been working at Nokia for 15 years and in July they announced that they are taking all R&D to Finland and the US of A.
Ive been finding it quite a struggle to find employment. For the first time ever my age is going against me in certain jobs. Im only 35 !!
Good luck.
I have been working at Nokia for 15 years and in July they announced that they are taking all R&D to Finland and the US of A.
Ive been finding it quite a struggle to find employment. For the first time ever my age is going against me in certain jobs. Im only 35 !!
Good luck.
Thanks for all the help everyone.
I clearly was not in the right job before - or else I'd probably feel much worse about losing it?
Anyway I've had 3 professionals/recruiters now tell me that what I need is electrical qualifications, if I'm going to be able to do what I really want to.
The more I look, the more I'm realising - everything is electrically biased now (its obvious when you think about it).
One guy has basically just said - yes, he could 'place me' based on my current CV/experience, except it would just be into the same thing again - a job you don't really enjoy, in a small, not very brilliant company. He reckoned he 'worked me out' in 25 minutes - to continue as I have been, I'd have to be a master bulls
tter, and I'm very much NOT a bullstter. I'd get found out, I wouldn't enjoy it, and ill jump from one small 2 bit company to the next on crappy wage forever.
I used to think it was all behind me, but it looks like it might be back to school for me... lord knows how that's going to work, but it does look like the way forwards.
Get an electrical qualification, get 17th edition certified, then that opens up a massive range of maintenance/technician/commissioning type roles.
So it looks like I need to work out how to earn as much as possible, part time, and find somewhere to get these qualifications, and pay for them. Ringing round colleges tomorrow then!
TurboTerrific9 said:
Use this as an opportunity to get into the right profession.
This is starting to be what I'm coming round to now.I clearly was not in the right job before - or else I'd probably feel much worse about losing it?
Anyway I've had 3 professionals/recruiters now tell me that what I need is electrical qualifications, if I'm going to be able to do what I really want to.
The more I look, the more I'm realising - everything is electrically biased now (its obvious when you think about it).
One guy has basically just said - yes, he could 'place me' based on my current CV/experience, except it would just be into the same thing again - a job you don't really enjoy, in a small, not very brilliant company. He reckoned he 'worked me out' in 25 minutes - to continue as I have been, I'd have to be a master bulls
tter, and I'm very much NOT a bullstter. I'd get found out, I wouldn't enjoy it, and ill jump from one small 2 bit company to the next on crappy wage forever. I used to think it was all behind me, but it looks like it might be back to school for me... lord knows how that's going to work, but it does look like the way forwards.
Get an electrical qualification, get 17th edition certified, then that opens up a massive range of maintenance/technician/commissioning type roles.
So it looks like I need to work out how to earn as much as possible, part time, and find somewhere to get these qualifications, and pay for them. Ringing round colleges tomorrow then!
That is a stty break but you are dealing with it in exactly the right way.
Some advice...
1) call (not email) any client contacts made through your old job. Tell them what has happened and ask them if they know of anything going in your industry. You may be surprised that a client may value your skills or put you on to something you didnt know about.
2) get on the Business and Jobs section here on PH and ask around. Nobody minds and you clearly have skills that are valued by a lot of people.
3) do as you say and just keep moving. Treat a job search like a full time job. Put in 8 hours a day. A lot of people say that they do this but they don't. Make sure you do.
Remember each morning to value a) what you've already got, b) what else you want and c) how st it would be to lose things.
Chin up. By treating this as an opportunity you are already streets ahead of the competition...
tty break but you are dealing with it in exactly the right way.Some advice...
1) call (not email) any client contacts made through your old job. Tell them what has happened and ask them if they know of anything going in your industry. You may be surprised that a client may value your skills or put you on to something you didnt know about.
2) get on the Business and Jobs section here on PH and ask around. Nobody minds and you clearly have skills that are valued by a lot of people.
3) do as you say and just keep moving. Treat a job search like a full time job. Put in 8 hours a day. A lot of people say that they do this but they don't. Make sure you do.
Remember each morning to value a) what you've already got, b) what else you want and c) how s
t it would be to lose things.Chin up. By treating this as an opportunity you are already streets ahead of the competition...
benjj said:
That is a stty break but you are dealing with it in exactly the right way.
Some advice...
1) call (not email) any client contacts made through your old job. Tell them what has happened and ask them if they know of anything going in your industry. You may be surprised that a client may value your skills or put you on to something you didnt know about.
2) get on the Business and Jobs section here on PH and ask around. Nobody minds and you clearly have skills that are valued by a lot of people.
3) do as you say and just keep moving. Treat a job search like a full time job. Put in 8 hours a day. A lot of people say that they do this but they don't. Make sure you do.
Remember each morning to value a) what you've already got, b) what else you want and c) how st it would be to lose things.
Chin up. By treating this as an opportunity you are already streets ahead of the competition...
What he said : tty break but you are dealing with it in exactly the right way.Some advice...
1) call (not email) any client contacts made through your old job. Tell them what has happened and ask them if they know of anything going in your industry. You may be surprised that a client may value your skills or put you on to something you didnt know about.
2) get on the Business and Jobs section here on PH and ask around. Nobody minds and you clearly have skills that are valued by a lot of people.
3) do as you say and just keep moving. Treat a job search like a full time job. Put in 8 hours a day. A lot of people say that they do this but they don't. Make sure you do.
Remember each morning to value a) what you've already got, b) what else you want and c) how s
t it would be to lose things.Chin up. By treating this as an opportunity you are already streets ahead of the competition...
and 1) Call not email. This goes for any job advert. Make a legitimate excuse to phone the contact. My most used excuse is "Hi, I'm phoning up about the role blah blah, and I just wanted to clarify the exact skills you are looking for and am concerned that when I send my CV you might think I'm a little over qualified." and then you get to taylor your CV around the 10 minute discussion you've had, and they know it's coming.
2) Try doing jobsite searches will no key words, and see what jobs exist that you've never heard of.
3) 8 Hours ? My regime is 6am til 8am Jobsite Searches, 8 til 9 Dog walking, 10 til 1, phoning and emailing CV's, 1 til 2 Lunch and a bit of 'motivational fun' with the wife (Well if you are off you may as well make the most of it), 2 til 5, chasing up all CV's sent, with a phone call, 7 til 8, Random Jobsite searches (as above).
All that said, the current contract that has been extended 3 times (plus turned down a permanent job twice) and I applied for that at 3am, on Boxing day 2009, and had forgotten about it by the time they phoned me 2 weeks later to organise an interview.
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