Sometimes I really hate it when I’m right.

Posted by Les on Friday, December 01, 2006 at 03:16 PM. Read 847 times. Tags: ,
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I am, once again, among the ranks of Michigan’s unemployed and will be filing for unemployment and then taking up the job hunt in earnest once again. Walked into the meeting this morning to a very haggard looking manager and boss sitting next to my rep from the contract house. That’s a pretty big clue right there. Seems the order came down to get rid of three heads and I was the last one to join the team so I ended up being one of the first let go. Which is pretty much what I would’ve expected. Once again I was told that it wasn’t anything to do with my productivity or professionalism and that I was a very good employee which is why the boss had agonized over it for the past couple of days. Both my manager and my boss offered to write me letters of recommendation to help and they put the word out to other departments on the off-chance someone else might have something I could take on.

I think I handled things pretty well, but then it helped that I realized before taking the job on that I was taking a risk in going back to Ford Motor Company at a time when they were talking about cutting jobs. I had hoped to get more than the two and a half months I did get out of it before being let go, but sometimes it just doesn’t work out the way you wanted it to. My only real concern is that it took me 10 months the last time I was laid off to find something else to do and I really don’t want it to take that long again. My contract rep says our company just got in with Toyota so there may be some possibilities there and Google is still building up in Ann Arbor so I’m going to try sending a resume in to them as well.

Wish me luck.

Comments:

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elwedriddsche United States Posted on 12/01/2006 at 04:38 PM

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Shit.

And luck!

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Sadie Jane United States Posted on 12/01/2006 at 04:39 PM

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I’m sorry.  confused

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Gemma K Europe Posted on 12/01/2006 at 04:44 PM

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Les, I would say comiserations, but that would sound cheap and hollow, having been booted out relatively recently (admitedly I was in the process of leaving anyway), I hope have success in the jobhunting arena.

The only advice I can offer is to bug recruitment agents and personnel people until they realise that (a ) you are enthusiastic and (b ) the only way they’ll get rid of you is to give you a job wink

Les United States Posted on 12/01/2006 at 04:45 PM

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This too shall pass. Been through it once before so I’m sure I can manage it again.

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All I know is the wine lasts longer when you don’t gotta share it with someone
All I know is my steak tastes better when I take my steak tastes better pill
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Solonor United States Posted on 12/01/2006 at 04:59 PM

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Good luck, Les!

Tamara United States Posted on 12/01/2006 at 05:00 PM

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Sorry to hear about the job situation.

cubiclegrrl United States Posted on 12/01/2006 at 05:08 PM

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Just want to add my condolences and wishes for a VERY short layoff.  In case the info. helps, I’ve had past experience with Toyota, and they are good to work with (if demanding).

Wheeler United States Posted on 12/01/2006 at 05:18 PM

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Being one of the lucky few to still be employed at FoMoCo can sincerly say… I feel for ya, man. I come in everyday just waiting for my contract rep to be sitting at my desk with a box and a glum look. And still I procrastinate about securing my future elsewhere and evading the axe before it drops. TAC Automotive is my contract house, I could pass along your resume if you shoot me an email. Seriously, enjoy as much time off as you can afford.

Webs United States Posted on 12/01/2006 at 05:22 PM

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Man sorry to hear about the bad news.  I hope you find something quick.  Best of luck to you!

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LuckyJohn19 Australia Posted on 12/01/2006 at 05:51 PM

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Bummer.  downer
But you’re right - this too shall pass. smile

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NeonCat United States Posted on 12/01/2006 at 05:57 PM

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Having spent most of 2004-5 out of steady work, I certainly sympathize with your situation.  I hope you find something great soon.

Not to make light or anything, but you could contact the most recent Christians who said they would pray for you and say “Thanks a LOT!”

brendoman United States Posted on 12/01/2006 at 06:47 PM

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Damn, that sucks.  I know how hard it is to find a new job and I can’t imagine how much harder it must be when you have a family to support.  Good luck man, I’m sure you’ll find something soon enough.

moses Canada Posted on 12/01/2006 at 06:49 PM

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long face

Mick Australia Posted on 12/01/2006 at 07:22 PM

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Aw man. That sucks.

jeffercine United States Posted on 12/01/2006 at 08:32 PM

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that sucks!  sorry to hear.  good luck!

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Paul United States Posted on 12/01/2006 at 11:41 PM

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I’m really sorry to hear about this Les. I had no idea you worked for Ford. I think things are going to get really tough for many more auto workers, and the economy of Michigan in general.

Moloch United States Posted on 12/02/2006 at 01:54 AM

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Sucks to be you! I’ve been at my current job for two years.

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zilch Austria Posted on 12/02/2006 at 05:51 AM

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What everyone here said- bummer, good luck, this too shall pass.

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ingolfson New Zealand (Aotearoa) Posted on 12/02/2006 at 06:56 AM

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Yeepers. This really makes me understand what they call ‘precarious’ employment. Shit.

Also shows that its good to work for a smaller company - unless they are dissatisfied with your performance, the boss won’t let you go two months after he hired you, because after all, HE hired you. Its not like some VP you have never seen decides to slash some numbers on a spreadsheet.

Paul United States Posted on 12/02/2006 at 10:54 AM

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It’s just my personal opinion, but I would think about leaving Michigan for greener pastures. The state has become so dependent on the auto industry as the main infrastructure of the economy. Combine that with the unions that prevent Ford and GM from being competitive with imported autos. More about Ford can be found here

Webs United States Posted on 12/02/2006 at 02:16 PM

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Also shows that its good to work for a smaller company - unless they are dissatisfied with your performance, the boss won’t let you go two months after he hired you, because after all, HE hired you. Its not like some VP you have never seen decides to slash some numbers on a spreadsheet.

I agree, I also like working for the smaller business.  I always saw myself working for a small business IT dept or an educational IT dept.  The last 4 of 6 jobs have been the latter, and I can say they can’t be beat. 

Working in a small tight group of 4 or maybe up to 8.  You build a really strong team feeling, and at the end of the day you truly feel as though you made a difference, since your work impacts the students of the educational institution.  And the thing I liked the best was that you never truly did the same thing.  You get the chance to work on all different kinds of things, and really use problem solving skills.  Also when you work for one of these places you pretty much have to fire yourself out, once you’re in you’re in.

My recommendation would be to check out the state of Michigan community college jobs (the state of Illinois has a one stop website for CC’s), and look at some close by Universities.  The job might pay a little less than a corporate job doing the same thing, but at least you pretty much have job security and in the long run that should pay for itself.

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Les United States Posted on 12/02/2006 at 02:38 PM

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I didn’t mention that I worked for Ford because I make it a policy never to directly mention the company I work for on my blog while I’m still employed by them. It avoids a lot of problems that way.

Paul, leaving Michigan is a thought that has crossed my mind more than once, but it’s not something I really want to do. I love this state and my family is here so leaving is a last resort choice for me.

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All I know is the wine lasts longer when you don’t gotta share it with someone
All I know is my steak tastes better when I take my steak tastes better pill
-- I Feel Fantastic, Jonathan Coulton

decrepitoldfool United States Posted on 12/02/2006 at 03:44 PM

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What Elwed said.

selkie Australia Posted on 12/02/2006 at 07:17 PM

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Crap.  Sorry to hear this, Les.  Hope something comes up for you soon.

Consigliere United States Posted on 12/02/2006 at 07:33 PM

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What everybody else has said.

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To die one’s self is a thing that must be easy, & light of consequence; but to lose a part of one’s self--well, we know how deep that pang goes, we who have suffered that disaster, received that wound which cannot heal.
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