And There You Have It
September 2nd, 2009 by Kateastrophe
Well friends, add me to the pile. I’m officially unemployed.
After five years, four CEO’s, three positions, five different Marketing VP’s, fifteen trade shows, millions of hours, thousands of frustrations, a zillion laughs, and everything else that comes with putting your heart and soul into your job, I was thanked for my time, given a severance check and shown the door.
I wasn’t fired. I am the casualty of an acquisition in which most of our company was let go. I was about 75% sure it was going to happen, so I wasn’t really surprised.
I wouldn’t say I’m bitter. I think I’m disappointed. I believed in our product and our company. I said no to many other offers, some with significantly higher paychecks, because I wanted to see this thing through and be a part of making our company a success. I don’t believe I failed but I know our company did. Big time.
The only thing I might be a little bitter about is the way the acquisition was handled from a personnel point of view. The first time we met the new CEO he was arrogant and pompous, as a CEO is prone to be, but he at first said he “hoped” we’d all have jobs. Then in the second meeting he was “almost certain” we’d all have jobs and then, in our third and final meeting, he looked us all in the eye, pointed to us and said “each one of you will have a job with our company.” Two days later, twelve of us were outright let go, fifteen were offered temporary contracting jobs (which end December 15th. There’s the Christmas Spirit for you) and the remaining eight people were offered permanent positions. I’m pretty sure eight out of thirty doesn’t equal “each one of us” but then again I never was very good at math. I guess the glimmer of hope here is that I wouldn’t have really wanted to work for someone who behaves like that anyway. Onward and upward, right?
The support has been literally POURING in. I have more amazing letters of recommendation than I know what to do with. I have four CEO’s, three CMO’s, four VP’s and probably fifteen other people looking for jobs for me. I’ve had former colleagues send emails out of the blue telling me they’ll keep an eye out and that any company would be lucky to have someone like me. My family is calling every single day to make sure I’m not down. My friends are amazing and hilarious. My husband . . . my sweet husband. He has got to be stressed to the max but he isn’t showing anything but love and support for me. Keeping my chin up has not been hard.
We are going to be just fine. Matt’s job is secure and his income is sufficient for our needs. We’ve listened to the council of our church leaders and we have no debt (other than our house and one car), our bills are small and manageable and our needs are not great. We have a good chunk of money saved and we’re putting my severance and vacation payout right into the savings account where we will hopefully not have to touch it. Sure, it’s going to be an adjustment and my shoe collection is going to suffer a bit, but hey, I already have great shoes! I’ve been poor. Thanks to my amazing mother, I know how to make poor look GOOD. I’m part of a food co-op, I know where the discount grocery store is and I know (hate, but know) how to clip coupons. I feel very lucky because of all of these things.
The biggest problem I have is absolute BOREDOM. What do people without jobs or kids DO ALL DAY? For that reason alone I need a job right now. RIGHT NOW. So, internets, what do you got? Anything? Know anyone? I have no shame and I’m taking this stupid economy DOWN. Hopefully that severance check just ends up being a bit fat bonus.
- Posted in The Awesome Continues
September 2nd, 2009 at 1:04 pm
damn
even if not totally unexpected
even if you’re going to make it financially
even if
it still sucks big time. I’m sorry to he
September 2nd, 2009 at 1:05 pm
(oops clicked on submit comment way to early)
…I’m sorry to hear about the loss of your job! And I wish you find something new reallllly fast.
but in the mean time, feel free to read through my entire blog archive and leave a comment here and there :p.
September 2nd, 2009 at 2:19 pm
I’m so sorry, this sucks. But welcome to the U-Club! When this happened to me in December, I was depressed for weeks. So I’m really impressed on how well you’re doing so far. And yes, it gets boring, but it can also be kind of great.
I read, I write, I exercise, I bake. I meet up with friends on their lunch break, then come home and watch 90210. Do the things you always wish you could be doing instead of working while you have the chance. xoxo
September 2nd, 2009 at 3:00 pm
I lost my job on June 30th and have spent the summer unemployed. I thought the same thing - what will I do with my time but I have found things. I worked on my yard a lot more than usual and got a tan for the first time in a decade. I spent a lot of time with my adorable nephews and made them realize they have the coolest aunt around. I steam cleaned my carpets, let my housekeeper go and started cleaning my own house. I took long walks with my dog. I spent time with my husband (who is home because he is disabled).
Now that fall is here (in NY anyway) I’m ready to find another job. We’ve been making it with unemployment and a cashed in IRA account. But it’s time for me to step up the search and thankfully it’s the time that companies start hiring again. The Sunday ad’s this week were 2X what they have been and my Careerbuilder email is getting longer each day.
You’ll find a new job and until you do, spend time doing things you never had time for before. Walk, cook, clean, scrapbooking, read books, etc.
September 2nd, 2009 at 4:15 pm
Lame-ace CEO. You heard me CEO.
September 2nd, 2009 at 4:27 pm
OOOOooo, I’m really sorry to hear about that. Thats awful!! Good luck with the job hunt!
September 2nd, 2009 at 4:50 pm
Tough break kid. Hate to hear that. But if you so choose your full time job is not to find a full time job. Sounds like you did the financial situation the absolute right way.
September 2nd, 2009 at 5:02 pm
oh man i’m sorry. but definitely the bright side is all the support and help you have, that’s got to be amazing. hope it all turns around for you soon!
September 2nd, 2009 at 5:07 pm
So sorry to hear about your job loss. I hope you’ll be able to find something new (and fantastic) soon!
Meanwhile, I would take up some hobbies. Or start enjoying your usual ones more. I think that was a poorly worded sentence. In any case, you could probably find a part time minimum wage job - hard work, but help to keep you busy and as a bonus, bring in some $!
Good luck.
September 3rd, 2009 at 3:28 am
Ouch, that sucks! I’m so sorry to hear.
I got laid off as well, but are still employed until the end of the year (weird laws in Germany)… it seems like it’s everywhere right now.
I read an article a while ago about all the Wall Street bankers who lost their job turn unemployment into funemployment - not an option since it all did cost a fortune, but still a nice way of looking at it. A new job will turn up, and in the meantime, do all the things you never found the time to do while you worked. Even if it’s little things like working out with no rush.
Good luck!
September 3rd, 2009 at 10:03 pm
You are a champion, I have NO doubt that you will come out of this and be better than before! When I talked to you I know you were still trying to process everything and that it came as a blow to you, but you are tough - probably the strongest and toughest chick I know who can handle anything - and you will be alright. See? You already know it! I love you.
September 6th, 2009 at 5:17 am
What a weird CEO. He totally didn’t handle that right.
I am betting that this actually turns into a great thing for you. I was always impressed, when you came to FL for the trade show, how much you put your heart and soul into that company. But you know, it’s also just how you are. You will do the same for the next company you work for and hopefully will be compensated that much more for it.
Good luck. If I hear of anything, I’ll let you know. Of course, I am biased for you to take a move across country to where I am! As far as not being bored, you can organize your computer files or the pools in Arizona are great too.
September 6th, 2009 at 1:32 pm
Huge drag. I’ll start looking for a job for you here so that you can buy the house next door.
I’m not kidding.
September 6th, 2009 at 7:12 pm
I’m so sorry. We’ve been going through some of the same stuff at the newspaper. It’s rough.
September 6th, 2009 at 10:10 pm
Hey, the house next door to US is up for sale too. Your shoes alone could beat anyone in the job-search line in Utah. Come on back…
September 8th, 2009 at 3:25 pm
That stinks. Well, to help you with the boredom issue, I’d love to get out my house & hang out:) I can always use it! (if you’re up to it). I guess our shoe shopping plan is out the window…sigh. We can always see who can find the cutest shoes for cheapest! Hah!
September 9th, 2009 at 7:48 am
HAHA! I was going to tell you that the house next door to me is for sale, but apparently we’re all in that boat! I know, however, that you’re going to be snatched up VERY soon. I can’t wait to see what your next adventure is. Whatever it is, I hope it pays well and that they value you for the amazing person you are.