Way OT: I got laid off today
So, after 11 years in the newspaper industry, I was called into that office no one wants to go into this morning and told I'm getting let go at the end of the month.
My sources, naturally, are pretty pissed, and right now I feel numb.
I really had hope for this profession, as I love it so much, but the newspaper industry is going the way of the dinosaur. Oh well.
Sorry to put this on here, just needed to vent.
October 6th, 2009 at 4:57 PM ^
Sorry man, that's rough. Best of luck finding something new.
October 6th, 2009 at 4:57 PM ^
Good luck on finding a new career.
October 6th, 2009 at 5:00 PM ^
I'm sorry to hear that. Good luck to you.
October 6th, 2009 at 5:01 PM ^
I hope you catch on somewhere else doing something you love.
October 6th, 2009 at 5:01 PM ^
Hope you find something out there soon.
October 6th, 2009 at 5:03 PM ^
It's heart breaking to be honest. This is all I really know. There are lots of freelance opportunities out there, so we'll see. Thanks for the support. I can't believe how well I behaved when they delivered this bombshell.
October 6th, 2009 at 8:52 PM ^
..It sounds like you took it with class. That is more important than most people think. Your name, your word, your effort and your dignity are what make you. Keep those things in tact and you'll be fine.
So, maybe move with the times. Start a blog. Write a book. Blog about being laid off and what your going through now. Whatever you do...keep swinging brother. God speed.
October 6th, 2009 at 9:15 PM ^
I do appreciate all the feedback. It has helped.
October 6th, 2009 at 5:05 PM ^
Thats just awful. Keep your head up and I wish the best for you.
October 6th, 2009 at 5:07 PM ^
I hear there is a shortage of decent sports writers at the Detroit Free Press if you want to get away from crime reporting ;)
You should edit your resume to be full of non-facts and extremely misleading, they respect that.
October 6th, 2009 at 5:09 PM ^
That sucks. Stay positive and good luck finding something new!
October 6th, 2009 at 5:12 PM ^
November begins the next (hopefully even better) chapter of your life.
October 6th, 2009 at 5:14 PM ^
Good luck in working through the process.
October 6th, 2009 at 5:17 PM ^
Good luck to you in the future
October 6th, 2009 at 5:19 PM ^
I really feel for you, and hope there's something o the horizon.
I am on the other end of this....I have to lay off three people this week. I was suppose to do it in April, but have been using a series of internal shell games to not do it.
Meeting with my Board of Director's tomorrow. They have called me on it. In this economy (in Michigan) laying someone off especially when they have a family can start the path to homelessness.
I have been able to find work for two of the ones I have to let go, but still feel shitty about the situation.
Interesting question for me will be if my board decides that I should join them for not following my agreement to do this earlier.
October 6th, 2009 at 5:25 PM ^
That is a terrible situation and it would tear me up to do, because I genuinely care about others. Hang in there. That's all I can do at this point.
October 6th, 2009 at 5:31 PM ^
can be a thankless endeavor. Good luck to you, too, Dred.
October 6th, 2009 at 5:21 PM ^
It's never easy. I wish you a speedy and fruitful job hunt. GOOD LUCK!
October 6th, 2009 at 5:29 PM ^
I was laid off a while back...it was a nice dose of anxiety, fear, anger for me. Keep your head up and your eyes open to all opportunities & try not to limit yourself geographically. It seems like in today’s economy you have to be willing to move...IMO. Good luck bud!
October 6th, 2009 at 5:33 PM ^
I can honestly say I never pictured myself in an unemployment line or filling out the paperwork. And I don't mean that in a smug way. I'm good at what I do, and I have a real passion for it. We'll see what happens.
October 6th, 2009 at 5:55 PM ^
It's happened to many. I was laid off in mid-2008 and it turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as I like what I do now much better. Keep at it.
I felt like a tool filing for unemployment in California, but those measly checks ended up making the difference between defaulting on my mortgage or not (yea! for not), especially after my wife was laid off 3 months later.
As an aside, it's not the dole - it's insurance money paid by your employer to insure you against the economic hardship of the layoff, so it's really more like extended severance payments.
In any case, keep your chin up and chase the opportunities you find and you'll be ok.
October 6th, 2009 at 5:32 PM ^
Sucks to hear. Good luck finding something new. Keep your spirits up.
October 6th, 2009 at 5:32 PM ^
Sorry to hear that. Thanks for sharing and helping those of us who may be taking the MSU loss a little hard keep things in perspective. I wish you luck in finding a bigger and better job than the one you're leaving.
October 6th, 2009 at 5:37 PM ^
Thanks. It's been a bad week for all of us. That loss still hurts, and to be honest, these football games have been my outlet this season. That, and coming to this blog daily.
October 6th, 2009 at 5:36 PM ^
To you my friend. Michigan Men must stick together - Remember, adversity breeds strength.
You will be alright man....I've been there and not only have I gotten back on my feet, but I'm running faster and harder than I ever had before.
October 6th, 2009 at 5:36 PM ^
Sorry to hear that. Good Luck, it is something that many of us worry about every day
October 6th, 2009 at 5:37 PM ^
I know that that's really tough on you, your family, and your friends. Hopefully you can take solace in idea that it's not you but instead just a symptom of industry failure.
There will always be work for people that work hard so I'm sure that you'll find something. You'll just have to be patient. I graduated in May from U of M with two engineering degrees and I'm only now getting some real job possibilities, so, don't get discouraged if it takes some time to find something new, you just have to keep pounding away at it and I'm sure you'll find something.
As everyone else has said, good luck. I'll keep you in my prayers.
October 6th, 2009 at 5:39 PM ^
I appreciate that.
October 6th, 2009 at 5:37 PM ^
I am so sorry.
October 6th, 2009 at 5:38 PM ^
I can empathize with you. My advice is to allow yourself a specific amount of time to grieve and feel sorry for yourself.
After that, put it behind you and get back up on the horse. It's tough right now for everyone, so the more effort and enthusiasm you can put into the job search, the better off you'll be.
Be creative with creating opportunities, and if you aren't using Linkedin.com or other social media sites, I would start.
Good luck.
October 6th, 2009 at 5:40 PM ^
I will visit that site for sure. I think I'm done with print media. There are far more opportunities online.
October 6th, 2009 at 5:50 PM ^
You might also want to check out elance.com. There's a ton of freelance opportunity. You could probably use your experience to create advertising copy, or editing, something along those lines.
October 6th, 2009 at 5:51 PM ^
for my job, and it is a very effective tool.
October 6th, 2009 at 6:19 PM ^
If you're a Michigan alum, you can join inCircle, an online networking community for Michigan students and alumni, for free. It has job postings, you can look up alumni working in a certain field or even a particular company, etc.
http://alumni.umich.edu/networking-tools/social-networking/inCircle
I hope this is helpful. Good luck and Go Blue!
October 6th, 2009 at 9:18 PM ^
Unlike most of you guys, I was never smart enough to make it to UM. It was my dream, but it never happened. When it came time to apply to schools, I tried Michigan, but I got a scholarship to CMU and they had a good journalism program. Anyway, thanks.
October 6th, 2009 at 5:41 PM ^
I was laid off a while back too (and have had the misfortune of having to lay off staff at one point as well). It really stinks no matter what side of the table you're on, for sure. Taking the time to vent and be angry is necessary, but turning it into some positive action as soon as you're able to helps keep you sane. Personally, I've taken some of the time to think a little differently about what it is that I want to do, and I've done some volunteer work in a field of interest. It looks good on your resume to have something filling whatever gap there is... (hopefully as short as possible!)
Best of luck to you, and keep your chin up. We'll all get through it somehow!
October 6th, 2009 at 5:49 PM ^
even when we are good at what we do. I was laid off three years ago, and I can still remember the feelings. It sucks. Just keep moving and trying and pushing forward.
You're fortunate to have found something you love. If you are good at it, keep your contacts and find a way to keep doing it somewhere else. Stay positive. Stay busy. Best of luck to you.
October 6th, 2009 at 5:49 PM ^
I am a recruiter in GR/Detroit and may be able to help you out. Shoot me an e-mail to [email protected] with your resume and I can follow up.
October 6th, 2009 at 5:53 PM ^
I work in Florida, but I will send you something in a few days. I need time to clear my head.
October 6th, 2009 at 5:50 PM ^
Check this out... similar field, but different:
http://jobsearch.usajobs.gov/search.aspx?q=intelligence&vw=b&re=0&FedEm…
October 6th, 2009 at 5:50 PM ^
Everyone will say it, but unless you've been through it yourself, you truly don't understand how much it sucks. But trust me...you'll be ok (and even stronger for it).
Take some time away and when you're ready, get back in the fight. These things always work out for the better. Good luck!
October 6th, 2009 at 6:00 PM ^
We can form an MGoUnemployed Club in Florida. I'm right there with you.
Really, genuinely sorry. I know how hard it is to be out of work right now.
Edit: Most of the community colleges down here are always looking for professors to teach a couple of classes part-time, and if you have journalism experience, they might be really interested. It doesn't pay a ton, but it can tide you over in the short-term.
October 6th, 2009 at 6:06 PM ^
I've been laid off since last december and at the time I was the only one with a full-time job. My wife is a teacher and was just subbing at the time. I'm an electrician. And the construction industry in Michigan blows. Now my wife has a full time teaching job and its took a lot of the strain off but we didn't find out about that until july. Side jobs have helped a lot.
We were suppose to be back working by summer but thats come and gone and I really haven't heard anything promising. Been looking for a new job and theres nothing really out there. All I can say is keep your head up and hopefully you'll find something. It really does suck.
October 6th, 2009 at 6:16 PM ^
I'm very sorry to hear this. I hope for all the best.
October 6th, 2009 at 6:19 PM ^
This is one of the reasons I love U of M fans. They are so supportive. Anyways, I hope you find a job that best suits you.
October 6th, 2009 at 6:22 PM ^
I know that you do not post here very often, but I do remember that what you have posted was very well written and informative. You clearly have talent, and with that I am sure that you will find something sooner rather than later.
October 6th, 2009 at 9:19 PM ^
I have been a member of this blog longer than the date suggests. I have read comments on here for a very long time, and I only post when I can really add to the discussion. But thank you.
October 6th, 2009 at 6:27 PM ^
My Dad recently got laid off as well, it happens to the best of us.
October 6th, 2009 at 6:33 PM ^
Lucky for me I married the PERFECT woman.
She said "you'll never have this time with your daughter again, why don't you try and stay home for a couple years".
She took a better paying (but more stressful) position, I do freelance from home to help pay bills, and we TIGHTENED THE BELT more than I ever imagined we could.
I spend as much time working on projects as I can in this rotten economy, then it's time for a break and I take my daughter to the zoo, science museum, or just a walk in the park.
We won't be able to live like this for too much longer, but my daughter is excelling in everything she does, and our family has actually never been happier.
The bright side may not always be blinding, but it's always there.
October 6th, 2009 at 6:46 PM ^
I was able to do a similar thing for my wife, as she was laid off 4 years ago. As a result, she was able to care for her ailing parents (mother passed away 2 years ago, father just a week ago). Like you with your young daughter, this was time she would be unable to have later.
And like you, she has been able to do some free-lance stuff to "keep her hand in" put a little money in her pocket. I am glad she did what she could to help them.