Handling "The Big L"

If youre among the steadily growing masses caught under the depressingly dark cloud of swelling layoffs, how are you handling it ? For me, after 14 years at the same job, its been devastating. At fifty years old, single, with a bad hip that keeps me from working on my feet, no trade skills and vanishing manufacturing jobs, I'm screwed. I was lucky enough 14 years ago to find a sit down production job in injection molding. But with rampant outsourcing and reductions in labor, these and many other jobs are leaving the U.S. fast if they haven't already - mine vanished like a Chris Angel parlor trick.
This obviously illustrates the importance of learning some kind of trade or skill that fits in the new workplace, but sadly I was never a good student in high school, a slow learner - and I'm fairly certain this situation has not improved with age. For those of you who were good in school, dont wait. learn something new -- and if you werent, try anyway- you're likely better off than me.
With only nine grand to go, I thought for sure I would pay off my house, but it might as well be nine million now. In case you hadn't guessed, im not dealing well. Its scary at this age with physical as well as learning shortfalls. I'm not good with math, never was. Never could remember the multiplication tables.
My main problem actually has always been memory, cant retain anything unless I do it repeatedly, even then I have to concentrate more than most.
But back to the beginning - how are you dealing with the emotional and financial side of your layoff-?? If you have some suggestions for helping us all cope with the shock of layoff, please pass them on.
I could go on and on, but I've had more than enough whine with my cheese ---*

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Comment by Ron Knights on April 30, 2009 at 7:37am: Eric, that explains a lot.

Take care, my friend.

Comment by Eric L. on April 30, 2009 at 7:27am: Doing the samething.... applying everywhere I can think of, networking with friends and family, unemployment barely covers the bills, my wife and I recently took on a third child that was having problems at home and at school, my boss is telling me that things should be picking up by now but they aren't and to keep looking for work, my family members are dropping like flies, and I have no time to just sit back and relax... I used to come on here waiting for the work season to start... guess I shouldn't have been wasting time back then... now with one more mouth to feed, the pressure is on.... not to add more any more whining, just letting you know your not alone.... keep your head up, keep some money in your pocket (just so you don't feel broke), network, and pray.... It's not over yet, and there is still time for it to get better.

I wish you and everyone in the same boat as us, luck.
For those that read this, and are trying to contact me.... Sorry, I'm not ignoring you, I just have so little time, with a new family member, deaths in the family, and need to find work.... I plan on being back on more regularly as time permits,,,, keep writing me though, i sometimes find time to read them, just have little time to reply.

--Eric

Comment by Keith Stoneberger on April 30, 2009 at 6:27am: I almost know what you are going thriugh,,,,, except I was laid off, well actually fired for a bad hip, before the economy imploded. I just recently had a total hip replacement and all my life, I had been either working un a trade or in a factory. I been recently 'training' myself in computer programming because I am on the long waiting list for the state to pay for the training. My unemoloyment ran out last month and the only source of income is my wife's, which is just enough to pay the bills. I have been doing everything I can to find work, even trying to do some 'freelance'. I am 40 and one thing I learned, there is no such thing as a job security. Of course, I come from a 'hick' town where we all live from paycheck to paycheck and it is very hard. I remember years ago when Clinton signed the NAFTA, and I was working at Wrangler as a presser, I wouldn't press anyting that had 'hecho in Mesico' on the tag. I got a lot of rift for that but when you have to take unpaid days off because customs sit on your materials at the border before coming to your factory, they started to understand. Perhaps if we start boycotting companies that outsource our work, you think that may help the economy some?

Comment by Ron Knights on April 29, 2009 at 9:58am: Believe me, I can sympathize.

I'm 59 years old.

Over the past couple decades I've found it harder and harder to find a decent job.

Between my age and my emotional and physical challenges, it just became too much.

I think it was maybe 5 years ago I lost my last job, and my wife told me to move out of the house.

My world literally fell apart in one swift event.

That's when I finally decided to apply for Social Security Disability.

It was a long 2.5 years waiting for the final, positive outcome.

I might not have survived without "Welfare," and the help of my ex-wife.

Sometimes I miss the kind of income that a steady job offers.

But I don't miss all the stress that comes from being employed.

Comment by Michael Wagner on April 29, 2009 at 9:02am: Michael, it's not "whining", we all need to vent. I know what you are going through. Living in the Detroit are most everyone I know is getting laid off. Just heard from a brother in law last night that got laid off after 30 years. I retired from the Navy in 1992 then went to work for Ford. Two years ago I was offered a cash buyout in conjunction with a monthly retirement. I am glad I made the decision to take it. I had enough seniority that I would still be working at Ford, but dealing with short term lay offs every time you turn around. After my retirement, it was my intention to find another job to supplement my income for a few years. Unfortunately with 12% of the Michigan population laid off, a 61 year old guy doesn't stand a chance in the job market. So I've learned to live on my retirement income.

My recommendation to you (all things I still do on a daily basis)
1. Get up every morning just as you would do if you were working.
2. Submit resumes/applications to every company you can. Even those that aren't advertising open positions. 85% of all job openings never get advertised.
3. Think outside the box, be open to jobs that you wouldn't think about doing in better times.
4. Take a chance on jobs that you don't feel you are qualified for. Better to try the job and fail than to never try it.
5. Network with friends and relatives. Even those out of your past. Never know who might have heard of a job opening. Use facebook, establish contact with old school class mates etc.
.6. Biggest thing that keeps me going is to keep in mind that right now my full time job is seeking a job and I have to work at it every day.
Good luck!