WOW! I am shocked

[Stormrider]

My company is closing two of its plants and mine is one of them! We have a job until May 29th. We can apply with the temp agency that we use to hire people--they will come in so we can sign up with them. The unemployment department will also be out so we can sign up with them, too.

It has been 15 years since I changed jobs or had to look for one. I need to brush up on my resume and maybe find someone who can help me with that. Resumes have changed so much since I last had to show one.

I have never been laid off or fired from a job. This is completely new to me and I am in shock. I am sure my age isn't going to help me either. I can just picture myself out of despiration becoming a Wal-Mart greeter.

[Fredeghar Wayfarer]

Sorry to hear this, Stormrider. This economy sucks big time. I have been laid off and in and out of work multiple times in the past few years and doing lots of temp jobs. Currently on another round of unemployment and starting to get pretty worried if this cycle will ever end.

You're lucky that you got 15 years at one company. That is completely foreign to much of my generation.

Sorry if I'm being morose. Just trying to say I feel your pain.

[fanuidhol]

Although it does seem scary, this may be your chance to do something you may have wanted to do, but didn't -- a chance to go into a completely different field or go to school.
As active as you are, I don't think your age will matter as much as you think. Times are different. Yes, the economy sucks, but there are some signs of improvement. Things may be on the upswing.
Do, however, take Freddie's warning -- save money and cut expenses. Just in case.
Good luck with the job search.
Fan

[Stormrider]

Yeah, Desi wanted me to go on a 2-1/2 week camping trip with them, but I don't think I should be spending that money right now.

I would like to learn more about web design and will look into what schooling there is for that. I really like that type of work.

I think a temporary agency might be a good start. I will check to see if there are any job fairs in this area, too. I have been gathering reference letters from the people in my business, too.

Freddie: I know you have been in and out of jobs. I was wondering how you were doing with that. Of course, if your writing career takes off, you wouldn't need to worry about a job working for someone else then.

Fan: Thanks for your encouragement despite my age! I needed that!

[Andorinha]

Oh, that is a blow, Stormrider!

Obviously, there's a lot that needs correcting in our current economy. My sister's, supposedly secure job and twenty plus years of service, was simply evaporated last year. She's lucky, so long as Social Security continues to be funded, and lucky she's old enough to be on the verge of retirement anyway. She'll survive with a little belt-tightening. But for so many others, especially younger folks who have not had the time to build up their retirement funds/ social security, the loss of a once "secure" job is going to mean some real dislocations. I hope after 15 years you do have some money built up in the Soc Sec fund, you may not be old enough to access it now, but it'll come in handy later.

I certainly hope that unemployment, and job-finding assistance can see you through the immediate crisis, then, with your intelligence, your skills in communication, its just a matter of time before you find a new niche. I think the sudden nature of this shock will be your worst foe, hang in there, you'll bounce back!

[Stormrider]

Both of our plants were actually very busy. The company was just not making enough profit. Perhaps they underbid the businesses and the cost of our raw materials was always going up. And our customers were always asking us to give them better pricing, too. So to keep the business, we cut our price.

It is very sad the state of our Country.

[Stormrider]

This was my first week on my new job! I decided to take a part time job with my church--30 hours a week. They had a notice for Parish Secretary in the bulletin the end of April and I applied. I had an interview with Father and the current Parish Secretary and they loved me ;D

Surprisingly enough there is quite a lot to do as the Parish Secretary and many visits from parishoners with things they need, too. So far, I enjoy it and I won't be bored because there is plenty to do! Training is slow going due to the interruptions but I am learning!

[Andorinha]

Congratulations, Stormrider!

Ah, that's great, especially the part about having various duties to keep the job from being a bore. Wishing you the best of success there!

[Stormrider]

Yes, definately don't want to be twiddling my thumbs and I certainly won't be doing that! But it is really nice just working part-time. And it is a very wholesome environment, too.

It is odd because I will be the new Parish Secretary, and there will be a new Business Manager, and now the Diocese is transferring the Priests, too. So it is going to be an entirely new team working at the Church. Perhaps it is good that I don't get to know Father Tim and his preferences too well, since Father Don will be arriving on June 30 to take over.