This is topic Unemployed in forum Film-Yak at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.


To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://ft-forum.com/ft/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=8;t=002627

---

Posted by Sam Hunter (Member # 1119) on 10-23-2003, 03:35 PM:
 
Well, I have joined the ranks of the unemployed as of 1:30PM today. I was the sacrificial lamb for my area and got the axe.
I think I have come to terms with this but that remains to be seen. I have never been in this situation before and am a little scared. Your kind thoughts are appreciated.
 

---

Posted by Jeff Taylor (Member # 443) on 10-23-2003, 03:58 PM:
 
I think I know how you feel. Some years ago the company I was working for was downsizing and came out with some really juicy buyout offers (a year's pay, you keep your company car, you get all your vested retirement and profit sharing--a honey of a deal). Well, I took it and the next morning had breakfast with a friend who offered me a good job. I told him I needed a couple of weeks to think about it and proceeded to call everyone under the sun to see if something better was out there. Even though I had 3 more months at my old job, I took the first one offered after two weeks because I was going nuts at the idea of being out of work. To this day I think I should have hung out longer, but I couldn't stand it. Sam, I have no idea what you do, but I sure wish you well.
 

---

Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 10-23-2003, 04:03 PM:
 
Don't worry too much.
I've been canned from more jobs than I can remember and for more silly reasons that you can dream up.

One time, it was only after two weeks on the job at a security department. The boss (Security Manager) was on the take and he didn't like the idea that I (The lowly guard) wouldn't play his crooked game. I wasn't the first one to get the axe like that but I WAS the last. You see, because of the boss's high turnover rate I had to go through a special exit interview. I told the personnel manager exactly what I knew (thought) was happening. The guy went down in flames less than a month after I left.

Moral: It's a bad thing to happen but it's not the end of the world. The ass holes who did this to you will eventually get theirs.

Just take it easy for a short time. Cash a couple unemployment checks. Then go get yourself a new job. In a while you'll probably think to yourself, "Why did I ever stay at that damn job so long?!"
 

---

Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 10-23-2003, 04:49 PM:
 
Pursue the "Spell-Check" Keyboard! As the "inventor" you can spell it any damn way you want. Daryl is just too anal retentive. If I was that way, I would have corrected him and said the correct spelling was with a hyphen... But, I won't say that..

Hang in there Sam, it will work out...and it will be better! Honest!

>>> Phil
 

---

Posted by Jason Black (Member # 684) on 10-23-2003, 04:53 PM:
 
Sam,

Sorry to hear about your job loss. TAke the negative and turn it into a positive, as my grandfather would say.

The job market isn't as tough as the media and politicans lead us to believe. You'll find another job... and hopefully, a more rewarding and enjoyable job to boot!
 

---

Posted by Jason Burroughs (Member # 68) on 10-23-2003, 05:04 PM:
 
Jason, that's a rather naive statement. As someone close to someone that is in the unemployed dept, I can say that the job market is indeed rather tough, depending on the type of job that fits your skills.

Sure, anyone can get a job at the TSA (They'll hire anyone) but when your a network admin with a Bachelor degree in IT Management, you have a quite a bit of a tougher time.

Is the job market getting better than say 2 months ago? Yes, is it "good" or even "fair" - absolutely not.

That being said, there are jobs out there, you just have to be patient (very), get your resume updated and references lined up, and keep hunting.

Sam, good luck in obtaining new employment.
 

---

Posted by Ron Lacheur (Member # 1126) on 10-23-2003, 05:17 PM:
 
I'm sorry to hear that Sam. I was laid off my job Sept 16. I used to work at a label print shop. It was a good little company but then they hired the " typical suit " and gave him co-president status. He has made so many changes to the company that everyone is very unhappy.
 

---

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 10-23-2003, 06:02 PM:
 
Good luck in the job search
 

---

Posted by Bruce McGee (Member # 131) on 10-23-2003, 06:24 PM:
 
Best of luck, Sam.

I went thru an unemployment earlier this year, but I found a better job, though not in a theatre, like I wanted!

Hang in there.
 

---

Posted by Mike Fitzgerald (Member # 1304) on 10-23-2003, 07:55 PM:
 
I wish you the best and know you will find something it just takes time. I was also cut from my job a year + ago and it gave me the chance to get my degree. I hope to graduate in August of next year witha 2 year degree in Electronics Engineering. What am I going to do I have no idea but at 49 I will not go back to 12 hour rotating shifts. Sit back take your time and find something you really wish to do. Good Luck
 

---

Posted by Michael Schaffer (Member # 1204) on 10-23-2003, 08:43 PM:
 
Do you have a guitar? A banjo will do too.

Am D G Em
Some things in life are bad they can really make you mad
Am D G
Other things just make you swear and curse
Am D
When you've chewing an life's gristle
G Em
Don't grumble give a whistle
Am D7
And this'll help things turn out for the best

G Em Am D7 G Em Am D7
And always look on the bright side of life
G Em Am D7 G Em Am D7
Always look on the light side of life

Am D G Em
If life seems jolly rotten there's something you've forgotten
Am D G
and that's to laugh and smile and dance and sing.
Am D G Em
When you've feeling in the dumps don't be silly chumps
Am D7
Just purse your lips and whistle - that's the thing

G Em Am D7 G Em Am D7
And always look on the bright side of life
G Em Am D7 G Em Am D7
Come on always look on the bright side of life

Am D G Em
For life is quite absurd and death's the final word
Am D G
you must always face the curtain with a bow
Am D G Em
Forget about your sin - give the audience a grin
Am D7
Enjoy it - it's your last chance anyhow.

G Em Am D7 G Em Am D7
So always look on the bright side of death
G Em Am D7 G Em Am D7
just before you draw your terminal breath

Am D G Em
Life's a pice if shit when you look at it
Am D G
Life's a laugh and death's a joke it's true
Am D
You'll see it's all a show
G Em
keep'em laughing as you go
Am D7
just remember that the last laugh is on you

G Em Am D7 G Em Am D7
And always look on the bright side of life
G Em Am D7 G Em Am D7
Always look on the right side of life
(Come on guys, cheer up)
A F# Bm E7 A F# Bm E7
Always look on the right side of life
A F# Bm E7 A F# Bm E7
Always look on the right side of life ....
 

---

Posted by Steve Kraus (Member # 476) on 10-23-2003, 08:54 PM:
 
Good luck, Sam. May your leisure gap provide you exactly the length of R&R your nerves require and your finances permit, then rejoin the ranks of gainfully employed.
 

---

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 10-23-2003, 08:55 PM:
 
Good luck Sam.
 

---

Posted by Paul G. Thompson (Member # 655) on 10-23-2003, 09:17 PM:
 
Sam, something will always come up.

I remember when Southsound was sold. I had no real use for the company that bought the place so I knew that when the "Operating Agreement" was over, I was gone unless I accepted minimum wage.

When that happened, it wasn't a week later when I found out my other job might be in jeprody because that company sold also.

I was merged into the new company of my part-time job at the same wage. All in all, things worked out real well.

Now, sometimes I have too much work to do.
 

---

Posted by Sam Hunter (Member # 1119) on 10-23-2003, 09:18 PM:
 
Thanks guys for all the support.
It means a lot to me to know that you guys care and that I have friends out there after all.
Micheal, I like your tune and my son will loan me his guitar and I will try it.
Again, thanks guys.
 

---

Posted by Jesse August (Member # 1798) on 10-23-2003, 09:38 PM:
 
Just don't let it get you down. "When life gives you lemons make lemonade."
 

---

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 10-23-2003, 10:04 PM:
 
Their loss will DEFINATELY be your gain! You will end up far better off then you were before .

I have to admit that I've never been canned from a place of employment before so I guess I have that to look foreword to some day. I've been very blessed to have left other places of employment to persue other dreams I've had, and or other jobs of interest to me. The funny thing is that all of those other jobs(Audio Electronics Repair, Optics, Photography, Machining, etc) added up into what I do today. I've also had a couple of employers in which I was treated quite poorly so I made sure I stuck around long enough to leave them high and dry in the middle of a very large job !

Mark @ CLACO
 

---

Posted by Jason Black (Member # 684) on 10-23-2003, 10:41 PM:
 
Jason Burroughs,

After reading the follow up posts mine doesn't sound so naive anymore huh? I never said that one would find a "like" job under "similar" conditions, merely that one could, indeed, find other employment...

Hey Sam... this is for you.. Hope it doesn't make me
 

---

Posted by Rick Long (Member # 213) on 10-23-2003, 11:07 PM:
 
Best of luck, Sam.

You will be amazed by the various paths your new job will take you (soon we hope).
 

---

Posted by Daryl C. W. O'Shea (Member # 1303) on 10-24-2003, 12:01 AM:
 
Good luck Sam!

Maybe you should start a wireless ISP... you've got the background and there are lots of people with sucky dial-up.
 

---

Posted by Barry Floyd (Member # 385) on 10-24-2003, 01:02 AM:
 
Good luck on the new job-search Sam. Like some of the others have said, I too have never been canned from a job... but have been threatend with it twice recently. I've been at the same job, same desk, drawing and designing the same for 13 years. When my wife and I decided to make the jump into building and owning a theatre, I never realized how much time it would consume. Trying to keep the drive-in separate from the Engineering job is very difficult. Twice within the last 6 months I've been called up front to the boss's office for one of those, "Come in and close the door behind you" meetings.
The message from those meetings was basically, "Don't on your Kitchen Table". Meaning... Don't -up and loose your day job that feeds your family, when you can take actions to correct the situation before it gets out of hand.

Hey, just think... now you've got time to drive up to Tennessee to check out my rebuilt Simplex XL! See... there's a bright side to everything.
Good luck Sam
 

---

Posted by Paul Mayer (Member # 355) on 10-24-2003, 01:12 AM:
 
Sorry to hear it Sam. But I am sure you will bounce back just fine.

I've been out of full-time work for over two years, but am nonetheless working (part-time for now) in a couple of fields that I truly love (forgot for a few years how much I did love teaching and flying). I've been canned a couple of times over the years, but like Mark, managed to leave my last real employer in a lurch, just as they were about to cut me as part of a big layoff. Just heard they're laying off again--boy am I glad to be out of there.

Better than making lemonaid, do what one of my old captains used to say: "When life hands you lemons, make Long Island Iced Tea!"

[ 10-24-2003, 03:48 PM: Message edited by: Paul Mayer ]
 

---

Posted by William Hooper (Member # 71) on 10-24-2003, 01:44 AM:
 
Good luck, Sam!
 

---

Posted by Michael Schaffer (Member # 1204) on 10-24-2003, 05:00 AM:
 
Since you have a little free time now, you could also come down to Dallas next week. According to mapquest.com, it is only 4 hours or so. It will also give you the rare opportunity to meet some living legends like Phil H. and me in person and see how real barbarians drink.
 

---

Posted by Hillary Charles (Member # 769) on 10-24-2003, 08:53 AM:
 
I'm now in the same boat, Sam.

Even though our location recently got new photo lab equipment, and our numbers were up considerably, and we made our goals, the company pulled the plug on us. I was the only one let go, and look upon it as a gift! That company was driving me crazy, but I didn't have the nerve to leave on my own. This way, at least I'm getting unemployment compensation.

Now the company is upset. The president wasn't aware that they just installed the new equipment, and they've lost quite a few customers, partly because of losing a good location, and partly because none of the other locations is producing the quality of prints that we were doing. Last I heard, the regional manager was angry at the volume of complaint letters from (now former) customers.

As far as I'm concerned, this is affording me opportunities in other avenues. Lately, I've done photography for postcards, video work, etc. Now, I'll be able to do more of that more lucrative stuff. AND I've found that selling stuff on ebay isn't a bad way to make up the difference.

Best of luck, Sam. Ultimately this could be one of the best things to happen to you.
 

---

Posted by Jim Spohn (Member # 1547) on 10-24-2003, 09:43 AM:
 
Good luck on the job hunting Sam!! Remember that when one door closes, another one opens. ... Jim
 

---

Posted by Edward Jurich (Member # 1787) on 10-24-2003, 10:42 AM:
 
I was laid off in June, found work about 2 weeks ago. During the unemployed period, I helped for free, a small town theater install a Dolby CP-50 system including repairing the cp-50. That in turn connected me with another theater where I did some tech work for money and did a lot of free stuff like putting together and breaking down platters. It was a fun couple months, sorta like a vacation.
A tip, I found my new job by going to the library and using a Missouri business guide to find companies in my line of work. Then sent resumes to them. I found no ads for the job I got, it was by sending them a resume. Check out the library in Monroe for listings of companies in your area. Also use the phone book and just start sending out resumes. It took me 37 resumes. Those resumes should also count as job contacts for unemployment.
 

---

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 10-24-2003, 10:59 AM:
 

quote:

---

Check out the library in Monroe for listings of companies in your area. Also use the phone book and just start sending out resumes. It took me 37 resumes. Those resumes should also count as job contacts for unemployment.

---

quote:

---

I never said that one would find a "like" job under "similar" conditions, merely that one could, indeed, find other employment...

---

That kind of thing might be alright for some. But many folks who had GOOD jobs and not just A job have a lot of crap to continue paying for, such as their mortgage, a car payment, medical bills on the kids, etc., etc,. etc. There is no problem paying for all that when you are making over $100K per year. But when some greedy asshole executive sees he'll make more profit for the company by exporting your job to China or India then what do you do? The bank isn't going to take, "but I work at McDonalds now" as an excuse for you missing your house payment. They'll just repossess the thing, ruin your credit and boot you out on the street.
 

---

Posted by Sam Hunter (Member # 1119) on 10-25-2003, 08:43 PM:
 
The company I worked for is a dying breed. It is the second largest paging company in the US according to them.

This technology is outdated by todays standards and cellphones and mobile data (PDA's and such) are wiping them out. Personally I am glad I am out of it as it was only a matter of time before the axe fell anyway. I have been wanting to change occupations anyway and go in a new direction. I have filled out about 5-6 applications so far and Monday I plan on saturation bombing all the business establishments with applications and resumes. If I can get a good job and get stable in it I plan on going back to school and learning a new career, possibly a nurse or something. Anyway, I do appreciate all your kind words and thoughts.
 

---

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 10-25-2003, 10:34 PM:
 
Sam, I took advantage of the Workforce Investment Act funding for job retraining. This is a program to help people get off unemployment. There are numerous fields you can get paid to go to school to learn. I chose truck driving (although I don't recommend that to anyone, it pays okay and keeps food on the table). Contact your unemployment office for more info. Each state has different hoops to jump through.
 

---

Posted by Gerard S. Cohen (Member # 994) on 10-28-2003, 05:10 PM:
 
Sam,
I'm sorry to learn of your situation, as I've been there before.
As an indication how widespread the unimployment problem is, the New York Times published a special "WORKING" section today, October 28th.

Two articles give the big perspective:

"YOUTHFUL ATTITUDES, SOBERING REALITIES-- a Tough Labor Market Hasn't Shaken Priorities for Younger Workers", by Julie Connelly:
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/28/business/businessspecial/28CONN.html

"ROSY PICTURE, BUT FOR THOSE WHO SAW PINK, PAIN LINGERS", by David Leonhardt:
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/28/business/businessspecial/28LEON.html

And two articles offer specific ways to cope with and overcome your temporary setback:

"JOBLESS: SURVIVAL TIPS FOR THE SHORT TERM AND THE LONG",
by David Cay Johnston:
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/28/business/businessspecial/28JOHN.html , and

"TO GET BACK IN THE GAME, BE READY FOR A SWITCH IN POSITIONS", by Bernard Stamler:
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/28/business/businessspecial/28STAM.html

I believe these articles contain more specific help that my own experience can confer.

Good luck!

Gerard
 

---

Posted by Sam Hunter (Member # 1119) on 11-10-2003, 05:19 PM:
 
Well, Thursday will make it 3 weeks since the cut and out of close too 30 resumes I have had 2 interviews. There is no demand or market for someone with my background in these parts. I really wish I had a degree in computer programming or accounting or the medical field as that is what is in demand around here.

As for me I am holding up so far and have high hopes something will come along. I sure would hate to have to sell off my film stuff and move off or something.
 

---

Posted by Paul Mayer (Member # 355) on 11-10-2003, 11:23 PM:
 
Sam, 2 out of 30 is a pretty good batting average from what I've seen lately. Something will connect eventually, especially since it looks like national hiring numbers are finally starting to improve. Keep swingin'!
 

---

Posted by John Eickhof (Member # 323) on 11-14-2003, 10:26 PM:
 
Hang in there!! Remember..'life is like a leather nipple! It's tough sometimes' but if you keep trying, you will soften it up!!
take your time..the right thing is just around the corner!! best 'o luck to ya! Your friend, John
 

---