Layoff Survival Guide

[memike]

Thanks Mike! I'm about wore out today, lol. I have another interview tommorow at 4 with another company. Feast or famine I guess.

Well Joe :happy10: You set back and relax bud :-D
Tomorrow will be here before you know it and I am sure you will do great.
Thank you for all your in site that you have shared here :cheers:

I will say a prayer though :-D

 

[ramcharger]

“What do I need a cover letter for” you say? Because it’s the one attention grabber where you can show who you really are and what you are capable of. It will be the very first thing that will be seen by the e-mail recipient. Many times the e-mail address will be simply HR@acmejobs.com so you can’t even address it to a specific person. That’s OK though, as they are aware of the situation. If you do see a name like billy.bob@acmejobs.com feel free to edit the recipient to Mr. Bob. It can’t hurt.

You have to be creative yet professional. I once created a hilarious cover letter to a recruiter outlining how desperate I really was. It most certainly got his attention and I got response from him the next day. I didn’t get a job out of it but he never forgot me and we still send a note to each other about once a year. Who knows? Maybe one day he’ll contact me with the job of the century. Be careful with this method as it may backfire, lol. I would not suggest it for a direct hire position.

Although describing this is easy, execution can be difficult. I have attached a sample here at the bottom. Feel free to use it if you like, but the best results are the ones that you create for yourself. First, make a list of your best qualities. Use a good friend or spouse to help you out if need be.

Next you’ll have to put it in a quick, entertaining read. One longer paragraph or a couple quick ones work great for me. Don’t make it too long or no one’s going to read it through.

A good time to write creatively is after a good walk, hike or bike. No joke, it works. Good luck and continue to review and revise it. Show it to friends and family and revise it again. Good luck, this is the “grabber” that makes them want to find out more about you.

 

[ramcharger]

Well Joe :happy10: You set back and relax bud :-D
Tomorrow will be here before you know it and I am sure you will do great.
Thank you for all your in site that you have shared here :cheers:

I will say a prayer though :-D

Thanks Mike. I'm done here for now.

 

[ramcharger]

Ramcharger, my man, I really respect you. You think of helping others when you yourself are taking a hit. It shows real character. Ellie and I have been praying for you to land a really great job. Hang in there!
Pat

Thanks Pat! You'd da man, lol! 8) You keep working on that manifold and let us know what happens. :-D

 

[waggin]

man Oh man,You are hired! you can come drink beer with the likes of us anytime....Hope you know how to tell a good story,fragg cohort's with a BIG smile on your face and know for a fact that sexual discrimination towards the female associates will NOT be tolerated(it will however be GRADED) the pay around here suck's but the benefits are really sucky too!!!but the company you keep,you'll have to decide if this is the job for you LoL

 

[Rob]

Sounds very promising Joe, my fingers are crossed for you, good luck :cheers:

 

[ramcharger]

man Oh man,You are hired! you can come drink beer with the likes of us anytime....Hope you know how to tell a good story,fragg cohort's with a BIG smile on your face and know for a fact that sexual discrimination towards the female associates will NOT be tolerated(it will however be GRADED) the pay around here suck's but the benefits are really sucky too!!!but the company you keep,you'll have to decide if this is the job for you LoL

We call that "Crop Dusted" out here, lol! I'm going to have to make a 10 day trip and see everyone for one day on the way.

Sounds very promising Joe, my fingers are crossed for you, good luck :cheers:

Thanks man! I just found another IT job for a bank this morning that pays way more. It happens that there is a recruiter working that same job and just called me on it. I had applied for the ad by the recruiter which withheld the name of the company. Shortly after, I got a call from a friend in the mortgage banking business telling me of an opportunity he came across. I did some web research and found it was the same job so I applied directly to the bank which should do two things:

1: Increase my income. The recruiter wanted to contract me out which means they get a cut of the total pay.
2: Increase my chances of getting the job as my resume will be the one of the very first the powers that be will see!

It's a dawg eat dawg world out there and I'm on it my Mopar brothers. You know what they say, "The view from the back of the pack is always the same".

:cheers:

 

[Rob]

Thanks man! I just found another IT job for a bank this morning that pays way more. It happens that there is a recruiter working that same job and just called me on it. I had applied for the ad by the recruiter which withheld the name of the company. Shortly after, I got a call from a friend in the mortgage banking business telling me of an opportunity he came across. I did some web research and found it was the same job so I applied directly to the bank which should do two things:

1: Increase my income. The recruiter wanted to contract me out which means they get a cut of the total pay.
2: Increase my chances of getting the job as my resume will be the one of the very first the powers that be will see!

It's a dawg eat dawg world out there and I'm on it my Mopar brothers. You know what they say, "The view from the back of the pack is always the same".

:cheers:

Hey that sounds even better :cheers: If all goes well you'll be picking through your offers and choosing the one you want most, things are looking up, looking forward to the happy ending :-D

 

[KP]

Thank You For This Up Lifting Information.

I was laid off going on nine weeks this coming Monday after the owner of the company I worked for took his own life 12/26/08 by jumping off the Wrightsville, Pa bridge into the river. He was one of the most caring people I ever met but it is my understanding he could not deal with the stress from this economy on his business and having to lay off his employees to falling sales.

 

[ramcharger]

Thank You For This Up Lifting Information.

I was laid off going on nine weeks this coming Monday after the owner of the company I worked for took his own life 12/26/08 by jumping off the Wrightsville, Pa bridge into the river. He was one of the most caring people I ever met but it is my understanding he could not deal with the stress from this economy on his business and having to lay off his employees to falling sales.

You're welcome KP and I'm glad that you can make use of it. I'm so sorry to hear about your former boss. How very tragic. He sounds as though he really cared about his people, may he rest in peace.

I hope that at least some of what I wrote can help you find another job and I wish you the best in your search. Please forgive the "irreverent tone" as I'm just trying to make our situation look a bit better and make it a bit more fun to read too. Please feel free to add anything you may have learned and let me know if I've made a mistake.

Here's a song for ya. Some cool cars in here too. Hold your head up my friend:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBnSWJHawQQ

 

[cudaman51]

The steel mill i worked at shut down in september for a 30 day major repair turn. hasent melted a pound of steel since and anounced wont make any this year. Looks prety grim for starting back up. My life goes on. I didnt live beond my means.1200 laid off.(i am lucky 36 years maint with penshion)lots of time to work on car

 

[ramcharger]

The steel mill i worked at shut down in september for a 30 day major repair turn. hasent melted a pound of steel since and anounced wont make any this year. Looks prety grim for starting back up. My life goes on. I didnt live beond my means.1200 laid off.(i am lucky 36 years maint with penshion)lots of time to work on car

Cudaman,

I'm sorry brother. I don't understand why we don't use use your steel anymore...:angry7: I wish you the best and keep on truckin' my friend!! I'm pulling for you as we are all pulling for each other.

 

['74 Sport]

Very good, well-thought out, information from someone who has definitely done his homework. It's the best example of showing the difference between someone who really wants to find a job and one who does not. There are ways of looking for a job, and then there is this way.

My only comments are related to how one goes about putting his best foot forward in the application process. I'm not an expert by any means, but I do have a fairly good grasp of the English language. When preparing the cover letter, resume, or other correspondence for a prospective employer, please make sure you have a competent person proofread your documentation for errors. I'm not suggesting that you may be incompetent, it's just better for a fresh set of eyes to double-check you. Don't be embarrassed about your predicament, consider having your child's language arts or English teacher go through it with you to look for spelling and grammar errors.

Sure, you may be applying for a job just sweeping floors, but when an opportunity arises for the next step up, the one who hired you may remember how your application appeared - did a manager candidate fill it out or a country bumpkin? You don't have to be a best-selling author to prepare a professional-looking resume. I would suggest going to your local library (or book store if you can afford to) and find a book on writing resumes. For my college-bound son, I got on www.half.com and found some cheap books on proper usage of commas, most incorrectly used words, etc.

There are a few basic things that you should be careful not to do:
1. Don't use contractions (like I just did). Type out the words "do not".
2. Use correct spelling, and double-checking is imperative here. Don't completely rely on spell checking programs. They don't recognize the fact you meant "too" instead of "to" or "two".
3. Don't use slang words or colloquialisms, like "ya'll", "dude", "ain't", or "been there done that".
4. Don't try to dazzle them with brilliance, especially if they could later catch you in a "white lie" during an interview. Just be honest and straightforward.

Thanks, ramcharger, keep it coming. And good luck on the job search.
Jerry

 

[64X2]

This all in all is great information.....unfortunately I am still with out work, and have been since July 08.....and since I was a contracted employee I wound up with no unemployment benefits.....so the days go on..........

 

[ramcharger]

Thanks, ramcharger, keep it coming. And good luck on the job search.
Jerry

Thanks Jerry!

This all in all is great information.....unfortunately I am still with out work, and have been since July 08.....and since I was a contracted employee I wound up with no unemployment benefits.....so the days go on..........

Good luck 64X2! Were all pulling for ya!

 

[ramcharger]

Don't get freaked out when a prospective employer asks for this. It's simply a list of your past employers (starting with the most recent) and what you made with them in either a per hour or a yearly basis. Simple as that. Here's a sample:

Acme Beer Bottling, 9/1/2000-3/10/2009, Starting pay: $38,000, Ending pay $48,000

 

[ramcharger]

This is a list in a easily readable format that contains references of at least three people who work in your field of expertise, and will vouch for your skills in that field. Phone numbers are what employers are mostly looking for. Some will ask for personal references from someone who is not related to you. I like to have two documents with three of each.

Example:

Bob Smith
Director of Beer Bottling
555-555-5555

 

[ramcharger]

1. Friends, ex co-workers and family. This is the absolute best resource as they most likely have direct contact with the hiring entity. Don't be embarassed to use these people as they will most likely be impressed with your willingness to work. :yawinkle: It's called networking and it works. I got a job once by hanging out in a bar were I knew a bunch of telecom workers hung out in.

2. State un-employment office. This has been a dud for me in my field but you might have better luck than I did.

3. Newspaper, online or in print. This has always been a great resource for me and my last interview was due to a online ad for a local paper.

4. The internet, Monster, yahoojobs.com, craigslist, etc. I scour the internet almost every morning. The big problem is that the search engines for online job ads suck. I just plug in my location and search "all jobs". That way I wont miss anything. I'm a bit paranoid that I might just miss that perfect job. Is it easy? No. Cruising through a couple thousand jobs every morning/afternoon is not easy, but it helps me see patterns in when/what people are hiring for. Do it for a month or two and you'll see what I mean.

5. Cold vists. Go to a business that hires people with your skills. For example if was a mechanic, I'd go to the shops I would like to work for and ask at the front desk for "May I speak to the person in charge of new hires please?". It shows drive and character. You will get turned down a bunch of times but eventually someone will see you. You may not get a job right away but your resume will be at the top of the pile when an opening comes around.

 

[memike]

How is the Job search going Joe.:?
I Guess I could go back and read more of your great thread and find out.!

 

[memike]

You have been busy =D>
I hope someone calls you today to get started again bud.
Me,, Well a morning at the dr,s office and he wants me on a dose pack ](*,)
I think this weather is about to drive me crazy , But all is good.
Its amazing what you have dun here on this thread
To all of the members here I hope thing's get better soon for all of you.:cheers:

 

[ramcharger]

Yep, this is the part that sucks the most. If you own a home, nothing can be done about the mortgage as far as I know and if your renting and have a lease, not much can be done there either until the lease is up. What can be easily cut is the rest of your expenses.

1. Think about garaging all but one of your vehicles and dropping insurance on everything but your daily driver. This has risks and is not for everyone.

2. Wait till you can do your errands between 9 am and 11 am or 1 pm to 3 pm. Less trips mean less gas and by running your trips at these hours, you'll avoid rush hour.

3. Turn the heat down and the AC up. My heat is set to 58 F. I just throw on a sweater.

4. Unplug stuff you don't need such the coffee maker, microwave, tv and cable box, battery chargers, etc. They all pull juice even when not used. I even pulled the plug on the garage fridge. :cry: I've got the TV and cable box on a switched power strip. Yeah, takes a bit longer for it fire up, but so what?

5. Reduce any and all services to just what you can get by with. For example, my cable and internet is just the most basic now and I switched my cell phone (no home phone) to the most basic, cheapest I could find.

6. Buy what's on sale at the grocery store and use their savings cards. I saved $30 on a $80 purchase one week.

7. Say goodbye to steak and good beer. :cry: It's hot dogs and meister brau from here on out buddy.

8. Car projects should be brought to a halt with the exception of keeping the daily driver in good shape.

9. Pay at least the minimum on your CC's. Don't screw up and not pay them as many jobs require a credit check as part of the application process. I think it's stupid as hell, but that's the new way doing things. disgust Why someone would be denied a job because their credit has gone to crap because they're not working is beyond me. ](*,)

 

[ramcharger]

How is the Job search going Joe.:?
I Guess I could go back and read more of your great thread and find out.!

No new calls this morning, but I have faith. :angel7:

You have been busy =D>
I hope someone calls you today to get started again bud.
Me,, Well a morning at the dr,s office and he wants me on a dose pack ](*,)
I think this weather is about to drive me crazy , But all is good.
Its amazing what you have dun here on this thread
To all of the members here I hope thing's get better soon for all of you.:cheers:

Thank you Mike! Just doing the best I can to keep my spirits up and hopefully help someone in the process.

What does your Doc want you to do?

 

[memike]

To help this thread I have a few things that will help the home makers.
When the wife or husband leaves for work shut everything off, Till the hot water heater is dun heating up" Give it an hour at least, Then do a loud of laundry then put it in the dryer, Do not run the washer and dryer at the same time!!! This will bring your rate per hour way up. when the laundry is dun then wash your dishes, I have seen most people do all of this at the same time and it cost sooo much more because you are put in a higher bracket per hour for your electricity. For instance , If I shower and do a loud of laundry or run the Dryer while the coffee maker is on it will cost you twice as much , so take your time to use one appliance at a time. My wife could not believe the electric bill when I showed this to her 3 years ago.
I wake up and shut my sons and my wife's computer off and check and make sure she did not leave here heat rollers turned on and all lights are shut off.
What I am trying to say is if you have a big demand for electricity you pay more for the amount you use.
This may sound petty but it brings me 100 dollars a month easy.
I hope this will help Joe. It douse work :home:

 

[ramcharger]

Good tips Mike! I never thought about running both the washer and dryer at the same time.

My power and gas bill dropped down to around 50 bucks last month.

Good news. I had my second interview today and it went really well. I'll know if I have a job by Fri at the latest.

 

[340 Dart]

To help this thread I have a few things that will help the home makers.
When the wife or husband leaves for work shut everything off, Till the hot water heater is dun heating up" Give it an hour at least, Then do a loud of laundry then put it in the dryer, Do not run the washer and dryer at the same time!!! This will bring your rate per hour way up. when the laundry is dun then wash your dishes, I have seen most people do all of this at the same time and it cost sooo much more because you are put in a higher bracket per hour for your electricity. For instance , If I shower and do a loud of laundry or run the Dryer while the coffee maker is on it will cost you twice as much , so take your time to use one appliance at a time. My wife could not believe the electric bill when I showed this to her 3 years ago.
I wake up and shut my sons and my wife's computer off and check and make sure she did not leave here heat rollers turned on and all lights are shut off.
What I am trying to say is if you have a big demand for electricity you pay more for the amount you use.
This may sound petty but it brings me 100 dollars a month easy.
I hope this will help Joe. It douse work :home:

Good tips Mike. Thanks

Good tips Mike! I never thought about running both the washer and dryer at the same time.

My power and gas bill dropped down to around 50 bucks last month.

Good news. I had my second interview today and it went really well. I'll know if I have a job by Fri at the latest.

\
Good luck Joe! :read2: