The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Down Range Cafe => Topic started by: BAC on March 28, 2011, 04:15:55 PM
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I keep hearing that the economy is recovering, but it doesn't seem like it is. I got laid off today. My wife got laid off in October and hasn't found a job yet. So now we're both unemployed. This is very scary. Tomorrow I have to pack up all my camera gear and send it back, apply for unemployment (I've never done that before), and start looking for a job.
I'd started planning for the possibility of this last month by enrolling in a gunsmith course (online). I'm done with the photo industry. This week I am going to apply at gun shops for retail jobs with the hope of being able to apprentice with their gunsmith.
I'll do what I need to to pay the mortgage and feed the kid.
Just had to get that off my chest. On the bright side, I'll be able to volunteer at the NRA show next month.
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Sorry to hear this BAC!
Doesn't help to hear how great it is, and then this happens. Hang in there, and I'll be praying for you!
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I feel for you. I've been out for about 2 years. I've been working at the gun shop for over a year now but the income is significantly lower than what I used to make. I have had plenty of interviews but most of the companies I have talked to didn't hire anyone. For a small few I was a finalist but didn't get the job. There just isn't much expansion going on yet. There is resistance on the part of companies to expand when so many things are so uncertain.
That being said you really need to keep a positive attitude.
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Dude, I can't even imagine. Keep your chin up, keep your eye on the ball, and thin outside the box (sounds like you're doing all three).
You are in my thoughts and prayers. And remember, God doesn't close a door without opening a window.
Best of luck, my friend.
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As others posted, go after every option, keep your spirits up, and hope you can get right back in the game.
All the best.
tw
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Good luck BAC,I hope you're back in the swing quickly.
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The economy sucks, and I know you don't want to hear this, but it is going to get worse. I drive 65 miles one way to work at a range/gun shop, because there are NO jobs where I live, not even minimum wage. I feel for you brother, I really do.
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Recovery my azz. I haven't had a full time job in 25 months.
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Sorry to hear that.
Good luck in the job search. Check out Butler Hospital for a job. May not be what you want but it may help you weather the storm. Monitor Tech is a pretty cushy job and they will give you the training.
Or I can set you up with a low paying, crappy hours baby sitting gig if you want. :P
Recovery my azz. I haven't had a full time job in 25 months.
I thought this was your job. ;D
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I got laid off in June '09, did not get a job until June '10 - and that was hourly and is due to end this Thursday.
Hang in there, unemployment will help but it will not pay for everything, you may have to cut back some more. Sorry to hear about the bad luck, BAC, it seriously does suck, but other folks have gone through it and come out OK, you will too. Keep your head, be smart, keep your faith (or find it).
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Sucks big time. Hope things work out. You and your family are added to my prayer list.
God Bless,
Richard
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Right there with you buddy. Lost a job due to cut backs. But I found an alternate gig doing research. Its starting to dry up and I don't really like it (I prefer teaching). BUT, and this is the key it pays the bills. My advice? Write down a list. Write all of the skills you have, no matter how odball. Everything from your profession to whittling or singing in the shower. Then make a list of your contacts and their jobs, even if they are the cousin of a friend of your ex. See if there is a match, even if its number four or five on your skills list. Its how I got my gig. FWIW.
FQ13
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Thanks for the kind wishes, everyone. I don't think it'll really sink in until I send all my equipment back. I'm going to miss having tens of thousands of dollars worth of photo equipment that I didn't have to pay for.
We've got enough savings to last us for a while until one of us finds something. The whole thing basically sucks, though.
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Hang in there BAC, Something will come along. I went through this after 9/11. Things turn around, it just takes time and that moves slow when your out of work. Things will get better. Bill T.
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One other bit of advice. Take a little vacation time. Take a couple of weeks and just go someplace (obviously budget compliant), but hell, drive to Yellowstone or the Grand Canyon and camp. You're only out a few bucks plus gas if you cook your own meals. Go fishing, take an el cheapo cruise (there are plenty on the net). Just get your head out of deppression and say, well "upside is I can take three weeks off for once". Do it.
FQ13
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One other bit of advice. Take a little vacation time. Take a couple of weeks and just go someplace (obviously budget compliant), but hell, drive to Yellowstone or the Grand Canyon and camp. You're only out a few bucks plus gas if you cook your own meals. Go fishing, take an el cheapo cruise (there are plenty on the net). Just get your head out of deppression and say, well "upside is I can take three weeks off for once". Do it.
FQ13
Great advise, but we've got a 5th grader that can't leave school. The NRA convention next month will be like a mini vacation for us. Lots of time to finish the basement now.
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BAC,
Like others, I wish you the best. I work in health care as IS guy but I don't take anything for granted....I'll pray for you too.
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BAC,
Let me add my condolences. It's not just the loss of the job and income, but even if we try to deny it, part of our identity is tied up in our job. Heck we spend 40+ hours at it and it defines who we are, at least in part. So loosing a job is having part of your identity taken away...........and it hurts. Been there. Even in jobs we don't particularly like you can feel some loss of worth.
Okay. So have a good cry over it. Roll up your sleeves and let's get on with the rest of your life.
I don't know how old you are, but I was 52 when I was let go from the corporate world. I thought I was hot stuff. I beat my head against the wall repeatedly (insane I know). It took 9/11 for me to realize that a) I needed a job....most any job. b) I was never going to get back inside the big corporate world again and I needed a new career.
You're on the right track and at least you have been planning ahead (unlike myself). So you're miles down the right path. Older guys have to re-invent themselves.
Here's Alf's patented secret for getting into a retail operation. While product/customer knowledge is helpful, what a retail manager wants more than anything, is clean, sober and reliable (on-time) workers. I've counseled a number of middle aged people on how to get hired at big box retail. Now a gun store is a little different and you may want a little more tact and sophistication, but you'll get the idea. Here's the spiel I tell them to use when they go for the job. Find the store manager and say: "I'll show up on-time, ready to work, clean, sober and enthusiastic, whatever shift or department you assign me."
GO FOR IT, BAC. Whatever new career you want. It'll take a little apprenticeship, but if you like doing it, have fun at it and apply yourself, you'll be back on your feet in no time.
-- Alf
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That sux ass bad BAC. Hopefully something better will open up. Best of luck to both yourself and wife on the employment front.
As much as the pollies portray it as all beer and skittles but real people know better!
goodluck!
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Sorry to hear that, I've been through the same a couple years ago. If photo is what you love, don't give up on it. What kind of photography do you do? Stay positive and start pulling those business contacts, surely you've made a bunch in that line of work.
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This is sad news, indeed. I wish you and your family all the best and hope you can find something soon.
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Two years ago I was forced to close down my business. Before that final day I had received no phone calls from clients or potential clients for nearly three months. The only calls I got were from colleagues asking me how I was weathering the downturn--and could I turn them on to any work. Then, even they stopped calling as their phones got turned off.
I'm not telling you this to elicit sympathy, or to discourage you. I am telling you this so you have some idea that I know where you're coming from.
Alfsuave had it right when he noted that so much of who we are is tied up in what we do. Being told that our job isn't important enough to justify our salary really hurts. It's a kick to our ego's groin, so to speak.
All that being said, there is still some work out there. It may not be what you would normally do. It may not be something you would normally consider doing. And it may not be at a compensation rate that's even close to what you've been making. But, it's work, and it pays something.
And, don't dismiss your photographic skills out of hand. Check with Olan Mills or Sears: you just could be the next great kid photographer. You may come home smelling like throw-up and urine, but you'll also come home with a little dough-re-mi.
But most importantly, retain a positive state of mind. Visualize what you want, then say it aloud. Our brains respond differently when our ears hear something. Start the day by looking in the mirror and saying something like: I am a valuable husband, father and employee; I have tremendous skills; Today I will advance myself by _______________. And fill in the blank with what you are going to do to find that job. Maybe it's sending out resumes. Maybe it's by making phone calls to associates. Maybe it's by enrolling in something that will make you more valuable. Maybe it's by taking a "mental health" day. Just don't give yourself too many of those or they will take over you life.
Finally, know that you have people thinking about you, hoping and praying for the best for you. You will weather this set-back. And you'll be stronger for the trial.
Good luck BAC, and keep us all posted as you achieve this next success.
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I have been in your shoes twice in the last 2 years, no fun at all. I'm still working but hours are cut back to part time, still looking for something better. Feel your pain Bro. chin up, it will get better.
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Sorry to hear it, Bac! One door closing and a new one opens, good luck!
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Thanks for all the kind words and advice, everyone! It hasn't even been a full day and I feel like I should be out looking for a job already. It's going to be an adjustment for sure. :(
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CR said what I would have said. .................And after reading all the posts... the advise is very solid and good.
Can't add to it.. but I can reiterate...
DO NOT lose your self worth. You must always try to keep a good attitude about yourself. You have your daughter and your wife and your health and that right there is the blessing that nothing else can take precedence over.
And even if you are eating bans and cornbread... Your FAMILY and the love you share is the most important.. Sometimes we think that we need more than we actually do to survive. Actually when it comes down to it.. we need very little.
Recently I found myself in a situation that made me sit back ..reevaluate..and it was an eye opener on what I want vs what I need. I have done an about face and I have to say I actually feel better about a whole lot of things after the eye opening attitude adjustment.
Good luck.. know that if you have good days or shitty days.. you can always unload on us here.. :)
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Thanks for all the kind words and advice, everyone! It hasn't even been a full day and I feel like I should be out looking for a job already. It's going to be an adjustment for sure. :(
OH yeah ! You jump out of bed in the morning, go through your routine and then off to....... ? :-\
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BAC, I am in the same sitrep, now 4 months, at 1st I was pissed and hurt, and had a long pity party, with much alcohol involved, I did make quite a few phone calls for potential employment, and could have gone to work the next day, but I decided, maybe I should not go back into that cauldron, but look for alternatives, that might not be monetarily equal, but more fulfilling and less stressful, with minimal political friction. I will more than likely get a call back tomorrow, to be an educator, which I like, but does not pay half what I was making, but instead of driving 40 miles a day, I will drive 5, instead of getting off at 7pm or later, starting at 9am, I will go to work at 7 and get off at 3, or work 12:30 pm to 11pm, mon-thur and get a 3 day weekend. My advice is to reflect and circle the wagons, talk to your spouse and make sure you are both on the same page, of course tighten the belt and reflect on your needs, mine have become very simple and the important things seem to come to the top with great clarity. I have cut 1k easily a month, and am looking for more, but still with the ability to have quality in our lives.
As some have said, write down your skills, however mundane you perceive them, and you might be able to cross skill with interest. for example, does your local club allow pictures to be taken, would shooters pay for expert photo's of them shooting? Not a great career, but might pay some bills, and some photographers do make good money doing photo's for gun rags of guns, gear and good shots of shooters doing their thing.
Hang in there and best of luck.
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BAC, not much I can add to what has been said by all (and better than I could anyway)....what I can do is pray for a positive swing forward for you and your family.
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all I can add is to stay positive, and keep busy. Volunteer a few hours when you can. Not only will it keep you going , you can make new contacts from those you meet.