joining the ranks of the unemployed

[tris]

Had a very rough year at work this past year, culminating in an unpleasant episode with my boss. Instead of facing me about the situation he left me a note in my inbox....

So this morning I handed in my resignation which he didn't bother to read but accepted with a "good, I appreciate it."

So, my dream job ended in a Death Star explosion with bad feelings all the way around.

This is a small community and leaving affects a lot of folks, not to mention the economic impact on our family.

Would greatly appreciate prayers for healing and a new job.

[Kessie]

Ugh! Will pray that you can find something new very soon. My hubby's been unemployed for two years, and it's been very rough.

[yoda47]

Ug. Yeah, that sucks.

I lost my job about 3 or 4 years ago, it's very rough.

[tris]

So how do you deal with the blow to the old self esteem? I feel bad about leaving on negative terms, but so much of what happened was out of my hands. I know the Lord will provide -- He always does, but I have to admit it's a scary feeling knowing we're responsible for two kids in college and making sure they stay in there.

[yoda47]

That's a really good question.

I was kind of panicky, as I had a wife and kid to provide for. (now 2 kids with another on the way.)

It's been an interesting journey. I was mopy and panicked for a while, some depression, and lots and lots of prayer.

And to make it worse, I'm in Michigan, where there are no jobs. I'd gone to several interviews, with nothing coming from them. I had to swallow a lot of pride and move back in with my parents (it was pretty much either that, or a cardboard box...)

I got a job from a friend as a realtor... but the real estate market is... bad...

I still don't know why this happened, but I try to look on the positives:

- My kids have really got to know their grandparents
- I've learned to trust God a lot more.

to be honest, that's about all I can think of, but I know God has a plan for me.

As for advice, read your Bible and pray a lot.
To look at how much (read: little) money I've made last year and this, we should have been starving and frozen by now, and yet there's money for the essentials, and sometimes some extras too.

[celesta]

I'm sorry to hear that

I'll pray for you.

[dragonlots]

In the same boat. I've been laid off three times in the past two years. Only open jobs around here are sales, (they're always hiring & no one wants them), baby sitting preschoolers, low paying dead end service positions, they want the sun, moon and stars and won't pay you anything, or so highly specialized very few people qualify.

Currently, I'm tutoring part-time and have managed to get on the substitute teaching list for two schools. No easy feat considering the latter is a glutted market.

We're also gone bankrupt since we can no longer afford to pay our creditors. Luckily, my DH has a job.

I'm looking but the job market is bad.

I do sympathize. My upside is all the writing I'm getting done. Plus, I really enjoy tutoring children.

[beckyminor]

So sorry to hear of the rough conclusion to the job, tris. I will definitely be praying for you (and all the others on this board) that steady work will come your way very soon. I pray you will be able to gain God's perspective on the turn of events before very long.

[Bainespal]

That is a true tragedy. The dysfunctional community makes it more horrible, I'm sure. I've seen some of those, occasionally. I'm sorry.

[tris]

Thanks guys for all the encouraging words and for sharing some of your journey. The situation worsened today -- I had given two weeks notice to allow time for a replacement. When I got back from lunch I had a check on my desk and a short note pretty much saying don't let the door hit you on the way out.

As far as the office is concerned I don't exist today. I actually feel sorry for them -- and the new guy whoever it is that is coming in. some of the systems aren't easy to figure out , but at least I left a notebook of instructions and gave it to the one person in the office who'll look after the newbie.

Yet, God in His infinite wisdom is good and all I feel is release.

You guys have a great New Year's and I'll stand with you in prayer for sustenance and support.

Blessings!

[j2starshine]

I am sorry to hear about that tris and the rest of you who are struggling with unemployment. My last job ended horribly too. I'm sorry that it had to end like that for you, tris, especially since you thought it would be a dream job.

Something God has been trying to get sunk into my muddled brain is that no matter what happens, it is for His glory. A pastor friend of mine from Zambia told me how when he was first became a Christian, he went out into the villages to proclaim the gospel and God showed him that a witch-doctor was placing a curse on him and he struggled with that, thinking that since he was a Christian, he was "protected" from stuff like that, but he wasn't it. He started growing this huge...growth...under his chin and after a week or so (none of the clinics could do anything for him), he was praying and crying out to God with his doubt and everything, God spoke to him and told him it was for His glory. A day later, God removed the swelling/growth and it caused ripples within the village and many became saved because of it.

The past couple of months God has been trying to open my eyes to that message and I have been so dull-witted about it. The last message God gave me was about Paul being in prison and how the Jailer was saved because of it.

so...no matter what is going on around us...and the storm is crazy, scary...God is working something out, whether it is for someone's salvation or our own growth, who knows, but Him. I feel for ya. I'll be adding my prayers to yalls.

[tris]

Starshine,
You are truly a light in the darkness. Thank you for those encouraging words!

[firestorm78583]

I can empathize. I was "laid off" on the first of November from a Job that I thought I was doing quite well at. The news came out of left field and the only reason I got for the layoff was that I "wasn't a good fit for where they wanted to take the company".

I have to remind myself constantly that God is in control. No matter what happens, it is for His honor and glory.
I am the consumant procrastinator, and so I also need to remind myself to pound the pavement.
I know it sounds trite, but God will open another door in His time.

[j2starshine]

i am humbled. i'm glad you found the words encouraging. We look forward to hearing what God does in your life and everyone else here.

[dragonlots]

One of the good things I've learned from being unemployed is that I love working with children. Tutoring is the most fulfilling and rewarding job I've had in over 15 years. This is my third year and although I'm relieved when it's over - has to do with the distance I drive - I always look forward to the season starting up again. I'm also, for the first time, on the substitute teaching list for two school. No small feat considering how glutted the teacher market is here. (Except preschool where no one wants to work.)

The jobs I've been laid off from was a release. One of them was as a file/mail clerk at a Mortgage company. I had a great Christian boss, but it wasn't what I wanted to do and I was working it just to survive. I also hated having to go fetch lunch for the executives, not to mention all the knit-picky stuff that went with it. I kept saying to myself - 'I went to back to college for this?

The other job, which I was laid off from twice, I always the sword hanging over my head. I never knew from one day to the next if I had a job or not. The second time, I was asking God to get me out because I was physically in pain from the constant repetitive motion. The only bad part was waiting for unemployment to kick in. They only gave me my last two weeks pay. And it wasn't much. Can we say poverty level wages?

The only good thing was that I got contacted by one of the tutoring companies about a week later who said, we have kids who need tutoring ...are you available?

The economy and job market are crazy. I 'hear' there jobs in health care, but most of the pros in the field locally say that isn't so. What is available is home health care aids...who are paid poverty level wages, which is why no one will take those jobs.

Sales is always hiring. Great is you have the 'sales' gene, but most of us don't. It amazes how many prospecting emails/calls I get from insurance companies. I usually ignore them. Can't sell the product if you don't believe in it.

Truth of the matter is, employees are saying 'there are no jobs.' Employers are screaming they have jobs they can't fill. However, employers will not train a good candidate. They want the employee to come to them fully trained and experienced. Employees can't afford to get trained because they have no money. The smart ones avoid student loans which they can't afford to pay back. Anyone else begin to see the problem here?