Well this blows...got let go this week.

SilentStalkr

Wonna Be Badass
Full Member
Minuteman
  • Oct 8, 2012
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    Well, this sucks. Got let go of my job this week. Been there damn near 15 years. Now I’m out here hustling to find something. It’s only been a few days but damn the competition is steep. So, for the gents concerned because they haven’t seen me on here, that’s why. Hustling and networking is a full time gig in itself.
     
    Thank you. ? And seriously, best of luck landing something SOONEST! I'm certain if we can help, we will. Someone on here certainly has to be in your field.
     
    Well, I can start out by saying I have been in the outdoor media/publishing industry for almost 15 years as an Art Director/graphic designer/photographer. So, if anyone knows anyone looking for something in that arena by all means please get in touch with me.
     
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    I’ve been downsized in the past and it started out stressfully but was the best thing that happened to me. Try not to let the concern over getting a job push you into taking something you will not be happy with. That is tough with bills and obligations though.

    When one door closes another truly does open.
     
    Well, I can start out by saying I have been in the outdoor media/publishing industry for almost 15 years as an Art Director/graphic designer/photographer. So, if anyone knows anyone looking for something in that arena by all means please get in touch with me.


    What part of the country are you in?
     
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    Well, this sucks. Got let go of my job this week. Been there damn near 15 years. Now I’m out here hustling to find something. It’s only been a few days but damn the competition is steep. So, for the gents concerned because they haven’t seen me on here, that’s why. Hustling and networking is a full time gig in itself.
    Don't look at the negative, could just be a blessing in disguise...
     
    Getting laid off in my early thirties was the best thing to ever happen to me. The opportunities that followed were awesome! Now i never have less than a full year of salary in the bank. If you asked me at the time, i just wanted to step in front of a bus. This story is so cliche, but youll see! Dont stress, shit works out when you do your part!
     
    Getting unexpectedly laid off sucks.

    I'm about to go into what a call a "career transition" myself soon, but by my choice. I'm sick of working for the man, and I'm ecstatic.

    Can't say I really have a plan right now though. Thankfully the wife works, so I won't have stress looming immediately over my head about bills to pay. Going to help my brother in law with some commercial salmon fishing in Alaska for all of June, after that I'm going to take a few months off and enjoy not having to answer to anyone, and get some stuff done around the house.

    While I don't have a solid plan yet for what my next career is going to be, I'm beyond happy to have my current career behind me. I'm considering starting up my own business, for that I have a couple ideas but nothing solidly pinned down yet.

    Use this as an opportunity to hit the reset button. The chains are off, and if you put your mind to it, there's a lot of opportunity out there to explore and capitalize on.

    This could potentially be the best thing that's happened to you, and you just don't know it yet.
     
    I retired from the military in 2013. I went to work for the federal government while I was still drawing the last few months of active duty pay. About 10 months later, we moved to another location and another agency and when I showed up they told me they pushed my start date back by 6 months if ever.

    I scrambled hard, and within a few weeks I had something that paid $2000 a month. Then about a month later, something better came along and I was up to my active duty pay. 6.5 years ago and I have gone up $8000-10,000 a year. If I would have stayed with that agency I'd still be making $45,000 a year.

    I have 4 pieces of advice for anyone in the job market.

    1. Spam the system, apply for anything you are willing to do anywhere you are willing to go.

    2. I personally believe the days of networking and building rapport to earn a job through contacts are very limited. It might depend on the industry, and if you are working on a position in your local area it might work out. Apply for the position and forget about it. Don't hound them, don't force it. If it comes it will come.

    3. Make them tell you no. I hire a lot of people, sometimes I get applicants that end up working really well, that I would have never thought about. I don't work in your industry, but I am sure it is the same for every industry. We often post jobs that have very few A+ quality applicants. We take the one we can get along with, not the ones that is normally the best one. Office politics are a nightmare when you hire a shitbird. Give me a C- guy that I can get along with, doesn't create waves, and foremost that is loyal.

    4. Do not apply for a position you are not willing to take. In that same note, do not apply for a position just to have practice interviews. We can tell and you will piss us off, and we generally know a lot of other people in our industry. We talk.
     
    2. I personally believe the days of networking and building rapport to earn a job through contacts are very limited. It might depend on the industry, and if you are working on a position in your local area it might work out. Apply for the position and forget about it. Don't hound them, don't force it. If it comes it will come.

    Don't know what you do but this is completely and utterly false. When dealing with professional jobs at high levels or executive positions (VP or above), contacts are key. Companies don't even post many of those jobs. Your network which includes recruiting professionals that know you will land you a much higher paying job than you will ever see posted.

    I hire a ton of professional people and I will always give preference to someone that one of my employees or I know from previous engagements
     
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    Well, this sucks. Got let go of my job this week. Been there damn near 15 years. Now I’m out here hustling to find something. It’s only been a few days but damn the competition is steep. So, for the gents concerned because they haven’t seen me on here, that’s why. Hustling and networking is a full time gig in itself.
    I too ended up on the street after my aerospace marketing/graphic design gig ended suddenly. I took a completely unrelated job of being a fleet service technician on diesel power generation equipment - simply because it was close to home and I knew I could do it. I didn’t like it, but it paid the bills. It was decidedly far less stressful too.

    Now 12 years after that change of direction, I manage a diesel generator manufacturing company. Sometimes change is good for us, even if we hate it to begin with.
     
    I am sure you are using LinkedIn...if not, you should start. LinkedIn is a great networking source

    Already on it. Been hustling the last couple days. Already had two interviews but no idea how I did.

    Good luck to you. You're young, you should be able to parlay this into something better.

    Hopefully so!!!

    I too ended up on the street after my aerospace marketing/graphic design gig ended suddenly. I took a completely unrelated job of being a fleet service technician on diesel power generation equipment - simply because it was close to home and I knew I could do it. I didn’t like it, but it paid the bills. It was decidedly far less stressful too.

    Now 12 years after that change of direction, I manage a diesel generator manufacturing company. Sometimes change is good for us, even if we hate it to begin with.

    Wow. That’s quite the departure!! I’ve worn a ton of hats in my time but honestly I don’t want to go back to any of them. I mean I will if I have to but I’m going to give it a bit before I just start trying to get into anything or any of those flavors.
     
    Well, this sucks. Got let go of my job this week. Been there damn near 15 years. Now I’m out here hustling to find something. It’s only been a few days but damn the competition is steep. So, for the gents concerned because they haven’t seen me on here, that’s why. Hustling and networking is a full time gig in itself.


    I feel your pain, man. I have been in that exact position before, and not through any fuckup on my part. Company was downsizing, then got bought out. I was let go but with a resume-ready and spotless work record, which is the most important thing. I had to suck up my pride temporarily and picked up a gig as a shelf stocker for two months while I applied elsewhere. And by applied, I fucking APPLIED, and checked up on the status of my applications. When I was hired at a place that I wanted to work, I gave the temporary location a proper two weeks notice and left in good standing. I strongly recommend that route while you apply and brush up any skills certifications that you may need so you still have income coming in. Good luck with everything!

    The best way to deal with the occasional lemons in life is through a direct 100% realist and logical approach. Never make regret even a word in your vocabulary. You cannot change the past, so what's the point? Only look forward and pick up skills, investments, and necessary acquisitions as you move along.
     
    Don't know what you do but this is completely and utterly false. When dealing with professional jobs at high levels or executive positions (VP or above), contacts are key. Companies don't even post many of those jobs. Your network which includes recruiting professionals that know you will land you a much higher paying job than you will ever see posted.

    I hire a ton of professional people and I will always give preference to someone that one of my employees or I know from previous engagements


    Good to know that it still exist outside of our swim lane.

    My wife is a school teacher, and she said the same thing. Everything is about professional contacts.
     
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    Had it happen to me a couple of times, just remember......



    1582456500266.png


    Good luck mate, don't fixate on one job, be flexible.
     
    Hi,

    Replied but figured I would put this part out publicly too; just to help you gauge interest and comments from other members.

    Take this opportunity to affect real change in your professional, family and hobby life....Launch your own digital media/marketing/social media management company that specializes in the firearms industry.

    With most media/marketing companies being owned by liberal parent companies, etc etc the companies that specialize in the firearms industry are few and far in-between, so we get stuck paying aka supporting a company that really could not care less about our industry, rights, and passions.

    Sincerely,
    Theis
     
    Hi,

    Replied but figured I would put this part out publicly too; just to help you gauge interest and comments from other members.

    Take this opportunity to affect real change in your professional, family and hobby life....Launch your own digital media/marketing/social media management company that specializes in the firearms industry.

    With most media/marketing companies being owned by liberal parent companies, etc etc the companies that specialize in the firearms industry are few and far in-between, so we get stuck paying aka supporting a company that really could not care less about our industry, rights, and passions.

    Sincerely,
    Theis

    OP if this is what you are interested in, then now is a great time to make the jump to start your own marketing company that focuses on the firearms industry.

    It's a small knit community that seems to take care of those inside of it.

    I'm sure there's more then a few 'hiders can help you along with your journey along the way.

    While I'm not in the industry, I may even need to use your services in the not too distant future when/if I start my own company, and I would love to help out some 'hiders along the way. We have a great community here.

    Keep us posted.
     
    To the OP: I'm 64 and had 3 different jobs in 2017. I can literally just walk out the door and into a new position (and did!) for more money each time. The days of 40 years and a gold watch are ending/over....all the vetted workers and experienced folks have jobs. The job market in most areas is literally *begging* foe experienced competent workers who can show up *every* day and get the job done.

    I fixed televisions for 20 years and was devastated when that industry literally died overnight leaving me unemployed at 44 YO. Now I can go anywhere I want and get any wage I ask for (within reason/market constraints of course) at 64 when everyone else tells me Boomers are useless pains in the ass. Here's the formula - get yer Resume current and down to one page of the basics. Nobody cares if we were captain of the football team in HS 20 years ago. Just the facts - jobs history and detailed descriptions of your duties and skills. One page. People seriously interested are not going to wade thru Glory Days. What can you do and how long have you been doing it.

    Then set up a LinkedIn page with all your pertinent information and buzz words. Get associated with people who can verify your skills and work history and link to them. I get 10 hits a week on my LinkedIn page and 3 job offers a month. I know it's depressing to get let go but the market for good hard workers is literally *begging* for turnkey employees that have verifiable work experience and skills in a world where all the young workers want to work from home - 9 to 5 - full paid benefits/3 weeks PTO and top wages from day one and can only show up for work 3 days a week because...well, you know, they have important things to do today that do not involve their employer.

    If you are a seasoned worker with verifiable skills and work experience and can show up *every* day and get it done there are jobs begging for you. You might have to be flexible and learn new skills but this is status quo going forward now. Jobs only last a few years and then yer on to the next one now.

    VooDoo
     
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    Hi,

    Replied but figured I would put this part out publicly too; just to help you gauge interest and comments from other members.

    Take this opportunity to affect real change in your professional, family and hobby life....Launch your own digital media/marketing/social media management company that specializes in the firearms industry.

    With most media/marketing companies being owned by liberal parent companies, etc etc the companies that specialize in the firearms industry are few and far in-between, so we get stuck paying aka supporting a company that really could not care less about our industry, rights, and passions.

    Sincerely,
    Theis

    I would love to do this, but it’s quite a leap and the wife isn’t as keen to taking risks as much as I am but boy would I love to do that and be my own boss. Problem is I literally have no idea where to start aside from maybe one freelance at a time.

    OP if this is what you are interested in, then now is a great time to make the jump to start your own marketing company that focuses on the firearms industry.

    It's a small knit community that seems to take care of those inside of it.

    I'm sure there's more then a few 'hiders can help you along with your journey along the way.

    While I'm not in the industry, I may even need to use your services in the not too distant future when/if I start my own company, and I would love to help out some 'hiders along the way. We have a great community here.

    Keep us posted.

    Would love to but there will certainly be some hurdles that I have to figure out how to navigate.

    To the OP: I'm 64 and had 3 different jobs in 2017. I can literally just walk out the door and into a new position (and did!) for more money each time. The days of 40 years and a gold watch are ending/over....all the vetted workers and experienced folks have jobs. The job market in most areas is literally *begging* foe experienced competent workers who can show up *every* day and get the job done.

    I fixed televisions for 20 years and was devastated when that industry literally died overnight leaving me unemployed at 44 YO. Now I can go anywhere I want and get any wage I ask for (within reason/market constraints of course) at 64 when everyone else tells me Boomers are useless pains in the ass. Here's the formula - get yer Resume current and down to one page of the basics. Nobody cares if we were captain of the football team in HS 20 years ago. Just the facts - jobs history and detailed descriptions of your duties and skills. One page. People seriously interested are not going to wade thru Glory Days. What can you do and how long have you been doing it.

    Then set up a LinkedIn page with all your pertinent information and buzz words. Get associated with people who can verify your skills and work history and link to them. I get 10 hits a week on my LinkedIn page and 3 job offers a month. I know it's depressing to get let go but the market for good hard workers is literally *begging* for turnkey employees that have verifiable work experience and skills in a world where all the young workers want to work from home - 9 to 5 - full paid benefits/3 weeks PTO and top wages from day one and can only show up for work 3 days a week because...well, you know, they have important things to do today that do not involve their employer.

    If you are a seasoned worker with verifiable skills and work experience and can show up *every* day and get it done there are jobs begging for you. You might have to be flexible and learn new skills but this is status quo going forward now. Jobs only last a few years and then yer on to the next one now.

    VooDoo

    Already on it!
     
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