This sucks!!! I've been laid off today from my job of 20 years with the same company. I was a recruiter and customer service manager with an engineering employment agency. I'm going to take a few days and collect myself and then start a job search. I'm almost 53 years old and not looking forward to this very much... did I say this sucks!?!?

I'm just venting right now but any words of encouragement or tips would be welcome.

thanks all


Bob

Not good - happened to me at 52 yrs of age, after 15yrs with the company. I eventually found a new position, and it was a friend who told me about the job opening. So, my tip is, network, network, network.

Good luck.

Cheers,
Mike

Sorry to hear that Bob. Hope you keep your spirits up and good luck in the hunt.

HastyP

Bob, Best of luck on your johb search. It hasn't happen to me, but at 53 doing a job that would kick a a 20 yr olds' backside, I'm waiting for the day they figure they can get a kid to it for half the pay.

Sorry to hear that Bob. But you have to remain positive, and think that something will eventually turn up. In the meantime, make the most of your extra modelling time!!

All good words folks, thanks!

@ Frank - I love your reasoning...cheers!!


Bob

Hey Bob,
Sorry to hear that, vent away.
I went through that when T. Eaton and Co. closed shop, 18 years with one place.
Hopefully, the news that the Canadian markets and economy being on a bit of an upward slope will be of help.
The recently stronger Canadian dollar is encouraging.
Take it easy.

John

sorry to hear Bob. im sure somethign will pop up soon!

Bob I understand I sucks really bad man!

My dad is 52 and in the same situation!

Sorry to hear it.

I happened to me some years back. The company I was working for called everyone in and announced that they were going to be letting several people go. I was one of a hand full that were able to keep our jobs. So I went home happy that day. I came to work the next day and I was called in and told that they had decided to let some more people go and I was one of them. So I can relate to your situation.

Good luck and don't let it get you down.

HARV

Sorry about your dilemma, Bob. This happened to our club treasurer a little over a year ago. he had a severance package fortunately and was able to live off that while he sorted things out. Eventually, he hooked up with a temp aganecy and got a gig that has been well over 10 months in a totally new career path. I guess the moral here is to not limit yourself to what you have always done but to loook at different doors.
Best of luck.

One thing about it, you are not alone. My job of 22 years went away at the end of July of 08. I found one job in the interim and was downsized out again after a month.Things being what they are, the world isn't very kind to us 50 somethings in terms of the job market. All we can do is keep plugging away trying to find something else. I have heard much recently saying things have begun to turn around. Here's hoping for both of us!

Here's a site that went up recently. I know you're in Canada but there may be some useful info there. http://www.unemploymentlifeline.com/node/74467

Sorry to hear about that Bob. But trust me I know exactly how you feel.

Best of luck with the job hunt.

Cheers,
Jim

Sorry to hear the news Bob.

Hi Bob

Here is as good a place as any to let off steam. I have workmates who are waiting to hear whether or not they will get access to their pensions early or not and being left in the dark whether they will be let go or not.

And like a lot of people have said about numbers changing the rest of us are waiting to hear if there are more cuts to follow after. I have 30 years invested with my work but am far too young to access my pension even if was inclined to want to go.

Stick in there and take stock of your tallents. Blow your own trumpet!

All the best

Nige

That sucks. I too was laid off, ironically enough by an organic products wholesaler, after they were bought by a multinational. I was lucky enough to fall into the film industry out here in Vancouver. Have you tried the oil fields? Or join us in Vancouver - we can always use more Teamsters, ha ha...

Happened at my company too ,last Nov, 18 let go.

So the rest have been doing 3 times the work for the same pay.

So you might be better off.

As the economy tries to recover it should get better.

But keep looking and I guess you can use Unemployment if such a thing is in Canada.

Good luck and as one on the other side of the coin for the ones left are just as bad as the ones that left.

They still talk of a pay cut for the people left here and doing 3 times the work sometimes better to be a banker so the Gov can throw you a few Billion.

Cheers
Jeff

It´s the same story all over Bob but take comfort in the fact that REAL businessmen value experience,maturity & a whole lot of other stuff that kids fresh out of university take another 20 years to learn. Hang in there pal because when things pick up again you´ll soon be complaining that you have too many un-finished models & not enough time!!!

July 08, I was the same as you, almost.
Late forties, in my case,
20 years with the same company, then it was competition from China, so, out you go...
Fortunately I got a job, even before I left, and they were asking me to start early if I could.
This all just happened before the downturn, and, so far I still have a full time job.
The company has now relocated, keeping us busy during the quietest time- no work for 3 months.
Now this month we have about 5 orders, about 4 days work.
I guess the real point is something will happen, how and when is the only question.
my thoughts go out to you, keep your chin up.

Hi Bob - Welcome to the club. I'm 55 and got the ax a couple of months ago. I am or was in the printing industry, which is slightly better off than the auto companies. I'm listed with quite a few employment agencies. They have sent me out on a couple of interviews I think I could have had a factory job making dryer sheets but the shift was 7pm to 7am and didn't want to work those hours. Networking works too, you just might end up in a field not even related to your past job. I'm not really looking for printing jobs any more. Good Luck in your search !!!! And be flexible, that's my approach. I feel your pain. Tom