losing your job

[gramage]

How do you deal with it?

I just got let go from my job (first time it's ever happened to me) and right now I'm pretty much in pure freak out mode. what the fuck am I supposed to do? How do I find something worthwhile when all I can think is get something ASAP (how long does it take to get paid for those research studies they list near the escorts in NOW and Eye?) I probably should have started looking today but I feel so messed up I think I'd screw up anything worthwhile I saw.

Any advice?

 

[a 1 player]

Ok, first thing is relax a bit. You are not the first person this has happened to, and you are not going to be the last. I have been laid off several times over the years as I work in automotive. Actually, I'm kind of getting used to it now.

Here is what you need to do...

-Get your ROE to the govt. and sign up for EI
-Update your resume
-Take a few days to chill out and try to relax some, think of it as an unexpected vacation
-Take a good look at your expenses and save where you can
-Call some Headhunters

I remember my first time losing my job, I was a frigging train wreck. PM me if you want greater details.

 

[3Tees]

Sorry to hear. I agree with everything a1 says. Here are a few more tips:

-Depending on the industry you are in, start going to some networking events for your industry.

-Look for Facebook, LinkedIn and Meetup groups in your industry if applicable.

- Let people know you're looking for work.

- CALL (as opposed to email) companies you are interested in and speak to HR or senior managers directly and see if there is anything available now or in the future.

- Get a plan going based on your finances -e .g. If you don't find the job you want by such and such a date (or such and such a bank balance), you'll take a part-time job or consider skills upgrades, etc...

- Remember, if you do it right, looking for a job is a full-time job in and of itself.

 

[Plan B]

Losing one's job is a rite of passage. You'll be okay..in time, but expect to feel like crap as you deal with the emotions of job loss..If at all possible, take stock of where you are, do you want to return to the same type of work, or try something new? Rushing into the first job available isn't always the best policy. In any case A1 player had some good advice.

 

[fuji]

(1) Apply for EI ASAP. Every day you delay costs you a day of benefits (assuming you find a new job before they run out).

(2) Relax. Breathe.

(3) Fix up your resume.

(4) Tell everyone you know that you're looking for work.

(5) Treat "finding a job" as your new job: Get a reasonable amount of work done on it every day. Don't let it slide. Don't burn yourself out working "overtime" on it.

 

[tboy]

Shit, for once (ok twice lol) I agree with fuji.....(and the others).

Couple of questions:

How much severance did you get? That will determine when your EI benefits will kick in and there IS a waiting period.

But really, the only way you will get EI is a) if you're an illegal immigrant, b) recently immigrated or c) laid off. If you were dismissed without cause or fired, you won't get anything.

This might be a good time to thing about your options. HRDC has tons of programs for retraining, starting your own business, etc. You might want to look into that instead of going back to "working for the man". I did and will NEVER work for anyone else ever again. I'll live in a box on the street before I do.

If you got a decent severance package take a few days (even a week) to decompress. Just don't do anything rash right now (like take a McJob).....

 

[clifford]

Make sure you consult a lawyer to review the package they offered you. From my experience the first offer is usually just that - the first offer.

I was recently laid off & rejected the company's first offer & we eventually settled on a mutually beneficial agreement.

 

[Music_Box]

-
It's being a trend that whenever I get fired or layed-off from a job I ALWAYS find a better one. I started at $8.50 an hour landscaping at 18 and now make over $30 an hour after getting fired from about 4 jobs. Curiously, the better paids jobs I got the better treatment I had. Don't lose hope dude, in 1 year you will be looking back and laughing this off.

 

[dajodo2]

(1) Apply for EI ASAP. Every day you delay costs you a day of benefits (assuming you find a new job before they run out).

No it doesn't.

Apply within three weeks of being laid off.

Benefits are retroactive from when you were let go.

First two weeks you will be paid nothing. They call that a waiting period and you will receive no benefits for those first two weeks.

 

[fuji]

No it doesn't.

Apply within three weeks of being laid off.

Benefits are retroactive from when you were let go.

Wrong.

If we have all the required information and if you qualify for benefits, your payment will be issued usually within 28 days from the date we receive your application. If you do not qualify, we will notify you of the decision made on your claim.

http://www1.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/ei/faq/faq_general.shtml#expect

That means that the sooner you file the sooner you get paid, and since they stop paying you when you get a new job, that means you get paid more than if you file later. The longer you wait to file, the longer until you get your first payment.

Now if he remains unemployed for the entire 34 weeks or whatever he is entitled to then it'll be the same total payment in the end. However if he gets a job before 34 weeks are up the longer he waits to file the less he gets.

As someone said there will be waiting periods, they will subtract serverence, etc., and so there's a good chance he will get nothing--but the sooner he files the better the chance is that he will get something, and the more he will probably get.

 

[dajodo2]

The sooner you file the sooner you will start receiving payments is true.

You said every day you delay you loose a day of benefits which is wrong. File within 4 weeks of your last day worked and you are fine (I said 3. I was mistaken.)

Weeks of entitlement begin right after you are laid off retroactive. 2 week waiting period or any other money you receive during subsequent weeks during your claim that they class as income will be deducted from the dollar amount (the benefit rate) of your claim during that week you received that money.

Just because you are asain fuji please don't arrogantly assume you know everything like that other arrogant asian that was banned from here months ago.

You obviously don't in this case.

 

[pencilneckgeek2]

Any advice?

Take it to OHRC.

Seriously, take your time to think about what you want to do in your next job, with your life, your career.
Best of luck, and like Music_Box said, in a year, you'll probably be laughing about this.

 

[RandyAndy2]

a1 player and 3Tees, and others, gave good advice. I've been in your position, twice. It's upsetting when it happens but really it is an opportunity to move on to something better. The second time I was shown the door it started a chain of events that landed me in the job that I'm in now (and have been in for 9 years). It's the best company I've ever worked for in my career, and the work is what I've wanted to do through my previous crappy jobs. You're in a tough spot now, but things will get better.

Make sure you have a network of people who are supportive of you, whether they are family, friends, fellow terbites, or whatever. These people should remind you that an employer would be lucky to hire you, that you're a good, capable person, and that things will get better. If you find that there's someone in your group that is negative (eg. a SO or parent) and dumps on you for losing your job and not instantly having another, keep your distance from them as much as possible during this period. You need to stay positive.

It's been mentioned by others, but make sure you draw up a list of people, especially in the field you're interested in, that you can contact. Be clear on what kind of job you're targeting, and talk with these people to get some direction on where opportunities may be. They will also likely keep you in mind if a job opens up in their company.

Good luck man.

 

[james t kirk]

The advice here from others is sound, the only thing I would add is try to find a job in an industry that does not have all its eggs in one basket.

I currently work in the consulting industry. We have clients all over the place in many different fields. What makes it good is that when one client is hurting, the others are doing fine.

If you work is say "the auto industry" or "the paper industry" or the whatever industry, you are tied to that market. When that market goes south, so do you.

The downside to the consulting industry is that you work like a dog and the money isn't as good as if you can rise to the top in the whatever industry.

 

[Aardvark154]

I'm really sorry to hear this Gramage!

If it won't "out you" what sort of industry have you been in? That might help in networking.

 

[onthebottom]

How do you deal with it?

I just got let go from my job (first time it's ever happened to me) and right now I'm pretty much in pure freak out mode. what the fuck am I supposed to do? How do I find something worthwhile when all I can think is get something ASAP (how long does it take to get paid for those research studies they list near the escorts in NOW and Eye?) I probably should have started looking today but I feel so messed up I think I'd screw up anything worthwhile I saw.

Any advice?

Sorry to hear that.

I agree with those above, take a deep breath. You'll need a next 30 day plan (cash flow) and a 30-90 day plan (finding a new job). I'd also consider finding something cash based (being a mover, waiter...) until you find something.

And yes, if you're so inclined, give us a sense of your industry - you never know who's here and who's hiring.

OTB

 

[AdrenalinJunkie]

If you are high enough up the food chain ask for some outplacement councelling. It can really help.

 

[calvin & hobbes]

I've been on this site a very long time and enjoy reading the banter. Never been to an SP so I don't have anything worthwile to contribute. However, this topic is something that I have an interest in. I too, was just laid off 5 weeks ago. I felt exactly the same way as gramage does.
"WTF am I going to do now?"
Early 40's and in my trade for almost 20 years. Yes, automotive. A tool and die maker / machinist.
Ya gotta try and remain positive. Its hard and I have to remind myself everyday. A good friend sent me an email the other day with the following saying and it helps a lot.

" When God takes something from your grasp, He's not punishing you, but merely opening your hands to recieve something better. "

Not trying to be a bible thumper but it applys regardless of your religion or anti-religion. Keep repeating it and soon it will be ingrained into your brain and it will help you to remain positive.

I went to a Western Job Fair at the International Centre on Saturday. There seems to be a lot of jobs and job opportunities out in Alberta and Saskatchewan, especially Saskatoon. I myself am pondering the move out there. I have no ties here so its not really a difficult thing to do for me.

If you have been laid off, you might qualify for the government sponsored program to train for a second career.
Try this link www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/tcu/secondcareer/index.html , I hope it works, for more info.

Good luck. We'll all need it.

See you all in another 5 years when I post again lol.

 

[brocko]

I have been there too! Lots of good advice here so all I will say is believe in yourself and make it your "now"job to get a job. Good luck.

 

[Thunderballs]

But really, the only way you will get EI is a) if you're an illegal immigrant, b) recently immigrated or c) laid off. If you were dismissed without cause or fired, you won't get anything.

Just to clarify something here, being fired without cause does not disqualify you for EI but being dismissed for cause does.

What industry were you in Gram? Maybe we can keep our ears out for you. Also, if I were you, I'd start looking immediately. More and more companies are initiating hiring freezes now and things won't turn around any time soon so your window may be closing a little more each day you wait.