Going to Be Laid off from My Job

Updated on September 01, 2013
J.R. asks from Powell, TN
14 answers

Well, I have been at my job for almost 5 years and have been told by my boss that they have until Sept. 20th to find billable work for me or they will have to let me go. This has come as a shock. I really like my job and the people that I work with. Luckily, my husband has a pretty good job, but not enough that I won't have to work. I am trying to still do the best job that I can until that time, but I must admit it is kind of hard. I am glad that they have given me some notice, but it is still stressful.

We have a week long vacation planned for mid-October that we can't cancel-we have already paid for amusement park tickers and lodging. Do you all have any advice for me? I know that I will apply for unemployment as soon as it happens and of course, I will look for another job. I am trying to stay positive and I know everything happens for a reason. Thanks for any advice!!

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Featured Answers

J.W.

answers from St. Louis on

Is there anything at work that you can grab onto? Like tasks that need to be done but don't always get done that you could see if you can create a new and improved job. Seems like they don't want to let you go but they have to.

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J.S.

answers from Phoenix on

This is unfortunate. I would probably start looking right away for a new job. Maybe something awesome will appear! Just be upfront with anyone that offers you a job, that condition of accepting the position, is to be able to still take your vacation. It might be unpaid as you may not have immediate vacation time, but usually, a new employer can be flexible with this. And if they are not, it might be a sign that you shouldn't take the job anyway. Good luck!

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J.C.

answers from Philadelphia on

Well your employer obviously really likes you to give you so much notice. Ask for a reference and start job hunting now. Do yourself a favor though and enjoy your vacation!! Things will work out.

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S.L.

answers from Phoenix on

Now is the time for you to start polishing up your resume, asking for recommendations at your current job, building connections, and seeing what the next step is for you. Don't get hung up on the situation with your current job, see it as an opportunity to move to something even better.

1 mom found this helpful

M.D.

answers from Washington DC on

I'm really sorry you got that news. It gives you a month to find something else. Two summers ago I got the same news. Bring money in for the company or you're done...I had a new job in two weeks. Do what you have to do to find another job and make THAT your priority.

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T.F.

answers from Dallas on

The positive thing about this is that you know now so you can prepare.

LinkedIn has already been mentioned. I am on there as well. As a business owner, I get a lot of resumes as well as recruiters trying to hire me (they don't realize I own the company I guess). Anyway, it is a good networking site.

Get your networking going now, use any help the employer gives you to get a good start with finding a good match for you. Sign up with temp companies as well. MANY companies hire employees from the temp pool because there is already a connection with the employee/employer and they know how well they are a fit (or not)

Make sure you make clear decisions and don't feel desperate to take the first job that comes along. Wait for the right fit.

Go on your vacation... you say a lot of it is prepaid so that is a positive!

Best wishes to you.

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A.L.

answers from Montgomery on

Have you gone to, 'Linkedin'...I am on there, I get offers occasionally, some of them have been what I would consider perfect for me although I can't respond because I am working with my DH managing a State Lake.

Go ahead & take your vacation, just before you go, get your resume updated and send out a few feelers, keep your 'puter handy to reply if you get a good bite!

Don't stress & DON'T take just any position that you are offered!

Best! Good Luck!

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A.M.

answers from Washington DC on

Don't skip the vacation. It will relieve some stress now and the memories will be a great stress reliever in the weeks to come.
Another poster a while ago was coping with her husband's pending unemployment and received dozens of tips on cutting expenses. Not sure how you'd find it, but it was all good advice.

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G.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

Unemployment is not guaranteed. I have been laid off a couple of times and never received unemployment even though I had every right to do so. They said they didn't have the insurance at one place and the other said I did something wrong so they fired me. I had 3 week notice I was being let go....they lied and still won due to the company always wins.

O.H.

answers from Phoenix on

Start cutting back on everything. Don't buy anything unless you REALLY NEED IT. Shop your home/auto insurance with a broker (you don't have to wait until renewal). This will at least help with your cash flow until you find something else. Good luck.

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C.P.

answers from San Francisco on

I'm sorry. That's stressful. I'd start looking for another job now. Tell the people in your interview about your commitment to have that week off and explain that you had no idea that you were going to lose your job when you booked it, and that you have no other time off planned after that. If the interviewers want you they'll hire you anyways. It happened for me in 2 jobs I've worked when I got hired. Good employees are hard to find.

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S.B.

answers from Kansas City on

I've been laid off a couple of times. Both times I signed up with a bunch of staffing agencies, just go to their websites and apply for jobs online if any look good to you, and they usually call back. I found 2 good jobs that way (the first within a month of being laid off, the second within a week), including the one I work at currently. I do temp to perm, where I work for the temp agency for 12 weeks then am signed on permanently with the company.

It sucks, but good luck!

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K.H.

answers from Boston on

I lost my job a few years ago. I had a little bit of unofficial warning before it happened, but I was still teary eyed the day I was officially let go. So my advice is let yourself feel sad, stressed etc, but then pick up the pieces and move forward. Do the best job you can for this next month so you don't burn any bridges. Who knows? They may come up with work for you before the end of Sept or even need you back in a few months. Definitely take out the old resume and see what needs to be revamped. I was at the same job for 10 years so my resume needed lots of work! File at unemployment and use any job finding resources that are available to you there. Do you best to stay positive! I wish you the best of luck!

Y.M.

answers from Iowa City on

See if your company is willing to do some legwork/networking for you. Do they know of any positions available locally? Can they put the word out that they have to let you go, but that you are a great employee and would be an asset.

For the interim, until you find a new job, come up with a new updated budget and see where you can cut costs (make food at home, no more manicures, smaller cable package, etc.).

Good luck.

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