I have always worked in the administrative field, working my way up the ladder. My last position was Administrative Assistant to a Marketing Director of a non-profit shipping association, located in Denver, Colorado. In late April 2008, they announced that the operations part of the association had been sold to the sister company, located in New York, NY. Following the transition period, all operational personnel, plus a few others, including me, were to be terminated. The last day on the job was August 31st. I started my job search right after the announcement was made.
The following is my story of what it was like to be unemployed and how I turned my life around.
Getting Fired
I lost my job after 11 years of working my way up. It feels very personal to lose a position in which you've volunteered and spent your free time helping the company, and then they decide to lay off everyone in your division.
The boss came in on a Monday morning, and informed us that there would be some downsizing in the division. At that point, I was worried, but I never really thought I could lose my job - I needed it too much. I thought it would happen to someone else, or that at worst I would be moved to another division. A week later, I got a letter in my mailbox saying that my position had been terminated. I went to work that day and spoke with the director of marketing. He had lost his job too. If he was getting fired, there was definitely no hope for me.
At this point it hit me - I was about to be unemployed.
Unemployment
I was worried about my health care and what would have happened if I lost it. There is much debate these days about health care reform. I was able to continue my health care from my old employer, thanks to the government stimulus subsidy benefit. Without that, I would not have been able to afford having health insurance.
As it is was, we had to drop the coverage for my husband, who had no insurance (and he was the only one working). We could only afford to pay for the baby and myself.
It hardly seemed worth it to get up in the morning. Some people feel sorry for you, but others blame you for "not trying hard enough". No matter how hard you look or how many times you apply, it seems as if it must be your fault. I was applying for jobs at half my salary, even though it would not have been enough to live on, but still - no luck.
Turning it Around
At some point during my unemployment, I decided enough was enough. I was tired of worrying about my future and the future of my family. I was tired of not knowing what to do. I knew that if I wanted things to change, I had to take a bit of a risk - I had to make a change.
I knew I needed a new job. Some of my friends had given me some advice, but it seemed almost futile to try and compete in a flooded job market. It seemed like almost everyone was looking for a job. I needed some way of standing out; some way of getting ahead.
A friend of mine told me about the Business Careers Guide. I wasn't sure about it, so I emailed Andrew for help. He guided me through the process, and with his help, I got the confidence, resume and job application package I needed to get ahead.
After a few days of applying for jobs, I got my first interview. After a few interviews, I got my first offer. Wow that was exciting! For the first time, someone really wanted to hire me, and was calling me and calling me to accept. I finally did, but not before negotiating a higher starting salary!
Today
A few weeks ago, one year later, I got my first promotion! I am how Assistant Head of Personnel at a moving company in Denver. I'm making more money that I was at my old job, but more importantly, I'm not worried anymore. I'm secure in my current job, but I know that if I ever need to, I have all the skills I need to go out there and get another job.
Along with job skills, I have confidence, and trust me, that's the single most important thing.
- Jane Morriesy
