Unemployment

SteveR_100Milers

was beckoning like some harbinger of doom, and thankfully with a couple of weeks to go it appears I have avoided it. Not entirely uninjured - a massive pay cut and a step backwards, but then I did set a constraint of not moving away from my two sons who live with their mother.
To say that I a relieved is an understatement, but to anyone else out there in a similar position then you have my sympathies, and encouragement to stay positive and believe that you really are a valuable commodity. This will sounds a bit twee, but immersing myself in exercise, and I mean going OTT has really helped, it has maintained my sense of self worth and value by becoming more competitive in another area of my life. So however small it might be my advice is don't give up and sell our bike if you do end up jobless - do even more and make it a real goal - it will help you focus on getting back into work. Good luck everyone, I'm now off to get very very p1ssed indeed.

finchy

Good luck to you, hope that things pick up.

I'm starting a new job as soon as my CRB check is completed, and I cannot wait to pick up my first pay cheque since July.

Pross

Congratulations on keeping your job - I know the feeling of having a big cut (about 20% when everything has been taken into account) but compared to many others in my line of work I still think I've been lucky.

SteveR_100Milers

Pross wrote:

Congratulations on keeping your job - I know the feeling of having a big cut (about 20% when everything has been taken into account) but compared to many others in my line of work I still think I've been lucky.

Thanks Mark, but I had to leave, am still being made unemployed but have managed to get another....

Pross

Ah, right - read that wrong sorry. Oh well, new job and hopefully new opportunities in the future!

Pokerface

I had to take a 50% pay cut. But that's as much as benefits pays. 8)

Hondated

having lost my job 3 years ago at the age of 57 suddenly, partly my fault as well, I was
devastated so I think I understand how you are feeling.My advice is cut your cloth accordingly and take the time to final smell the rosies. Good luck.

Bobbinogs

Hi Steve, some good advice there. When I lost my job 10 years ago it took a lot of grit and DIY (!) to make it through, but make it through I did and I like to think I came out better for it, although it was hard to imagine at the time.

Mine's a Hobgoblin, while you are at bar

Stone Glider

Well done Steve. The worst aspect of imminent unemployment is the sense of rejection and its impact on your feelings of self esteem. It is so easy to fall into denial and refuse to face reality. I was dumped nearly three years ago, with no prospect of a return to a job at my age (61). Thank goodness for cycling, keeps me busy and out of the house. Weather permitting

My income has dropped 70% but being debt free we can hang on 'til the state pension kicks in. When you are younger there is a better chance of re-employment, albeit doing something different or on less money but the key is to keep overheads as low as possible and avoid debt! This recession isn't over and may get worse, dig in and keep your powder dry.

surreychris

I lost my job two weeks ago! Out of the blue, although we all knew the company was going to struggle through the winter we thought it would hang on till the new season, as per every other year. Luckily, or not, we were about to pay our deposit for the wedding, which had to go towards living costs instead. Ho hum


I applied for everything going, if only just to get through the off season ( I'm a race car mechanic) and happily I'm now working as a Bike mechanic was a little depressing, but like you say I hit the bike hard and remained positive that something would turn up. I can see how easy it would be to get downbeat though. Just one or two rejections or no replies and you already start questioning!

benno68

Well done on finding a new job so quickly!

Hope your head's not too bad today!

MichaelW

I survived a whole slew of cutbacks before the company closed down and moved out of my city. I was amazed to survive so long into a recession but was a bit peeved at them closing down since they really needed our skills, they just didn't realize it. That's their problem now. I try to treat these events as business decisions and don't take it personally.

I took the summer out to cycle up to Norway, I have been jobhunting since Oct. I managed to get 2 interviews, both on the same day!! This past week things have been looking up but Im not counting my chickens all in the same basket.

It really helps to keep a regular routing when you are unemployed. Go for a daily ride in the morning. Visit the library. The slide into later nights and late mornings is easy to do.

You need to cut your living expenses immediately, make supermarket own-brand your best friend. Check out Aldi, Lidl etc. A bike is essential in slimming down your budget. If you have a car, leave it alone unless absolutely essential. Obvious to most of us already.

You need to keep your business contacts and develop any others who can help you.

It is amazing how much emotional attatchment we give to work (and how much loyalty employers demand) even if we dont realize it. Combine that with the total lack of reciprocation by employers and it would be easy to get upset.

markos1963

Having been made redundant/sacked 3 times in my life I have always used it as an opportunity to try something new and challenging. So far it has paid off and I have always come out better off, both financially and emotionally. To anyone out there facing the terrible scurge of unemployment, be positive and don't be afraid of trying something new.

SteveR_100Milers

Benno68 wrote:

Well done on finding a new job so quickly!

Hope your head's not too bad today!

The search started in July! Head is OK thankfully, more relief than wild celebration.

Squillinossett

Glad to hear it worked out better that it could have!

I was in talks to move companies little over a month ago, they had put a very attractive package on the table that would have seen a 60% pay rise + better bonus structure. But I decided to stay for the reasons above, sometimes it is better to be lower paid, but for a company where you know there is zero chance of redundancy (within normal circumstances)

DaSy

I was made redundant about 4 months ago from a job I had been in for 9 years, in IT. I had been in the IT service industry for the last 25 years, and although back then it was great, the last few years have been purgatory.

Well, a lucky set of circumstances have led me to become the manager of my LBS, and seen me design and take a large hand in creating a great new shop, life really can take some odd but rewarding changes of fortune.

Money is about half of my previous salary, but I'm lucky enough for that to not be a big issue, so heres to new beginnings...

Karl2010

I know it was my choice to read this but im sorry it did.. How depressing! All doom and gloom!

Thanks Cameron!