I have now joned the ranks of the long term unemployed--new here

When I was let go from my job 6 months ago, I never thought I would still be looking for a job. Like many of you here, I have always gotten great reviews, bonuses, and raises I have not been unemployed since I left college. I know that this is not that long to be unemployed in the job market today--my head says one thing, but my heart says another. Do you ever get over the feelings of worthlessness--that you were simply thrown away so the company could look good on their balance sheet. Thsi company was not in big financial trouble or anything, they just got rid of several of us who made over a certain amount of money and then put on the Separation Notice that we "could not perform our job to the company's expectations." Nevermind that I had worked there longer than almost anyone who worked there--I guess there is a certain amount of pride that I managed to stick it out for so long.

I should have seen it coming, as they gave me impossible task after impossible task, I had a great staff and we completed every task that was thrown at us. Then they started writing me up for things that were not within my control. After the second write up I went to the person who was the acting HR person (HR was nonexistent at this company) and asked them why I was being written up all of a sudden, that it didn't reflect poorly on me, that it made my boss look like she couldn't handle her staff. Thankfully the write ups stopped after that. They were so demoralizing as I had never been written up for anything throughout my career.

Everyone says it is a blessing that I got fired from the company I worked for because they are evil. They are, but I am far from thinking it is a blessing that they "let go" someone over 50 who would probably never work again in her life. Thankfully, I got divorced and then remarried a guy who had benefits. In my first marriage, I was pretty much the sole breadwinner and I had all the insurance benefits. I would be in big trouble had I still been married to him when I lost my job.

I guess I don't have it so bad, I am not about to lose my house or anything and we are able to eat. I have the symptoms of starting a full-blown depressive episode. I can't sleep, I get no enjoyment out of life, I am isolated and doing volunteer work didn't even get me out of my funk. I go to workshops where I should feel better about my situation because the room is filled with people like me. It just depresses me more because I am finally starting to see what this economic "downturn" means in the long term. Employers are doing more with less people and paying nothing. I would be happy with a low-paying job, but I was a manager (and a good one), so who would hire me if this trend continues? No one in their right mind--it will perpetuate for a really long time. Companies hiring people who are desperate for a job, with a lot of experience and transferable skills, for low pay and then training you for the job and it is likely that you can do your boss's job. Then your boss gets fired and they promote you to the job for half the pay. And the cycle continues with the next person. What manager in their right mind would hire you if you could do their job for half the pay? None.

So if you had a decent job as a manager, forget going backward. When I applied for jobs, I applied for jobs that I was about 80% qualified for--that way I could learn something and companies were willing to take a chance on you because you were successful before. Now you have the stigma of being downsized or whatever nice term they are using today. The qualifications are so specific for jobs, that unless you did that specific job previously, you have no chance. I am lucky in the fact that I have many people looking out for me, who send me links to possible jobs, but the company I worked for is hiring again and my friends keep sending me links to jobs that would be perfect for me AT THE PLACE I USED TO WORK. Of course the job is perfect for me because I used to do THAT job. I take comfort in the fact that this company is having a hard time hiring people because they now have such a bad reputation.

Sorry that was a long vent. I felt like if I didn't get it off my chest, I was going to go crazy. I know you are all in the same boat that I am in, so I just basically am preaching to the choir. I try so hard to be positive, but sometimes I just get sucked into this vortex of depression and hopelessness. I would appreciate any words of encouragement. I am thankful for the things I have in my life that keep me living every day.

welcome to the forum

Welcome to the forum. I gotta hand it to ya, you stuck it out for over 5 years during the economic collapse. Many of us here, for one reason or another have been pushed out of our careers over 5 years ago!

They will never admit it, but yes certain companies ARE evil, and the ones doing their dirty work within the company are nothing more than useful idiots, many of whom are evil themselves, in keeping with their company's evil culture! You are probably like many of us here with a concience, who just couldn't put up with the bad things going on in your organization. In your company, did they reduce staff and expect the remaining people to do the work of 3, 4, 5 people?

Just try to hang in there. Things can't stay this bad indefinately. The majority of people, believe it or not are still gainfully employed, and money and manufacturing are beginning to come back here, where there is huge pent-up demand. Once our elected officials decide to stop fighting amongst themselves, they can work on coming up with economic solutions that will get people back to work again, in a job that pays a living wage.

This company THRIVED in these economic times because we were doing supplies for discount chains. Who does not shop at Wal-Mart and the dollar stores now? They experienced more growth in the past 5 years than ever before.

I think I will not look for a management job, because I don't want to deal with the back stabbing anymore. I got so soured on it because you could trust NO ONE at this company. I have never worked in an environment where everyone was out to get you all the time. I was lucky that I had a staff that I had cultivated to be a team and we all went through everything together. That is the sign of someone who can manage people, someone who can take their people through hell and have them feel like they would survive the trip.

i have worked at usually small companies where everybody told on everybody...i believe by pointing out the shortcommings of another it is a very common belief that this somehow elevates the stool pidgeon...
 
what these individuals fail to realize is that by continously pointing the finger at others is that it brings their overall status down..and in effect makes them look bad..
 
i have worked at companies where simply admiting i made a mistake was viewed as a SHOCK...i later found that the majority of employees ALWAYS denied any responsibilty in anything that was the least little bit "not correct" like really

i have seen employers "order" workers to do unethical if not illegal things and then fire the worker when they are eventually caught (that company is now defunct)