It's Not Every Day You Lose Your Dream Job And Live To Tell About It.

Serious Business 36 replies 1,281 views
U
Upper90
Posts: 1,095
Mar 1, 2010 4:32pm
I feel bad, I have no intention of one upping Fab, who has some legitimate job woes.

But, my job is getting rid of my position, all through out the company. I work(ed) for a National non profit, and they cut back all of people in my position starting last week. I went down to Virginia on Thursday, partially to work down there, mostly to spend time with friends. My boss emailed me on Friday night to let me know that there was a good chance that this could be my last week, and confirmed that today.

My boss, being the great guy that he is (no sarcasm. Dude is legit.) Told me that there's not much I'd be doing in the office all week anyway, and told me that if I wanted to stay down here (Still in Virginia), and just come back for my "I just got laid off" send off party on Sunday, that would be acceptable.

I'm not dealing with it too well. This isn't like JUST losing a job for me, it's losing a dream job. I worked really hard to get it, went to a lot of extremes to keep it, and generally loved it. It's also difficult for me to get employment, generally. I've heard situations where people don't even get past my name, thus don't even open my resume.

I'm pretty legitimately crushed, to be honest. I plan on going to D.C. tonight, and getting the will to come back to Columbus on Sunday Morning. Figured it was worth sharing.
Fab1b's avatar
Fab1b
Posts: 12,949
Mar 1, 2010 4:34pm
That sucks bro, best of luck to you!!
GoChiefs's avatar
GoChiefs
Posts: 16,754
Mar 1, 2010 4:34pm
Man..that sucks. I hope everything works out for ya in the end! Good luck...it's rough out there right now.
wes_mantooth's avatar
wes_mantooth
Posts: 17,977
Mar 1, 2010 4:35pm
Competely sucks dude.

I would offer to get you some waffles and hashbrowns on 161...and some whores, but I doubt that will help.
gorocks99's avatar
gorocks99
Posts: 10,760
Mar 1, 2010 4:36pm
Shoot man, that sucks hardcore. If you don't mind me asking, what did you do for the non-profit? I ask b/c my gf is involved in non-profit consulting for grantwriting/proposals/event planning and may have connections. Although, with you in Ohio and us in Boston the connections may be a moot point.

Regardless, that blows insanely big chunks. Sorry, hope it turns around for you soon.
UA5straightin2008's avatar
UA5straightin2008
Posts: 3,246
Mar 1, 2010 4:36pm
sorry to hear this upper, but you will find something soon, you sound like a real good guy
Fab4Runner's avatar
Fab4Runner
Posts: 6,196
Mar 1, 2010 4:36pm
Okay now I feel like a bitch for complaining. I'm so sorry about this...I know how much you loved your job. :( :( :(
september63's avatar
september63
Posts: 5,789
Mar 1, 2010 4:38pm
Good Luck Upper. Sorry for this job loss. Keep ur head up!
skank's avatar
skank
Posts: 6,543
Mar 1, 2010 4:39pm
Dude, hang in there.
stroups's avatar
stroups
Posts: 3,223
Mar 1, 2010 4:40pm
Sorry to hear that... it rough out there (I've been looking for a job for a while), I would recommend sending out your resume as soon as possible to get your name out.
J
jmog
Posts: 6,567
Mar 1, 2010 4:41pm
Sucks man, good luck in this job market.
BigAppleBuckeye's avatar
BigAppleBuckeye
Posts: 2,935
Mar 1, 2010 4:41pm
Bummer man ... but not to sound too cheesey, but someone with your intellect will rebound admirably, I am confident in that.
Q
queencitybuckeye
Posts: 7,117
Mar 1, 2010 4:43pm
To the degree one can "know" someone on a board like this, you've always seemed like a class act. They say that when one door closes another one opens, I hope this is the case for you sooner rather than later.
FatHobbit's avatar
FatHobbit
Posts: 8,651
Mar 1, 2010 4:45pm
BigAppleBuckeye wrote: Bummer man ... but not to sound too cheesey, but someone with your intellect will rebound admirably, I am confident in that.
this
queencitybuckeye wrote: To the degree one can "know" someone on a board like this, you've always seemed like a class act. They say that when one door closes another one opens, I hope this is the case for you sooner rather than later.
and this
THE4RINGZ's avatar
THE4RINGZ
Posts: 16,816
Mar 1, 2010 4:46pm
Keep the faith.
Websurfinbird's avatar
Websurfinbird
Posts: 656
Mar 1, 2010 4:51pm
Agreed with everything that has been said. Upper you are clearly one of the more respected members of this forum, and I think any employer would be a fool to doubt your intellect and drive. I was sorry to read your comment regarding your last name. It is sad that in this day and age there are still folks who are too prejudice to look past such things.

Best of luck to you. I have a feeling you will make it.
O-Trap's avatar
O-Trap
Posts: 14,994
Mar 1, 2010 4:52pm
That was my experience three months ago, except it was sudden. I thought I was going into bossman's office for a raise or a strategical meeting.

It was absolutely my dream job, and now that I might actually have a job offer in the near future, it still feels empty.
G
Gblock
Mar 1, 2010 5:04pm
sorry bro....ill keep an ear out for ya
se-alum's avatar
se-alum
Posts: 13,948
Mar 1, 2010 5:17pm
Sorry to hear this man. Keep you head up, I'm sure you'll land on your feet!
Heretic's avatar
Heretic
Posts: 18,820
Mar 1, 2010 5:19pm
That's horrible news, man. I feel for you and hope things wind up okay.
U
Upper90
Posts: 1,095
Mar 1, 2010 5:21pm
I appreciate all of the kind words.

I'm hoping for a quick rebound, but I'm just not so sure. I'm usually optimistic, and maybe since this just happened, I'm feeling a bit down on myself....but, even with all of the positive networking I've done, I just don't foresee me landing a job too quickly.

Finding this job was more luck than anything, and prior to that, I had gotten NO calls back after literally over 100 resumes. And that was a few years ago. So, with what it is now, even with the extra experience....meh.

gorocks99 wrote: Shoot man, that sucks hardcore. If you don't mind me asking, what did you do for the non-profit?
In short, I was a program coordinator. Just a title, though. I did probably stuff similar to your g/f. Planned fundraisers, grant writing, setting up events. Our office was small, like 6 people, so we all had titles that were pretty much not worth sticking to.

Websurfinbird wrote:I was sorry to read your comment regarding your last name. It is sad that in this day and age there are still folks who are too prejudice to look past such things.
It's odd, I went to a job seminar/networking type of thing, when I was frantically searching for a job a few years ago, before landing this one...and I was told that it might be better for me to think up a "nickname" that's "easier to pronounce", and use that on my resume instead of my actual name. I wasn't offended, because the person meant well, and to some extent they were right. I still would never go to that length, but the point remains, I suppose.
stroups's avatar
stroups
Posts: 3,223
Mar 1, 2010 5:33pm
Upper90 wrote: I had gotten NO calls back after literally over 100 resumes.
I know the feeling but now that you have more experience I should be easier to find a job.
T
Timber
Posts: 935
Mar 1, 2010 5:57pm
If I were you I would send your resume to every government organization possible. Send a resume that not only is substantive, but differentiating. "Differentiate... or die"... That is the motto of the industry I work in right now. So many offering the same qualities... what differentiates your skillset, distinguishing personality traits, multi-multi-tasking capabilities. Is there a way to captilize on your skills in a resume cover letter... selling your skills and after the employer is interested, then list your name (since it may have been an issue.) This way the employer is interested in what is important, and may look deeper than just "the name"... it may get your foot in the door.

I would also send this resume to Pennsylvania Avenue in D.C., President Obama has some experience with a challenging name. Write directly to him... explain your situation and your desire to live out that dream job... he (or someone in his posse) may pull strings for you. I would think big... you never know. Best wishes.
ytownfootball's avatar
ytownfootball
Posts: 6,978
Mar 1, 2010 6:04pm
Wish I had something to add other than what's already been said, it sucks. Use your references to their fullest potential, seek others that will help too. Don't be discouraged and keep a positive attitude, these things generally happen for a reason, keeping a stiff upper lip and holding your head high will allow you to see possibilities you might not otherwise.

A short term setback tends to lead to long term improvement. You'll make it.
V
visionquest
Posts: 206
Mar 1, 2010 6:04pm
Sorry dude. Gotta stay positive, as has been said 20 times already. When 1 door closes, another 1 opens. It's cliche as hell, but it's often very true.