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A new Dad, days later, laid off from work.

Hi all :cool:

I've decided to update this thread cause some people here showed some true compassion and I really appreciate. So, this small update is for you folks that care.

Well, I'm still unemployed. I had actually started a new job, a fantastic one...backed by Google/SquareUp and a few other big names in the investing arena. Three days into the job, they decided to go another route and sent me packing, go figure. I wasn't upset, I understood where they were coming from...oh well, move on.

Long story short...I'm still on the job hunt, and yes, I've even lowered my standards. I've getting a ton of over qualified e-mails, even with a "dumbed" down resume...Lot's of these small places just freak out seeing IBM on my resume I guess?

Wife and I met with an attorney friend and decided to do a strategic short sell on our home. The mortgage was crazy, space was a tad small for our growing family. We moved into a 2000+ sq ft two story home now, 60% cheaper and totally awesome...hehe. Love it. As I said, this was long story short...we did a ton of research, applied for all programs..you name it, did it all. This was the best way, wont ding us much at all. Plus, will qualify for some programs that offer us 20k for doing this properly and not just sitting on it. Pays to do things correctly and not the sit on it and not pay your mortgage for a year sort of way..

Back to the job hunt grind...keeping my head up! Though I've accepted I may not find anything until 2012 due to budgets being locked...but one can hope.
 
This isn't the update I wanted to see... :^(

Keep plugging! The economic news today was pretty good, so hopefully more companies will get off the pot and start hiring soon.

One bit of reality, overall larger companies don't tend to hire a lot this time of year. So, that bit about "locked budgets" is probably rooted in the truth. That, coupled with people trying to meet year-end goals and the holidays tends to mean that hiring managers... aren't.

But this doesn't apply across the board, and there are always exceptions, so, keep plugging!
 
I was so pleased to see your post! What a pity that short-lived job did not work out, but glad to see you're safely ensconced in your new home! You sound so totally together, so insightful; I am sure your future employer will see those qualities in you too. Your baby girl must now be into that "Gibberish Babble" stage.....just the sweetest sound in the world! Enjoy!:eek:
 
Hmmm....to hit the "Submit Reply" button or not. I really didn't want to update my old post here, but... I figured why not. Been some fantastic folks here so I'm not exactly expecting backlash or anything.. :D

Boy oh boy, last post was in Oct. As I stated in the last major update I posted, we did indeed do a strategic short-sell on our home. It was needed, at some point or another. So, we pulled the trigger while we were stable. Moved into a much larger home, at 60% less the cost, roughly 2 miles away, so no harm really. Our old home is just about to be sold, so yay for that. We apparently may qualify for some cash on that since we did it the "correct" way and didnt sit on it without paying.

So, did I get a job? Sigh, no. Been doing some contract part-time work, as much as I can get. Now that were into 2012, I'm seeing a lot more jobs and activity out there. Got a few recruiters trying to work some magic for me.

But alas, one bad thing after another. I still qualify for unemployment, despite the part-time jobs. I obviously claim it all. But, theres been a gap in my unemployment and they are attempting to straighten it out...apparently my last claim didnt make it to Sacramento thx to the postal service. Not good. Hurts a ton.

My baby girl is my absolute world and I'm thankful every day for her health and giggles. She's crawling now, little by little. There are plenty of folks whom have it WAY tougher out there. But it's been rough...and hopefully, after ALL of this terrible luck and misfortune...hopefully I'll get something soon. This IT Sys Admin/Social Media/Multimedia/Web Guy...is bored out of his mind. lol. My mind is going to jello!

Over and out :apple:

Small edit: For those just reading this. It's mainly the jobs in my immediate area that have dried up (But are returning). My Wife luckily has a great job and is stable, so moving hasn't been an option. And my last gig was remote for 5+ years.. (IBM)
 
A few quick things:

1. I'm surprised that you get a new mortgage while being unemployed.
2. The rule of thumb, in my experience, is that one needs to job hunt full-time about one month per 10k in annual salary that one desires (in good times). Therefore, I wouldn't expect anything to happen until roughly 12-18 months.
3. Really tap into your networks, applications are unlikely to work in this economy, except for starting positions.
4. 200m2 is still quite large. Most family I know live in less than half that space.
5. Relocation with two job offers may be the way to go.
 
Hey Wil,
I was so happy to see your post! Your baby girl sounds too adorable for words! The one really fortunate aspect of your experience, is that you have been able to witness all those glorious Firsts with her; I am sure those "speed crawls" keep you smiling!:eek:
Here's to you and your Family, and the hope that a full-time job appears on the horizon soon!:)
 
Hang in There

Glad to read the news that you're continuing to have cash flow. I'm a lawyer in Chicago and it took me five years after being let go to find a permanent position. I expect that you'll have better luck being in a line of work for which there is more demand.

Just a bit of information for those who think that getting laid off while paternity leave should be against the law. In a way it is, but the idea is only that you are treated no differently from those similarly situated, i.e. other employees. If you are not singled out, then you are fair game, or conversely, why should someone who just had a kid be treated better than someone who has five or a sick parent or has a disability. Getting laid off is terrible, but if the business isn't there, choices get made. Better that you get to another job where you can put your skills to work rather than worry about the past.
 
Thanks all for the positive and awesome responses...

Few answers for a few of the questions:

1. We didnt buy into a new mortgage - Long term rental home. Fantastic "landlords" so we cant complain at all. But, we only plan to be here a few years, pending job stuff. Easier w/ no prop taxes and so forth. Save more money. Prep ourselves for a future new home and possible relocation, again, pending job stuff. All part of the strategy.

2. We've considered relocation for a new job - However, my Wife is stable with a great job, so relocating right now wont work.

3. Doing as much side work as possible! re: IT Consulting, Video Editing, Social Media Consulting, IT repair...yada yada etc etc.

4. My daughter just started crawling this week! It's been freaking amazing. That little girl is my every thing. She makes it all worth it.

5. I was laid off on paternity leave, yes. However, I was laid off with 50+ other people. That's how IBM rolls. Thats the loop hole, trust me, I checked into it.. it was legal.

6. I do a lot of Social Media consulting...so I'm quite the networking guru. I'm fantastic at the skill. Just hasnt been any opportunities...or the ones I found, were delayed till TBA 2012. So, I'm re-connecting all this week/past week etc. Like I said, hoping for something ASAP.

Just gotta keep my head up and focus on my family and job hunting.. :cool:
 
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