My last project before being layed off!

[pashworth]

Just started my drainage / downspout project during the fall. Got all the lines and the pit for the drywell excavated / completed before the frost sat in. 40 yards of 3/4" crushed stone delivered o the driveway this morning. Here it comes................
Boss pulled me into her office tonight and layed me off. Being an architect I know how bad it is going to be trying to find a job now. If I can't find something in the next few weeks I am going to have to sell my B7800. Man is that gunna hurt! If / when I do, I dont know how I will keep up with the property. Well if any body is interested in a Kubota B7800 with 400 +/- hours on her, let me know!

 

[Ridgewalker]

Sorry to hear about the layoff. Unfortunately I don't think you will be the last.
I'm 46 and this is the worst I have seen. Hang in there!

 

[LBrown59]

Sorry to hear about the layoff. Unfortunately I don't think you will be the last.
I'm 46 and this is the worst I have seen. Hang in there!

You was only 1 year old when I met my wife and just 2 years old when we married,

 

[johnk]

You was only 1 year old when I met my wife and just 2 years old when we married,

You're still a young whipper snapper.... Just to service all the tractors you have you must be in pretty good shape.

 

[scott_vt]

Good Evenin Paul,
Sorry to hear the bad news ! I got laid off last year at Thanksgiving from Pitney Bowes. I had 20 years with them and have been in my trade for 36 years. Looking back on it now, it was probablly the best thing that could have happened to me. Although Im a bit older and I have put my kids through college allready. Actually they have been out of the house for a few years allready. You will find your way, it doesnt seem too bright right now but things will brighten up as time goes by !

Keep your head up and good things will happen to you !

God Bless and happy holidays !

 

[Treemonkey1000]

Hey Pashworth I haven't been in your shoes yet. That doesn't mean I won't be there. Working at Boeing tends to be a bit of a roller coaster at times.

The old cliche of making lemonade when you are given lemons won't be much consolation. There are some resources out there about job shopping or using your skills in ways that you haven't thought about before.. A friend of mine is in NJ and does heating and air conditioning. There is a good bit of design in even those systems. Try to hang on to your tractor if at all possible. That might give you something to do while waiting for your new job to roll in.

 

[skipro3]

If that tractor is paid for, I'd say, don't sell. At least not until you really need the dough. You have a great opportunity to get done many projects now that you aren't cumbered with a job. It's been my experience that when God takes something away from me, it's because he has something greater in mind to replace it with. Keep in mind; you can't grab for the dollar when you are already holding a nickle. Sometimes we can recognize when to drop the nickle in order to grab the dollar, other times, we don't and it's done for us. Get ready for something bigger and better to come fill the void!!
Have you thought about side jobs with your tractor? I've got a slew of people asking, almost begging me to do small jobs for them; cut in a sidewalk, grade a driveway, trench a line or dig holes for trees. It's always something. Excellent cash while transitioning jobs.

 

[pashworth]

Thank you for all of the good thoughts and blessings! Yeah I am just down in the dumps right now. I have never been in this position before so I dont quite know what to do / think, always had the upper hand or jobs available to me.

The Kubota is paid off, which is a good thing. But I and my family are quite cash strapped right now and I am getting really scared. I've got enough for the mortgage and usual bills for 2-3 months, but no more than that. So I would rather not sell the tractor, if I have to in 2 months, I'll have to.
Once again, thanks for eveyones well wishes. I know that I can always come to this site and get some perkin' up and solid advice.
Thanks
Paul and family

 

[Ridgewalker]

You was only 1 year old when I met my wife and just 2 years old when we married,

You Sir are really old!

Congrats on running a good race so far. My stepdad always said he was going to live to 118 or die trying...he didn't make it so I am taking on the
quest in his honor.

 

[kthompson]

pashworth, don't box yourself in. I have a son in law who draws house plans and he told me Saturday he got more calls last week than he had in one week in a while. If your license and contract allows you to, it might be time to work for your self. Odd, we always work for ourself, if you don't think so then get laid off. Get the word out and ask about support. As the saying goes, been where you and and done that. Don't let your pride get in the way.

 

[ToadHill]

In my last life I spent a lot of time working with people who were being laid off. I was in charge of outplacement for the closing of a plant with 6300 employees. Ask your employer if they have outplacement services available for you.

One thing to remember, finding a new job is now your full time job. Work at it for as much time each day as you worked at your former job. Don't sit back and wait for things to come to you. Tell everyone you are looking and ask if they know of anything, network with former clients and through any professional associations you may belong to.

It may take some time but it will work out. I've been their twice in my life and both times I ended up with a better job than I had before.

 

[AlanB]

Good luck and best wishes, I will echo what the others are saying, while things are certainly tight, sometimes these things turn around for the best.

I as the others have suggested would look at my skill set and equipment and see how I could put it too work for myself.

Sincerly wishing you the best, and offering any help we can.

 

[WarrenF]

Thank you for all of the good thoughts and blessings! Yeah I am just down in the dumps right now. I have never been in this position before so I dont quite know what to do / think, always had the upper hand or jobs available to me.

The Kubota is paid off, which is a good thing. But I and my family are quite cash strapped right now and I am getting really scared. I've got enough for the mortgage and usual bills for 2-3 months, but no more than that. So I would rather not sell the tractor, if I have to in 2 months, I'll have to.
Once again, thanks for eveyones well wishes. I know that I can always come to this site and get some perkin' up and solid advice.
Thanks
Paul and family

Pashworth.....your best help will be at the end of your arms! What I mean is this....you can make it on your own. I know it can be scary at times now that your security blanket is gone....but the most satisfying time in your life will be NOW! Allow yourself a little time to pout and feel sorry for yourself, that is what I do.....then grab yourself by the nap of the neck and change your mindset. Look at what you CAN do to make money. Search every opportunity. Right now, you might start kicking tires and see who in your neighborhood needs snow plowed. Who in your neighborhood needs property cleaned up. Then make everything pay off. A person who needs their snowplowed might also need some architectural work done, or they may know a family who does.

Take one step, then take another step.....keep going and don't quit. Another thing I would suggest is STOP WATCHING THE NEWS. Get focused on the one goal that is the most important in your life....making money for you and your family. Any person or entity that wants to tell you how bad it is, should not be listened to. They will simply pull you down to their level.


YOU CAN DO IT!!!!

 

[EddieWalker]

Here it comes................
Boss pulled me into her office tonight and layed me off. Being an architect I know how bad it is going to be trying to find a job now. If I can't find something in the next few weeks ...

Sorry to hear about the layoff. I was in a panic at m previous job that it would happen to me, and I wouldn't be prepaired for it. Too much debt, too few jobs out there to make similar money and a family to take care of. I chose to quit the job and move to an area of the country where the economy is good and there are allot of jobs available. It took a few years of struggling, and I'm still a long way from being secure, but there's lots of work out there, so I'm not too stressed.

Relocating to where you can work is always scary, but everyone that I know who's done so, wishes they had done so sooner. It's not that where you live is bad, it's just that there are other areas that might have more oportunities for you and your family. Places where you might make less money, but have more cash in your pocket. For most of the time I've been here, I made quite a bit less then I did back in California, but with housing being less and no state income tax, I had allot more cash to enjoy life with then I ever had before. That plus living in the country, have a few acres and not fighting the crowds or traffic all add up to a better life regardless of how much money I make.

Good luck,
Eddie

 

[GeneD14]

Pashworth,

Lots of good advice from everyone so far. I have been in your shoes twice in the last 10 years. My advice is you need to update the resume asap and hustle. Spend every availible hour of every day looking for opportunities: newspaper ads, monster.com, contacts, etc...

In management I have recruiters/head hunters call all of the time. I have developed a list of over 100 names and email addresses of employment search firms and put it on an excell spread sheet. If you or any other tractorbynetter wants a copy just sent me your email address and I'll get it emailed to you.

Good luck!

 

[Kernopelli]

There is a lot of good advice here. It is easy to give advice when you aren't the one that has to live by it, but that doesn't mean there is not truth in what is being said.
I have twice been very close to layoff... not just lay off but within days of closure of my employer, so there was going to be no opportunity for call back. It is scary to say the least, it can also create a lot of anger within a person. Don't despair though. Believe that good things will come from this and often times that is only possible through your faith in God. When we are weak, He is strong. I have gone through some horrific things... death of a child, marriage break up, financial ruin, years of chronic pain. Each time, God brought me to my knees and when I got real with him, he blessed me beyond anything I imagined could happen.

A lot of people don't believe and a lot more say they do but don't REALLY seek Him with all their heart. If you are not in a church, please find one for you and your family now. It is amazing how much support and help a good church will give you, and in ways you don't expect. If you don't feel "at home" when you go, try another one until you do. Seek Christian fellowship and biblical principals to live your life by and YOU WILL BE BLESSED. I can not begin to tell you how many people I have seen that became broken and hurt by life's circumstances but were risen up when they began to honestly live through faith. I am one of them.

I don't often view this forum as an outlet to speak about my relationship with God but right now, out of obedience, I have no choice (some of you will understand this). If ever there was a time to step forward and tell someone who is hurting that God is in control....IF YOU LET HIM, it is now.

 

[Treemonkey1000]

AMEN kernopelli! I try not to preach too much but that is a good bit of advice. Look up 1st Peter 6-9

 

[Charlton John]

Good Luck Paul, stay positive!

 

[bdeboer]

I've been there a couple of times myself. Network as much as you can with former co-workers, bosses, vendors, and etc. IMHO, The best jobs are typically never advertised. Good Luck

 

[WayneB]

I totally agree with the Networking! Right now you have to contact everyone you know and let them know you are on the hunt for a new job! If you want to go out on your own go for it and keep focused on the work objective.

Set short-term goals that you can achieve and move forward. As for the tractor selling, I would put that low on the list of things to do and concentrate on the job hunt. Someone mentioned it is your number one job right now so put the time and effort into it.