Lost my job today...

[302GTS]

Well, I went through my shift the entire day today, finished up the work week, started cleaning up the shop when my boss came up to me and asked to talk to me for a minute. A lot of talking went down, and included me being let go, as corporate was 'cleaning up' for slow season. Guess who the newest guy there was? Me!

It just started setting in earlier tonight. I packed my stuff from work, clocked out, and headed home. Called my girlfriend to let her know what was up, got home, showered, and just kinda sat and talked to her about everything. She really helped me out a lot, and made me feel fine about it. Earlier this evening though, after we had dinner and everything, it just kinda hit me. I'm a bit unnerved, but I'm not TOO worried. I have enough in savings to cover my bills and some extra expenses for 6 months, and my band has some big things scheduled soon, which will involve plenty of extra cash to throw into my savings account too. I'm preparing to take my first ASE test in suspension and steering, and I've been talking to a local dealership about a possible basic tech position, which I may take advantage of as it has a lot of room for improvement.

Sorry for the novel, guys and girls. I guess I just needed some people to bitch to other than my girlfriend and bandmates. Things are looking up from here on.

 

[Suspect]

damn man sorry to hear. hope things get better for you!

 

[Husky44]

Sorry for the novel, guys and girls. I guess I just needed some people to bitch to other than my girlfriend and bandmates. Things are looking up from here on.

Don't apologize! That's what we're here for. Hang in there, have faith, and look for something better. You gotta be pretty smart to have 6 months' savings to fall back on. Be smart, and you'll find that you'll grow from this.

 

[Venom351R]

Thats rough jeff I've seen a lot of these threads on here over the past few years since the economy has gone in the crapper. At least you have some viable options to keep you a float with the band and the possible new Mechanic job so all in all you are in better shape then most in this situation.

 

[whitesqual]

Keep your chin up man. I know a lot of mechanics that had gotten laid off at one shop and did a little searching and found a new job that makes more money. Take your time, find a good job, and milk your unemployment for a little bit!

 

[castine917]

Keep your chin up man. I know a lot of mechanics that had gotten laid off at one shop and did a little searching and found a new job that makes more money. Take your time, find a good job, and milk your unemployment for a little bit!

x2

 

[Black95GTS]

Well, I went through my shift the entire day today, finished up the work week, started cleaning up the shop when my boss came up to me and asked to talk to me for a minute. A lot of talking went down, and included me being let go, as corporate was 'cleaning up' for slow season. Guess who the newest guy there was? Me!

It just started setting in earlier tonight. I packed my stuff from work, clocked out, and headed home. Called my girlfriend to let her know what was up, got home, showered, and just kinda sat and talked to her about everything. She really helped me out a lot, and made me feel fine about it. Earlier this evening though, after we had dinner and everything, it just kinda hit me. I'm a bit unnerved, but I'm not TOO worried. I have enough in savings to cover my bills and some extra expenses for 6 months, and my band has some big things scheduled soon, which will involve plenty of extra cash to throw into my savings account too. I'm preparing to take my first ASE test in suspension and steering, and I've been talking to a local dealership about a possible basic tech position, which I may take advantage of as it has a lot of room for improvement.

Sorry for the novel, guys and girls. I guess I just needed some people to bitch to other than my girlfriend and bandmates. Things are looking up from here on.

"This is the summer of recovery." - Joe Biden

Good for you for taking the ASE test. Education is the best way to increase your value in the current job market. The current crop of kids are staying in school and getting more certs and degrees because the market is so bad. Its important to keep up with them, else we'll get leapfrogged by kids with no experience but shiny resumes.

Adam

 

[revhead347]

Sorry to hear that man. But it's a pretty common story these days. I've been staying up on the market lately. The automotive repair industry is suposed to be in a serious up turn. Fewer buyers of new cars, and more people fixing up their old ones. If you got two weeks to go to trucking school, that's an industry that's exploding. This country is short about a half a million truck drivers right now.

Kurt

 

[302GTS]

Thanks for the replies, everyone. It's nice to read suggestions and everything from everyone.

Kurt, the trucking thing is far from an option for me. I play in a band, and also own a business relating to the band (trademark/copyright info, merchandising, and cell phones! ), so I couldn't just up and leave my buds.

As for unemployment, I'm not sure. I had only been employed at the shop for 2 months. I thought you had to be past the 90 day probationary period before you were eligible for unemployment?

 

[revhead347]

No, you can get unemployement immediately. I'd hit the unemployement office first thing.

Kurt

 

[Zero_chance]

My dealer closed after nearly 8 years but luckily I was fully certified and working at the parts store as I had a feeling things were going down hill quick. Took the management position and opened my shop on the side. I'd keep going for your certs, they'll be money makers in the end. You'll get through this and might look back at it some day as a good thing as it progressed you toward something better.

 

[Zero Signal]

What about joining Coast Gaurd or Firfighting or something like that? Out west, there tend to be a lot of jobs in the wildland firefighting (i.e. hotshots). I think they pay around $20-30k/yr which will keep you from having to live off Ramen at least.

 

[302GTS]

Well it's been a few days. I've just been keeping busy with the music life and all lately, going into the studio early 2011, and depending on how it turns out, we may be signing onto Metal Blade Records, which would be a GREAT thing.

The jobless thing HAS gotten to me, though. I've had a short fuse lately, and I'm over-analyzing a lot of things with my girlfriend mainly. We got into it pretty huge last night/this morning, but things are sorted out now thankfully, as she's been a HUGE help since this happened - I just took my feelings out on her in a definitely negative manner. I can't let this get the best of me. I'm going into a local Ford dealer tomorrow morning to talk to a family friend - the shop foreman. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Thanks for the replies, guys. It's nice to read any and all suggestions. None go unnoticed.

 

[nmcgrawj]

I know the feeling man...i got laid off last april...the week of my birthday. Spent the entire summer job hunting...even was a substitute teacher for a few days in aug. (was pretty fun, i love kids) Finally started a new gig after labor day. My brother encouraged me that things will end up better than they were. Kinda hard to see that when times are hard....but they did. So keep your head up, stay positive...things will turn around

 

[302GTS]

I know the feeling man...i got laid off last april...the week of my birthday. Spent the entire summer job hunting...even was a substitute teacher for a few days in aug. (was pretty fun, i love kids) Finally started a new gig after labor day. My brother encouraged me that things will end up better than they were. Kinda hard to see that when times are hard....but they did. So keep your head up, stay positive...things will turn around

Thanks, brother. I've already been trying to keep up on the positive things in life right now. I've got a wonderful family, a woman in my life that loves me as much as I love her, and band mates who would all jump in front of a bullet for each other. I've been focusing a lot of my frustrations into music this afternoon. Already got a couple new tracks being pieced together, so without working 50-60 hours a week, it gives me time to search for better, while also bettering myself.

 

[earleys94gt]

Keep your head up and just use this as a learning experience.

What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger.

 

[mustang03ally]

That's really unfortunate, hope everything comes together for you! Just hang in there and stay positive... I've always been told that when one door closes, another one opens

 

[blksn955.o]

Hang in there man...be glad at least its now and now back 1-2yrs ago when things were just hitting the fan. At least some places are hiring now...not super great hiring but its better than it was a year ago.

Dont take it out on those around you...if you feel edgy if anything go for a jog, hit the gym, or if you have exercise equipment hit that up. Dont let the anxiety push those around you away that will support you.

If your in a bad...this situation is exactly what drives the greatest music...facing the abyss that is the unknown, go create some kick ass metal and start a trend to get that lady ga-ga crap off the airwaves or at least counter balance the pop anyway.

 

[MysteryMachine]

that kinda stuff ticks me off. Let you work all day they be like "oh btw". Come to me in the morning tell me what's up so I can leave lol.

Good luck man. Sounds like your set up with the money in the bank and the band.

Basically my whole plant got let go and I thought I was gonna be screwed. Found a job closer to home (I could walk if i REALLY wanted to) before it was about 25 miles each way, I like better then the old job, I get paid more, at times i get paid to sleep or sit at home online. You can't beat getting paid for nothing lol

 

[302GTS]

Tonight's been great. My girlfriend's uncle owns a local printshop (large company, they actually do the hard copy catalogs for multiple guitar manufacturers, including the one I'm endorsed by). I was over at his place having a couple beers, and he mentioned that his daughter said I got let go. I told him yes, and we talked for a bit. He has a possible opening at his shop, he'll find out for sure in the morning! He told me he'd really love to have me work at his shop, and the pay is an improvement over what I WAS making, so I'm ecstatic even though it's only a possibility.