I got laid off today.

[Provost Harrison]

It's a **** isn't it. I am in a position where I can be laid of at whim at any time with no hope of being able to find any employment, at least not quickly. It's like living in limbo. The world is crap.

[Adam Smith]

Sorry to hear about it.
Its dishonest, in my opinion, to hire people on the expectation of getting a contract without making them aware of that fact.

[Dinner]

The best part about only working there for four months is my resume doesn't need that much work to be updated. I guess I'll be posting it on monster.com today.

My mother told me I can think of this as an opportunity to do something new. 've always wanted to move to Europe; do you folks think that is feasible in the current economic climite? I'm a dual national so I can legally work in the EU, but, culturally I'm an American and I've only been to Europe for one short holiday before.

[Dinner]

Also in which countries can a college educated fellow who, unfortunately, only speaks English find work? I guess I'd have to go to the U.K. or Ireland.

[Arrian]

I have a friend up in Boston who recently encountered a similar situation:

After working for his company (a small engineering firm) for 4 years, he came in one morning to find a letter informing him he was let go and he was to leave that day. No warning whatsoever. Justification: we thought we would get the contract but we didn't. Last hired, first fired.

Good luck finding a new job.

-Arrian

[FNBrown]

Well, I'm an information systems manager by trade (and, not to shabby at it, I think...) and I've never had too much trouble finding work. I think the longest spell of unemployment I've ever had was three weeks.

I sort of prefer the no-union, right-to-work model over any sort of collective bargaining, guaranteed-employment type system - because I can usually command better wages and benefits than I could otherwise, and I let my resume be my job security.

Still, getting laid off blows, especially when it's simply a factor of the company being mismanaged. I was laid off for basically making too much money - I had worked my a$$ off at my last job for four and a half years, earned several raises and promotions, and then was basically let go with 10% of the company (of approx. 5000 employees - HR was like a morgue that day) even though the corporation had just reported record earnings.

Then again, I guess something's gotta be done to keep a fat bottom line while the CEO and President are out nepotistically employing every relative they have and buying two corporate jets...

[Boris Godunov]

Sorry to hear. One of my worst fears. I was going to post a thread about getting a surprisingly large Xmas bonus, but that'd be in baaaad taste now.

Good luck, hope things work out.

[Bereta_Eder]

Originally posted by Oerdin
The best part about only working there for four months is my resume doesn't need that much work to be updated. I guess I'll be posting it on monster.com today.

My mother told me I can think of this as an opportunity to do something new. 've always wanted to move to Europe; do you folks think that is feasible in the current economic climite? I'm a dual national so I can legally work in the EU, but, culturally I'm an American and I've only been to Europe for one short holiday before.

Well things are not very good right now. But that doesn't mean anything. It's jus more difficult. I hear that computer specialists are very much wanted though. A friend of mine earns sums in Holland right now from that. Next appear to be financial "wizards" and managers of companies.
Being American has nothing to do with anything. Just develop a bit of stomach if you're going to work in "antiamerican" countries (France excels) They won't say anything to you but you may hear comments about the US
But you have been well prepared from Poly so it will all seem kid's play to you (joking)

[Bereta_Eder]

Originally posted by Oerdin
Also in which countries can a college educated fellow who, unfortunately, only speaks English find work? I guess I'd have to go to the U.K. or Ireland.

Nope you can go to other countries as well. It all depends on the company and the work you will be doing. Espacially if it's an american multinational...
(although knowing the language will be a big bonus)