Unemployment - One week later

It has been an unusual week for me. One week ago today laid off. It has taken me a little bit to get my legs back underneath me and I am not sure that I have. It has been quite an eye opener for me.
To start with, though I got my job with Decision One in 1998, I did not actively persue looking for a job then. I floated my resume a few places through the internet, but I did not have to find a job. For that time, the last time I was without work through a lay off, it was 1989. Think back if you can. There was no Internet, it was still under the military, APRANET. When you went looking for a job you went from place to place. You took 2 to 3 days a week and you knocked on doors and handed out resumes. Now what do you do. You ask if you can put in an application and they tell you to do it on line. No one wants to talk to you anymore. There is no feedback. No one says that they will call if something opens up, or anything else. You get a nice email that says in canned text, thanks for applying for [INSERT JOB NAME HERE].

Yes, I know it is more efficient. It is still jarring to my senses though. I have been out of work one week and except for one interview that was advertised as a full time job and wound up being part time, I have not gone out of the house to drop a resume anyplace. And the one job that I had a phone number to talk to a man, the secretary told me to email the resume in.

Anyway, just letting you all know what is happening. I know I will survive and get a job. I know that I am in God's hands and this did not catch Him off guard. I just am having a hell of a time with it.

Lay Off

I have never mentioned Decision One, the company that I have worked for. Notice the key word, 'worked for'. Today, just 1 and 1/2 months short of 9 years with the company I was let go. Emotions are running nuts in me today. I was on vacation and went to check my email to see if I was needed for anything. When my name/password combination did not work for the VPN I was not worried, we have quirks like that from time to time. I sent an IM to my supervisor joking about if there was something that I should know. His response was his telephone number. When I called, he asked if I had talked to our boss. When I said no, he said to call him.

Am I bitter? In some ways yes. For most of the nine years I worked for this company, I was underpaid. I have had no pay raises for at least 7 years. I was told when it all got returned around we would get decent pay raises. I stayed with the company knowing that I was doing a good job. I know that the new head guy who I read about last week, the one that comes in and guts 25% of the company when he takes over, is not going to read this blog. He has better things to do with his time. I just am saying that I am one of those faceless people that you let go. I have sacrificed for this company because I believed in it. This is my reward. 2 months severance pay and see you later. At least I got the sevrance pay. At 55 years of age, finding another job will not be easy for me. I know you do not care.

Am I bitter? In some ways no. I know that God will supply all of my needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus. In 30years of computer work I have been laid off twice. and God provided both times. He met my needs not my wants.

I ask for anyone who reads this to keep me in your prayers. If you know of computer related jobs in Tulsa, please keep me in mind. Thanks...

Now, to go look for job leads....