16 and a half years, just got laid off from work

[Ron Caudillo]

Hi all,
I consider this forum as my family and don't mean to unload, but rather to share with you. Last Thursday, July 28, I was asked to call in to a conference call. On the call was our HR rep, management rep, and an attorney. I was told that the company was down-sizing and restructuring. As of right now (during the call), I was being laid off, effective immediately.

To say the least, I was a bit stunned, listened to what else they had to say and was asked if I had any questions. I thanked them for my time working with them, but really didn't know what to say just now.

So now I have joined the ranks of the unemployed. I probably won't spend much time on the Zealot site for a while (and I apologize for that), but job hunting has become my number one priority. I have applied for unemployment, but will be lucky to get 50% of what I used to make.

If anyone has a good lead or reference, I would appreciate it. I am willing to relocate if the job pays enough to afford living there (and I still have my current bills and obligations). I can e-mail a resume if you PM me with an address. My skills (short list) include: MS Office, AutoCAD, CorelDraw, blueprint and schematic reading, electro-mechanical operation and maintenance, computer repair, and technical support. In my former position, I was an international Technical Support specialist providing remote and on-site assistance for our company's machines and software. I also trained operators and service personnel. I would travel (boy am I going to miss this) domestically and internationally to install, certify, troubleshoot, repair, modify, upgrade, train, and cover for our people on vacation (on-site technician and field service dispatch).

Thanks in advance for your understanding and help.

 

[Jadriancz]

Sorry to hear that Ron.

After over 40+ yrs of working, I think it should be law that companies must give 2 weeks notice on layoffs and immediate terminations should have cause of fault by the employee.

Best of luck in the search.

 

[Lee Clifton]

Hate to hear that Ron. I ran into a similar situation. Wish you luck finding something. I was 58 when I got laid off and ended up doing what freelance work (commercial artist, graphic designer) I could find until I reached 62. Companies don't appreciate their workers who have worked hard for them. Hang in there. Good luck in finding something.

 

[spaceagent-9]

was shocked when I heard. will miss you coming out for our little visits and searches for models. in Livermore ca. Lockheed always needs good tech support, that's all I got. best of whishes for you to start again.

 

[Rhaven Blaack]

Ron,
I am so very sorry to hear that you were terminated like this. That shows that the company has no loyalty to its employees (especially someone like you that has given them so very much.)
You and your family are always in my thoughts and prayers.
I am very confident that something better will come along and you will be able to get it and excel beautifully there!

Have you considered Boeing?

 

[zathros]

Your biggest problem will be that you are over qualified. They prospective employers get scared of that, thinking,
a) You might take their job
b) Thinking that you will want more money as tie goes on
c: Not thinking, and just plain missing out on a good opportunity.

I'm not saying play dumb, but you really have to learn to read the interviewer, as they me be the first in a series. Research the company your applying too, and make relevant comments as to how your experience will help that company. The better you sound, the more you can scare people, but when you get that one person with confidence, he'll start thinking, "Hey, If I hired this guy, I can lay off those three dumb-asses over there!". That's the best outcome, and the American way!

I have extreme confidence something will pop up. To let you go without warning makes me wish I knew the company, I would make a thread admonishing members not to purchase anything from them, send them virus's, and organize DDOS attacks, using my vast resources, anonymously, of course! The dirty bastards.

 

[Ron Caudillo]

Thanks all for the encouragement, advice, and offer (Zathros!...lol)

I know first hand about being over-qualified. My wife has a Masters Degree in Religious Education (unfortunately this does not meet state certification), but had a very hard time just getting a simple receptionist job to help tide us over when she was let go. She spent 2 years looking for ANYTHING and finally got hired on at a daycare center teaching/caring for 3 year olds.

I have no ill feelings towards my former employer. They gave me some good training and I got to see things, go places, meet people, and try some interesting foods I never would have had the chance.

Best Regards,

 

[Revell-Fan]

Ron, I am very sorry to hear this. I second @zathros ' comment (aside from the last paragraph ). I too know from experience the "curse" of being over-qualified. I always was top of the class (A/A-), have several degrees in economics and banking, I speak six languages and even though I had been applying for a lesser qualified job it took about five years (!) to get a simple three-month internship. However, I made the experience that everything is in a flow. Once one door closes another one will open soon. I've been working at an old people's home for nine years now and I am happy with it. Sure, the salary is not as high as it could have been if I had entered the world of economics (I would NEVER say I'm satisfied with my salary because then I would not give it a chance to rise which is always a good thing ), BUT: It is a very rewarding task. My colleagues are the nicest people I have ever met, the tenants are the friendliest persons you can imagine. We all care about each other like a big family. Being a career changer is a great benefit. On more than one occasion I was able to put my "origins" to good use. Don't give up, hang on and never let go. I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

 

[zathros]

Thanks all for the encouragement, advice, and offer (Zathros!...lol)

I know first hand about being over-qualified. My wife has a Masters Degree in Religious Education (unfortunately this does not meet state certification), but had a very hard time just getting a simple receptionist job to help tide us over when she was let go. She spent 2 years looking for ANYTHING and finally got hired on at a daycare center teaching/caring for 3 year olds.

I have no ill feelings towards my former employer. They gave me some good training and I got to see things, go places, meet people, and try some interesting foods I never would have had the chance.

Best Regards,

That last comment about your former employers reminded me of this:

 

[zathros]

Ron, I am very sorry to hear this. I second @zathros ' comment (aside from the last paragraph ). I too know from experience the "curse" of being over-qualified. I always was top of the class (A/A-), have several degrees in economics and banking, I speak six languages and even though I had been applying for a lesser qualified job it took about five years (!) to get a simple three-month internship. However, I made the experience that everything is in a flow. Once one door closes another one will open soon. I've been working at an old people's home for nine years now and I am happy with it. Sure, the salary is not as high as it could have been if I had entered the world of economics (I would NEVER say I'm satisfied with my salary because then I would not give it a chance to rise which is always a good thing ), BUT: It is a very rewarding task. My colleagues are the nicest people I have ever met, the tenants are the friendliest persons you can imagine. We all care about each other like a big family. Being a career changer is a great benefit. On more than one occasion I was able to put my "origins" to good use. Don't give up, hang on and never let go. I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

Do you speak Pig Latin? I ustj swa nderingwu.

 

[Revell-Fan]

@zathros : Wlle, won yuo gto em!

 

[zathros]

 

[Ron Caudillo]

Do you speak Pig Latin? I ustj swa nderingwu.

It's my only "second" language!

 

[Gandolf50]

Really sorry to hear this Ron. I am sure there will be a place for a Tech Support out there as vertually all I have had anything to do with could barely read the hand book all their answers came out of!!
Hate to point out the obvious but isn't it rather strange that downsizing employees tends to be more frequent the closer they get to their 20 year mark! There should be a law against it!!!

 

[zathros]

Really sorry to hear this Ron. I am sure there will be a place for a Tech Support out there as vertually all I have had anything to do with could barely read the hand book all their answers came out of!!
Hate to point out the obvious but isn't it rather strange that downsizing employees tends to be more frequent the closer they get to their 20 year mark! There should be a law against it!!!

That's what it's really about. They get to cut back of the pensions, benefits, vacation times, seniority, all to get some newbie that will end up costing them more than they realize. They also lose all the connections that employee had, the experience. Just based on some things Ron has told me, I think they are making a big mistake.

 

[Jadriancz]

That's what it's really about. They get to cut back of the pensions, benefits, vacation times, seniority, all to get some newbie that will end up costing them more than they realize. They also lose all the connections that employee had, the experience. Just based on some things Ron has told me, I think they are making a big mistake.

Yep but they pay out more in the long run as well due to hiring certifications/degrees over experience.

 

[THE DC]

So sorry for the way you were treated.

Companies bemoan the lack of loyalties of employees, and even customers, yet repeatedly prove themselves without just cause for anything other than being ridiculed. Despite repeated indications of reasonable profit margins and bonus deliveries to high hats. There was a time when companies were ashamed of layoffs; now they treat them like strategic profit generators.

Though these type of events are brutal on good, trustworthy employees, they also lead to losses in customer service and quality production. When people are treated the way you were, it is a sign of a responsible-less entity that doesn't understand the need for social bonds and communal expectations. Cutting employees to boost a quarterly, or drive down pension payments, violates the contracts of responsible, invested agreements between the corporation subsisting off tax paid streets and utilities and other communally built resources. Mutual investiture requires mutual investment.

I have heard your story-experience so many times that I am almost numbed by it. Good people, treated with disdain, have reason to be stunned and pained. I am so sorry and wish you peace and good fortune. I really understand and sympathize.

I can't promise anything, but PM me your resume, salary sought, and moving restrictions. I'll pass them around to potential sources and hope sincerely they lead to a justified investment in you.

Slante,

 

[zathros]

Technically, it's the "Yuppy" generation doing all of this. Their self centered personas have stuck like old bubble gun on a shoe, or poop. I have some of these people as my in laws and they talk about pairing down being so important. I don't want to say I was "Happy", but one of my in laws just found himself redundant. When he told me, I felt bad, but I have to be honest, I wondered if he had tasted his humble pie. I never feel happy when someone looses their job, unless the really deserve it.

 

[mcusanelli]

Ron,
I'm not sure where you are located, but, I live on Long Island, and my son just left his job at a company called Softheon, they create web portals for the medical and insurance industries. He is a graphic designer, and they are looking for people, as a few just left along with my son. They seem to be a very nice company, he left because he had originally wanted to work for another L.I. based company where he had interned during his college years, and they finally had an opening and made him an offer he couldn't refuse, not because Softheon isn't great, and it was still a hard decision. Maybe you can check them out, I wish you the very best of luck, you're such a generous talented guy, I hope something comes along fast for you

 

[zathros]

Networking is really worth it.