Have you ever heard anything like that? Nope, I sure haven't. There is a first time for everything. The official explanation, they are removing redundancy. The totally not explanation - they have off-shored all SAP Development. So I got the news last Thursday, 3/5. I applied for unemployment yesterday. Big shock here guys - ummmmm.... Unemployment not much after I think of how much I have "donated" to the unemployment pool.
So what did I do?
Thursday:
Spent some time to wallow in my depression about losing a job for the first time ever. I am the sole provider for my family. My husband was in depression too.
Cried myself - yup a weakness of mine - I loved that job. It was open to new technology, I got to play in config when needed, I worked from home, and it was a challenge. A ton of work, I was working on an average of 60 - 70 hours a week. But it didn't feel like it because I loved what I did.
My son - oh boy he made me cry. He offered to get a job. Sell his truck. I told him no to both. His job is to get good grades in school. The truck means a lot to him as he got it when his Grandfather passed away.
I got very nice e-mails and actual calls from people I worked with at the company. So I had some references and letters of recommendation.
Talked with HR. What did I need to do?
Friday:
No package from HR yet.
Watched TV. I believe at this point I sent out a twitter.
Got a huge response from my SCN friends. So very nice. It was encouraging.
Saturday
Took the day off.
My family was a great support system - I went out with my Mom, Dad, Sister, an niece.
Sunday
Brushed off my resume. Added to it. Had no idea resumes had changed in 3 years.
Applied for every online job that it looked like I would like to do.
Monday
Got some more nice e-mail and letters.
Finally got the HR package.
Worked on sending the laptop, paperwork, and monitors back. Read everything before I signed. Had my husband read everything.
E-mailed a recruiter from linkedin. At some point updated with linked in status to looking for a job.
Tuesday
Phone interview with recruiter
Applied for even more jobs
Got the sad news that my resume was all wrong and showed me as a doer and not a achiever. (This per a critic by beyond)
(I still need to fix that)
Wednesday
In person interview with a different recruiting firm.
Updated my Linkedin data so hopefully now I address pain points, and show as an achiever.
Replied to a couple discussions.
Started a discussion.
Thursday
That's today.
Started the day with a thanks but no thanks from IBM. I don't remember what job I applied for with them.
Started work on this blog.
Next I'll look at my 401K, and fix my resume so I'm an achiever.
Then.... I'll look for more jobs and keep my recruiters in the loop.
Now as you read this - if you've made it this far - you have to be wondering why on Earth would I write this blog? I have two reasons. The first you'll find above. I want people to know the mistakes I made, and if they don't make them in their job search, that would be great. Plus I'm going to try to update this with my journey so even more mistakes can be avoided. I'm 100% sure I'll make some. The second - well read the rest of the blog. and if you got this far, excellent.
OK the second and harder part of the blog to write.
I had friends at the off-shore company. I helped them. I lead them at times, and mentored them. On Thursday - I really disliked them. They stole my job after all. Or at least that's what I thought. Oh boy I was wrong. So very wrong.
Luckily by Friday I snapped out of it. No they didn't steal my job. They didn't have a choice to keep me. It wasn't their call. It wasn't even their company that did it. It was MY company. They had let me go because I was a redundancy.
So it must have been me. No not me. I was working hard. I knew I was delivering. So it wasn't me.
So then I'll lay the blame on my old company. They were the one's to decide I was a redundancy. This one was the hardest. I had to let this one go too. They were bean counting. I was more expensive than X developers from off-shore. They are trying to do the best they can. I hope, they are trying to keep the employees they have. They need to be successful. So.... Was it there fault? This one took me until about Wednesday or Thursday of this week. No, it is not their fault. It is a trend. They are doing what they think is right.
So - who can I blame. Not my friends that are off-shore. That was a pretty quick decision. The off-shore company, no but a harder decision. Me, even now I struggle with that one. But I know I did my best. I also know how much I was achieving my goals and helping the company. So no not me. My old company.... This one is the hardest, but I have to let it go. They are bean counting, and I and some others had to go. Redundancy. So no not them either. That leave me with no one to blame. That's a good thing. Now I look forward to the future. And learn yet another lesson - that is always true - companies come and go, but it is your family that stays with you.
I'm going to try to blog on my journey to find a good job that I will love. At times, I won't write for awhile. I'm human, and I get sad like you. But for today, I am positive. I know SAP. I have been a PM. I know configuration in several areas. I know a lot of third party software. And finally I have technical development skills. Ra! Ra! Go me!
These are the times I'll try to update my blog. More positive and filled with the mistakes I hope you can avoid.
So - to you - if you've now made it to the end. What are some of the tips and tricks about finding a new job? I'm sure I'm not the only one who would love to hear them.
