I got a job!

[Kathy in Cambridge]

After two months of unemployment, I got a job selling for a competitor of my former company. I start on Monday. There is a 10K drop in base, which I'm not happy about, but it should tide me over until something else comes along. The job I really wanted (which I flew out to Seattle to interview for) is on hold until they reorganize the sales terratories (could be a month or two). I also have a lunch interview next week with another company.

I guess I should be more psyched, but with each successive job since 2001 comes a cut in base, compensation plan and benefits. I am very good at what I do (always make my quota) and I know I'm not alone in this downward salary spiral. I guess I should count my blessings that I actually have job prospects but I'm afraid that this is the beginning of the end for my earning potential and financial security.
Forget about retirement-401K has been decimated.

I don't mean to whine, but I'm getting very worried about the business climate in this country and lack of job security is really frightening. The worker is getting screwed and the small business who hires them can't afford to keep them. Big business is getting all the tax breaks and the small entrepreneur is penalized. Most job creation is in the small to medium-sized businesses and not the conglomerates. What will happen in the future?

Sorry for the depressing rant...

[markbark]

1. Congrats!

I start my new job on the 29th. :)

:hi: :party: :hi:


-MAB

[curse10]

2. I'm glad you found something!

Even if it does mean a paycut. The boyfriend has the same problem, being a web-based programmer. Making much less than he used to.

[scarlet_owl]

3. Congratulations!

:toast:

[Kenneth ken]

4. Congratulations!

in this economy, one needs an "any port in a storm" mentality for work. I have much the same skepticism toward the business climate as you.

Unfortunately, that skeptical outlook promotes a bunker-mentality kind of thinking, where any extra money goes to savings of some sort, rather than pumping it into the economy, which does the economy no good. Death-spiral coming on?

:shrug:

[Bozita]

5. Congrats! Still sounds a lot better than a McJob.

Happy for you.

[liberalhistorian]

6. I'm glad you have a job

(ain't unemployment a total BITCH!), but I hear ya about your financial and job security fears, and especially about small businesses. They really are the heart of the American economy, and most people are employed by them, but they're getting screwed big time. My boss owns a small real estate title company, which is barely making it. He's taken substantial pay and benefit cuts to be able to afford to give his staff raises and promotions, and now he's making less than anyone and barely getting by. He's also an attorney, I'm his paralegal and office manager, and he makes even less money there. He makes enough to pay office rent, bills, and overhead, and me, and some months he has to borrow from the title company to pay me.

And he's definitely not alone! Have you thought about going into business for yourself, starting your own small business or buying an existing one?

[Kathy in Cambridge]

7. I've thought about starting my own business

Hi liberalhistorian,

I've thought about starting my own business as an independent sales rep, but a lot of companies aren't offering good commissions. Companies who aren't hiring a sales force to increase revenues often have their C- and VP-Level folks out selling. If the economy improves, I may go independent.

Thanks, everyone, for the congrats!

[newyawker99]

13. Congrats RationalRose!!

:toast:

[jburton]

8. Congrats

I understand what you mean about not being "psyched"

The business climate is insane now. Finding a job after unemployment is more of a "relief" than something to get excited about. I never dreamed unemployment was so draining and depressing until I experienced it. It wasn't fun.

[short bus president]

9. I wrote to congratulate you

in the dupe thread, and it got deleted. <pout> Now, having been nice once tonight, I decline to be nice again. Good day, madam! ;-)

[Booster]

10. Congratulations....

welcome to the corporate Walmart mindset. I work for one of the 3 largest tv networks and they are going the route of daily hires, which of course means no benefits, no pension, nada, but they do pay them a little more - actually the pay is very good. I have worked there 34 years so am going to retire at the end of this year with full benefits. I have talked all of the young kids into joining the 401K plan and signing up for health insurance through our union - that's going to be what turns this country around - the unions. Right now, they just aren't organizing like they used to, but one day they will and the little guys will rise again. Hang in there til you get what you want because this bad time will pass just like it has in the past - all we have to do is change this stupid administration and get back on the track of what is good for this entire country, not just the chosen few. Make sure everyone you know votes in 2004 even if you have to pick them up in a rented bus and take them to the polls. Just hang in there; we'll be ok.

[Kat45]

11. Congrats!

That's great that you got a job, even if it's not quite what you wanted. Maybe that other job will come through for you in a couple of months; with your track record in sales, they'd be nuts not to hire you.

Your rant is the truth, and it is sad. My job just ended and I'm now looking; I may even have to temp while I'm looking for FT employment. I thought I was going to look for something I'd really like, and now it's looking like I'm looking for something I can tolerate that will both pay me enough to pay my bills and give me health insurance.

The future can be better--but only if we get the chimp the fuck out of the White House in 2004. If not, he'll just finish the job of flushing our country down the toilet--if the world doesn't blow up first.

[jonnyblitz]

12. YAY!!!

:hi:

[molly]

14. Congratulations!!!

[Darth_Kitten]

15. Things will get better!!!

We all have to believe that. :hi: :)

[MissMillie]

16. Congrats!

I hope we can still have lunch next month!