My company just "downsized"

[bloom]

Cut the creative department in half with me along with it.

It's quite a shock. I'd been working there nearly 10 years.

Seems like someone is posting something like this nearly every day.

[Droopy]

1. Sorry to hear that, bloom

I hope you get back to work real soon. It's a shame to have so much time invested in a place and then have it cut out from under you like that.

[ixion]

2. oh, but haven't they heard? the recession is over.

But, seriously, I'm sorry to hear you were downsized. That's a far too common occurence in these days of a 'jobless' recovery. :-(

[commander bunnypants]

3. Hang in there

Something will come along



DDQM

[ewagner]

4. You have my sympathies

best of luck in finding something new.

[indigo32]

5. Damn Bloom

sorry to hear that

[tom_paine]

6. Sorry to hear that.

Stay strong, be confident. You'll find another job.

[Maine-i-acs]

7. Jobless recovery in action.

Sorry to hear it. I got the same 3 years ago, but it was a consolidation operation. Landed on my feet though. I'm rooting for you.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

8. Sorry to hear that, bloom

I've been laid of twice since June '02. It sure does suck.

[bloom]

9. I appreciate the sympathy

I'm hoping that I can transition into freelance. It's a scary thing. I had tried it before and didn't have much luck. I'm hoping with what I've learned in 10 years that I'll be able to make a go of it.

[amazona]

13. what do you do?

The situation for free-lance writers has never been worse if you are writing to actually get paid as opposed to just seeing your name in print. Been doing it 20 years, with the result that my income has declined from the mid five figures to the mid four figures in the last couple years. I hope you do something else or that you have better luck! Working for a company is just not the same as working freelance. For starters, no benefits, and it is getting more and more difficult to get health insurance. I would advise doing what you can to get a job before your COBRA runs out unless you are in a state where you are guaranteed access to affordable health insurance. Good luck. The situation sucks, and the economy sucks. But most of the freelancers I know would be better off checking groceries at Wal-Mart the way things are going. :-(


i know every beans and rice recipe there is

[bloom]

16. I've been doing illustrations in various mediums,

I've done graphics and type. I know Photoshop, Illustrator and Flash.

My now past job was way too fun to turn around and do annual reports or something. I have a fine arts background...

[bicentennial_baby]

17. How about Scientific Illustration?

Y'know, like for textbooks. I hear it's a good gig, and interesting to boot.

[FlashHarry]

10. That bites. Our creative dept. has been 'optimized' lately, too.

Lost two graphic artists.

Don't worry; you'll find something. With 10 years' experience, you've got a head start on the wet-behind-the-ears crowd, in addition to an undoubtedly better work ethic.

[Girlfriday]

11. I'm sorry Bloom

I was "downsized" on Aug 22nd, so I know how you feel. :(

[GAspnes]

12. sympathies

and good wishes if you go freelance. It's hard, but rewarding, to be your own boss.

[amazona]

15. it sure ain't rewarding financially

I hate to be a wet blanket but I would never advise anyone to make the same mistake I did. It's too late for me, I've been "self-employed" for way too many years to even have a hope of getting another job, but if I had it to do over, I wish someone had let me know the truth about going free-lance. You won't make what you did on your job, you won't come close, you will have endless trouble with health insurance, blah blah blah. I didn't really have much of a choice (long story) but if someone does have a choice, a job is the way to go. Going free-lance just means exchanging one ungrateful boss for any number of ungrateful bosses, many of whom are looking for ways to screw you out of getting paid. You've got to be collections, you've got to be sales, you've got to be the accountant...and, oh, you still have to actually do the work. It sucks.


if i can save one person from making my mistake...it still wouldn't have been worth it...

[bloom]

18. Trouble is...

just look and see how many jobs there are out there for illustrators. Nearly zero.

I don't really like the idea of having a gazillion bosses, either. I may go with an agent or something.

[Interrobang]

14. Hey, didn't I post this yesterday?

Bloom, I think you're right. This sucks -- and I don't even have Shrub to blame! Allegedly our economy is doing fine (well, I applied for four jobs today, but no call-backs yet), but I'm still out of work.

Sorry to hear about it. I hope you have some reserves and can make it through ok. I'm looking into freelancing too.

:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

[LightTheMatch]

19. I think freelancing is great.

I have been freelancing for almost three years now. One thing in particular that can help you greatly is to get into a niche that you feel very passionate about -- say, non-profit work or political work... and get to know the people in that local industry intimately.

There is definitely a nepotism-type factor in getting to be known in a particular small market that can really help you get work after you have invested time in it.

[Kat45]

20. Sorry to hear that. I got laid off after 16 years with a company.

They laid off our whole department and sent all our work to Manila. That was four years ago. The grant funding my latest job didn't get renewed so I'm now out of work again. And the job market sucks right now. THe problem is that even when there is an open job, there are so many people already out of work that they get zillions of resumes, many from qualified people. And if they don't see exactly what they want down to the last tiny thing, they just hold off on hiring because they know that before long that person will come along.

[bloom]

24. That is part of the problem

with all of these creatives being let into the market at once. And then there aren't jobs out there, anyway...

[nini]

21. I heard we're going to get a 60% reduction starting tomorrow..

crap. I've been there 12 years - it's gonna suck starting over

Sorry for your situation.. I hope something better comes along

:-(

[Ilsa]

22. I am so sorry.

I hope something wonderful comes your way really fast.

[seamarq]

23. That sux Bloom.

My best friend was also laid off today. I've been laid off twice in the past two years myself. I was in the Graphic Arts / Printing biz. You know the story...anything connected to manufacturing SUX right now. It's no fun in this economy. We're still just under 7% unemployment in Seattle. You just have to be prepared to take what comes along. I'm woefully underemployed, but I'm making the mortgage and getting by. Hang in there Bloom, it's tough, but things seem to work out.

Hopefully we'll get this asshole out of office and get good people back to work in this country.