Job Hunting Concerns

[MerryPoppins]

We heard this week that my husbands plant is laying off half of it's remaining workforce. That will take us from the 4500 of a few years ago to about 450 employees. He thinks the IT folks may be hit hard due to the fact that this company usually has one or two at each facility.

Now we are wondering, even if we aren't hit, if we better find another job. And do we move to a higher cost-of-living area to get one or try to stay here where jobs for DH are hard to find? I guess we'll look everywhere and then weigh our options.

The kids are broken-hearted. They hate the idea of leaving their friends. Our families would love for us to stay here, but we have to have food on the table. DH's dad is a stroke victim (and DH is an only child) so we have to take that into consideration, too. The whole thing is really hard, especially when the economy is down and jobs are hard to find.

Thanks for letting me vent. I think we are talking to a head-hunter next week. Hopefully, soon we'll have a job lined up.

 

[Serena]

I'm sorry.

 

[cindala]

All areas of the country are hard hit, so personally, if you like where you are living, I would stay there, and just opt for a longer commute to work. Even an hour or more commute would probably be cheaper in the long run than moving.

In a more expensive area, sure the salaries may be higher, but so is the housing, insurance, moving expenses, etc. And even in the larger cities, jobs are harder to find. We are just outside of NYC, and we have a friend who has been out of work since September, and he is a computer programer!

 

[disfanatiks]

PD and some prayers coming your way....

 

[mskani]

Merry Poppins, I understand what you are going through. My dh is also an IT professional whose position was eliminated several months ago due to downsizing ( the company has since closed their local offices.) He did some independent contracting for awhile, but his last assignment ended almost one month ago. The only leads that he is getting are from California and New York. I'm still working, but my employer will be cutting jobs soon as well.

I've lived in the Chicagoland area all of my life (except for my four years at the University of Illinois) and most of my family is here. But if things take a turn for the worst, we may seriously consider leaving.

I wish you and your family all the best and keep your head up. Things are bound to get better.

 

[Dan Murphy]

My best for you, Melissa, along with a prayer. Hope things go well in the coming days. And for you too, mskani.

 

[helenabear]

I don't know what to say except that I wish you the best in the coming week. I hope that you are able to stay where you are since that is what it sounds like you'd like to do. Being in the not so stable telecom business I worry about the security of my job constantly and I have no idea what we would do if I lost my job, especially since we just began to recover after my DH lost his a year ago. I hope that your DH won't lose his job but I do think it is wise to look for a new one as that is what I am currently doing. Best of luck and I hope things work out for the best for you all.

 

[MerryPoppins]

Thanks for the kind words. Unfortunately, Oklahoma isn't a Mecca for computer job opportunities. We just might not be able to find anything in this area of the country. I suppose Dallas isn't that far away. We might find something there. It's just hard to suddenly go from being in high demand (DH is VERY talented) to find nothing out there.

On a brighter note, we haven't gotten that pink slip yet! Things could always be worse.

 

[mamajoan]

I am so sorry to hear that your dh is experiencing layoffs.
My husband was out of work for 2 months.. and we are still paying COBRA for health and dental benefits as the new job won't pick those up for another month. My dh was working for Intel, there have been many Lay-offs here in Silicon Valley. Barry took a job that was a little lower in pay at a company that does not rely on high tech for all it's income. Hopefully this will be a stable position for him. I hope your dh is able to find a job locally in Oklahoma. Sometimes it makes sense to stay put for many reasons other than higher salary. I will be sending PD and prayers your way. God Bless,
Joan

 

[#1 Disney Fan]

Sending you good thoughts and pixie dust in hopes that things work out for the best. Sounds like you're trying to take an optimistic viewpoint at least. Take care and hang in there, MerryPoppins.

 

[cotye]

Well I would advise just doing what is best of you and your family in the long term. While it will be difficult to leave friends, making that sacrifice can have benefits later on. Just wishing you the best of luck.

 

[MerryPoppins]

You guys are so supportive! I know it will all work out in the end. I agree we have to do what is best for our family. We can make it through a move. In fact, it could be exciting. (I said that to the kids and they looked at me like I was an alien! LOL)

Waiting is just so hard. I wish we knew what direction we were headed so I could start to pack or house hunt or whatever. I've been in this limbo for 2 years and it stinks! We seem to make it through each round of layoffs and the work stress increases with more work and less workers. Then we wait for the next round of layoffs again. It's a never-ending cycle. The thing is that we are starting to see the end. I think it will come with the closing of the plant one of these days.

I'll let you guys know if we get a pink slip. For now, we are just doing our homework and looking for opportunities. The right job will come up eventually.

 

[Pin Wizard]

I have a co-worker whose husband is in the same field as a manager of some sort. The company decided to close the office in West Palm Beach where her husband works. They want him to stay with them. Apparently, they're making it really attractive for them to relocate. So the choice is either to relocate to Ohio where their headquarters is or find a new job. My co-worker doesn't want to go. Both her daughters live here, and one has a third baby on the way.