I just lost my job

[Bob Juch]

Is the RIF effecting more than just your group? When is your last day at work? Is your employer giving you any help in finding another job?

This is tough news, Bob. I'll add your name to my prayer list.

Citigroup has been laying-off for more than a year. They finally got around to us. I was the last hired (even though it was five years and 9 days ago) so was the first fired.

[Bob Juch]

Eeeek. So sorry to hear.

I am not in good shape either but can't elaborate on this board.
Currently still have job; that's about it.

Good luck in your search if you decide to have one.

Well that sucks! Good luck to you.

[Bob Juch]

I'm so sorry! I hope you were treated with dignity and respect...

Remember, DO NOT apply for unemployment until after your severance runs out. (Unless you get a lump sum)

I'm expecting that unemployment will be extended for 9 months or even a year, so you could have a steady paycheck for quite awhile (even though it will be less, of course)

Keep up your medical insurance and look for low-cost alternatives WITHIN your insurance provider (so you don't have a "break in service" that could come back to haunt you if you try to re-enter the system.)

Don't worry -- you will find something or better yet, WIN something!!

-- dimmzy, I've been there and life is good!

Yes, my boss did it well. She even told me to throw my pager against the wall instead of returning it.

I don't know what unemployment pays in N.J., but my bar bill is probably higher.

Yes, I agree on medical insurance. I have too many things that are wrong/could go wrong. They're paying for two more months then I can go under COBRA.

Win something? When I play poker I do!

[Bob Juch]

That sucks.

I'd suggest looking into consulting. As the mainframe market winds down and those like you retire, those who still have the big boys will find it hard to get folks who know anything about them. Nobody coming out of school now can read a core dump or understand a S07.

I consulted for a total of 15 years. It was fun while it lasted, but very few companies are using contractors now. I'm looking at subcontracting to IBM again though.

You're right about no one being able to read a dump! I was asked to teach dump reading at Walmart* and found no one knew how to decode the opcodes. They couldn't shoot a S0C7 as they didn't even know what the data was supposed to look like.

That's why everyone is using Java.

[kusch]

Sorry to see this Bob.

Best of luck to whatever path you choose going forward.

[etaoin22]

well that really sucks. unfortunately my last contact with IBM mainframes was sending (&#(&(%@#(_@# Hollerith cards as a summer student 35 years ago. but who knows, the next person round the corner might be named Serendipity and having trouble keeping their big iron going.

I will keep you in mind, and in vibes

[Beebs52]

Geez, Bob. I wish you luck and peace in whatever quest you have after this job ending. I think we're probably uncertainly hanging in certain situations here, too, but I'm sorry you have to actually deal with it right now.

F*em if they can't take a joke, is what I say.

Did you throw the pager against the wall?

[Bob Juch]

Geez, Bob. I wish you luck and peace in whatever quest you have after this job ending. I think we're probably uncertainly hanging in certain situations here, too, but I'm sorry you have to actually deal with it right now.

F*em if they can't take a joke, is what I say.

Did you throw the pager against the wall?

I haven't had time yet, but am going to use the septic tank.

[15QuestionsAway]

Did you throw the pager against the wall?

I haven't had time yet, but am going to use the septic tank.

But you are going to throw it against the wall first, right?

Sorry to hear this, Bob. I hope whatever's next for you is better. And may your mad poker skills turn into more money.

[JBillyGirl]

This sucks and blows. I'm so sorry, Bob. I hope there's something better out there for you.

[Bob Juch]

I'm being submitted for a job in Reston, Virginia with a software development company that is a perfect match to my skills! I'd be working on developing a new product. This would be very similar to what I did in Boise and Los Angeles (hopefully with better managers!).

Cross appendages please!

[ne1410s]

Surely you have a relative who could be of help with employment...

[TheConfessor]

I'm being submitted for a job in Reston, Virginia with a software development company that is a perfect match to my skills! I'd be working on developing a new product. This would be very similar to what I did in Boise and Los Angeles (hopefully with better managers!).

Cross appendages please!

Sounds like you're not wasting any time. I hope this opportunity works out for you. Good luck.

[AlphaDummy]

Cross appendages please!

Fingers, toes, arms, legs and eyes crossed.

And I would recommend stuffing a couple of M-80s into the pager and lighting the fuse before throwing it against the wall and then flushing what is left...

Good luck!!

[christie1111]

So sorry Bob.

As you remember, things turned out okay for me, but our circumstances are obviously different.

I hope you can find what makes you happy and that it pays the bills.

[Bob Juch]

Surely you have a relative who could be of help with employment...

Actually one of the people in my network who responded about a possible job is a cousin!

I have three hot, hot, hot, jobs I'm being considered for already. There aren't a lot of jobs in my area of expertise, but there aren't a lot of people who can do them either!

I may be visiting our Boston, Virginia or Phoenix BBs soon!

[Tocqueville3]

Did you throw the pager against the wall?

I haven't had time yet, but am going to use the septic tank.

But you are going to throw it against the wall first, right?

Sorry to hear this, Bob. I hope whatever's next for you is better. And may your mad poker skills turn into more money.

Take a Bic to it. That'll make you feel better.

Or at least it'd make me feel better.

[beavis&butthead on] fire!!fire!! [beavis&butthead off]

[cindy.wellman]

Surely you have a relative who could be of help with employment...

Actually one of the people in my network who responded about a possible job is a cousin!

I have three hot, hot, hot, jobs I'm being considered for already. There aren't a lot of jobs in my area of expertise, but there aren't a lot of people who can do them either!

I may be visiting our Boston, Virginia or Phoenix BBs soon!

Great to hear this most recent news from you, after reading about what originally caused it. I'm sorry that it happened in the first place.

I'll keep my ears open around here for you though!

[mellytu74]

Bob --

This sucks.

Hope everything works out for the best.

[BigDrawMan]

sorry to hear that

i intuit you will be fine

[dimmzy]

Win something? When I play poker I do!

GOOD! Be sure to let us know what you look like with glasses and hat so we can recognize you on World Series of Poker.

-- dimmzy, who is still looking for that Amazing Race partner!

[Snaxx]

Sorry to hear this Bob; good luck on your career or retirement path.

Snaxx

[dodgersteve182]

Damn!

Five months' severance pay may not be a golden parachute, but it's still a lot better than what most people get.

All I'll get in my line of work is a "lead parachute". Anyhow still hanging in there, battling it out. I'll be talking to a military company when we get back from our investment conference in NYC, doesn't look like they are offering much money but unless the number of enlisted people gets cut under the next administration, it looks like they have a steady flow of clients. Very difficult to come by these days in financial planning!

[littlebeast13]

All I'll get in my line of work is a "lead parachute". Anyhow still hanging in there, battling it out. I'll be talking to a military company when we get back from our investment conference in NYC, doesn't look like they are offering much money but unless the number of enlisted people gets cut under the next administration, it looks like they have a steady flow of clients. Very difficult to come by these days in financial planning!

Speaking of lead parachutes, did you see your ES tribute?

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=10548

lb13

[dodgersteve182]

Hope reigns eternal, My Model Portfolio gained $60, yes sixty dollars for a $100K account! It's like digging out of quicksand with a rake!

Can you believe it? No more basking in any miniscule kind of victory! A last minute trade just crossed the wire at 1 12 PDT, knocking my Portfolio down $3300! Unbelievable! They could at least snuff at the trades at the market close! I know you're thinking it is the reporting and not the trading that came out late but that's not always true, I've made trades 5 mins. after the NYSE close myself. Frig it!