Did you or anyone you know lose a job in this booming economy

[butterfly77]

I hear in some circles that it is getting better. Do you think it is. If so what do you see that makes you believe that it is. I have seen thousands and thousands of layoffs, downsizing and outsourcing so where have these people gone to find work.

[longship]

1. Do you mean other than me?

And my step-son?

[butterfly77]

7. Sorry to hear that....

I know the feeling. I don't believe these statistics about the good economy. This is another bush cover up.

[Der Blaue Engel]

2. My company just had major layoffs

And three people close to me have recently lost their jobs.

[butterfly77]

5. How have they described the job search...

[Fredda Weinberg]

3. I've just landed a new IT gig today

And demand for programming skills is as hot as I've ever seen it.

[butterfly77]

4. Were you already employed...

if not how long did it take for you to land your new job.

[Fredda Weinberg]

14. I took a few weeks to decompress

I posted my resume at the usual sites only a week before my last contract was up 8/31 ... I was working feverishly 'till my last day. But after a few weeks of unemployment and BS from agencies, I got serious and started monitoring Craigslist. It took less than a week for me to get two offers - I could have started at either one tomorrow.

[butterfly77]

19. I heard something about craigslist but have never checked it out..

[Fredda Weinberg]

29. Not everyone has a local Craigslist, but the concept is sound

They now charge for help wanted ads in a couple of large cities, but computer gigs can still be listed free of charge. If you have a board in your area, it's worth checking out.

[Auntie Bush]

18. Did you get an offer from Diebold?

They are probably the only ones needing help.
lol

[Fredda Weinberg]

28. Wouldn't touch it with any length pole

I happen to be a registered vendor for the state of NY and was mightily tempted to respond to the RFP I received for new voting machines and services to maintain voter registration files. But knowing how "my" side feels on this issue, I thought better of it.

We'll see how this gig turns out, but for now I'll be happily upgrading software for a consultant to a large temp firm. I know that the increased productivity of the system will cost jobs, but that's a trend I can't change.

The point is that demand for software developers is as strong as I've ever seen in NYC, despite outsourcing. One difference that I noticed is the number of calls I received from agencies based in India, seeking to fill jobs here. Sometimes, I could barely make out what they were saying.

[patricia92243]

6. Lost my job March 24. Had been there 16 years. They had to tighten their

belts financially - and here I am!!

In my case, I have drawn unemployment, and last week applied for Social Security.

I imagine it is pretty horrible out there for younger people - especially if they are trying to raise children.

[butterfly77]

9. And a lot of older people I know...

[patricia92243]

22. Absolutely! I'm lucky enough that my tiny 2 bedroom house is paid for.

There is a lady in a restaurant where I eat that has to hold on to the counter to stand up. She is old and needs to be home. I was telling my sister about it (Republican) and she said "Maybe she like working." I said no, she probably has to pay rent until the day she dies, and she can't afford the luxury of retiring.

[SharonAnn]

31. Out of work for 5 years with only part-time contracting since then.

A little too young for social Security but apparently too old for jobs.

[Dr Fate]

8. Do you know anyone who's total rent, bills or grocery expenses went down?

In proportion to their income?

Me neither.

[butterfly77]

10. I believe that the gas will stay down until the holiday season is

over so that they can pretend as though it is a good shopping season. Two jobs aren't hittin it these days.

[Dr Fate]

12. But add in the rest of your bills and you cant even count that, can you?

?

[katsy]

11. My husband.

Outsourced. Out of work for 2 years. Has an MBA. Go figure.

[daa]

17. Same here nt

[katsy]

30. You understand then.

:hug:

[kwolf68]

13. Yes a friend

Repuke who worked for a defense contractor. Yea, go figure, don't know why he wasn't cushy, but he got the can and went on an anti-corporate diatribe to me. He has since started up his own security business. I wish him the best and maybe he'll liberalize at some point in the future.

[abluelady]

15. I know many who have been laid off

And finding new jobs that one can support themselves on is nearly impossible. Maybe the Dow is high, but many of us are not in the investor class so it doesn't affect us a whole lot. The prices in the grocery store and at the gas station are much more important numbers.

[butterfly77]

20. The prices for utilities and everyday necessities...

makes it hard to participate in extracurricula activities.

[TankLV]

16. I know about a dozen at least...

[butterfly77]

21. The media doesn't seem to want to do the man on the street ...

interviews asking them how its going and when they do they seem to go where they no they will get at least semi favorable answers for bushit.

[paulk]

23. a close friend had his entire department cut last week

outsourced to India. He had 5 people working under him who will be out of a job in 60 days. He's been told that he'll be offered another position - but no guarantee of where or doing what. If it's to the main office in NYC he said he won't go... he'll probably be able to find another job locally, but not at anywhere near the same salary.

another person I know lost his job recently - got fired actually - so that wasn't the fault of the economy... got new job as a freelance - less pay - no health insurance though.


--------------------


maybe it depends on where you are - but, I think it's a hard argument to make - that the economy is doing well. And, at least from my own perspective, it can be pinned directly on the economic policies of the Bush administration. I had a viable business 6 years ago - if we have six more months like the last year I'm going to have to think really hard about pulling the plug. And a lot of that has to do with a lack of faith in things getting better.

[sarcasmo]

24. In West Michigan it's all Gloom and Doom.

One plant closing after another. Being a Cab Driver it has really hurt our business, the only good thing for me is they can't outsource my job.

[butterfly77]

27. Rich old bastard , daddy bush and his daughter are on the ...

campaign trail now trying to scare everyone about how bad it will be if the democrats win. These are the rich who wouldn't know what it feels like to lose a job, house, or wonder where their next meal is coming from.

[AX10]

25. 60% of Americans know the economy is not strong.

Only 35% believe it is. Anyone want to take a guess as to whom this 35% voted for?

[butterfly77]

26. These are the employees and families of...

Halliburton, Carlysle, Kellogg brown and root and the top ten percent who don't see or feel any of the misery that others are experiencing.

[Ouabache]

32. Yes and Yes

REAL unemployment is around 22%.
And the jobs 'being created' don't pay shit for the most part.

[fuzzyball]

33. My wife lost her job in May 2006 in health services

because her medical office closed down due to lack
of profits. She was working 32 hours/week flex time which
she enjoyed. She was able to take any day of the week off.

Another larger medical practice offered to hire 70% of
the staff from the closed office and my wife was offered
one of the jobs. However she is now full time and on a fixed
schedule which she hates. No more time for golf or shopping
on week days.

[windbreeze]

34. Currently have a son....who was laid off from plant closure

ran out of unemployment...went to work for 1/2 the wages...got another job, and his original wages in June....two and 1/2 months later was laid off again, along with 62 others....and now has no job...
windbreeze

[sutz12]

35. I guess I did....

My job got outsourced to Peurto Rico at the end of the high tech bubble.