Lost my job today not sure what to do

Today I was told I no longer had a job and I am feeling really depressed about it and not sure what to do. I have work in a large corporate environment for just over 2 years supporting multiple domains and sites.
Over the last 2 years I have study hard I have completed my HNC and currently doing my degree. I plan to have CCNA certification in October and was then going to start my studies for MCSA/MCSE.
I was really hoping to have this job for another year to get this before trying to another job so I would have decent experience and qualification but I am really stuck now. I have look at the job site and there is nothing so I’m not sure how to move forward. I don’t want to unemployed for so long that my experience no longer counts.
Could anyone give any advice?

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murdatapes

thomas130 wrote: »

but I am really stuck now.
Could anyone give any advice?

Never stuck Thomas. Do what you planned on doing. Grab your MCSA/MCSE and your CCNA and keep on with your degree. This is not a stop in life, it is a opportunity. Enjoy learning with your new studies, and getting excited about taking those skills and improving them with another job. I know it sucks man, but you have the CCNA to worry about for next month. Lets not delay that.

Don't expect nothing from these companies. Expect that, these companies will think twice about ever doing this again to you. Grab those skills and certs under belt.

Let's go man

mrmcmint

murdatapes wrote: »

Never stuck Thomas. Do what you planned on doing. Grab your MCSA/MCSE and your CCNA and keep on with your degree. This is not a stop in life, it is a opportunity. Enjoy learning with your new studies, and getting excited about taking those skills and improving them with another job. I know it sucks man, but you have the CCNA to worry about for next month. Lets not delay that.

Don't expect nothing from these companies. Expect that, these companies will think twice about ever doing this again to you. Grab those skills and certs under belt.

Let's go man

Excellent advice!

Get out there and show them what you're made of! Good Luck!

wastedtime

Just wanted add to what other people have said here.

Rocky Balboa: The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It is a very mean and nasty place It will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me or nobody is going to hit as hard as life. But it ain't about how hard you hit, it is about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward, how much can you take and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done!

Everyone likes a underdog story.

crrussell3

I know what you are going through man. I lost my job back in February and have been working contract jobs since then. I have yet to have an interview for a non contract job in that time frame. I feel that my lack for certifications and no degree has held me back, so I am working hard to change that, as should you. Right now, at least in my area, they are saying it takes a year to get a new job on average, so I plan on taking full advantage of that time to better myself.

Just keep your head up, and realize that it might take a little time, but things will turn around, you will find a better job, gain your certifications, and your degree.

Turgon

thomas130 wrote: »

Today I was told I no longer had a job and I am feeling really depressed about it and not sure what to do. I have work in a large corporate environment for just over 2 years supporting multiple domains and sites.
Over the last 2 years I have study hard I have completed my HNC and currently doing my degree. I plan to have CCNA certification in October and was then going to start my studies for MCSA/MCSE.
I was really hoping to have this job for another year to get this before trying to another job so I would have decent experience and qualification but I am really stuck now. I have look at the job site and there is nothing so I’m not sure how to move forward. I don’t want to unemployed for so long that my experience no longer counts.
Could anyone give any advice?

Sorry to hear that. Im afraid many more will lose these jobs over the course of the next year at least. Keep checking the job boards but don't rely on just these. Far too many people do that and everyone uses them. Get down to the local library and get the yellow pages out for your area and make a note of every IT company in your catchment area. Then do a mail shot of covering letter and CV. Provide a phone number where you can be reached 24/7. Cell phone is fine.

Good luck!

undomiel

It's pretty rough emotionally when you get let go. Take a day or so off to let it work its way out. Then get started on your networking. If you don't already have contacts in your area start developing those. Think back over your two years and what some of your greatest accomplishments have been and get those sketch out on paper. If you have copies of any documentation you have written or scripts you have written or plans you have drawn up be sure to compile those. Having a portfolio will look pretty good. If you can do it pound out those certifications as soon as you can. Also, before you take that break I mention, file for unemployment benefits immediately. Sometimes those can take a while to go through. Start cutting down own your expenses immediately and embrace the ramen, because who knows when the light at the end of the tunnel will come through. Do remember though, you will get through this, just persevere.

veritas_libertas

I'm sorry to hear about that

It is never easy to be unemployed. Take heart, the only way for it to destroy you is if you let it. Knock off that CCNA and you will have an extra tool in your toolbox. I ditto what undomiel is saying about getting your expenses lowered as much as you can.

Turgon

undomiel wrote: »

It's pretty rough emotionally when you get let go. Take a day or so off to let it work its way out. Then get started on your networking. If you don't already have contacts in your area start developing those. Think back over your two years and what some of your greatest accomplishments have been and get those sketch out on paper. If you have copies of any documentation you have written or scripts you have written or plans you have drawn up be sure to compile those. Having a portfolio will look pretty good. If you can do it pound out those certifications as soon as you can. Also, before you take that break I mention, file for unemployment benefits immediately. Sometimes those can take a while to go through. Start cutting down own your expenses immediately and embrace the ramen, because who knows when the light at the end of the tunnel will come through. Do remember though, you will get through this, just persevere.

That's good advice. Yes take a bit of time to get the shock out of your system then get moving ahead. CCNA will help you. A pass will give you a big lift there and it will show any future employer motivation to upskill yourself during a slack time.

Sumptuous

Sorry m8,i know how it feels but i tell you don't lose your focus keep your eye on the prize thus getting the CCNA and the MCSE.

Megadeth4168

I'm sorry to hear that! There are a lot of good responses on this thread though! Take this time to really polish up your skills and your resume. The CCNA will be a great asset to start with! The MCSE is a long road, but since you already have some experience with domain administration, it should be a bit easier for you.

skrpune

hey thomas130, sorry to hear about that. But like the others here said, don't let it get you down for too long. I know it sucks to be laid off, but use this as an opportunity to focus more time and effort on your studies and improve yourself so that you're that much more desirable to your next employer. Like others have said, take a couple/few days to chill, and then get yourself on a schedule - don't sit around the house in your jammies all day just because you don't have a job to go to. Get up, get ready, and get cracking with your studies and with that social networking. Your new job is improving yourself and finding your next place of employment.

Good luck!

Bokeh

Sorry to hear about the layoff. Like others have said, network with others. Perhaps there is a business group in the area you can meet with. Look at linkedin and find others to network with as well.

Pajamas and bunny slippers are a no no. Get up each morning and dress like you are going to work. Treat your time off as if you are working. Set your schedule accordingly - resume/cv reworking and sending out in the am, study in the pm or whatever works best for you.

Folks on here are great, and they will offer you all kinds of moral support, and who knows maybe one on here can offer a lead to a new position? Its happened before could happen again.

rwwest7

May be a blessing in disguise. Being let go may open the door to a better job you'll like more. Just keep a positive outlook on life and always be working towards that next cert and you'll be fine.

jamesp1983

I'm sorry to hear that! Wrap up those certs and life will get better. You have experience as well which is a huge plus!

KPWright

This is one of those times where a bad situation like a recession may actually work in your favor. If you've been working for 2 years full time, you should be able to max out un-employment compensation and should be fully eligible for the vast amount of state and federal re-employment training programs that are available. Check with your un-employment folks as soon as possible as it normally takes a while to get through the bureaucracy to get the program working, but it should be worth it in the end. Don't be worried that you are doing something out of the ordinary, thousands of people are getting into this every day.

You've indicated quite a list of training and testing you had already planned over the course of the next year. This may well be an opportunity to get most if not all of it paid for (including the exam fees) if you arrange the program the right way. Not only could they end up picking up the tab for the tuition and fees, but you may well be eligible for extended compensation benefits (not lucrative, but it usually pays the bills) for the entire time you are in training.

The programs will vary from state to state and which programs you are eligible for will depend on the company you worked for and the circumstances behind why your job was eliminated, but the un-employment folks will be able to get you through all of that. Usually we all see the visit to the un-employment office as a pain in the butt that we'd rather not have to do. With over 14.5 million people out of work and many of those jobs going away for good, re-training has become huge and you just found the time to take advantage of it!!!

Check it out and good luck

indyodie

I was laid off on August 1st and decided to take a week to myself to take a rest and get a break from life. I have a few years experience but never got the certifications so I decided to start studying up on some things. I got my Net+ a week into my unemployment, got about halfway to studying for my 83-640 when I got a better job with a raise after only 3 weeks of being unemployed.

If you take this time off and make the most of it good things will happen. If you drown yourself in your studies, the time will pass quicker and you may get another job that will interupt your studies...which is good thing.

doobies

thomas130 wrote: »

I don’t want to unemployed for so long that my experience no longer counts.
Could anyone give any advice?

I remember it like it was yesterday. About 8 years ago.. i went to work.. went to swipe my badge and start my day as normal... except the door didn't open. I heard the beep... so i tried it 10 more times and pressed agains the door like that kid in the farside cartoon.

Eventually the guard that i knew quite well told me to go to the front entrance. It was then that I realized what was going on. My company had been trending on getting rid of the higher paid folk and hiring people at cut throat rates... I eventually went to HR... where my manager showed up and said i was being let go... he couldn't look me in the eye as he really didn't have a legit reason (as I was confirmed in my unemployement interview). I went home... teary eyed... and rested my head on my then friend who i really liked and was courting (now my wife) and rested my head on her lap. the Sky was grey.... it was cold (autum) and life just really sucked.... I had no clue what to do... I was in school, had a car note... cell phone bill and rent. At the time no one in my area was hiring.... it seemed as all hope was lost.

Then my mom and dad told me to file on them b!tch3s. Its a divorce.. get alamony. Like you...i had put in over 2 years of my life so as someone else echoed on here.. i was elgible to get full unemployment benefits. I wasnt making anything crazy to begin with so 60% of my salary was more than enough to pay my bills.

Im not sure what your cost of living is in your area ...but if 60% of your salary will cover your billz and nights of wendy's 99c menu dinners hawaiann punch and roman noodles.... then you will be fine.

In fact the hardest thing for you will be actually weeining yourself off of unemployment when you find a job... and staying healthy.

Seriously, its not the end of the world. And it reaally might be a blessing in disguise. While working... i didn't have enough time to finish school or at least put a good effort into getting better grades. When i was unemployed i got a's and b's and finished up most of my degree.

Unemployement is pretty cool... alll you have to do is apply for jobs and they send you a check. Some jobs have to be local... others can be wherever. You just have to keep track of where you apply. I did most of mine online.. and applied at places i was underqualed for or over qualed for. I payed my billz.. played ball. studied got good grades... and then one day on campus I bumped into my next employer at a job fair.

The hardest thing for me was getting of my gov. crutch... I enjoyed the free time i had.

Use this time to your advantage... finish up school, take some exams.. run through the MS or cisco gauntlet. You will find a new job. Trust me. If your nervous about a gap in unemployment, make sure you have a good reference from your previous job. If someone asks.. just say i went to school full time. In fact the only time you really have to go into the why I got laid off discussion is if your getting a gov job that requires a clearance. You could allays volunteer to work your campus pc lab if your not going to school online. You could volunteer at a school or library if online schooling.

Seriously apply for your benefits today... it takes a min for them to get you in the system. Save your last 2 paychecks for your next bills to cover your gap. Think of ways to save money.. and work on building your brains and experience.

Setup a home network..

You can get used pc's from just about anywhere for cheap and have at it.

I've been laid off.. im sure everyone in here has been laid off or had a contract end abruptly. It happens, don't take it personall, file on them and move on.

No job is permanent... and i've seen 59year old men.. a year from retiring from a nameless really big contractor get laid off because they didn't want to pay retirement. It doesn't matter if your 14years old or 59... it can happen. Expect the best and plan of the worst.. And seriously dude your not alone. lol

Don't be scared to take risks.. and move where the jobs are if you don't feel like waiting it out. Try not to get addicted to the checks also. Getting paid for nothing. I can't describe the feeling but its hard to let go. I shed a tear when i accepted my new job, until i got my first check from them.

study study study

Paul Boz

Use this as motivation to dominate your next job.

About a year and a half ago (two years next april) my wife and I were in the town where my job was, where my family lived. My boss called me in for a quick meeting because I worked over night, so my wife and I obliged and we drove out to my place of employment. With my wife in tow I was walked to human resources where I was told I was being let go. Five years of working over night, keeping an entire ISP network functioning like a swiss watch, and I was being chopped to cut budget. At first I was angry, then I was sad, then I just wanted to leave and never see that place again. My boss was a terrible supervisor and I dreaded going to work but I needed the pay check. My manager, who was my boss' boss, pulled me aside as I was leaving, and told me that they were actually doing me a favor. I was really good friends with him (and still am) and I understood what he was saying. I knew that I was destined to do the same thing there for as long as I was still employed.

My wife and I drove home and I was down for a good while. I cashed out my 401k because it was losing money due to the economy and lived on that $10,000 for about six months. After 3 months I took a job making $5.50/hr in a pizza kitchen as a line cook. I literally went from 40k a year in a cushy comfortable job to working a pizza oven. I used that time as motivation. I sharpened my mind, completed two more Cisco certs, then when the moment was right, I followed an opportunity to my current employer.

The whole experience taught me several things. First, no matter what your perceived value is to a company, you're still an asset with a recurring dollar value. I also learned that even though you spend five years of your life serving a company and doing your very best, sometimes its not enough.

Just keep your head up, be wise to the options around you, and enjoy the unemployment benefits

Mr.Fix

Awesome motivation. [VIDEO]

JockVSJock

Bro, its time for you to start your new job right now. Gearing up for the CCNA in October like your post below says.

Treat it like a job, and you'll have the cert.

thomas130 wrote: »

Today I was told I no longer had a job and I am feeling really depressed about it and not sure what to do. I have work in a large corporate environment for just over 2 years supporting multiple domains and sites.
Over the last 2 years I have study hard I have completed my HNC and currently doing my degree. I plan to have CCNA certification in October and was then going to start my studies for MCSA/MCSE.
I was really hoping to have this job for another year to get this before trying to another job so I would have decent experience and qualification but I am really stuck now. I have look at the job site and there is nothing so I’m not sure how to move forward. I don’t want to unemployed for so long that my experience no longer counts.
Could anyone give any advice?

manny355

There is a lot of good advice on here and i want to specifically cosign what murdatapes and doobies have said.

I can definitely relate...I was laid off myself back in april.

I had been looking at houses to buy and had decided on one that was about 5 minutes from my former job...had the home inspection...made the offer...was gonna get the house $40,000 under the actual asking price so I would have had a nice chunk of equity from the start.

3 days before going into the closing process I go into work and guess who's waiting for me...yep...HR. They give me the whole speal about needing to cut back in certain area...blah blah blah. 3 days before buying my first house at a really great price...3 days!

I had to let the deal fall through...I couldn't afford to take on the mortgage payment and not be sure about if or when I was gonna be able to get another job...rather I knew that i'd get another job eventually but I just didn't know when.

Thats the good thing about being in I.T and having not just experience but also education and certifications...I was depressed but not because I was unsure of If I was gonna work again...I knew that with my skills and experience it was just a matter of time...I was depressed at the situation and having to start again.

I think that's more of whats going on with you...just know that you will find another job and it will probably be better than the one you lost. Take this time to study and improve your skillset.

Paul Boz

manny355 wrote: »

murdatapes and doobies

That sounds like an album I'd listen to.

murdatapes

Paul Boz wrote: »

That sounds like an album I'd listen to.

I 2nd that

ipconfig.all

Try and join a recruitment agency and DO NOT GIVE UP !!!

pipemajor

What others have said. It is not uncommon to suddenly find yourself without a job these days. I've had to suffer through FIVE career layoffs, including the one I'm currently having to endure.

If you haven't filed for unemployment benefits, be sure to do that. Many states have very helpful programs to assist you and others in getting back on the horse again. Find and join a group of similar layoff victims.

Just keep in mind - it wasn't you, it was a business decision. That's life and there is little you can do about it.

Cheer up, bone up on acquiring new skills, certifcations, network contacts and make it happen!

thomas130

OK I getting some applications form completed since they don't want cv could some tell what they think and should I change. If there are any spelling mistakes of bad english let me know before I submit. In some area they will be a gap where taken the name of my old work place.

To let you know this is one for a school

Working within a corporate IT department we have strict service level agreements with the various businesses for example we have one hour to fix the user issue however we have 15 minutes to at least contact the user and start investigating. Working to these strict deadlines has helped improve my performance as I am constantly aware of my obligation to get the problem resolve while still providing a high level of customer service. Keeping to these SLA has earned me the respect of my manager, director as well as the user themselves.
Working at has allowed me to work with all the businesses that are a part of the organisation this has range from resolving faults or providing the business IT solutions to help meet their needs. The best experience I had was when Integrated Water Services brought a new business and they wanted this site to be merged with their existing sites. I was heavily involved in this from being one of the first members of Group IT to visit site to meet the users. This involvement ranges from taking a simple site survey to having various meetings with the business to help discuss the business needs and how we can meet them. I found this experience both challenging and rewarding and would love to do something like this again in the near future.
I also have involvement with external companies such as Autodigital we have a contact with them to support our printers throughout the businesses. The best experience I had with them was with a project to rollout new MDF throughout the businesses on multiple sites. This involved various meetings with Autodigital where we took a site survey to discuss the planning of the rollout. I am also happy to report that this was done within a few days while causing the minimal amount of downtime for the user.
I have also dealt with other third parties such as Dell who is our supplier for desktops and laptops. The roll I had with Dell was to get quotes for machines based on the requirements of the user. I have also dealt with Dell to get any problem resolve with their hardware which we have purchase from them.
I have a strong experience of managing a network infrastructure which ranges from using management consoles such as Active Directory where I did such tasks as created computer accounts, securities and created and amend group policies. Our Active Directory infrastructure covers five different domains each domain has multiple sites which we all support. Other duties have included patching network points and I was once allowed to configure a router for a new site under the network manager supervision. I have a keen interest networking and this is why I am currently studying Cisco at Open University and I hope to be ready to take my CCNA certification exam in November. Other technologies I am familiar with are windows 2003 servers, Exchange Server 2003, DHCP, DNS, NAT and IT Security.

From a young age when I was given my first computer I had no previous experience with them however I was able to learn how to use it very quickly. Over the years my knowledge and understanding has greatly improve especially since working within a corporate IT environment. Over the years at home and working at
I have been exposed to a number of different technologies. I have also learned how quickly these technologies have change and how quickly I have to learn and adapt to these changes to do my job to the best of my abilities. Which is essential in today’s IT world where technology is always evolving and improving I also believe my general love for technology helps make this an enjoyable experience for me.
I believe I have excellent organisation skills and have demonstrated this on a number of occasions from dealing with thirds parties and arranging rollouts an example of this would be the printer rollout throughout the businesses. Another example would be this year while still having a full time job I was able to complete my HNC while also starting my Degree at Open University. I believe this shows my level of commitment to self improving myself and my ability to balance my work load and meet deadlines.
Working at both and has required excellent communication skills to maintain a high level of customer service and to meet the customer or business needs. An example of this is recently I have been involve in meetings for disaster recovery which various individuals have been involve to create a plan. My role in this was to discuss a recovery plan for both PDA’s and desktops systems.
Both places of work have require team work for example earlier this year we have had a new member join our IT team my manager requested me train this individual. This individual is now very good at doing his job which has helped benefit the team in regards to the workload. I believe in team work as we are all there for same reason and functioning as one unit helps us achieve our goal.
Working in IT for the last two years has given the chance to prove my ability to problem solve. I have always had a very logically approach to fault finding to help identify where the problem lies. For example if a user in a department was unable to print my first line of questioning would be can the other users print. Depending if the user answer is yes or no can help me trace the fault down if the user replies yes then I would know it is likely a machine issue. First I would check that the machine has network connectivity to the printer by pinging the IP address if this is successful then most likely it might be the local print driver is corrupt.

From my example above my fault finding involves questioning the user to find out more information I also try to look around the environment to help identify if this is local fault or a larger scale one. I also investigate whether systems have been change for example has the user installed third party applications which has could have affected the machines. By doing this it has made very efficient in solving problems. I have always been taught that I should investigate before making any changes as making changes without getting the bigger picture could making the problem worse all causing other issues.
Apart of the agreement when I started my current role was to complete my HNC which I have now done however before I completed this I decided to take the initiative and start doing my degree to expand my education and skills. At work I always try to be proactive for example if I was walking into work and noticed an issue with a machine I always fix the issue there and then rather than just wait for a user to phone and report it. I have also asked my manager on a number of occasions to get involved in projects to help increase my understanding and make myself a more valued member of the team.
Working in IT I always understood it’s not a typically nine to five job there have been number of occasions where I have worked overtime and on the weekends to get rollouts, upgrades completed on time. An example of this is we use a system call CallMedia which the Echo call centre uses for the management of phone calls. To get this upgrade completed we started this after hours and did not finish until 2 am the next morning and was back in work at 8 am the same morning.
I have ran a number of website in my time a couple of years ago I have rented a dedicated server from a company call managed. From this I ran a fan films website which was becoming decently popular. This later came very useful for my HNC Studies which I had to study two modules based on website design and creating the site to be accessible and meet the W3C standards. I use various languages for my website design which range from HTML, CSS, PHP, Javascript and SQL.
During my time at I have created a database system using access that contains all the information about the businesses mobile phones from the sim numbers to the owner of that mobile. This database was also design to allow the director and IT Support Manager to produce reports base on the criteria they needed. Other examples would be keeping our asset database up to date so that we could produce reports when Ofwat came in to do audits.
When I was at school I used to help the IT technicians with such tasks as setting up machines and creating computer accounts. A highlight for me was when we had a new building built which had 5 IT rooms I spent the summer helping them get ready. I have also helped my brother who works in IT at Streetly School during the summer holidays get ready for the new team. I have really enjoyed these experiences and this is one of main reasons why I would like to gain a position working for a School.
I understand the principles regarding the safeguarding of children where agencies working with children and their families all take all reasonable measures to ensure that the risks of harm to children’s welfare is minimised.
While I do not have experience using CMIS and E-Portal I am aware that CMIS and E portal is a integrated system for timetabling, course management, resource use and student attendance. I had to use a similar system when I was at Sutton Coldfield Collage I don’t believe this to be a disadvantage but has an opportunity to learn something new.

skrpune

hey thomas130 - I'll be honest, I didn't make it all the way through the text/letter in your last post. It's just way too long. Not to be harsh, but it's the length of a college application essay, not a job application blurb. You should be a lot more succinct and include much less detail, as there's no need for them to know your entire story.

Even though these folks aren't asking for a CV/resume, include one. Put your experience there, and then fill in the gaps on the application. Use the part(s) of the application where you are asked to write something about yourself as your quasi-cover letter.

There are some grammatical/punctuation errors (run on sentences that need to get split apart) but I think you first need to focus on getting a clearer & shorter message together and then work on polishing it up.

Plantwiz

skrpune wrote: »

hey thomas130 - I'll be honest, I didn't make it all the way through the text/letter in your last post. It's just way too long. .....

There are some grammatical/punctuation errors (run on sentences that need to get split apart) but I think you first need to focus on getting a clearer & shorter message together and then work on polishing it up.

+1

Bullet Points
(Your resume should be very quick and concise to read...the interview is where you'll elaborate on yourself). Right now, the focus is the to get the interview.

You have about 15 seconds to capture the attention of the reader and they will make a judgement about you in that time (good or bad). I too didn't make it all the way...no offense, but it is boring.

Plus with the grammatical errors...it would be a toss pile if I was reviewing it for that alone.(not saying I'm perfect, but I have a friend who is a word-grammar junkie and we battle back-and-forth keeping each other on track).

If you were assembling widgets...I won't put as much emphasis on your written communication skills, but since you are looking for IT work, I would expect your communication to be clear and correct as you will be presenting to all management levels as well as outside the company/firm...your image (credibility) matters.

Clean it up and try again, you'll get it.

thomas130

Just to let you guys know I have taken some words out which refers to the company I was working for. It has also lost its formatting where the paragraph starts and end. After reading what I have done I noticed where my sentences run to long but apart from that is it ok.

Is it readable?

What I have done is look at their person specification and explain how I meet each one of these is this the wrong thing to do. My English is not the best I'm not sure really how to make it shorter but still make it meet all their requirements. Any help would be great.

thomas130

Just a quick question

Should I just bullet point what I did in my job role this would make it much shorter and probably get the point of across quicker. When looking at application do employers perfer this.