So how we all doing? Did those who were on the Rock'n'Roll all manage to get jobs in the end?

Well, I eventually got one 5 and a bit months ago, and all had been going well. Was fitting in nicely, enjoying the job, everything going pretty well really. Until 3 weeks ago, when they announce that "due to circumstances beyond our control" (basically, someone cocked up the company budget massively) they were going to have to let a load of people go…

Anyway, had the phonecall this morning, and predictably in my team of 17 (which they are cutting to 12), I'm on the shortlist for the boot! I should also add, that like every short sighted company, mine is getting rid of the guys on the floor doing the work and making the money, the "value added" people if you like. They're not cutting back on the support functions, HR, or anything like that of course… Those that DON'T add any value or bring in any revenue! GRRRRR… 👿

I have just about had enough shit for a lifetime in the last 12 months to be honest, and am struggling to keep my sanity right now… I was unemployed for 5 months before this job, so money was more than tight, in fact it was only due to my best mate bailing me out a fair bit I managed 5 months on the dole without having to claim bankruptcy! I finally paid him back everything I owe him on Monday, only to find out this morning I'm about to face unemployment again!

So… PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE give me your good fortune stories, so that I can regain at least a glimmer of hope in this miserable f**king existence I'm enduring once again! Preferably before I do a Forrest Gump and just start walking…

BTW, find out tomorrow when I'm going. But imagine as it's been less than 6 months they'll wanna get rid of me quickly as possible, and of course I won't be entitled to any redundancy pay!

hardluck mate.

not nice I know I have been back to for the last 4 weeks

Keep your glass half full and not half empty is the best bit of advice I can give you

As for me I have had a verbal offer ( which is not worth alot but it is a start) just waiting for a letter from "Human Remains"

No sob stories please, you did manage to buy a new bike pretty cheap after all 🙂

No sob stories please, you did manage to buy a new bike pretty cheap after all

LOL

And so have many other people on this forum! 😉

Still loving the Reign X by the way mate… Changed a few bits on it since I had it off you, but it's still a great bike!

Sorry to hear that Mark. I can tell you that the only time I've been made redundant I ended up with a much better job. I think we are in a different economic climate than that of a year ago and you've got another notch on the CV.

The atmosphere of a year ago was one of huge uncertainty for everyone, so not many employers wanted to take on extra staffing costs. I think that the situation is looking a bit more positive now, so employing extra people isn't such a gamble. My company has about 10% more staff than in 2008, so there are people confident of their business and looking to expand.

Lots of jobs out there!

Just apply to loads!

Act now! update your C.V.

I know people who have been on/off/on for yrs-it can work for you!

mboy

What do you do and where are you? It's a long shot, but we're hiring.

Click

What do you do and where are you? It's a long shot, but we're hiring.

Cheers Harry, but I'm not a Mechanical or Elevtrical Engineer, and I'm not in Oldham (I'm based in Worcester).

Funnily enough though, my current company actually does some work with Voith at their sites in Hayes and Croydon!

By trade I suppose I'm a Process Improvement Engineer. Or in other words, a LEAN Manufacturing and Logistics Specialist. In my current role I train candidates that work for our clients in LEAN and other Business Improvement Techniques.

Sorry to hear that Mark. I can tell you that the only time I've been made redundant I ended up with a much better job. I think we are in a different economic climate than that of a year ago and you've got another notch on the CV.

Cheers Rich. Likewise, after a lengthy period on the dole, when I got my current job it was a significant improvement over my old job. In all areas, particularly job satisfaction, though the money is quite a bit better than my last job. Didn't think it was only gonna last 6 months though!

Mark – that's not good, I'm sorry to hear about your situation.

It's bl**dy hard out there and it's a struggle to stay positive and be smiley at interviews. I have eventually got some temporary part-time work that I started today. The bad news is I have to deal with ranting customers and wear a short-sleeved top 🙄 My arms are covered in bramble cuts but fortunately my legs remain covered!

Still, I don't have to sell my bikes … yet.

Stay upbeat people.

Well you did better than me. Still unemployed, no money since May except for Thomson directory deliveries last month. On the plus side I've ridden loads and become much less stressed and the economy is slowly picking up (more local jobs to apply for).
I have a business idea that may well work now things are slightly better and it involves precious little work per se.
I have also discovered who my real friends are as they have taken me away climbing once a month without me needing to pay for petrol. I collect and deliver eggs for them and other odd jobs to pay my way. Bartering it's the future!

Mark – that's not good, I'm sorry to hear about your situation.

It's bl**dy hard out there and it's a struggle to stay positive and be smiley at interviews. I have eventually got some temporary part-time work that I started today. The bad news is I have to deal with ranting customers and wear a short-sleeved top My arms are covered in bramble cuts but fortunately my legs remain covered!

Cheers Elaine. So what you doing then? PLEASE tell me it doesn't involve an Orange and Black Uniform… Sorry, bad memories! 😉

Well you did better than me. Still unemployed, no money since May except for Thomson directory deliveries last month. On the plus side I've ridden loads and become much less stressed and the economy is slowly picking up (more local jobs to apply for).
I have a business idea that may well work now things are slightly better and it involves precious little work per se.
I have also discovered who my real friends are as they have taken me away climbing once a month without me needing to pay for petrol. I collect and deliver eggs for them and other odd jobs to pay my way. Bartering it's the future!

Blimey Sandwich. That's as long as I had until I got this job! You're right, you do learn (if you didn't know already) who your real friends are. My best mate in particular has helped me out an untold amount, and beyond the money he actually lent me (which has now been paid back) there have been several cases of feeding me for free, chucking me a fiver for petrol, or just taking me down the pub and telling me to keep my wallet in my pocket and so on etc.

i left to go cycling round nz last year confident in the fact id get a job no bother in aberdeen when i got back with an engineering degree.

The world went into melt down while i was away and ive spent the last 6 months applying for some 150 odd jobs and finally got an offer last week.

I was loosing the will to keep applying and was just going to settle for a job in a bike shop which was covering the bills and leaving me some money to play.

At the last minute i got an interview in the engineering sector which has lead to a job offer which ive taken and looking forward to starting in 3 weeks.

Always light at the end of the tunnel even if it doesnt seem like it just now. Just concentrate on the short term – i moved to aberdeen without a job ….. i walked down the union street and went in to every outdoor and cycle shop with a CV and had a job within the week – ok it only pays 14k basic but that pays the bills for me and is more than mcdonalds

Nothing for six months then two interviews in one week. Still waiting to hear back though, one said they'd call on Monday and never did. Other said it would be two weeks before I get the results. *Fingers crossed*.

Bummer….sorry to hear about that mboy.

I was made redundant from my job as a process (improvement) engineer in January this yr. As you say I was very annoyed about the fact that the admin/office based roles were all safe & no managers got the chop even though the place seemed to end up with more chiefs than indians!!
Bit of a 'mates club' there though so no surprise.

I had the fortune of an old colleague of mine hearing i was looking for a new job & my CV landed on his desk. I have been there for just over 3 months now & am really enjoying it. I am doing something completely different, having to commute 120 miles round trip per day but I am pleased to be working.

If I were you I would start getting onto agencies and stuff, but try to remain optimistic.
I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you – it's a horrible thing to have to worry about.
Although as already said – prospects are looking up a bit & hopefully if you do need to search for another position there will be more out there. I have had a number of agencies contact me in the last few weeks regarding positions coming up.

I graduated on the 21st of July.

I have applied for 100 jobs been to job fairs, networked with contacts made on projects at uni, cold called, mail dropped and nothing yet 🙁

This is the one bit of advice that paid off for me when I was unemployed due to redundancy this year…over 50% of the jobs that are out there aren't advertised!!

It was through "cold-calling" that I had the best successes and through friends also.

Keep on going, it's tough but it will happen.

when you say "cold calling" what did you do, make a list of companies in the area which are in your industry and just drop in or phone up?

I graduated on the 21st of July.

I have applied for 100 jobs been to job fairs, networked with contacts made on projects at uni, cold called, mail dropped and nothing yet

What did you graduate in and where / what are you looking to do? (if you don't mind me asking, only we're looking for someone)

pinches – yes in effect but I did some research first e.g. find the MD's name (always go as high up as you can because you are more likely to get a response if it comes from the top down) finding out how they format their email (so you can work out the MD's direct email). On the email subject line just put FAO MD's name. Avoid HR like the plague as they have the power to say "No" but not the power to say "Yes"!!! Find something topical about the company that they might be either struggling with or having success with – remember, people are employed to solve a company problem etc.

That sort of thing as opposed to just ringing up and asking if they have any vacancies.

Right

Think I'm gonna have to do a bit of what Tyger says… Went to my "redundancy consultation meeting" today at head office. I dragged it out a fair bit (they would've had me in and out in 5 minutes!), but the long and the short of it is I'm going for definite… Marvellous!

Told it'll be official as of 16th October, and my notice period is 1 month, so as of 16th November I will be back on the dole…

Livin' the dream boys and girls, livin' the dream! 😉

mboy, sorry to hear the news – if I can help in any way (CV, Letter of Introduction etc.) drop me a line

tyger@talk21.com

Hang in there!

saladdodger – Member
not nice I know I have been back to for the last 4 weeks

Keep your glass half full and not half empty is the best bit of advice I can give you

As for me I have had a verbal offer ( which is not worth alot but it is a start) just waiting for a letter from "Human Remains"

Sorry but update time

I have a written job offer and it is a job I want to do at a wage I want

yahoo 😛

Happy days

Start 1 week monday for 4 days then off ( as agreed at interview) to france for 2 weeks with the wife to celebrate her 50th

Nice one Saladdodger… Let us know how it goes when you start!

will do

keep your glass half full and good luck

Hang in there Mboy keep smiling and keep applying for jobs as you make your own luck in this world.

I have employed 3 people in last 10 months in full time roles at my place but time and time again people let themselves down by not dressing accordingly to the role. I really don't want to see stains on clothes or tongue piercing for front facing roles and oh for the ones who actually bother to find abit out about us before they come to see us, these little things make a big difference to employers.

BTW I aint anti weird dress sense, tatto's etc just time and a place I too have a Bauhaus and Buzzcocks t shirt I don't wear em customer facing 😀

Good luck in finding something local to you bud!

Hi Mark, drop me a mail. Might have something for you. Cheers Andy

woffle – Member

I graduated on the 21st of July.

I have applied for 100 jobs been to job fairs, networked with contacts made on projects at uni, cold called, mail dropped and nothing yet

What did you graduate in and where / what are you looking to do? (if you don't mind me asking, only we're looking for someone)

I've just graduated with a 2:1 as an industrial designer. I work on products, components and automotive design. Looking to do anything design related, and preferably in the south east (london/kent)

mboy I have an idea go and find your boss and smash their f–king face in then move on to HR*, on a more serious note good luck and remember next time your working keep searching for better opportunities as you wanna get the jump on them as they don't give a shit about you so treat them the same, just be polite.

*can't say it has not crossed my mind to turn up smash the fat c–ts teeth out.

mboy I have an idea go and find your boss and smash their f–king face in then move on to HR

To be fair, it's my boss' boss' boss that's made the decision we need to go. My boss was in the pile for redundancy too, so he's been running around like a headless chicken of late! Still to find out yet whether he's got the chop or not.

Met the HR manager today though for the first time. She's about 35, and honestly the single least compassionate person I have ever met! I feel for her kids (if she's got any that is) as she'd probably not think twice about eating them! She of course sat in on the meeting, to make sure my boss' boss (the guy charged with making us redundant) didn't do or say anything that would leave them in the shit. In fairness to him, he was a bit of a quivvering wreck! I think he appreciated the fact that he really was letting 12 highly skilled and talented employees going for reasons beyond his control, and sitting there trying to justify why we had to go in front of us, he was struggling to say it and keep it all together! I've had to let a couple of people go in a previous role, but they were doing a shit job. Letting 12 people know, all of them highly skilled and people you really don't want to lose if you don't have to, in one day… Well, at 11:30am this morning when I left him he looked like he needed a bottle of whiskey already!

Fair enough mboy at least he has shown some compassion even if its through fear. When i got the boot the md did it but he is a useless fat **** who inherited a company, still at least he had the bottle to do it which is more than he normally did. The person who really put the dagger in was this **** who we hired to cost cut, look at the books, generate work, think he billed them £4k a month for this and all he did was rip ideas of businessballs.com. When I left everyone looked me in the eyes and shook my hand except him didn't even dare turn around in his chair. Horrible scaly little man can't recall his name but will remember his face.