Work

[Panhead]

6 hours ago, SuperBacon said:

Wish you the best of luck @Panhead and taking the summer "off" sounds good.

When our youngest had just been born I went through a similar situation and was unemployed for a period over the summer and it was bloody great! As a family we went to the parks and river every day, and it allowed me to really focus on what I wanted to do and the direction I wanted to go in.

While you're unemployed, there's also courses or training that you could access if you wanted, which are often funded while you're not working. Happy to point you in the right direction regarding this if you want.

Good luck mate.

Thanks bud. I really appreciate that. It's good to hear from someone who's experienced the same thing as well. Definitely confirms for me that there's light at the end of the tunnel. I've got plenty of gigs lined up over the next few months too (Luckily they're all local and I've already bought tickets), so there's plenty to keep me occupied. I'll just have to skip the £7 pints ?

Genuinely have no idea if I'll stick in my current trade or look for something new, but I'll hit you up if I need some help. Again, much appreciated mate. 

[CTXRussomark]

9 hours ago, Panhead said:

I'm sure this is the right thread for this, but apologies if not. For the first time in my entire working life, I'm unemployed. Yesterday, the firm that I've worked at for the last 20 years went into liquidation. I'm 39, and I know how rare it is for someone of my age to have worked somewhere this long. I'll get a decent payout, although it'll probably be about 6 weeks away and it'll come from the government. Plus I'll get paid the 12 weeks notice later down the line as well. Although that'll be taxed and minus any benefits or paid work I do in that period. The Insolvency Practitioners (unofficially) advised us to claim Job Seeker's Allowance and wait out the 12 weeks, if we can. My 6 year old breaks up for the Summer Holidays soon, so I'm very tempted to wait out the 12 weeks and spend time with her. 

We've all known since the start of the year that the firm wasn't going to last much longer (I'll spare you all the boring details), but it's strange how my main feeling is relief. Not that it was a bad place to work for, but every month has just felt like it could be the last one. I thought I might wake up this morning in a blind panic, but I still feel relieved, and excited for what happens next! 

100% take the time off if you're financially able to do so.  I'm in a pretty similar situation after almost 20 years of work (albeit I chose to leave my last company rather than it going under) and am thankfully in a position where I'm able to take the summer off and actually relax and recharge my batteries for the first time in forever.  I'm only a month in to the break and already feel so much better and more ready for whatever comes next.  Take advantage of the opportunity especially with such a young child - you won't get it again!

[Mr_Danger]

Just been offered a job interview with a company called DX via txt message which I’ve politely declined. Fighting every fibre in my being not to follow it up with “And if you ain’t down with that I got two words for ya….”

[westlondonmist]

Work is getting on my tits, I mostly like my work and take pride working in the public sector but some things are getting on my tits. I'm working on a multi-million pound refurbishment project, millions of pounds of investment should make life easier right as things should all work well? Nah, the project is being run by a consultant (I fucking hate public sector consultants) who cares more about making councillors happy with nice pictures of what it will look like and how it will look for 3-6 months before he fucks off to another organisation. Any concerns I've had about parts not being suitable for use have been ignored and I'm not aloud to bring them up in meetings with councillors. These parts are more expensive too, the design team charge a percentage of the overall cost so have picked the most expensive things possible. So I've asked to leave the project, I'd hoped that this project would help me professionally but the project manager knocking down my opinions in meetings and in emails to multiple people has fucked me off and I find it belittling. I'm wondering if I'm better at when his ideas fail, which some of them will within months, the blame on the failure isn't on me. I can step in a rectify parts of it. Or do I just stick with it, take credit with him for things that go right and throw him under the bus if things go wrong.

 

I would have complained about the project manager but there is rumoured to be a new managers position I'm in line for, which is essentially doing what I do now. If I complain then they either don't bother with it or give it to someone else. The council says you shouldn't feel afraid about speaking up, but the reality is that's a load of horse shit. 

 

 

[SuperBacon]

Back in the office on a Monday now. 

Forgot just how insufferable it is, and I didn't have a good poo all day.

[Mr_Danger]

After some advice. I was recently off work for a while after having a pulmonary embolism. All sick noted and complied with Occupational Health who never put any recommendations on returning to work other than the measures they should follow in my rehabilitation. Returned to work and all measures are in place but the absence triggered a stage 3 absence which is basically the last stage before dismissal because it book ended with an absence last year. I’ve now been booked in for a consideration of dismissal appointment with OH and was wondering if anybody had any sort of insight in what to expect here. Union haven’t got back to me and the manager is next to useless, he asked for my email address but neglected to inform me that it was for this. For reference this condition is covered under the disabilities act as stated by OH.

[DCW]

Got passed over for promotion whilst a few management faves (but woefully incompetent) folk got it ahead of me. Decided I'm not waiting another 2 years for same to happen again so triggered a lateral transfer to a new department. Been onto them and it sounds very interesting and also has 3 days of home working plus flexi time that can be accrued vs zero home working in my place, even throughout the pandemic. Can't wait to get out now, turned very toxic the last while because the managers who got promoted the last time around don't have a clue what they're at either, so always leaning on me to solve awkward stuff which I've stopped doing since I found out I wasn't being promoted. Can't wait to give the Ray Patterson speech before I walk out the door!

[Chris B]

Really struggling with the job-hunt after being made redundant at the start of the Summer, after feeling pretty positive about it for a while. 

I'm in content and marketing, and I've never seen the market like this before. People seem really reluctant to hire anyone but the most perfect candidate, whether or not that candidate has applied. And every role has hundreds and hundreds of people applying (and I'm not at a junior level).

I've had interviews, including a strung out six-stage process that I didn't get.  I'm just churning out application after application after application and it's exhausting.

Despite having had strong feedback and reviews (very strong in some places), I've been made redundant multiple times, because so many places see marketing as an expense rather than an asset.

Honestly, just fucking exhausted right now. 

[Mr_Danger]

It turns out that consideration of dismissal appointment is more a fact finding mission to see if I’m fit for the job going forward and if anything they should knock my absence to a stage one instead of the final stage it’s on now due to the other sicknesses being covered under the disabilities act. Could be a nice opportunity for medical retirement providing I can find something better to do for the next 30 odd years of my working life.

[Chris B]

Waiting for confirmation of a very exciting role, and I'm an anxious mess, convincing myself it's all going to fall through.

I recently re-did my portfolio, and a recruitment agency that had been ignoring me jumped when I sent it across, which was positive. I got put forward for a social media role - supposedly for three months, but at a very good day-rate, starting the following week. During the interview, it turned out they're still trying to finalise the position, and it's more likely to run until July, but not starting until November.

The feedback is that they loved the interview and want me on board - but the role isn't finalised yet. That was a week ago, and I've been told we should hear back early next week.

It's a huge, huge opportunity if it comes off, so I'm taking that positive boost. But I've had things like this fall through before. 

So, I'm trying to stay balanced. I'm taking it as a boost that they've said yes, and that I'm in the right ball-park to work somewhere like this, so I'm allowing myself to enjoy it, but I'm also assuming it's going to fall through, on some levels, in order to stay sane - because if it does fall through, it'll be hugely disappointing. But if I just let that negativity run wild, I'll never have been able to enjoy the positive.

But either way, argh. This is awesome and horrible at the same time. Having been made redundant in May has dented my confidence a lot.

Edited October 25, 2024 by Chris B

[DavidB6937]

@Chris B - definitely take the positives! Great that they've reacted so enthusiastically for it, and even if it doesn't go ahead it definitely means that you're offering something good. Carry that confidence through to other stuff too. It's easier said than done, and I'm one for focusing on the negatives myself, but great that there's potential there!

[Monkee]

I got made redundant at the end of July and I’m still looking. It’s genuinely soul destroying. I’ve applied for over 130 jobs (digital marketing), had 16 interviews and still nothing. I fell on the way to one interview in August and went to A&E later in the day to find out I’d fractured my right elbow (right handed - yay!), sprained the ligament in my ankle and had a mild concussion. Still did the interview (with blood on my forehead) and didn’t get the job.

I don’t know what I’m doing wrong. It’s come down to me and one other person on three separate occasions and they’ve gone with the other person. I’m now applying for anything and everything because I need the money rather than jobs I actually want and might enjoy.

It all just sucks. 2024 can get to fuck.

[DavidB6937]

@Monkee Firstly hope you're feeling better physically at least.

Secondly, luckily I'm not in that position now but certainly have been in the past. I know how much it sucks the energy and confidence out of you and how tough it is to keep going. So I really hope it ends up okay for you. 

Sometimes it's better to just find something and then keep looking for what you want but I know some people disagree with that too. I guess we've all got bills to pay though right. 

Keep going. We're here to rant at anytime ?

[westlondonmist]

10 hours ago, Monkee said:

I got made redundant at the end of July and I’m still looking. It’s genuinely soul destroying. I’ve applied for over 130 jobs (digital marketing), had 16 interviews and still nothing. I fell on the way to one interview in August and went to A&E later in the day to find out I’d fractured my right elbow (right handed - yay!), sprained the ligament in my ankle and had a mild concussion. Still did the interview (with blood on my forehead) and didn’t get the job.

I don’t know what I’m doing wrong. It’s come down to me and one other person on three separate occasions and they’ve gone with the other person. I’m now applying for anything and everything because I need the money rather than jobs I actually want and might enjoy.

It all just sucks. 2024 can get to fuck.

Been there a few times, eventually you apply for everything and anything. The last time I ended up actually really enjoying a job that I felt pay wise was low and didn't expect to enjoy. Gave me experience to add to what I had been doing and got me a good job a year later. 

 

Taking on something new, might be a short term set back initially but I don't think in the long run it will be fine. 

[Chris B]

11 hours ago, Monkee said:

I got made redundant at the end of July and I’m still looking. It’s genuinely soul destroying. I’ve applied for over 130 jobs (digital marketing), had 16 interviews and still nothing. I fell on the way to one interview in August and went to A&E later in the day to find out I’d fractured my right elbow (right handed - yay!), sprained the ligament in my ankle and had a mild concussion. Still did the interview (with blood on my forehead) and didn’t get the job.

I don’t know what I’m doing wrong. It’s come down to me and one other person on three separate occasions and they’ve gone with the other person. I’m now applying for anything and everything because I need the money rather than jobs I actually want and might enjoy.

It all just sucks. 2024 can get to fuck.

I'm in content/digital marketing, and the market is absolutely fucked this year. Recruiters are doing a mixture of unicorn-hunting and utter cowardice at the possibility of hiring anything other than the most perfect person for the role whether or not that person has applied. 

A friend of mine made the point that c-suites tend to see marketing as an expense rather than an asset, so it's always the first budget to be ultra-scrutinised, especially when it comes to hiring.

This means there's an enormous amount of talent on the shelf at the moment. The likelihood is that you're going up against really good competition, and higher than usual (with plenty of people willing to take a pay cut just to get a job).

And a whole bunch of times, they don't end up hiring anyone anyway because someone, hypothetically, could be better if they keep looking. 

I don't get frustrated if someone else gets the job - I literally can't control that. That's not something you're doing wrong - you can't always be the best candidate. But if you're getting interviews, and final round interviews at that, you're outperforming most people at the moment. I've seen plenty online who aren't getting that.

(I've been in your situation since May, and I've never seen the market like this before - I've been doing a little freelancing and that's helped just about enough).