I was laid off in the early 90s. At least they had the guts to tell me not to think that the job might be coming back. It is demoralizing. It is depressing. It is scary. It does weird things to your psych and well being. This was basically way before computers and the internet. Job fairs truly sucked, and the only real way to find a decent job ended up being through friends or contacts. I ended up moving 4 states away, back to my home town, and even had to move back in with my parents for a stretch, with my wife and 4 dogs. I imagine that they were thrilled, ha ha. I was off about a year, living on savings. I eventually found another job in a field that I had never considered or probably would have contemplated through an old high school friend. It pays far, far more and has fantastic benefits, and the best part, is that I don't have to be in a building with the same old backstabbers everyday. Every time I go to work, it is with someone different. I enjoy it so much more than my old 10 year stint. I've been with this company now 20 years. Be open to new ideas and horizons. Don't get tunnel vision and think that you HAVE to do what you were doing before. TALK to your spouse. TALK to your kids. Be straight up as possible with them. Their support can mean a world of difference in your outlook. Heck, maybe they can even get contacts for you or ideas for you that you might not of ever thought of! Your kids have friends that have parents that might have contacts. It can be extremely demeaning and depressing to be in your situation, but it is NOT the end of the world! You are obviously an intelligent, articulate, hard worker with creative ideas. That alone puts you in the top 10%, or even 5% of the other people out there seeking employment. DON"T BE SHY! Use your friends and contacts and even former companies that you did work for. Don't hesitate for a moment to ask them about employment opportunities, and also ask them for reviews on your work to show potential new employers. Use EVERY tool to your advantage. DON"T be ashamed of your situation! There is ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to be ashamed about. You aren't the first, and won't be the last that this happens to. I used to think that it was a trite, crappy, lying, cliche', but it really is true, that as one door closes, another one opens. GOOD LUCK, BUDDY! (your luck will expand "expotentionally", with the work that you put into it) (maybe television braodcasting? just a thought) Google your talents and/or qualifications and see what that might lead to, what areas are in demand? I truly hope that you find a company that appreciates your talents! Above all else - BELIEVE in yourself.
